honourably But all that money would be reserv'd either for the Chamber or for the Nephews or for the Pope because Princes receive not the Cap out of any regard to the profit of the Cardinalship but by their being Cardinals to adde profit to the Church On the other side the Court of Rome is so far Majestick and reckon'd among the principal of the World by how far the Cardinals do render it so for by how much the persons are considerable that carry the Purple by so much is the Court more splendid and magnificent because the Court is made magnificent by the Cardinals To this purpose I remember I was speaking one day with a Foreign Gentleman of the Grandeur of the Court of Rome and I having said that its greatest ornament and glory consisted in the persons of the Cardinals who resembling Kings the Court by consequence was adorn'd with as many Kings as Cardinals But he having been in Rome and holding particular intelligence had good information of the interests and policies of the Popes answered me thus Sir the habit makes not the Monk but the Monk the habit An ill man though he wears a Religious habit is but an ill man still but a good man in the worst habit shall be esteem'd good notwithstanding In like manner it is not the Purple that makes the Cardinal but the Cardinal the Purple so that the Cardinals would be Kings indeed if the Popes would choose them amongst the Princes and not amongst such as they too often do To speak the truth how can that Cardinal be an honour to the Court that cannot read how can he adde splendor to the Papacy that cannot write how can he give Majesty to an Imperial City that is but the off-spring of a Country Village how can he merit the Title of a King that never convers'd but with the vilest of the people Yet of such kind of stuff the Popes make their Cardinals too often and then how can that Court be thought great or serviceable to the Church if they that serve it are Kings indeed by name but Scoundrils in fact Let that Cap be bestow'd on those that know how to wear it let him be advanc'd to the Cardinalship that has deserv'd to be a King In short those Popes that desire to see the Church and the Court shining in Majesty and splendor let not them conferr that honour upon the quantity but the quality of the Persons Innocent the tenth began his promotions with the greatest glory in the World having open'd his Creation by giving his first Cap to the most Serene Prince Gio. Carlo di Medici Brother to the Great Duke of Tuscany and that on the 14th of November 1644. a person of that worth that for those twenty years he liv'd a Cardinal he may be said to have been the glory of the Colledge The next year continuing in that good humour he created Francisco Maria Farnese Brother to the Duke of Parma who joyning the Highness of his Birth to the Eminence of the Cardinalship added honour to the Order and had done it more had not the untimeliness of his death prevented it The third year he gave the Cap to Giovanni Casimiro the King of Polands Brother which he afterwards resign'd in the year 1648. being call'd back to receive that Crown in the room of his Brother that was lately dead by that means making it clear that the Purple can produce a Scepter if the Purple be taken from the Scepters And last of all in the last year but one of his Pontificate ambitious perhaps to immortalize his Name by admitting the most Eminent persons into the Colledge he created Prince Frederick Lantgrave of Hassia Cardinal of whom we have spoken already in his proper place Paul the fifth had a particular aim thorow the whole course of his Popedom to ennoble the Court to adde new Majesty to the Colledge and to select such persons as were proper by their own grandeur to defend the honour of the Church and accordingly in three promotions he advanc'd five Princes of very great quality to the Cardinalship viz. Mauritio Son to the Duke of Savoy who renounc'd it afterwards to marry one of the Neeces holding it less scandal to subject himself to a Lady than to be a slave to the Nipotisme of Vrban the eighth Ferdinando and Vicenzo Gonsaga both Sons to the Duke of Mantoa Carlo di Medici Son to the Duke of Tuscany and Ferdinando Infante di Spagna who as Histories report immortaliz'd the honour of the Cardinalship by fighting for the Faith of Christ Vrban the eighth that lived Pope so long although he created three Princes Cardinals viz. Nicolo Francisco Brother to the Duke of Lorain Gio. Alberto Brother to the King of Poland and Rinald d'Este Brother to the Duke of Modena yet for all that he was either diverted by his Kindred afterwards or else his own inclinations were not fix'd upon such Noble objects and he endeavour'd to keep at a distance from the Colledge such persons as deserv'd the Cap not only for the glory of their Birth but for the many services they had perform'd for the Church In this manner Vrban kept several Princes as far from the Cardinalship as was possible and amongst the rest Francisco Maria Farnese Brother to the Duke of Parma who as many wayes deserv'd it as any one But the Pope postponing the publick interest of the Church to the fancy and Capriccio of his Kindred depriv'd the Colledge of so Honourable a Member the Church of so considerable a Protector his own Family of so potent a support and his own person of the acquisition of a Fame more immortal than that of his being Pope For when the Popes do give occasion and matter to have it immortaliz'd they immortalize their own Names themselves nor can they find any more honourable way than by filling the Cardinalitial Colledge with persons of Honour But that which is most considerable is he not only disoblig'd the Cardinal Princes that were created by Paulus but those few also that he created himself being forc'd thereto for certain pittifull and poor-spirited reasons in so much that they were leaving of the Court and retiring out of Rome rather than to see the Prerogative of their Births prostituted to a few persons that had not wit nor education enough to use them civilly especially such as had deserv'd their promotion by their other virtues And it is most certain I beg the pardon of their relations that are living because I write only the common opinion and what is declar'd in several Histories the Church would have been in great perplexity to see it self out of all hopes of being serv'd by Princes if another Vrban had succeeded the former and not an Innocent But that God that governs all things above the comprehension of man put clear other thoughts into the heart of Innocent who by his Divine providence was call'd to the Papacy than what were in Vrban for as
affairs This Cardinal may with maturity of years make a pass in the Conclave as well as any of the rest GIO. NICOLA CONTI is a Roman of an antient Family that has several times afforded illustrious persons to the Church and by whom it has been serv'd with all punctuality and honour This Lord has had several ordinary imployments and discharg'd himself indifferently well The greatest of his Offices was the Government of Rome which he began to exercise with great severity having declar'd to his Holiness himself that he would proceed in an exact way of Justice without partiality to any body But in a short time he had chang'd his opinion and was observ'd to follow other things instead of severity especially if any thing relating to the satisfaction of the Nephews was in debate for he was grown very carefull of giving them any disgust as complying in every thing there though with never so much injury to Justice Besides this he is thought to have been too indulgent to the recommendations of the Cardinals and Nobility of Rome that are his Friends and Relations at whose instances he has discharg'd several Prisoners that were more worthy to have been corrected Not that he can be charg'd with Bribery his hands are clean enough from that though he be none of the liberalest persons about the Court. It cannot be deny'd but there are several good qualities in him that may make him capable of being an Ornament to his Dignity although he fell into some frailties before he took the Prelacy upon him that are not worthy to be remembred though he be now prudent enough to make the goodness of his deportment satisfie for the evil that is past He fails not to endeavour to raise himself as much as he can and he takes that way that is most likely to give him reputation in the Conclave He deals with the French and the Spaniards so that when he is arrived at a competent age if there be occasion he may incline them both to be his Friends He has many Relations both Souldiers and Prelates that would not be at all offended to see him Pope Alexander had several reasons for his Creation but the chief was to fortifie his own Family by obliging of a person of so great Alliance in Rome he made him Cardinal with the Title of Santa Maria in Traspontina GIACOMO NINI of Siena has been scrambling after Honours and Offices from the time he took the Ecclesiastical habit upon him and has left no stone unturn'd to arrive at his designs His ambition put him forward so that he several times attempted to have been made Nuntio but his insufficiency was too well known at Court to succeed therein he having but little of the Politicks that are necessary to make a good Minister of State as failing often rather out of honesty than any thing else Yet he thinks himself able to deal with the greatest Politicians in Rome because he has a little smattering in Learning and an obliging way with his Complements and fair words which in reality signifie not much for he speaks oftner with his tongue than his heart because he has no great foundation of reason though he wants not some ordinary Maximes Alexander the 7th in consideration of his Country and other things made him Maggior domo of the Apostolical Pallace after he had honour'd him with other offices and finally created him Cardinal in his last Promotion but one with the Title of Santa Maria della pace which Promotion gave great disgust to the Cavalier della Ciaia Unckle to Chigi that at the same time pretended to the Cardinalship and seeing Nini preferr'd was ready to run mad But though Nini had scarce merits enough for a Cap yet he deserv'd more than Ciaia The report was at first that Cardinal Chigi was the person that had driven on the interest of Nini and made him a Cardinal but it appear'd afterwards that it proceeded from the meer pleasure and inclination of the Pope Before his death there happen'd some differences betwixt Chigi and Nini but by the interposition of the Conclave Chigi was oblig'd to reconcile himself with Nini after the best manner he could which he did When Cardinal Anthonio Barbarino went thorough France to the possession of his Arch-Bishoprick he left his Vineyard near San Pancratio to Cardinal Nini during his absence which gave the Spaniard great suspition that he was inclining to the interest of the French GREGORIO BARBARIGO a Venetian was created at the nomination of the State of Venice with the Title of San Tomaso in Parione Nor did the Pope make any difficulty in the Promotion of so worthy a person that had given continual testimonies of an excellent Prelate from the very time he first enter'd into the Ecclesiastical habit and has confirm'd them since by the exemplariness of his life free from those scandals that at present are so numerous in Rome Amongst the rest of his virtues which are considerable and proper for a person of his dignity one eminent one is his Cordial affection for his Countrey by which he obliges that wise Senate that is seldome ungrateful to continue a grateful correspondence with him upon all occasions After the death of Monsignour Giorgio Cornaro the Bishoprick of Padoa was conferr'd upon him which is one of the best Bishopricks I will not say in that State for they have no other like it but in all Italy and because his Predecessor being a great Cavalier and of one the most renowned Family in Venice had suffer'd some abuses to grow till they had obscur'd in great part the glory of the Clergy Barbarigo not being able to see so considerable a Church under such enormities he instituted a Congregation of pious and good Priests to reform them giving them ample authority to effect it This new manner of Congregation unknown to the rest of the Bishops was at first ill interpreted at Rome so that some envious people spake of it after a pungent and satyrical way but the Pope commended it much and exhorted them to follow so good an example The Clergy of Padoa that were dissolute and loose thought that resolution too severe but those of any Piety or Religion commended it to the Skyes In short this Cardinal was alwayes full of zeal both to his Church and to his Countrey PIETRO VIDONI of Cremona made up his fortunes not so much by the exemplarity of his life as by the subtlety of his wit His mind was alwayes inclinable â—o holy Orders and averse to Matrimony though not altogether free from such Carnal affections as are too common in the Clergy of our dayes In the beginning of his Prelacy he fell into certain little errours but he knew well enough how to excuse himself and to stop the mouths of all such as spake any thing to his prejudice In the beginning of Innocents Pontificate he was imploy'd in certain offices but they were of no considerable trust and though he
the third Heaven gives this plain Advice to Inquisitive Spirits Non plus sapere quam oportet sapere sed sapere ad sobrietatem Which Doctrine if receiv'd by the more speculative sort of Christians with the same lowliness of mind wherewith the Apostle writ it would undoubtedly free the minds of men bewildred in those perplexities wherein even the most learned have been inextricably intangled by too nice and curious Contemplation But so deeply rooted in our Nature is the Insatiate Desire of Knowledge that we are continually climbing above our own Level though besides the trouble of the Endeadeavour we run a hazard of falling from the Precipice and of loosing the eyes of our minds by tyring them in a prospect of things Invisible Nature hath allotted to Birds a light body fit for flying to Oxen a heavy one accommodate to the slower motion of progression the former being design'd to adorn the Region of the Air and the latter for Labour and Service on the Earth Mankind not content to enjoy the Measure of Understanding given them by Divine Providence seek to raise their heavy clods beyond their assigned Sphere by speculations of things incomprehensible as if it were free for them to out-do Nature and make a new Creation of Spirits Many admire and amidst the confusions of their admiration ask why God speaks no more to men since the Incarnation of our Saviour as he did in old time to the Israelites But for my part I wonder more that Men in these times cannot understand the Language of God as the Israelites did in times past and this wonder makes me sometimes pour out very pathetical complaints To the Israelites God spoke seldome few were the words and many times 't was on the tops of very high Mountains from amidst thick Clouds and darkness sometimes in profound sleeps cloath'd with Robes of invisible Air and sometimes with a Voice only deliver'd by some Celestal Messenger Now this Seldomness enhanc'd the wonder and Surprise in the Israelites themselves whilst they observ'd how they were favour'd at times and places by measure and proportion and they were not a little proud of these favours Those who doubt at present whether it be true that God speaks no more to Men have all the reason of the world to change that doubting thought if they will but seriously consider that God speaks now not from Mountains but from Pulpits not by Night but by Day not in Sleep but to men Awake not in the Air but in the Church not seldome but often not at some definite times but continually So that if they hear him not they are either deaf to the Voice of God or else nautiateth the great plenty of Celestial favours The Israelites boasted that God writ the Divine Law in Tables of Stone in order to the better preservation of the same and why should not Christians glory of the H. Charter written by the Apostles and Evangelists by the assistance of the H. Ghost for the propagation of Christianity God Almighty writes every day in Characters so legible that those who cannot read them may deservedly be called blind But which is worst those that are thus blind are the very same that take up a belief that in these dayes God neither speaks nor writes as he did in former Ages Whoso would understand the Divine Speakings and Desires to read the Characters of Heaven let him not be at distance with the H. Scripture inasmuch as this is the Key of Paradise and the H. Ghost hath left the same to us to declare to men what the Language of Heaven is in the New Testament The H. Scripture is the Book wherein God spoke to the Israelites and speaks still to Christians And 't is so replete with sweet expressions and wholsome discourses that 't is not possible to go away hungry from so plentiful a Table nor sick from so efficacicious a Medicine That wretched Impostor Mahomet who to blind others made himself blind forbad the Translation of the H. Scripture into the Turkish Language under severe penalties as doubting lest the Doctrine thereof being so pure and holy as it is should purifie and sanctifie the minds of such as should read it And the Roman Church permit it not in any other Language but the Latin as if the Apostles Evangelists and Prophets had written for a few and not for all men for some peculiar persons and not for the Universal Church Where can Christians of all sorts and conditions better spend the most precious Laws of the day where refresh themselves in afflictions where enrich themselves in poverty than in reading of the Volume of Divine Laws The Political Books of the Heathens which contain nothing but Secular Maximes cannot furnish us with other than Worldly Knowledge But the H. Volume which descended from Heaven brings Celestial Instruction with it whence those that read the same with great ardor find consolation in it amidst their greatest calamities end miseries The holy pure clean and simple Doctrines of Christian Religion give solace and comfort not only the most ignorant who live by direction but even the most learned who give directions to others or to express my self better they refresh and relieve not only the most learned who teach but even the most ignorant who are taught The Catholicks think to be sav'd by going to Maâ—s and the Hereticks by hearing Sermons Some of these to appear good Christians read the H. Scripture sing Psalms and say Grace at Table and divers Catholicks make Confessions to a Priest go in Pilgrimage and receive Indulgences and all this to avoid being pointed at by others by which manner of living they intimate the difference of Religion consists in nothing but in an outward and as I may say constrain'd appearance The Protestants deny not but that there are many in their Communion who lead Atheistical Lives making every thing lawful to themselves and stretching liberty of Conscience to a liberty of Sinning So likewise the Catholicks confess that many of themselves too live as if there were neither God nor Christ nor Law nor Faith in the World In this matter of Religion I find one Evil of which the Catholicks are more to be blam'd than the Protestants themselves and 't is this When Catholicks go into the Country of Protestants they not only accommodate themselves to live with the liberty of the place but assume a greater liberty of Conscience and abstain as well from some Exercises of Religion which are not forbidden as from such as are In like manner the Protestants in Catholick Countries not only abstain from reading the H. Scripture singing of Psalms and frequenting Sermons but besides making a medley of Omissions they forbear to pay their Devotions to Almighty God both when they go to sleep in the Evening or rise from bed in the Morning 'T is true the Protestants well knowing the extreme rigor of the Inquisition find themselves necessitated to dissemble their Religion for avoiding the
anger of men whereas the Catholicks having greater liberty in Protestant Countries wherein they find no such rigour against themselves grow careless of their Religious Observances insomuch that many times they will ask for good Capons on Friday or Saturday although they may have plenty of good Fish If you ask a Catholick why he commits such faults as these he presently answers you Dum fueris Romae c. Whilst one is at Rome one must live as they do there out of Rome as in other places Nor are the Protestants unprovided of the same answer when they reside in Catholick Countries And this is the miserable case of Religion Yet I will not pronounce this Depravation general because I have known many Catholicks live with great modesty and exemplary piety in the Countries of Protestants as do also many of these in the Countries of Catholicks insomuch that many Catholicks do very much approve of and are edifi'd with the manner of living of the Protestants and these likewise with theirs but they are such Catholicks and Protestants as have not study'd the abovemention'd Axiom of Rome This last Easter I saw a certain Catholick a friend of mine in a Protestant Country and asking him why he went not to Mass which was celebrated not above a mile off he answer'd me That when he Travell'd he carry'd no Religion at all along with him Which a Protestant who was present over-hearing reply'd You are a gallant man I take the same course But in my judgement the thing most to be consider'd concerning this point of Religion is the dayly transition and change of Christians from the Catholick to the Protestant Church and from the Protestant to the Catholick and this by persons who oftentimes know not the cause either why they leave the one or embrace the other but run like Goats up a precipice whilst they behold others fall down from it at the same time Yea some Christians have left the Religion wherein they were born to take up another in which they know not whether it will be fit for them to dye or no inasmuch as they go upon no other account but the seeing others go before them Nor is it an extravagante to compare such Christians to Brutes since there is no greater Brute than that man who lives without the Instructions of Religion without knowing the Obligations of Christianity or the duty of his own Conscience The Protestants are so easie to admit those that leave the Catholick Church to embrace theirs they receive them so blindly sometimes in some places that they do not so much as examine them concerning the Principal Grounds and the Essential parts of the Christian Faith I know not whether they do thus as judging it better than to leave the Sheep to wander in the Desart or else to populate their Church the more but 't is certain that for the most part they find themselves deceiv'd by receiving ravenous Wolves instead of gentle Lambs Being at first not a little scandalis'd at such stories I had the curiosity to enquire the reason of this slight proceeding in a matter of so great importance from a Protestant Minister who answer'd me in the following words Sir We do like them in the College of Valenza in France who give the Doctoral Cap even to Asses sub spe futuri Studii But 't is true being now adayes well aware of this Error lest they should be mistaken in Wolves they let go the Lambs also or at least they turn and wind them so about with multiplicity of questions that they cool their desire of changeing their Fold On the other side the Catholicks not only readily receive both Wolves and Lambs but moreover they endeavour to draw from the Protestant Flock the most infected Animals of all by promising them gifts and presents with a large hand in order to compass the more easily the end of their purpose and because Wolves commonly run with a more greedy appetite to the prey than Lambs by this means they get Wolves and not Sheep who after they have devour'd the prey return back to their first Herd more savage than before There are some Missionary Priests for I except those who are full of true zeal who admit to the Catholick Religion any wild-headed indocible and debauch'd persons who think of nothing less than of leading a Christian life and so likewise some Protestant Ministers I speak with reverence to the good who receive to their Communion such people as have nothing of Man besides the shape being otherwise as to what concerns the Conscience and Soul Devils incarnate I could here insert a Story as long as curious on this occasion and demonstate by good proofs and examples the Errors which the Catholicks commit in forcing Protestants to change their Religion and likewise the failings of Protestants in receiving amongst them fugitive Catholicks But I have neither will nor time to rub the soars of the one or the other only it would be great Prudence and Charity in both parties to use greater circumspection and to have their eyes a little more open that Christianity might not be subverted by Hypocrisie and the Lambs expos'd to the discretion of the Wolves In Italy accounted the soundest part of Christendom yea in Rome it self and the Papal Dominions Bishops and Superiors of Monastick Orders have indeed the title of Masters but scarce any power to correct any of their refractory Subjects for no sooner are reproofs us'd towards them but the Scandalous Priests and Friers have a common custom to retort insolently these express threatnings to their Superiors Per Dio per Dio che me ne andero a fare Heretico I will turn Heretick But these Varlets oftentimes find themselves deceiv'd for the Hereticks sift them so much and examine them so with multitude of questions that they make the Fugitives themselves confess the cause of their flight after which confession they find themselves oblig'd not without great shame to return back with more hast than they departed I say not from their Religion because such wretches know not what Religion is but from their Country for proof of which it will not be amiss to subjoyn here a short but very true and fresh instance A certain Italian who affirm'd himself born of one of the most Eminent Families of Tuscany although his garb spoke him rathera Hedge-bird having nothing but the Impudence of a Fryar and the pronuntiation of a Florentine I know not out of what Caprichio took a resolution to relinquish the Catholick Religion to no other end but to go to Geneva and live there as he said like a very good Heretick Being arriv'd at Geneva he imparted his purpose to a certain man there who might indeed have claim'd alliance with him for he was not inferior to the most subtle Snap of Siena After some discourse and questions concerning his resolution the Inhabitant of Geneva ask'd this new-commer What Art he was skill'd in whereby to get a
that any body should be Elected but such as was either a Bishop in Italy or a Priest in Rome and the people joyn'd with them in it but but the Emperour oppos'd it who had also a great party in the Election After this the number of Bishops increasing in all quarters of the world the Electors were constrain'd to recede from their obstinate resolution of having their Popes Italians or at least such as had some Church to serve in Italy they esteeming it but just to take the most worthy and meritorious person for their Pope where-ever he was to be found without any regard to the place where he was born so that there were of all Nations advanc'd to the Papacy now Germans now French Spaniards English and from all parts of the World At length the Italians who pass for the most quick witted people in the Universe to say no more of them have known so well how to accomodate the Church to their own private interest that for an Age last past they have banish'd both French English Spaniards and Dutch c. out of the Vatican reserving that bit of Electing of Popes to themselves which though it does not absolutely satiate their appetites yet it keeps them from needing or desiring any other meat for the nourishment or fattening of their Families to the shame and indignation of those Crowns that had given great riches to the Church for maintenance of their Popes and stand now excluded from any possibility of creating one of their own Countries Nor is it wonderfull to any body that the Italians have reserv'd the Election of Popes for the particular advantage of their own Families seeing there is scarce a Citizen in Rome nor a man in all Europe but observes or understands that the Popedom is not so much aspir'd to for any zeal they have to the service of the Church as for their designs of aggrandizing their Families so that a Cardinal is no sooner chosen Pope but the first thing he does before he begins in any kind to be beneficial to the Church is to â—noble his own Kindred as is amply declar'd in the Nipotismo of Rome It is not therefore to be admir'd if the dignity of Cardinals be affected and pursued with that ardour as it is if all the Princes of the Universe imploy all possible recommendations and the Popes themselves with so much care and dexterity advance the nearest of their Kindred thereunto little regarding the incongruity of their age or the disproportion of their deserts as Julius the third did who gave a Cardinals Cap to a little youth of his Kindred and Clement the eight to a son of his Nephew not above fourteen years of age and Innocent the tenth to that ignorant Maldachini which fewness of years would have been more excusable to the rest of the Cardinals had he brought any merit along with him And indeed the dignity of a Cardinal is so great it is no miracle if the chief Families of Christendom do account themselves much honour'd if they can obtain a Cap and the chief Crowns in the Universe do rejoyce if their Heirs can adde a Red Cap to their Imperial Crown there being many that do willingly resign their Temporal Principalities to be made Cardinals But what shall I say of these Italian Prelates that are ambitious and drive at this dignity with so much ardour and passion to whom all their watching and labour and expence is but pleasant when consider'd with the dignity they aim at they can endure their Inferiours to go before them in hopes it will come to their turn also to go before their Superiours so that some of them are not concern'd with the loss of their Prelacy in other places if they have but any voice left towards the Election of Cardinals swallowing as it were any injury so long as they have any possibility of a Cap it being most certain the desire of that dignity is more poteut upon them than any danger of losing those preferments they already enjoy And if I may speak my opinion I believe confidently that invention of Bishops and Prelates to wear Green Tufts in their Caps was only a token of their ambition intimating a desire in them to have them sometime or other exchang'd for a Red. But all this is but vanity the shadow of the body is never the greater for having the head cover'd with Green Lawrel or a Cardinals Cap. To see the Cardinals marching in great state through the Streets of Rome with a train of Prelates at their heels and their Robes of Scarlet looks in my judgement as if the World were made only for them and that there was no greater felicity in it than that which they enjoy and all is because they are not sensible of the vanity of that honour which will prove at last but imaginary and but outward appearance They would not be worship'd and adored as they are if they understood what great returns are expected for the disbursement of such profuse and extravagant venerations They would not cloath themselves with that curiosity in Scarlet if they consider'd what that Cloth cost them by the yard but they reckon the price of it according to what they pay to the Merchant only and never think of the accompt they are to make to Heaven But those that have made the best calculation have had no desire to the purchase of a Cardinalship no not if they might have it at the bare price of their merits chosing oftentimes to leave Rome rather than to accept of a Cardinals Cap. Honours and Dignities are certain advantages invented by the World and Fortune for which reason the same are charg'd with so many Taxes and Imposts and with a reserve of so many troubles and solicitudes that some times are more eligible to get rid of them I could say something in this place of the Titles in the present possession of the Cardinals but I will not involve my self in a thing not altogether necessary to the principal drift of this History it is enough to understand that every Cardinal receives his Title from some Church or other though it affords him not a farthing of profit There are six Cardinal Bishops fifty Cardinal Priests and fourteen Cardinal Deacons having fourteen Churches assign'd them to give them their Titles fifty to the Priests and six to the Bishops every one of which may be a Bishop with a Cure so that he be a Priest and in that case he keeps the Title of the Church that is assign'd him with his Cardinals Cap and these Titles do daily increase according to the number of Cardinals who from six at first came to be twelve from twelve to thirty so to fifty and from thence to seventy which number in memory of the Seventy Disciples of Christ Pope Sectus the fifth order'd should never be exceeded But when the Pope pleases they may be more for there is no body can give him Laws that dissolves Councels
Countryes wandring up and down in great indigence with their whole Families perishing with hunger in the fields begging in other Countries or submitting themselves to other Princes to our great reproach And indeed for the reasons aforesaid there are not now above half the number of Subjects in the Ecclesiastick State that there has formerly been and in the numbers of his people consists the power and riches of a Prince The Genoeses that are found to have imploy'd above fourteen millions of our money though they were carefull enough in their affairs do now perceive it desperatâ— either from our disability to pay it or from some urging necessity upon the people that incites them to shake off from their necks so insufferable and tyrannical a Yoak God Almighty forgive the Ministers of that time who with so little Prudence and Equity perswaded your Holiness in the Infancy as it were of your Papacy without any necessity at all to the reduction of the Banks out of which so many millions were drawn as would have immortaliz'd your Holiness his name had they been apply'd to the satisfaction of those debts in part if not in the whole Your Holiness had not those sentiments heretofore when it pleas'd God to give us you for our Pastor and I dare affirm as I have done often and that to more than one that the first stings and compunctions that disturb'd your generous breast was those of compassion towards the exhausted people to that purpose you deputed a Congregation to inspect their grievances and was more than one time present there your self so that not only the Cardinals but all the rest of the Prelats expected an universal redress But God did not permit that your Holiness his good mind should be seconded by the good practises of your Ministers who oppos'd themselves against it to the great dissatisfaction of all that were well inclin'd It is now time most Holy Father to reap the fruits of it as you did when you provided against the abuses introduc'd in the administration of the Annona or annual provision of Corn which arriv'd to that excess as might have irritated the minds of the people to such disorders as would have been beyond all remedy But the exemplary chastisement of a single Minister only that for several years has with great corruption and universal dissatisfaction executed his office is no competent provision unless the cause be remov'd all occasions for others to do the same be prevented and the opinion that the Cardinals have their share be pull'd up and irradicated out of the hearts of the people The authority of these Officers is arriv'd at that height that in spight of all Laws both Humane and Divine and all rules of Charity and Justice they endeavour to make the name of your Holiness odious to the world by their squeâ—zings and extortions out of Corn Oyl Flesh and whatever is most necessary to the life of man it deserves certainly a severe reprehension if for no other end than that your Holiness might not appear consenting thereunto But although your Holiness even to these open and pernicious Enemies of the publique has been pleas'd to abound in your most admirable Clemency I could wish nevertheless your Holiness would in a particular manner regulate the affairs of the Annona for the future that those Subjects which your Holiness is oblig'd to provide for both as the Shepherd of their Souls and their Temporal Prince be not brought into a worse condition than the Beasts of the field who feed and sustain themselves with the Fruits of the Earth as their Creator ordain'd without being cosen'd and defeated by the malicious covetousness of others In the Congregations that I might not be wanting to my charge as being one deputed amongst the rest I have endeavour'd to display my opinion in this matter and as to the particular of keeping the City of Rome and the whole Ecclesiastick State likewise if not in a plentiful at least in a competent provision of Corn I have nothing to add to the report I made by your Holinesses Commission in the very beginning of your Papacy This I shall only say that if no relief be immediately apply'd to the sufferings of your Subjects their ruine and destruction I see most eminently and unavoidably at hand Your Holiness would do well to take off part of the impositions upon Edibles and to restrain the insatiable voracity of the Treasurers of Provinces and other publique Ministers who to Monopolize and forestall the Markets by a barbarous invention do render the people miserable and not so much as Masters of that which by the blessing of God they do gather upon their own ground It would be a great relief to your Subjects likewise if the Commerce with the Venetian which with much detriment has been interdicted till now were open'd again nor would those most prudent Senators make any difficulty to consent as well for the mutual advantage it would bring as that it would be a means to make the Apostolick See more ready and dispos'd upon any Exigence of theirs to tax its own Subjects to relieve them In short a Prince that desires the relief and ease of his Subjects cannot want wayes to effect it And this your Holiness may do by incouraging and introducing arts into several places in the State by making Civita Vecchia and Ancona free Ports by favouring Agriculture that is almost forgotten in most places by employing able and dexterous men in all Governments and Offices and not call in so many strangers to usurp and ingross what belongs naturally to your Subjects By this means your State would be repeopled the golden Age restored and your Treasury recruited I should have had something to say about the affairs of Portugal but finding my breath to fail me my head no less than my hand to tremble and that I might not be any longer tedious to your Holiness I will only beseech you to ponder and deliberate with your self in a business of so great consequence and having ask'd Counsel of God rather than of man who is sway'd and actuated by passion that you resolve and perform that zealously that shall be directed by his infinite wisdome It troubl'd my very Soul to consider the small hopes with which you suffer'd the English Gentleman to depart that was sent to your Holiness to endeavour the promotion of the Abbot Aubigny a person so qualify'd by his Birth Abilities and Piety that he would without doubt have become a Pillar and Support to the tottering Catholicks in England as Cardinal Poole did formerly Having heretofore with great vehemence and fervour supplicated your Holiness to bestow upon a person so honourable and so necessary to the Church that Cap that has so long though unworthily adorn'd my head and which still I would with all my heart lay down at your Holiness his feet for the investure of such a person I do now with all my heart reiterate those Prayers that it
gratefull only in this that he oppos'd himself publickly against Pamsilio's Election and for no other reason but that the Barbarini were against him In short in the person of this Cardinal there are two things considerable his moral vertue and his politick dexterity as to the last he never had any great success in all his Negotiations either that he had no fortune which oftentimes has its share in the greatest transactions or that he had not that subtilty or sagacity in business as is necessary It is enough that he deserv'd not the Title of an Excellent Politician though some of his Friends and particularly in the Grand Dukes Court do cry him up for an Arch Politician But they that look nearer upon him do but laugh at those Elogiums As to his morals he is indeed worthy of commendation not having given the least scandal since he took the habit upon him He is inclin'd to do justice impartially and therefore in the Bishoprick of Faenza where he is ordinarily resident he is belov'd of all people he is charitabls to the poor especially if they be sick he is zealous of the Worship of God and has other vertues that render him worthy of being Cardinal and Bishop but not Pope which is no less Prince He was promoted to the Cardinalship 1643. the 13. of July GIO. STEPHANO DONGHI is a Gentleman of Genoa worthy of the Purple from the very time he took upon him the Ecclesiastical habit yet it was not his worth but his wealth that open'd the door to his promotion to the Cardinalship He first bought one of the Clerkships di Camera and a while after Cardinal Spada's negotiation proving unhappy he was sent into Lombardy in the quality of Nuntio and Plenipotentiary to agitate the Peace with the Princes of Italy in which imployment he spent above fifty thousand Crowns of his own money and being return'd to Rome he complain'd very much of the Barbarini that so many persons of less merit than he were preferr'd before him that had done such service to the Church and that Family at his own trouble and expence In so much that Vrban to avoid the imputation of ingratitude and that he might have the Clerkship di Camera to dispose of again promoted him to the Cardinalship on the 13. of July 1643. in which Dignity he behaves himself with so general applause that they have good reason to bless God for his promotion In his Legation of Ferrara he acquir'd immortal reputation as a person that understood which way to distribute justice with sweetness and upon several occasions he oblig'd the Venetian so that they give him the greatest commendation imaginable He is apparently engag'd to follow the interest of Spain his whole Family depending upon the protection of that Crown yet he manages himself with that prudence that he gives no disgust by his expressions to the other party As he is rich his expences are great but it is in things that are honourable and necessary not in vanities and trifles He is of a benign affable and pleasant nature and charitable above all so that were it not for his unhappiness in being a Genoese he would be very worthy of the Popedom PAVLO EMILIO RONDANINI the last Cardinal of Pope Vrbans Creatures he was promoted the 13. of July 1643. and that for two reasons especially The first was the desire the Barbarini had to be selling his Office of Chierico di Camera and fingering the money The other was to recompence the several services he had done them particularly when at his own charges he rais'd a Troop of Cuirasiers for the service of the Barbarini against the Princes of the League He has many virtues that render him worthy of the Dignity he possesses but those virtues are eclips'd by certain natural defects and above all by his pride he disdaining to take notice of the salutes that are given him but he is striving by art to correct these infirmities in his nature he loves to be accâ—sted and comes not with the last to Comedies and Pastimes In matters of business he is not much considerable his brain is too weak to receive any thing of consequence though he should engage himself in any such affair so as I fancy he will dye before he will arrive at the Papacy and be content rather to enjoy what he desires It follows now that we speak of the Cardinals created by Innocent the tenth at several promotions which are now living and the first that presents himself is NICOLO LVDOVISI a Bolonian who was advanc'd to the Cardinalship on the sixth of March 1645. This Lord obtain'd the Cap by fortune meerly his merits not rendring him worthy of that honour though he was endued with judgement and other qualities good enough for a Prelate The Cardinal Colonna about the beginning of the Papacy of Innocent resign'd the Archbishoprick of Bolonia to him but so over-charg'd with Pensions there remain'd not a thousand Crowns clear for the maintenance of himself and his Court His friends advis'd him not to engage himself in that manner nor to undertake so troublesome a Cure where the profit and reputation was so small for it was the general discourse that Colonna had a long time sought out for a person that would accept of it and could find none it seeming impossible to most people to live with so great a charge So that it may be rationally concluded that the Archbishoprick was not conferr'd upon him in consideration of his merits so much as of the Pensions that were upon it however the Nephews out of an ambition of having an Archbishoprick at their devotion in their own Country encourag'd him to take it and he did so The Prince Ludovisi being about this time married to a Neece of Pope Innocents was consequently introduc'd into the favour of the said Pope though but indifferently Donna Olimpia not suffering his greatest graces to depend upon any but her own authority he began to imagine it would be convenient to have a Cardinal in his own Family that he might have the better intelligence of the secrets of the Court and ruminating with himself of this and of that the Archbishop came at last into his mind who was his Cousin by the Mothers side and carry'd the Name of Nicolo Albergati so that he entreated his Holiness at his request to confer a Cap upon the said Albergati but upon condition he should renounce the Name of Albergati and be call'd Cardinal Ludovisi His Holiness satisfi'd the desires of the Prince and dispatch'd away a Brief immediately with the conditions propos'd by the Prince which Albergati made no difficulty to accept and to take upon him the Name of Ludovisi and the Cardinalship together which in Honour and Nobility exceeded much the Name of Albergati and these were the degrees by which this person ascended to the Purple All the expences that are usual in such cases were defray'd by the Prince for his own poverty affording
him little to spend he made use of the House of the Prince his Cousin as if he had been his own Brother The Pope having an eye upon his indigence gave him some other means to sustain himself and among the rest made him Chief Penitentiary and sent him Apostolick Legate to Florence to Christen a Son of the Great Dukes In which Legation he was presented with very fine Arras Hangings and other curiosities for his Chamber the Grand Duke very well understanding what he had principally need of Many believe that in time being a little ripened with age he may raise his fortunes in some Conclave or other and this their opinion is founded upon the exemplanariness of life which he pretends to though many suspect it to be but forc'd from the exactness with which he has govern'd his own Church upon the reputation all his Brothers carry in Bolonia being esteem'd persons of judgement and integrity and upon the affection the Spaniards bear to him whose interest upon all occasion he takes great glory to espouse These reasons amongst the common people do ascertain him to be Pope but they that understand him better and converse with him often are of another opinion and do find him uncapable of governing such a Kingdom by reason of his invincible obstinacy which is so natural and so great in him that amongst many it is counted perfect madness for he renders himself thereby unacceptable to all that deal with him especially when they treat of matters of Conscience he is so refractory all the arguments in the world are not able â—o alter his opinion This is the judgement of him amongst the Cardinals but it may be when he grows riper in years this obstacle may be remov'd for excessive obstinacy is doubtless an obstacle to any that pretend to the Papacy as may easily be prov'd by the example of Sextus the fifth who was the most fantastical and gâ—ddy headed person in all the Cloysters yet when he came to be Cardinal ambitious of fishing in the Sea of Saint Peter he offer'd violence to his nature counterfeiting meekness so much that he was counted ignorant submitting alwayes his own opinion to the judgement of the other Cardinals If he will do so the Papacy 't is possible may fall into his hands whereas otherwise he will fall out of the hands of the Papacy as he fell out of the Padronage When Innocent took his resolution to create a Cardinal Padrone for his assistance in his Pastoral Cure the Prince with all the importunity he was able recommended the said Cardinal Ludovisi his Kinsman but Innocent knew him too well deny'd to satisfie the Prince and promoted Astalli to the peace not that his Talents were greater than the others but because Panzirolo who had great influence upon his Holiness had told him that he was a person able to distinguish betwixt good and evil that he was solid in his Councils and not peremptory in his opinions as Ludovisi was it is enough to say that Ludovisi was laid aside and Astalli receiv'd into the place and indeed it was better for him to have been rejected than to have run the same fortune with Astalli which will be memorable in all Ages ALDARANO CIBO da Massa di Carrara was promoted to the Cardinalship the 6. of March 1645. Innocent alwayes lov'd him very well and look'd upon him as worthy of preferment insomuch that as soon as he was created Pope he declar'd him Maggior-domo of the Apostolical Pallace he having in his Prelacy gain'd some reputation and afterwards made him Cardinal in the year aforesaid both for his particular inclination to his person and a respect he bore him as he was descended from the Noble Family of the Cibo in Genoa from whence Innocent the eighth was descended But the principal motive according to the common opinion was because Innocent was perswaded by Donna Olimpia to get Monsignor Cibo's Palace that was joyning â— his own and laying them together to make a magnificent one for the Family of Pamfilio which design being apprehended by Cibo he made his Holiness a present of it refuring any consideration And though the Pope paid for it would by no means accept it as a gift yet it left an obligation upon him that he was offer'd it so that for this reason and the other he created him a Cardinal in which dignity he has comported himself so well he has the applause of the whole Court and will increase iâ— dayly he being esteem'd a person of great justice and integrity and in his Church di Jâ—si where he ordinarily resides his reputation is so great amongst the people of that Country that they swear there cannot a more worthy Pastor be found in the whole Universe In two Lâ—gations that he perform'd he signaliz'd himself so that he acquir'd the reputation of a great Statesman and a person proper for the highest imployments He is very studious and indeed a little too much for his study makes him something Melancholly his diversion is Musick which delights him exceedingly especially if it be Spiritual Musick He is Spaniard both in his inclination and interest his Family being all under the protection of that Crown He is as retir'd as he can possibly which makes all people suspect he aspires to the Papacy and in my opinion were merits rightly consider'd he might obtain it but the mischief is in the Conclaves at present the interest of factions and nor the merit of the person carryes it would the Cardinal satisfie their own Consciences and give their voices for so worthy a person there might be some good expected from such an Election the Church would certainly be better serv'd and the State better govern'd provided he chang'd not his humour as Alexander the seventh did who of a Saint of a Cardinal became a Devil of a Pope as soon as he receiv'd the Keys which will make the Cardinals consider for the time to come before they give their Votes for an honest man that is for such an one as counterfits and pretends honesty only which I cannot believe of this person FEDERICO SFORZA a Roman is a most considerable person in respect of the Nobility of his Family that have formerly been Dukes of Milan with the Title of Soveraignty besides an infinite number of Cardinals that have render'd it conspicuous with their Scarlet In the Pontificate of Vrban he took upon him the Habit of a Prelat with hopes to obtain what he has now got but he could not reach it in that Popes dayes nor get any higher than to be Vice-Legal of Avignon which was given him by Cardinal Antonio with promise also of a Cap but that promise vanish'd into smoak Cardinal Antonio finding excuses enough to withdraw himself from his word Innocent the tenth that so noble a Family might not be without that Purple created him a Cardinal 1645. and because he knew he was disgusted at the manner of Antonio's proceeding with him he
not endure to have it mention'd upon any occasion Alexander the seventh was not well pleas'd neither to see him cheek by jowle amongst so many select persons and therefore gave himself over to use him ill sending him away without any respect to a place that was a greater distance from Rome but the rest of the Cardinals looking upon the misusage of his person as a reflection upon the Order in general they made their complaint to his Holiness and he was immediately set at liberty Donna Olimpia perswaded him to espouse the interest of Spain which he did but finding by degrees the little esteem the Spaniards had for him by their several times neglecting to call him to their Assemblies in which the intrigues of that Court were transacted and all because they knew he had not judgement enough to give them any Councel he turn'd to the French who receiv'd him very readily if for no other reason to secure his voice in the Conclave And this is certain his negotiating with the French has not a little instructed him in his Complements it being the general observation of the Court that since his Voyage into France he is grown much more conversable than formerly In the last Conclave of Rospigliosi he suffer'd himself to be transported into some expressions rather dictated to him than spoken by him against the Spaniards The Spaniards were nettled and bit their thumbs as the Italians use to do in private though in publick they seem'd but to laugh at it Some say the Spanish Ambassador having notice of it from one of the Conclave who being no great friend of Maldachini's had told the story a little too sharply reply'd laughing The voice of an Ass reaches not to Heaven which coming likewise to Maldachini's ears displeas'd him exceedingly so that he fell a railing against all that belong'd to Spain which the Spaniards likewise understanding for the Spyes in Rome will not fail to do that good office to mortifie and rebuke him they resolv'd to stop the Rents of those Abbeys and Benefices that he held in the Kingdom of Naples and other Catholick States and he finding himself in this manner necessitated to renounce has within few months resign'd three Abbeys into the hands of the Pope one of which is given to Monsignor Strada the second to Monsignor Polini both of them of the Privy-Chamber and the third to a Son of the Marquess Astalli Nephew to the Cardinal aforesaid whose Father is of the Faction of Spain In short I would not swear this Cardinal should not be Pope if there was need of nothing but his own single voice but otherwise I fear he will dye without it GIO. FRANCISCO GONDI a Frenchman call'd Cardinal di Retz he was promoted to the Cardinalship the 19th of February in the year 1652. at the instance of the King of France with whom he was afterwards disgusted having receiv'd some considerable affronts though he was Archbishop of Paris The Court cry'd out exceedingly against Mazarine who govern'd all at that time and was the principal cause of the persecuting this person and that upon good grounds The Ecclesiasticks pretended that the greatest Princes that are cannot repress the power of a Cardinal when they are treating of matters of State no though the Cardinals be contriving the ruine or disturbance of the Publique Peace But this is a doctrine the Princes do but laugh at and amongst the rest the Kings of France who upon any such occasion do fly presently to their Gallican Rites It was strange to Innocent that after the Crown of France had with so much instance and importunity recommended this person to be promoted and after he was advanc'd to so honourable a Dignity he should be slighted and ill used immediately by the same Crown of which he made frequent complaints to Mazarine who wanted not his pretences to excuse them However the Politicians look'd upon it as a great over-sight in Mazarine to present that person to the Cardinalship without pre-considering what might follow and indeed they that understood the Spirit of the man inclin'd alwayes to disturb and perplex the quiet of his Superiours were much scandaliz'd to see Mazarine instead of keeping him at a distance by some politick pretence to endeavour to make him equal in Dignity to himself and by consequence to give him greater opportunity and encouragement to undertake what in effect he did enterprize But Mazarine was oblig'd to do what he did for private and occult reasons not imagining the said person could have been able to have kindled so great a Conflagration as he did The timid though unquiet Nature with which he observ'd Gondi to be govern'd perswaded him that he was not to be parted from that Country where he manag'd all so as the judgement of so great a Head-piece as Mazarine is many times deceiv'd he finding by experience that the most timerous man if back'd and supported grows most troublesome and ambitious The Spaniards endeavour'd what they could to fetch over this Cardinal to their party promising him as is reported much more than he could hope for in France but he that had his aim upon France and not upon Spain kept himself close to the interest of that Crown demonstrating upon several occasions that his adherance to the Male-contents was not from any animosity to that Kingdom but only from a desire to humble the fortunes of Cardinal Mazarine At the time that accident happen'd to the Duke of Crequy in Rome which was the twentieth of August 63. amongst all the Cardinals there was none that stuck so zealously to the French party as he to the admiration of every body that a person that had been turn'd out of his Church and other Benefices had been imprison'd persecuted and banish'd should appear with such ardour in defence of that interest that was the cause of his troubles and which is worse resolv'd never to readmit him to the Dignities he had lost But his proceedings in this point were prudent enough for having voluntarily disoblig'd his Most Christian Majesty it was but reason he should be voluntarily oblig'd And the King of France unwilling to let the constancy or generosity of Retz with which he maintain'd the just Priviledges of his Crown to go unrewarded he admitted him again into his favour which he enjoys to this day but with some conditional limitations as retaining still in his mind the prejudice he did formerly to the Crown though he often declar'd that all his designs were against Mazarine LVIGI HOMODEI from his very first entrance into the Prelacy had an ambitious hankering after a Cap and it cost him and his Family no small quantity of money before he did compass his ends It was thought very strange his Family being like to extinguish for want of Heirs that he would suffer it to perish rather than marry it is reported that a friend of his advising him to marry he reply'd That he had higher thoughts However things have
to his desires in Rome to which he has a great inclination as thinking that place more pleasant than Germany But the truth is when he is in Germany his inclinations are after Rome and when in Rome they are the same for Germany CARLO BARBARINI a Roman was design'd in the promotion the 19th of February 1652. and afterwards declar'd Cardinal alone on the 25. of June 1653. to the admiration of all the World that by such an excess of favour he should admit three Cardinals living at one time of one Family a thing never seen nor heard of in former times and that which magnifi'd their astonishment more was that they saw them initiated into the favour of that Pope who look'd upon it as a matter of great importance to destroy or at least to debase that Family as knowing how strong their interest was in gaining the people and working over the hearts of the discontented to themselves The Reconciliation was brought about by means of an Alliance contriv'd by Donna Olimpia who fore-seeing the death of the Pope her Cousin approaching and considering there was no body of her party that could sustain her upon any accident or adversity she having disoblig'd even her own Sons she resolv'd to undertake something extraordinary and that was to negotiate an Alliance with the Barbarini And the Princess her Daughter that was marry'd to the Prince Justinian having at that time a Daughter that was marriageable she entred into treaty with Cardinal Francisco Barbarino for the Prince di Palestrina their Nephew and promis'd restitution of whatever had been sequestred from them The Barbarini though they had need enough to have businesses accommodated were not so weak nevertheless as to give them their eldest Son but they told her that he was inclin'd to take the Prelacy upon him which was as much as to say he desir'd a Cap and that he would resign his Prefectship to the Abbot his Brother and take the Abbey to himself as it afterwards happen'd with advantage to them both and in this manner Charles having resigned his Primogeniture to Maffeo Barbarino his Brother the marriage was concluded and the said Charles created Cardinal in respect of the said Match Yet this accumulation of honour upon honour was not to be blam'd in the Pope if the excellent qualities of this young Cardinal be consider'd his modesty is so conspicuous and his life so unblamable that he constrains the very Enemies of his Family to love him and draws respect from every person in the Court. Cardinal Francisco's virtues are visible in the virtues of such a Nephew who depends so entirely upon the beck of his Unckle that his obedience appears little less than adoration The greatest part of the day he addicts either to Study Devotion or other Spiritual exercises retaining some time also for politick affairs under the direction of his Unckle Cardinal Francisco a person of great experience in those things to whose model and example he frames himself exactly In short he takes the same way with his Predecessors that pretended to the Papacy but I shall say no more of him because he is not above forty years old but in time he may be elected as soon as the greatest pretender of them all GIO. BATTISTA SPADA a Luchese otherwise call'd di Santa Sâ—sanna was in his Prelacy entrusted by Vrban the eighth with certain great and considerable Offices which he discharg'd to his commendations yet though Vrban promis'd him a Cap he was not so good as his word But Innocent being inform'd of the excellency of his qualities that the services that he had done to the Publique might remain unrewarded no longer he created him Cardinal the 2. of March 1654. He is a person of great prudence of a good humour skill'd well enough in the Law and of no small experience in the Court Cardinal Barbarino that loves him at his heart cryes him up for one of the greatest Politicians in the World and addes many things more then that to his commendations The Spaniards have great confidence in him as looking upon him of a quiet nature and not given to novelties But his being so strangely united in affection with Barbarino has given the Grand Duke occasion of Jealousie and so much the more because they have espous'd the interest of their Country In his Legation of Ferrara he was a little faulty but they were rather of Omission than of Commission he leaving the Reins too loose to his Ministers to be corrupt in so much that they who had any business in his Tribunal complain'd of the rapacity of his Officers and the too great goodness of the Cardinal FRANCISCO ALBICI of Cesena is a well deserving and well affected Servant to the Duke of Tuscany whose Vassail he is originally though was born in Cesena where having exercis'd his pragmatical humour for some time and according to the usual impetuosity of his nature he constrain'd a Gentleman of that Country to handle him like a Vassail indeed and after such an affront not being able to stay longer in those parts he came to Rome and entred himself into the family of Panzirolo who carry'd him along with him into Spain in spight of several of his Court that were unwilling to have associated with so extravagant a brain At his return from Spain he was imploy'd by Innocent in the business of the Jansâ—nists which he transacted so well that he was look'd upon as a person of great abilities and cunning if for no other reason for complying so exquisitely with the humour of the Pope that he made him a Cardinal on the 2d of March 1654. which otherwise with all Panzirolo's interest he could never obtain But the principal cause that some will have for his promotion was the known animosity betwixt him and Cardinal Maculano a person exceedingly odious to Donna Olimpia and the whole house of Pamphilia pretending that by introducing into the Conclave a person of his temper and vehemence all the hopes Maculano had would be dash'd so that it it may be said he was not advanc'd upon the score of his merits but that he might be an impediment to all such practises as should be us'd in favour of the said Maculano The Tongue of this Cardinal is extremely Satyrical and he utters many times things that are insufferably sharp he has utterly disoblig'd the Chigi with his talking against whom now they are out of authority he speaks more frankly than formerly But he reckons that a virtue in himself pretending he does it not out of any malevolence but justice as being naturally averse to the corruptions of the Age not of the Court and therefore he cannot content himself to reprehend the vices of other people at their private meetings but in his publique Orations he takes delight to ostentate his eloquence in that manner every body admiring that he that is not without his defects himself should give himself over to the censuring of other persons without any
however they gain'd but little upon him their discourses being only in general terms It is not known what good success he would have had in the management of the Congregations because he stay'd not long in Rome after the assumption of Clement the ninth being immediately sent Legat to Romagna where he order'd his affairs with great regularity and justice but 't is suppos'd he would have done very well because he is a person of sound judgement modest in his opinion and one that will give both God and Caesar their due which is as much as to say he is both a good States-man and a good Church-man too and would be much better were he not addicted so much to the benefit of his own Family GIVLIO SPINOLA a Genoese is a person of excellent parts generous magnanimous and full of civility and meekness he is an enemy to prodigality yet loves not covetousness the darling of his Country-men He arriv'ed at the Prelacy though he was otherwise deserving enough by the ordinary way of the Genoeses who have taken an oath as it were to buy all the offices that are to be sold in Rome by the Church In his very first imployments he express'd himself a person of worth and indeed he is not a little learned nor a little conversant amongst learned men his delight is to be discoursing amongst such as are experienc'd in Politicks and Ecclesiastical affairs observing with great diligence which way he may make the most profit of them and this he loves as his Recreations In his youth he was not so chast altogether as he should have been having suffer'd himself to be carry'd away too much with the love of Women to the scandal of all that had affection for him but since he took the habit of a Prelate upon him he has been more circumspect and if he has not girt himself so close with the girdle of Chastity as he ought yet he has brought himself to so formal and exterior modesty and so seeming a prudence in covering those frailties which cannot be forsaken by those that carry them along with them that at present he is esteem'd chast whether he be so or no. He being a person descended from a Family so famous through all Europe in several respects particularly in consideration of the Marquiss Spinola the great Captain and Cardinal Agostino Spinola a most noble person and very beneficial to the poor had no great difficulty to obtain a reputation at Court which every body is ambitious of at Rome many people admir'd rather that he was imploy'd no sooner in more considerable affairs seeing that to the Nobility of his Birth he wanted not the good endowments of mind Alexander having experienc'd him in some intricate business and found him a person of worth he sent him Nuntio into Germany in Caraffa's place who was created Cardinal In which he comported himself so well to the satisfaction both of the Emperour and Pope especially in matters of Religion and the differences betwixt the Catholick and Protestant that in the last Promotion of Pope Alexander he deservedly obtain'd a Cap and a while after he left the Imperial Court to be present at the Conclave in Rome His voice will alwayes be in favour of the house of Austria as well from his natural inclination as from the obligations the Family of Spinola has alwayes receiv'd from the Catholick Crown from whence it acknowledges the greatest part of its fortunes He delights much in walking in Comedyes and Balls and perhaps his dignity has alter'd his humours however he is assiduous enough in business and is very sincere and affectionate in what eyer he undertakes he is very apt to be angry if things succeed not according to his designs he looks closely enough to the people of his Court and allows them not such latitude as other Prelates and Cardinals do allow to their Courts 'T is suppos'd he would do very well in the management of some Legation which he might have if there was any regard had of the desert of a person but in those cases the Popes aim no further than to satisfie them they are pleas'd with not those that deserve it He uses great prudence in gaining upon such Princes Ministers as are resident in Rome and speaks of the merit of his Countrey so as gives occasion of jealousie to all that envy them VITALIANO VISCONTI of Milan is a Gentleman of an illustrious Family and descended from the antient Dukes of Milan He devotes himself to the service of the Church that sometime or other he may come to the Cardinalship for which he had alwayes a particular fancy His friends did what they could to have perswaded him to the Warrs but he lik'd the Cross better as that which brings ordinarily more profit more honour and less danger The beginning of his Prelacy was not so successful as he look'd for so that he was often changing his profession being weary as he said to see things go on so slowly but he had no reason for he thought honours would have been shower'd down upon his head though it came as fast as he could reasonably expect Pope Alexander who had the first occasion to try him in matters of trust did it in his Papacy honouring and loading him with offices till that when Monsignour Bonelli that was Nuntio in Spain was created Cardinal he gave that Nuntiature to Visconti though there were others that put hard for it But the Pope who knew well enough the merits of the cause declar'd Visconti Nuntio at one blow satisfying his own inclination and the Spaniards too who were not displeas'd to have for their Nuntio a Prelate not only born their Subject but bound by many obligations to the Catholick Crown In this Nuntiature which lasted but three years Philip the fourth King of Spain dy'd upon which occasion the Nuntio shew'd himself both a faithfull Pastor and a great Politician assisting in many things with favour to the Church and without any prejudice to the Crown of Spain Before he ended his dayes Alexander thought good to promote him to the Cardinalship as well to recompence his services to the Church as that he might not see so honourable a Family without the dignity of a Cardinal which had had heretofore the Soveraignty of Milan From the advice of his Promotion resolv'd to the news of the unhappy and dying condition of the Pope there were but few dayes past so that either out of his own desire to be in the Conclave or otherwise to comply with the importunity of the Spanish Ambassador at Rome who press'd him earnestly to make hast that the Spanish interest might be made stronger thereby he resolv'd to take Post and make his journey by land But the Counsel of Madrid would not admit his Auditor to propose it and therefore he was forc'd to stay in Spain and expect new orders from the new Pope with great disgust to the Ambassador at Rome The Spaniards caress him much
they desire any favour for the Barons his Holiness should grant it at their Suit By which means the Sacred Colledge will become more estimable to every body but if the Pope villifies them all the world contemns them which was very wise Councel All the pleasant and facetious things that are said in the Court are father'd upon this person of which he never so much as thought and this proceeds from the liberty he takes in his discourse having lived alwayes with that freedom He is a man that perplexes his enemies by the multitude of his civilities and has never ceas'd to assist them who were the cause of his coming to Rome although since he was a Cardinal it was in his power to have mischiev'd them but he confesses himself beholding to them and that if it had not been for their threats he had never come from Cesenna A rare virtue to draw good out of evil But to return Spada was talk'd of both without the Conclave and within for some certain dayes and had it not been for the obstinacy in the creatures of Chigi to have no other Pope but a creature of Alexanders he would doubtless have put fairer for the Papacy than Barbarino himself or any other creature either of Vrbans or Innocents Barbarino had a great affection for him and finding he could not compass it himself he set his interest on foot and endeavour'd to bend and incline the minds of some people to him by crying him up for one of the greatest Polititians in the world affirming the Church had need of such a Pope in such times as these But all this was only in satisfaction to the said Spada he knew very well he was not likely to succeed besides Cardinal Rospigliosi driving at the same thing with more zeal and better means and being oblig'd to Barbarino more than if he had been his creature Barbarino would never have propos'd it to Spada lest he should take away the Papacy from the creatures of Chigi or give an occasion of jealousie to the Grand Duke by hindring the Exaltation of a common friend and creating one of his own only Two reasons oblig'd the Grand Duke to deny his assistance to Santa Susanna who is vulgarly call'd Spada The first was his being a Luccaese that is a worthy Citizen of a Republique upon which the Great Duke looks with an eye of compassion and would rather have it in his own hands than in the midst of his State But if the interests of his Countrey had not been of importance his immoderate affection and dependance upon the will of Barbarino would have made him resolve upon his Exclusion The Spaniards look upon him as their friend and would not have fail'd to have assisted him effectually both for the confidence they had in him and the opinion that he was a quiet and peaceable man which is the thing the Spaniards do principally regard but either by the natural iniquity of that Nation or the want of fidelity in the Ministers of that Crown it appears that it is enough to exclude any one from the Papacy to be propos'd and recommended by the Spaniard as Innocent said very plesantly At first they believ'd they might obtain their design and so much the more zealous were they for his promotion by how much they were inform'd of the King of France's resolution to fall into Flanders with his Army judging it convenient for the quiet of Italy to put a Pope into the Vatican inclinable to peace and affectionate to Spain The French pretended very fairly they would exclude nobody and his Majesty had given them such order but underhand they labour'd the contrary endeavouring to turn away that water from the Mill which the Spaniard supply'd There were certain Satyrical Libels publish'd against Santa Susanna suppos'd to have come out of the Family of Cardinal Farnese who being farther engag'd for the Papacy than any of the rest he had a mind to dismount every body else and remain on horseback himself The Court would have desir'd his exaltation because he was generally beloved but his having so few Adherents especially of the Cap except Barbarino was no small prejudice to his affairs It was believ'd it was a great advantage to him that there was never a Cardinal of the house of Medici and that the interests of the Great Duke were manag'd by Cardinal Rosetti who is a good Cardinal though unfortunate in his Negotiations and indeed it had not been ill for him had the Spaniards had Cardinals of Authority to have manag'd their Factions for 't is the head which gives vigour to all the rest of the Members And now I shall pass to the person of Cardinal Farnese a true Roman and of whom they discours'd as if he were created already there were certain Parasites and Flatterers which fail'd not to assure him of the Papacy but he refus'd with great prudence to put his Nose to that incense And to the end the Reader may be better inform'd of all passages I will set down the reasons upon which they believ'd him Pope and which gave him so great probability and afterwards give an account of the impediments which obstructed him and the first thing that enabled him to contend for the Papacy with any of the rest was his age he being above 70. years old of a weakly complexion and of a very extravagant course of life going to dinner when others went to bed and to supper when others rose another was the many and principal charges which he exercised in Rome after his return from his Nuntiature in Switzerland another his great zeal and incorruption in matters of Justice which he exercis'd with that excess as one may say that he became very terrible to the wicked and very grateful to the good for his uprightness and diligence in business another reason was that he was the last of his Family having only two Nephews by his Sister one in Bolonia and the other in Rome This latter was a Prelate of a competent age but both of them hated by their Unkle who by natural instinct bears a kind of natural aversion to his own Kindred and servants Which humour made the Cardinals open their Eyes and judge him worthy of the Papacy in these times when the Church was so lacerated and perplex'd by the Hereticks and so ruin'd and destroy'd by the Nephews of the Popes The French and the Spaniard were inclin'd to concur with him either in appearance or in earnest for one and the same reason he being descended from the same house with the Dukes of Parma and by consequence not in any suspicion with the Spaniard there being at present a Brother of the said Duke of Parma's in the King of Spains service against Portugal besides the honourable memory of the tryumphs of Alexander Farnese in Flanders in the service of the said Crown So that the Spaniard could not desire greater security than to have a Prince of the Farneses as it
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