that being once done ther was no doubt but the other might follow after So after many other prevalent reasons Perron obtain'd of the Pope that seeing for the present he could not prevail in the Jesuits behalf he shold let it passe and insert a Clause in the Article wherby it might appear to the world that he had not neglected their restauration then the Cardinall speaking of the Commission the Pope wold hardly be drawn therunto supposing it to be dishonorable to the Sea Apostolic in regard that the revocation of Censures ought to be done at Rome and not sent to Venice yet the Cardinal alledging divers reasons to the contrary the Pope at last consented to give the Cardinal Ioyeuse Commission to revoke the Censures which he shold carry with him to Venice but on this condition to do his best for the restauration of the Iesuits before he disannull'd the Interdiction He also though with som difficulty induc'd his Holines to be pleas'd that the French Ambassador resident at Rome and not he who lay at Venice shold in the French Kings and the Signories Name crave of him the revocation of the Censures in writing for the Pope told him that the Spanish Ambassador resident at Venice had crav'd it in the name of his Master and the Republic In a word the Pope granted all his demands only he seem'd unwilling to declare his intention to the Consistory saying that he suppos'd he ought not to do it publiquely because he had not yet acquainted the Cardinalls herwith neverthelesse he wold resolve upon 't and the next day in the Consistory wold impart it to som particular Cardinalls and the same afternoon call one after another into his Chamber to take their suffrages in secret According to this resolution the Pope having in the Consistory declar'd his intent to som particular Cardinalls he did the same afternoon call the rest into his Chamber secretly to take their Opinions and in that businesse spent the whole week The Spaniards being not well pleas'd that they were not sought unto in this businesse and desirous to frustrate the matter divulg'd certain rumors contrary to the Popes will and meaning and among others a cunning letter was written by Don Francisco de Castro wherin he certified the Pope that if he stood first for restoring the Iesuits he was likely to obtain it and that the Republic determin'd to make a Protestation by surrendring the Prisoners contrary to that which had bin concluded and which his Holines had promis'd to himself these false rumors distracted the Pope who therupon made som difficulty to proceed further but Cardinall Perron solliciting him and assuring him of the contrary he deliver'd according to his former resolution the Commission to Cardinall Ioyeuse willing him to make hast to Venice The Spaniards being not able to crosse this resolution made sute to have Cardâ—…nall Zapata joyn'd in Commission with Cardinall Ioyeuse but their labour in that point was lost and yet in other Solemnities Zapata and the Spanish Ambassadour had in appearance som intelligence with the French Ministers because in the Kings Name they were Sureties for the Signory as were Cardinall Ioyeuse and the French Ambassador for his Christian Majesty yet the world accounted it but a vain and idle fable for they had no such Authority from the Republic as had the French who executed their Commission to their Kings advantage and honor Cardinall Ioyeuse with the Commission receav'd from his Holines containing the conditions wheron the Censures were to be revok'd being in nomber six goes on his journey The conditions were to this effect 1. That the two Churchmen prisoners namely the Abbot of Nerveze and the Chanon of Vicenza shold be freely given to the Pope 2. That his Holines shold revoke his Censures making a Declaration therof to the Colledge 3. That the Venetian Signory shold within a while after send an Ambassage to the Pope That the Venetian Duke by a Declaration shold certifie the Clergy under the State that the first Declaration is revok'd That the three Decrees mention'd in the Popes Inderdiction and other Laws of the Signory shold continue in their full force and power with this Proviso That the Senat shall promise the French and Catholic King not to execute them till the businesse be fully concluded 'twixt his Holines and the Signory having first more amply inform'd the Pope of the justice and equity of those Laws Lastly that all Churchmen and Religious Orders which are banish'd and expuls'd from Venice or the Jurisdiction therof by reason of these troubles may return home to their houses and Convents but concerning the return of the Jesuits his Holines is contented to defer it till an Ambassador from the Signory hath treated particularly with him concerning that point certifying him that their expulsion proceeds from certain causes and reasons which have no community with the Interdiction and if it shall be found otherwise then to admit their restauration as well as of other Ecclesiastiques Now Cardinall Ioyeuse departed from Rome with his Commission and the Articles aforesayed and arriv'd at Venice wher he was extraordinarily entertain'd many Senators going to meet him in the Bucentaure the next day one of the States Secretaries accompanied with the Captain and other Officers of the Prison were sent to him and for the greater solemnity with a public Notary brought the two prisoners to the House of Monsieur du Fresne Ambassador for the French King at Venice and deliver'd them unto him as granted to the Pope at the instance of the King his Master without prejudice to the States Jurisdiction in such cases and the French Ambassadour did presently consign them to the hands of Cardinall Ioyeuse who was in the same House in the presence of the Secretary with these words These are the prisoners which the Signory hath granted to his Holines not adding at whose entreaty and so the Cardinall receav'd them as his proper prisoners wherunto the Secretary at that time made no reply In this manner by this omission on the one part and silence on the other it seemed that som did not well understand what remain'd betwixt the Pope and the Signory The next morning the Cardinall came to the Colledge and after som circumstances of the Popes Fatherly goodnesse he assur'd them that the Censures were revok'd so having given them his Benediction he went to celebrat the Masse in the Patriarks Church the Dukes first Declaration was revok'd also in this manner LEONARDO DONATO by the Grace of God Duke of Venice c. To the reverend Patriarks Archbishops and Bishops of our State and Jurisdiction of Venice and to the Vicars Abbots Priors Rectors of Parish Churches and all other Ecclesiasticall peeple Greeting SEeing it hath pleas'd our good God to find out a way wherby our Holy Father Pope Paul the V. hath bin duly inform'd as well of our good meaning as of the integrity of our actions and continuall honor and reverence
secular Princes in such sort that one may not intermeddle with that which appertains to either Therfore the Pope hath no power to abrogat the Laws of Princes in civill matters nor to deprive them of their estates or free their Subjects from their alleageance which they owe unto them That to depose Kings is a new thing never attempted but within these five hundred years it is against the Holy Scriptures the examples of Christ and his Saints That to teach that in case of conscience 'twixt the Pope and a Prince 't is lawfull to poursue him with fraud and force and that the Subjects therby do obtain remission of sins is a Doctrine seditious and sacrilegious That Church-men by Divine Law are not exempted from their secular power neither in their persons or goods whensoever his necessities constrain him to serve himself of them that the Pope ought not to think himself infallible unlesse wher God hath promis'd him his Divine assistance which must be understood only in the fundamentall points of Faith that the Authority of binding and loosing ought to be understood with this caution Clave non errante seeing that God hath commanded the Pastor to follow the merit and justice of the cause and not his own inclination that when the Pope thunders out any Censures it is for the Doctors to consider whether they have proceeded Clave errante aut non errante That the new name of blind obedience invented by Ignatius Loyola is a Psudodoxall tenet c. On the contrary the Doctrine of the Roman Writers or Papalines as they term'd them was that the civill power of Princes is subordinat to the power Ecclesiastic and subject unto it therfore the Pope hath authority to deprive Princes of their estates and honors for their faults and errors which they commit in Government yea though they have committed no fault when the Pope shall judge it fit for the common good of the Church That the Pope may free Subjects from obedience and from their Oath of Fidelity which they owe the temporall Prince in which case they are to shake off all subjection and even to poursue the Prince if the Pope command it som of the modester sort held that this Authority did not reside in the Pope because Christ gave him any temporall Authority but because this was necessary for the spirituall Monarchy Divers Tretises were imprinted and publish'd pro con 'twixt the Pope and the Republic to this effect and Bellarmin was very busie in upholding S. Peters Chair at last ther was a strict inhibition ther shold be no more writing on this point so the Treaty began to advance wherin the French Ambassador was very active therefore he propos'd two things to the Senat. The first was That the Duke and Senat wold suspend the execution of the Laws and the Protestation publish'd against the Monitory of the Pope upon condition that his Holines wold do the like to his Censures for five moneths during which time they might treat of the merit of the Laws that were question'd The second was That the Ecclesiastic Prisoners might be rendred without prejudice to the cause of the Republic That the Religious gon out of Venice by reason of the Interdict might return he concluded that it was not the intention of his Christian Majesty that any thing shold be don against the Dignity and Justice of the Signory and if either of these proposalls were to Her prejudice he was content to let them passe in silence He desir'd them further to consider that it was necessary to give som apparent occasion to his Holines to induce him to a retractation because it was never heard that a Pope had revok'd his Bulls excepting at the Councell of Constance The Senat did fall to deliberat of things with more maturity then was usual at last they resolv'd with one joynt consent to prefer the conservation of their Liberty before all other respects together with the Authority of their Laws But for yeelding up the prisoners in gratification to his Christian Majesty they thought this did not trench much upon their Liberty in regard it was a particular fact which drew not with it any consequence that the like ought not to be don in time to come therefore the Senat answer'd the Ambassador thanking his Majesty for his mediation adjoyn'd it was easie to perceave wherat the designs of the Pope aim'd who seeing that the Justice of the Republic for the merit ground of the cause was known and confess'd by all wold therfore find out som error in the form of proceeding wherin the Justice of the Republic was so clear that it was manifest to all and the errors of the Pope so grosse that they could not be excus'd wherfore it was not consentaneous to reason to correct the faults of another with their own detriment and dishonor They added further that these proceedings of the Popes were of such pernicious consequence that they might have hurl'd the whole Signory into flames of civil combustions The Senat at last granted that when the King shold be assured and have the firm word of the Pope that he wold totally take away the Censures the two prisoners shold be render'd unto him although they were guilty of foul Crimes They wold also let fall their protestation yet saving their public reasons and their power to judge Ecclesiastics when it shold be expedient for the State this was all the French Ambassador could wring from the Senat wherof when the King was advertis'd he writ a Letter wherin he thank'd them for their fair respects in which Letter he took occasion to renew the memory of the favour they did him to co opt him into the body of their Nobility After this Don Innigo de Cardenas the Spanish Ambassador earnestly sollicited the Senat for an accommodation but he could hardly prevail as much as the other In the interim ther was a new kind of Councell erected at Rome cal'd la Congregation de Guerra the Congregation of War which consisted of fifteen Cardinals and this was don to strike som apprehensions of fear into the Signory The Senat inform'd the French and Spanish Ambassadors of this strange news from Rome touching a Councel of War they also impaâ—…ed to the English Ambassador telling him that he might now publish the Declaration of the King his Master and think upon the succours he promis'd Cavalier â—…tton then Ambassador testified very much contentment to do this office affirming that it was to publish the glory of his King He pass'd further and sayed that ther were but three ways to compound this difference either by yeelding or referring the matter to Princes or by Warr he saw well the Signory had no mind to the first and if they resolv'd to make a reference to any they could not make choice of any fitter then his King who marvailously well understood how much it imported him to maintain the Authority given by God to Princes but if the matter
above they pay five in the hundred for maintaining certain Officers and releeving of the poor The Bishoprick of Padua is rankd among the best of Italie The Cittizens are great Artists now as in former times and make much marchandize of Wool But to give a short description of Padua and her territories this of Leander is the best Southward of her runns the river Athesis Northward the Peuso a little river Eastward the Venetian lakes and Westward the Enganean hills and the Countrey of Vicenza all this circuit about 180. miles wherin ther are in nomber 647. Villages and Hamletts with a world of Countrey Houses whither the Italian Gentlemen and Cittizens use to retire with their families in the Sommer time The Cittie of Padua remaind under the Roman Empire untill She was taken and burnt by Attila then was She repaird by Narsetes and afterwards She was burnt by the Longobards but under Charles the Great and other Kings of Italie She did not only revive but florish again Under Otho as the rest of the Citties of Italie She began to govern by her own Lawes and She remaind in form of a Republic till Frederic the second then by the perswasion of Actiolinus She yeelded her self again to the protection of the Empire and receavd a German garrison with Actiolinus yoak Anno 1237. He presently turnd lawfull power into tyranny therfore they shook him of A little after Marsilius Carrariensis under the name of Governor drew the Town unto him but the Scaligers thrust him out who ruld there som Successions yet afterward Marsilius re-enjoyed it and left Ubertinus heir who was thrust out by Mactinus Scaliger but was restord again Then Marsilius the second succeeded who was slain fower dayes after by Iacobinus his Oncle and that Iacobinus was slain afterwards of Gulielmus the Bastard the fourth yeer of his Principality Him succeeded Franciscus who very fortunately governd but attempting to free Vicount Barnabas his Son in law he allso was cast into Prison by Iohannes Galeacius but a little after Franciscus secundus receavd the comand of the Cittie from Galeacius and livd in the principality 15. yeers but with continuall apprehensions of fear till the death of Galeacius at which time the Scaligers being nefariously assassinated he came to be Master allso of Verona and lost it a little after with his life His Sonnes Ubertinus and Marsilius went into the fields of Florence where they made a Head and there the noble familie of the Carrarienses utterly expird then the Cittie remaind under the Venetians Dominion a few yeers when Maximilian the Emperour gott it but the Republic recoverd it Anno 1409. which they have fortified to good purpose that being since often assalted and beseigd by the Confederat Princes in that mighty League of Cambray She was able to resist them all Vicenza is a Cittie excellently built and beutified with faire Structures among which the Praetorium is most magnificent She is situated at the foot of a Hill and divided by two navigable rivers Bacchillione and Rerone which tumbling down from the neighbouring Mountains meets with Bacchillione in the very Cittie which Aelianus reports to have the best Yeeles of all Italie This Cittie abounds with all things conducing to necessity or plesure in regard of the unusuall fertility of the circumjacent soyl which affoords plenty of grain wine and oil with all maner of fruit Ther is such a nomber of Mulberry trees both in Town and Countrey up and down wheron Silkwormes do feed that it is admirable but they bear white fruit therfore the silk is not so well conditiond as is woven by those wormes that feed upon black Mulberry trees yet the Inhabitants make mighty benefitt herby The Vicentins are a spiritfull peeple much given to Letters as allso Armes and Marchandizing and they are of extraordinary trust She hath an Episcopall See annexed to Her as her neighbour Verona She continued under the Dominion of Rome untill Attila's incursions and being destroyd by him She came afterwards under the yoke of the Goths then of the Longobards and afterwards under the Kings of Italie upon their banishment She enjoyd her Liberty under the Empire till Frederic the second by whom She was ravagd and burnt In this vicissitude of things She had divers Masters the Carrarienses the Patavins the Scaligers of Verona the Galeacii of Milan and the Venetian Then being infested by the armes of Maximilian the first and reducd to his obedience She yeelded her self at last to the Republic of Venice under whom She hath livd in prosperity and security ever since Not farr from the Cittie ther are two noble Stone-quarreis in the Mountain Cornolius vulgarly calld Covelo Brixia is a Cittie seated at the foot of a Hill among the Cenomans and was in times passd the head of that peeple She hath rich Peasans up and downe and more gentile than ordinary She was under the Roman Emperours as long as the Majesty of them continued which declining and the Goths comitting such devastations in Italie She came under Radagaso who as he made his way to Rome did spoyl and burn her 412. She was afterwards re-edified by Martianus then came She under the dition of Alboinus King of the Longobards and She remaind under their yoke till Desiderius was taken Prisoner by Charlemain The Kingdom of the Longobards expiring She came under the Dominion of the French who had then the Empire wherfore ther are som fields about her to this day calld Francia corta Under Charlemain Nacmon Duke of Bavaria governd her by whom She receavd much instauration and benefitt After Charlemains death She had divers Masters at last under Othâ—… She petitiond to govern her self promising to be feudetarie and faithfull to the Empire which granted her Afterwards She livd free as sundry other Towns in Italie but She was dismantled deprivd of many immunities by the Emperour Henry the fourth but recovering her self a little after She gave ocasion to Mactinus Scaliger to invade her in that most pernicious fewd twixt the Gibelins and Guelphins under whom She passd all kinds of calamities Scaliger being at last thrust out Azo Vicount of Milan occupied her This Azo had Luchinus for his Successor and he had Iohn Archbishop of Milan whom Barnabas and Galeacius succeeded who were afterwards thrown into Prison by Galeacius who assumd to himself the whole Government and was created Duke of Milan 1402. who left for his Successor Iohn Maria Afterwards Pandulphus Malatesta gott to himself the dominion of the Town but he quickly made a cession of her to Philip Maria Duke of Milan five yeers after when Iohn Maria had kept the Brixians under a hard servitud nor could not by any petition make him slacken the reins of his rigid goverment the Cittie being heated with indignation by the persuasions of som Guelphian Agents She had recours to Venice who shelterd her freed her from that tyranny and afterwards She florishd a good while
any sort subject to the secular Jurisdiction or he who foundeth a Church were worthy of so rude a chastisement as if he had committed som great Crime moreover that in the moneth of May last the Senat having regard to another Law made in the year 1536. wherby was prohibited the perpetuall alienation of Lay-mens possessions within the City and Signory of Venice to Ecclesiasticall persons without permission of the Senat under certain penalties instead of revoking that Law as their duty requir'd they had renew'd it and extended the penalty to all their Dominions as if it were lawfull for temporal Princes to ordain any thing for the exercising of any Jurisdiction or to dispose in any sort without the Ecclesiastics and particularly of the Pope of the goods of the Church specially of such goods as have bin given to the Church of persons spirituall and other places of devotion granted by the faithfull for remedy of their sins and discharge of their consciences That these Ordinances tending to the damnation of souls to public scandalls and also contrary to the Ecclesiasticall Liberty were of themselfs void and of no validity as furthermore he declar'd them to be such no man being oblig'd to observe them on the contrary that they who had made the Statutes or any like or they who had further'd them had incurr'd the Churches Censures and depriv'd themselfs of all such possessions as they held of the Church as also their estates and demains were subject to other penalties in such sort that they could not be absolv'd unlesse they revok'd all such Laws and re-establish'd all things in their former estate That therupon being plac'd in the Soveraign Throne and not being able to dissemble or indure these things he admonish'd the Republic to consider well the danger wherinto they had cast their souls upon this occasion and to seek remedy betimes otherwise in case of contumacy he commanded under pain of Excommunication latae sententiae that the afore sayed Lawes ancient and modern shold be abrogated That this Monitory shold be publish'd in all places throughout the Republic expecting from them an account herof if not upon notice had from his Nuntio he wold proceed to execution of the Penalties and to such other remedies that were meet remembring the reckoning that he was to give to God at the day of Judgment and that he could not in duty dissemble when the Authority of the See Apostolic was diminish'd Ecclesiasticall Liberty trod under foot the Holy Canons neglected the right of the Church and Clergy violated Of all which the charge lay upon him affirming that he was not induc'd hereunto for any worldly consideration for he desir'd nothing els but the glory to acquit himself of his Apostolicall function and as he intended not to usurp anything upon the secular Authority so he wold not permit the Ecclesiastic shold be diminish'd he concluded that if the Republic wold conform they wold deliver him from much pain which he endur'd in their behalf and they might still retain the Lands which they held of the Church That the best means wherby she might prevent the incommodities that might fall upon her from Infidells were to conserve the Church-men in their rights who watch in perpetuall prayers to God for her conservation The Senat with much maturity ponder'd these Breves and therupon sent to confer with their learnedst Counsellors in the Civill Lawes amongst whom they admitted Paul of Venice of the Order of the Servites an eminent Divine and Canonist with other Padouan Doctors to consult what answer they shold return the Pope The Republic also sent to consult other Doctors themost renowned of Europe for sound knowledge as Henry the VIII of England had don touching the legality of a divorce with Katherine of Aragon Having receav'd the judgments of the learnedst men in France and Spain specially of Giacomo Monochio President of Milan a man much cried up in those daies for learning the Senat fram'd the Answer to the Popes Monitory as followeth That with much grief and wonder they understood by the Letters of his Holines that their Laws observ'd carefully through so many Ages and never question'd by any of his Predecessors the revokement wherof wold shake the very Foundations of the Republic were reprehended as contrary to the See Apostolic and that they which made them having bin persons eminent for merit and well deserving of that See who are now in heaven were noted for Violaters of Ecclesiastic Liberty that according to the admonition of his Holines they had examined with much exactnesse their Laws Old and New but had not found anything which a Soveraign Prince might not have well ordain'd without any just offence to the Popes Authority it being a thing evidently belonging to a secular Prince to have regard what Companies are erected in hâ—…s Dominions as also to prevent the building of such Edifices as in time to com might be hurtfull to the public safety and though their State abounds with Churches and places of piety as much as any other yet when they saw it convenient they never refus'd to permit new Foundations themselfs contributing liberally therunto That in the Law against perpetuall alienation of lay goods unto Ecclesiastics the question being of things purely temporall they could not be tax'd to have don any thing contrary to the Canons or Decrees That if the Popes have power to forbid the Clergy to alienat any goods of the Church unto persons secular without leave Princes may do the same and take Order that the goods of seculars shall not be alienated to the Clergy without permission nor do the Ecclesiastics lose any thing bequeath'd unto them herby seeing they receave a price answerable in value to the immoveable adjoyning that it tends to the great prejudice not only of the temporall State but also of the spirituall to weaken the Forces of the Republic which by such alienations is depriv'd of necessary services and which in effect is a vangard or fortresse for all Christendom against Infidels That for these reasons the Senat could not perswade themselfs to have incurr'd any Censures since secular Princes have by Divine Law from which no human Law may derogat a power to establish Laws in things temporall as also that the admonitions of his Holines have here no place wher the question is not of any thing spirituall or any way trenching upon the Papâ—…ll Authority much lesse yet could they beleeve that his Holines so ful of Piety and Religion wold persist without knowledge of the cause in his Comminations This was the substance of the Senat 's Answer remitting themselfs further to their Ambassador extraordinary Ther happen'd a businesse in Savoy about this time which might have scatr'd the Venetian being much of the same nature for Pope Paul hahaving notice that the Duke of Savoy had commanded the Bishop of Fossano to depart out of his Dominions the Pope being incens'd therat did so menace the Duke with Excommunication
Interdict the only Ecclesiastics that went out of the Republic were the Iesuits and Capuchines wherof the first was banish'd the other dismiss'd the rest did still officiat alledging that the difference 'twixt the See of Rome and the Signory was not touching any point of the Catholic Faith But at Rome her self it was expected that the sayed Interdict wold produce three effects 1. That the Religious wold al depart 2. That the Cities and peeple seeing themselfs depriv'd of Church Offices wold raise a sedition and so force the Senat to give the Pope satisfaction 3. That the Nobility upon this occasion might be disordered terrified and divided among themselfs but none of all these three effects hapned for the Senat was greatly united in their resolutions the City of Venice and common peeple kept themselfs in wonderfull obedience and this so generall a calm did not only proceed from the voluntary conformablenes of the peeple but also from the providence of the Senat and diligence of the Magistrat who provided for all accidents Besides this great affair was conducted with so much prudence and dexterity that no bloud of any man was shed for contempt or mutiny which made the world to stand at a gaze that so great a Body and Government shold be kept npright without any violence execution or the least shock given notwithstanding ther were many under practises us'd afterwards The Jesuits in ev'ry place wher they had taken footing did put all irons in the fire and fell a beating them to brand the Republic of Venice insomuch that her Ambassadors receav'd affronts in som places as in Poland and Prague but it was by privat persons for which they had satisfaction from the Emperour and the King of Poland for the Signory was not so carelesse but she sent a punctuall account of all these traverses 'twixt the Pope and Her Genoa and Savoy was also displeas'd with Her because both they had bin succumbent to the Popes Censures before and submitted Among other Princes Iustiniano the Venetian Ambassador residing then in London had command to acquaint the King of England with his Contrasto 'twixt the Pope and the Senat. King Iames after he had very attentively heard the relation of the Ambassador shew'd how well he accepted that esteem and highly commended the Laws of the Republic adding that he long'd to see the whole Church of God reform'd to which end he much desir'd a free Councell to determine so many controversies which have no other cause but the usurpations of the Roman Bishops in which desire he thought the King of France and other Princes wold joyn with him that perhaps God meant to produce this happines out of these troubles of the Signory that he had sent word therof to Pope Clement then when he was mov'd by him the first time he came to the Crown of England to unite himself to the Roman Church but he wold not hear any thing of a Councell that this union was much to be desired but clearly ther was no other means to effect it then by a Generall Councell he added moreover that that ruine of the Church proceeded from this that the Popes esteem'd themselfs as Gods and were so corrupted by flattery that 't was no marvail they could give no ear to any reason and if they proceeded oftentimes with such precipitation The separated States of Holland writ letters full of of affection unto the Republie upon this occasion offring Her a supply of Arms Ships and Victualls if the case requir'd with any other good office of friendship All Christian Princes were sensible of this rupture 'twixt the Pope and the Republic specially the Roman Catholikes in whose Courts the Venetian Ambassadors did refrain for a while to go with the rest into their Chappell 's after the accustomed manner The Duke of Savoy did appear more against the Republic then any other not treating her Ambassador as formerly though he took hold of another occasion because She had written to his children by the title of Excellency not of Highnesse The Republic apprehending som fears that such a confederacy might be procur'd against Her by Pope Paul the eight as was by Iulius the second who carried fire in his hands She was very willing that matters might be reconcil'd by the mediation of other Princes wherin Mons. du Fresne stir'd more vigorously then any other by order from Henry the IV. of France his Master the Duke of Mantoua also offer'd to com to Venice in disguize to know their intentions and then passe to Rome of purpose to treat with the Pope for an attonement The Senat took this as a very high respect and sayed that the Republic who us'd to be accounted the Right Hand of Rome wold do nothing unworthy of her self and it was just that he who had first offended shold repair the offence therfore it was fitting that the Pope shold revoke his Censures and so open the way to a Treaty for no wound can heal till the inflammation be taken away While this difference lasted 'twixt Rome and Venice a certain writing was affix'd at Vicenza and other places wherin the Republic was exhorted to shake off the Popes Yoke calling him Antichrist c. The Senat was much mov'd herat therfore they caus'd a rigorous Baâ—… to be publish'd wherin they promis'd a large reward to him or them that shold discover the Author of that infamous paper giving charge that a diligent search shold be made after the Authors but none being found 't was thought to be an artifice of the Jesuits to induce the Venetian therby to com the sooner to an accord with the Pope The King of Spain in these doubtfull traverses of things writ a Letter full of terms of reverence and complement unto the Pope that if need were he wold joyn his temporall Arms to maintain the spirituall Arms of the Church to which purpose he had written both to his Viceroy of Naples and Governor of Milan upon the receit of this Letter ther were Bonfires made at Rome and the flames of the fire flew upon the wings of fame all Christendome over which gave the Republic such an alarm that She began by Land and Sea to arm apace She was offer'd assistance if need were from som of the Greek Christians that were subjects to the Turk as also from the reformed Churches of France but she wav'd both but it was thought that this Letter of the Spanish King wherin he promis'd warlike succours to the Pope was not a thing really meant but only to terrifie the Republic and bring her the sooner to an agreement which appear'd in regard he had sent expresse commands to Don Innigo de Cardenas his Ambassador residing in Venice to propound som Overtures of Treaty wherupon he propos'd to the Duke and the Senat That his Catholic Majesty affecting the conservation of peace desir'd that the disgusts 'twixt his Holines and the Republic might cease to which end he had commanded all
Patrons Page 23 The Governors of the two Castles in Corfù never to meet upon pain of death Page 29 Rare glasses made in Venice Page 38 Glassmakers much esteem'd for their Art Page 39 Giovani Mauritio Duke of Venice Page 59 Giovani Partitiatio put off the Dukedom and confind to a Monastery Page 60 The Greeks taught first the use of Bells by the Venetian Page 61 Giovani Partitiatio Duke of Venice who voluntarily deposd himself Page 61 The Gnoway defeated by the Venetian at Trapani Page 72 Genoa vayld to Venice as Carthage to Rome at last Page 74 Genoa shrewdly beaten in the pontick Sea by Venice Page 75 Gallipole in Calabria taken by the Venetian Page 84 Genoa held Famagosta in Cypria above ninty yeers Page 98 H. The habit of the Duke of Venice Page 11 The habit of the Duke with the Iewells he wears upon festivall dayes valued at above 100000 cr Page 11 The heir of Venice answerable for his Fathers faults Page 12 A horse a monster in Venice Page 54 The high Epithetts which are given Venice above the rest of the Townes of Italy Page 55 Horteo Hypato Duke of Venice Page 58 Heraclea utterly demolishd Page 59 The Hunns overcom by the Venetians Page 61 Henry the Emperour comes to Venice Page 65 Part of Hierusalem given to Venice Page 67 Honor don by the Pope to the Venetian Page 68 Hermolao Barbaro punished for receaving dignities from the Pope Page 85 Henry the 8. of England the great instrument of the French King and the Popes release Page 89 Henry the 3. of France comes to Venice Page 132 How the King of Polands borther intercâ—…ded for the readmission of the Jesuits to Venice Page 198 How Venice Rome with the rest of the Princes of Italy carry themselfs in point of politicall interest Page 175 Holland and Venice of a diffring humor Page 180 I. Impossible for the Duke of Venice to becom Tyrant Page 6 Inhibition that Courtesands mingle not with honest Women in the Venetian Churches Page 8 Italy the â—…y of Europe Page 8 The Iudges of Venice Page 17 Of Istria Page 24 Of the I le of Corfou Page 29 Of the I le of Cephalonia Page 30 Of the I le of Zant Page 30 Of the I le of Candis Page 31 The incredible riches of St. Marks treasure Page 37 Iustinianos speech to Maximilian the Emperor in behalf of Venice not found in her Archies Page 73 Justiniano Duke of Venice Page 60 Justinopoli comes under the Venetian Page 61 The I le of Candie under the Venetian An inundation Page 71 Juluis the second incites all the Princes of Christendom against Venice Page 87 The Inquisition refus'd by Venice Page 94 The Iesuits expell'd from Venice with the causes therof recited at large Page 163 The Iesuits tenets Page 163 King James his Declaration touching the quarrell twixt the Pope and Venice Page 161 L. Long age argues strength of body in Epist. Lawes the ligaments of a State Page Ibid. The Lawes of Rhodes and Oleron the Prince for Sea affaires in Epist. The Lombards Kingdom extinguish'd in Italy Page 59 The lamentable end of one of the Dukes of Venice Page 60 Lotharius the Emperour endowes Venice with many immunities Page 60 Lesina and Spalato reduc'd to Venice Page 62 Pope Leo comes to Venice and endowes with many priviledges Page 65 Lesbos Same 's and Andros taken by the Venetian Page 67 Lemnos yeelded to Venice Page 80 The Legat of the Popes answer to the Venetian Generall Page 81 The league of Cambray like to destroy Venice Page 87 Lodovico Falieri employed Ambassador to Henry the 8. of England from Venice Page 90 A league against the Turk in Pius Quintus time the substance of it Page 101 New Lawes in Venice Page 134 Luca excomunicated Page 171 Lep anto battail at large Page 118 M. The maner and majesty how the Duke of Venice sitts Page 14 St. Marks Proctors the high dignity of their place Page 20 The Magistrats of Venice in generall Page 16 Of the marke of Treviso Page 24 St. Marks place Page 37 The Magistrats of old Rome and Venice parallell'd Page 45 Mariello Tegaliano Duke of Venice Page 58 Maaritio of Heraclea D. of Venice Page 59 St. Marks body transported to Venice from Alexandris Page 60 The Moors defeat the Venetian under Saba their Generall Page 60 The Moors ransack Rome Page 60 St. Marks Church burnt Page 62 Meniro Duke of Venice turnes Monkâ—… Page 62 Matilda restor'd to her Duchy of Ferrara by the help of Venice Page 65 Michaeli Duke of Venice goes with 200 Vessells to Joppa and frees her from the siege Page 66 The Marquis of Monferrat restord to his territories by the Venetian Page 79 Mocenigos speech to the Popes Generall Page 81 The maner of Mariages and Christnings in Venice Page 187 N. Nothing discovers the wisdom of a peeple more than the form of their government Page 9 Nothing so difficult as the Art of government Page 10 The neatnes of Venice Page 35 A notable speech against the Tribunitiall power Page 57 The Narentines debell'd by the Venetians Page 62 The Normans give a great overthrow to the Greeks and Venetians at Darazzo Page 65 A mighty defeat given to the Venetians by the Genowayes neer Corfù Page 72 A notable speech of Philip the second touching his Fathers resignations Page 93 A notable speech of a Turk before the battail of Lepanto Page 116 A notable speech of another Turk Page 116 A notable speech of the Turkish Generall Page 124 A notable answer of the Turkish Ambassador to King James Page 131 Nova Palma built in Friuli Page 135 A notable invective against Urban the eighth and his Nephews Page 172 The Navall strength of Venice reviewd Page 197 O. Of the three Republiques of Italy how they differ Page 9 Of the severall denominations of Kingdoms and Commonwealths Page 9 The Office of the Duke of Venice Page 12 Cardinall Ossatts opinion of Venice Page 183 Of the Colledg of Sages in Venice Page 14 The Officers of Venice Page 15 Of the great Chancelor Page 15 Originall of the Venetian Page 33 D. of Ossuna no frend to the Venetian Page 38 An old prophecy touching Venice Page 40 Old Rome and Venice Parallell'd Page 44 Of one who would have preferr'd a Spurrier to Q. Eliz. Page 54 Obeserio Duke of Venice Page 59 Otho the Emperour comes to Venice Page 62 Otho Urseolo Duke of Venice he marries the King of Hungarie's Daughter banish'd afterwards Page 65 Otho the Emperours son taken prisoner by the Venetians freed upon his Parole Page 69 Otho's wise speech and advice to the Emperour Frederic his Father Page 69 P. Peace alwayes preferr'd before war by Venice Page 4 The privat Arsenal of Venice Page 6 The Presse and Pulpit strictly regulated in Venice Page 7 The Pope a great temporall Prince Page 8 The Pope fittest to be umpire of differences in Italy with the reasons alledg'd Page 8 Paulutio
S. P Q. V. A SURVAY OF THE SIGNORIE OF VENICE Of Her admired policy and method of GOVERMENT c. WITH A Cohortation to all Christian Princes to resent Her dangerous Condition at present By JAMES HOVVELL Esq. LONDON Printed for Richard Lowndes at the VVhite Lion in S. Pauls Churchyard neer the West end M. DC LI. TO THE SUPREME AUTHORITY OF THE NATION THE PARLEMENT OF ENGLAND Most Noble Senators LEngth of Age argues strength of Constitution and as in Naturall bodies so this Rule holds good likewise in Politicall Whence it may be inferrd that the Signorie of Venice from Her Infancy was of a strong Symmetry well nursd and swadled with wholsom Lawes which are no other than the ligaments of a State or the Arteries whereby the bloud is directed and strengthened to run through all the veines in due proportion though Nature allowes som to have a greter quantity than others To this may be attributed Her so long duration for having bin born a Christian and Free from the beginning She hath continued a pure Virgin and an Independent but only upon Her-self neer upon 13 Ages She hath shind in Her VVatry Orb among all other Republiques upon Earth as the Moon doth in the Heavens among the rest of the Planets Though She hath cop'd with the gretest Potentats of the World and particularly with the huge Ottoman Emperour Her Neighbour having not only scratchd his face and oftentimes cut off those tuffs of hair wherin his strength lay for the time but peeld his beard and somtimes pluckd him by the Mustachos She is now in actuall luctation and hath bin any time these six yeers at handy-gripes with that monstrous Giant who this yeer intends to bend and bandy all his Forces both by Land and Sea to ravish and ruin Her Therfore it imports all Christian Princes to resent Her condition She being both the Key and Bulwark of Europe that way And with humble leave I speak it it may well becom England now that she is more formidable at Sea than ever to be sensible of Her case That Republic having bin her antient Confederat ever since the association of the Holy Warr and having for this last Centurie mingled interests and run the same cours of state with Her Nor is it a Quaere altogether impertinent but may very well admit of a debate whether a warr against the Turk might not prove more advantagious to England than his wares Moreover if likenes may beget love England hath reson to affect Venice more than any other for in point of security ther is much resemblance between them being both seated in the Sea who is their best Protector The one preserves Her-self by her Gallies the other by her Galeons The fairest flower of England is the Dominion of the Narrow Seas the gretest glory of Venice is the Dominion of the Adriatic Gulph 700 miles in extent Venice had the chiefest hand in framing the Rhodian Lawes for Sea cases by which all the Levant parts are guided and England was the busiest in constituting the Maritim Lawes of Oleron whereby the Western World is governd This following Survay which is like a Frame indented with sundry peeces will I beleeve make the Reder both outwardly and inwardly acquainted with this Mayden Republic for it shewes Her policy and power Her warrs exploits and confederacies Her interests of State together with Her advantages and defects and how farr She hath trodd in the stepps of old Rome Therfore most humbly under favor the Author deemd it a peece of industry not alltogether unworthy to be presented unto that Noble Assembly by Their daylie Orator HOWELL The famous Hexastic which Sannazarius made upon the Citty of Venice for which he receavd 100 Zecchins for evry verse amounting neer to 300 sterling in lieu of reward by decree of the Senat. VIderat Adriacis Venetam Neptunus in Undis Stare Urbem toti ponere jura Mari Nunc mihi Tarpeias quantumvis Iupiter Arces Objice illa tui maenia Martis ait Sic Pelago Tibrim praefers Urbem aspice utramque Illam Homines dices Hanc posuisse Deos. WHen Neptun 'mong his billowes Venice saw And to the Adrian Surges giving law He sayed now Iove boast of thy Capitoll And Mars his Walls This were for to extoll Tiber above the Main Both Citties Face You 'l say Rome men Venice the Gods did trace A short Analysis of the whole Peece A VENICE LOOKING-GLASSE Wherin that rare and renowned City and Signory is represented in Her tru Colours with Reflexes I. UPon Her Constitutions and Government wherin ther may be divers things usefull for this Meridian II. Of the extent and distance of Her Dominions III. Of Her Interests of State with the rest of the Princes of Italie and others IV. Of Her imitation of old Rome in most things V. Of Her advantages and defects VI. Of Her power by Sea and Land VII Of Her 98 Dukes Doges or Souverain Princes In whose Lifes is involvd the Historicall part which looks upon the Greek Empire and Turky as well as upon most Countreys in Europe in whose Councells tending either to Peace or Warr the Republic of Venice hath had as great a share as any other Christian Prince THe Author desires to prepossesse the Reder with this advertisement That he would not have adventurd upon this remote Out landish subject had he not bin himself upon the place had he not had practicall conversation with the peeple of whom he writes As little had he presumd upon the Life of the last French King and Richelieu his Cardinall in the Story calld LUSTRA LUDOVICI unlesse he had bin Spectator of most of his actions And herin the Author desires to be distinguishd from those who venture to write of Forren affaires and Countreys by an implicit faith only taking all things upon trust having Themselfs never trodd any part of the Continent Upon the Citty and Signorie of VENICE COuld any State on Earth Immortall be Venice by Her rare Goverment is She Venice Great Neptunes Minion still a Mayd Though by the warrlikst Potentats assayd Yet She retaines Her Virgin-waters pure Nor any Forren mixtures can endure Though Syren-like on Shore and Sea Her Face Enchants all those whom once She doth embrace Nor is ther any can Her bewty prize But he who hath beheld Her with his Eyes These following Leaves display if well observd How She so long Her Maydenhead preservd How for sound prudence She still bore the Bell Whence may be drawn this high-fetchd parallel Venus and Venice are Great Queens in their degree Venus is Queen of Love Venice of Policie I. H. OF THE REPUBLIC OR SIGNORIE OF VENICE The PROEME WEre it within the reach of humane brain to prescribe Rules for fixing a Society and Succession of peeple under the same Species of Goverment as long as the World lasts the Republic of Venice were the fittest pattern on Earth both for direction and imitation This Maiden City
lendings On the tenth Tribunall sit Iudices Examinatores the Judges Examiners who determin all causes touching depositions and oaths On the eleventh Tribunall sitt Iudices praefectorum noctis the Provosts of the night that heare all brabbles or misdemenures committed in the night and punish them To them allso it belongs to adjudg all controversies twixt men and mayd servants c. The highest Councell for criminall causes except the Decemvirat is a Councell calld the Councell of forty for so many meet there upon life and death and they are very choice men In the Cittie of Venice ther are allso Officers who are Supervisers of all Manufactures and other things of moment The first are Signori di panni d'oro the Superintendents of cloth of gold these do warily looke that no fraud be usd in any cloths of tissue or other cloths of gold sylver or silk and severely punish the transgressors herin Ther are other Officers calld Proveditori della Zeccha their charge is to look to all sorts of bullions and coines that they be not embasd and adulterated and that the par of the Standard be kept even Ther be other Officers calld Signori alla farina who are to look to all sorts of grain that they be well conditiond they are allso to looke to the corn that is stord up in the public Magazins that if any grow musty they are to putt good into the place Ther be other Officers calld Signori al Sale and this is a great office for all the Salt which is brought into the Cittie out of Salt pitts round about is to be brought to them who store it up in Magazins and no privat man can sell Salt unlesse he buyes it of these Magistrats who are strictly accountable to the Senat these Salt Officers have power to decide all controversies that may arise touching this commodity Ther be other Officers calld Signori delle biaui whose care is that the Cittie be allwayes provided with a sufficient proportion of wheat and other grain Ther is no Cittie that is more carefull of her health than Venice therfore ther be Officers and they are qualified persons whose charge is to have a speciall care that the Plague creep not into the Cittie and if any infection com they are to suppresse it with their utmost endeavours they are to see that the Pesthouse be at least three miles distant from the Cittie if any hath conversd with an infected body he must for 40. dayes to the Pesthouse before he can return to his own dwelling Ther is no Shipp whatsoever that comes thither from another Countrey can have pratique or be permitted to com ashoare and sell his mar chandise unlesse he produce a Certificat that he comes from a place not infected otherwise he is to stay aboard 40. dayes Ther are other Officers calld Proveditori di comun and they are three they supervise the minor fraternities among others they looke to Printers and Stationers and sett prizes upon all new Books They have the Superintendency of Bridges Wells Conduits Wayes Cawses and such public things which they must see repaird They are allso to see that Shipps be not over laden and they have power to punish such who transgresse herin Ther are other Officers calld Proveditori all' Arsenale Provisors of the Arsenal they have care to furnish that huge Magazin of strength one of the greatest on Earth as shall be declard herafter with all things that shall be necessary as Carpenters Smiths and all other Opificers but to have speciall care that they be choice able Artists and of the most ingenuous sort unto whom they pay their wages evry eighth day Ther be other Officers of great trust calld Signori all' acque these are to have speciall care that no man whatsoever do any thing that may impaire the Banks Dikes and Stronds about the Cittie that no Carrion be thrown into the Channells running through the Streets of the Cittie that no place be choakd up with Sands to stopp Navigation These Officers have power to punish severely all such that transgresse in this kind and they may be sayed to be Conservators of the Walls of the Cittie which are the Waters These Officers are allso to appoint the Stations where Shipps shall ride at anchor and lastly that the Channels be clensed once a yeer Ther are other Officers calld Signori sopra il ben vivere which are no other than Censors but because that word is too rigid for such a free Cittie they modifie it by another title These are to take care that the Lawes and Customes of the Cittie be observd and if any one offend they have power to punish by pecuniary fines they take cognisance of the wages of Servants and punish such that have embezeld any things from their Masters Ther are other Officers calld Syndicks who supervise the acts of public Notaries that serve the Cittie and the Magistrats therof taking care that they exact no unlawfull reward and they have power so sett rates upon all commodities Ther be other Officers calld Sopra Consoli they take cognisance of Marchants and Creditors affairs and compose differences between them they preserve the Debter from Prison and allow him two months time to pay his Creditor and in the interim he hath liberty to go abroad to negotiat and compound with his Creditors but if the Creditors be so refractory and perverse that they will not hearken to any composition they may by authority compell them therunto These Officers have power to sell the goods of Bankrupts and Fugitives under the Spear as they call it They have power allso to keep moneys depositated Ther be other Officers calld Signori alla mercantia these have power to appoint wages for Mechaniques and to end all controversies twixt Man and Master they supervise the prises of all marchandises and moderat them they take care that no Mechanic use any fraud in his work and if it be found they punish him severely Ther are other Officers calld Signori della grassa they supervise all Sellers of Cheese Butter Oil Salt flesh as Bacon and Lard and sett moderat prizes upon them which if not obeyd they have power to punish by pecuniary amercement Ther be other Officers calld Ragion vecchia their charge is to register in Books the expences made upon the coming of any Prince or Ambassador into the Cittie by decree of the Senat and to take care that while a forren Prince be in the Cittie he be honorably entreated and not overreachd in the prizes of things Ther be other Officers calld Giustitia vecchia their charge is to supervise all weights and mesures and that whatsoever is sold or bought be according to the Standard they have power to impose rates upon all sorts of fruits and roots and punish such that obey them not they preside allso over Shoppkeepers and Mechaniques that none take down an old sign and set up a new without their leave If any hire a
custom which is often so much the worse as it is ancient and for the Breve's ther were no other Archive of the Papall Breve's but at Rome that those which they pretended for their justification were but wast papers c. To this occasion ther was superadded another which was the imprisoning of Count Brandolin Valdemanno Abbot of Nervese as was formerly mention'd the Pope sent Order that both the sayed Count Canon shold be releas'd but the Senat pass'd it over with a complement the Pope also excepted at that Decree in Venice That none shold erect either Church or Chappell without the permission of the Senat He adjoyn'd further that the Republic retain'd in her hands five hundred thousand Crowns of Ecclesiasticall Legacies charging that in all these particulars she shold give him satisfaction answer was made That God had not given to Popes any greater Authority in the Government of their Estates then to other Princes who by the Law of Nature have all power which is necessary and as it appertain'd not to the Venetians to govern the State of the Church no more doth it belong to Ecclesiastics to govern the State of Venice and wheras it was alledg'd that the Republic had reserv'd such a portion of Legacies Ecclesiasticall it was a meer suggestion and if his Holines wold give credit to ev'ry such calumny differences wold grow infinit Here the Pope stayed saying that touching the Legacies he wold say no more but he wold reduce all the differences to three heads viz. 1. To the Decree touching building of Churches 2. To another Decree against the aliening of Laymens possessions to Ecclesiastics 3. To the wrong imprisonment of the Canon and the Abbot aforesayed In all these he expected to be obey'd otherwise he wold apply such remedies as the nature of things requir'd About this time Genoa publish'd a Manifesto by revoking a Decree which the Pope had excepted against he made use herof for an example to make the Venetians conformable to his will using these words Sequimini paenitentes follow the penitent answer was made That ther was not the same reason for the Republic of Venice seeing she had not seven Cardinalls her Citizens as Genoa had to mediat for her upon all occasions with his Holines That the Decrees of the Senat were the main Pillars of the Republic That they were well known to his Predecessors who before their Election to the Papacy had lived at Venice in quality either of Confessors Inquisitors or Nuntio's and that after their promotion they never question'd them This gave no satisfaction at all to the Pope therfore he sayed he wold send a Breve hortatory to the Republic concerning the three points before mention'd and if he were not obey'd by such a time he wold proceed further for he must not suffer the Authority of the Church to decline but according to his Office he wold vindicat and uphold it to his utmost and to which end he had Legions of Angells for his aid and assistance c. Herupon he seal'd and sent two Breves a little after to his Nuntio in Venice with charge to present them accordingly they were address'd Marino Grimani Duci Reipublicae Venetorum After this he call'd a Consistory wherin he declar'd how the State of Venice had violated the Ecclesiasticall Liberty by publishing two Laws prejudiciall therunto and by detaining in prison two persons of the Church c. The Cardinalls were very sparing to deliver their Opinions herin and when it came to Bellarmin to speak he sayed That his Holines shold rather think on the residence of Prelats in their Churches The Venetian Senat thought good to send an Ambassador expressely for this purpose and to shew their high respects to the Apostolic See they made choice of the Lord Leonardo Donato an ancient Senator of the wide Sleeve who was afterwards Duke The Nuntio in Venice having receav'd the Breves but the next day after the Embassador extraordinary stayed the presentation therof and sent advice by an expresse of the choice of the sayed Ambassador the Pope was not well pleas'd when he heard of this that the Nuntio shold presume to interpose his own judgment after his Ordinance therfore he dispatch'd unto Venice an expresse Courier with a mandamus to the Nuntio to present the sayed Breves immediatly after the receit of his Letter that this might be conceal'd from the ordinary Ambassador of Venice then resident at Rome he caus'd the Courier to go out in a Coach without boots and so take horse at the second Stage The Nuntio having receav'd this command on Christmas Eve that he might punctually obey his Holines did present that solemn high Festivall day the sayed Breves unto the Senators assembled to assist at a solemn Masse in the absence of the Duke Grimani who was then strugling with the pangs of death and expir'd the morning after so that the Breves were not open'd till the creation of a new Duke The Pope having advice herof writ to his Nuntio to make a protest unto the Senat and enjoyn them not to passe to a new Election in regard it wold prove void being made by men excommunicated the Nuntio pressing for Audience herupon was delayed in regard it hath ever bin the custom of the Signory to treat of no businesse of State during the Vacancy Duke Grimani being buried they fell to ballotation for another nor according to the Constitutions of the Republic can they fall to the Election of another till the former Duke be under ground so it fell to the lot of LEONARDO DONATO to be chosen all Ambassadors went to congratulat the new Prince except the Nuntio yet did the Prince write unto the Pope as the custom is to give him advice of his Election Pope Paul herupon though it was beyond the expectation of divers did receave this Letter from the new Doge by the hands of the ordinary Venetian Ambassador then sojourning at Rome and return'd a congratulatory Amswer therof revoking the Order formerly sent to the Nuntio of presenting himself to the Duke The first affair that was agitated in the Senat after this new Election was this difference with the Pope and Pietro Duodo Knight was nominated Ambassador for Rome instead of Donato The Breves were open'd and they were both of the same substance viz. That it was com to his knowing how the Republic in former years had determin'd in her Councells many things contrary to Ecclesiastic Liberty and to the Canons Councells and Constitutions Pontificall but among others that in the year 1603. she had in the Decemvirat having regard to certain Laws of their Ancestors who had forbidden to erect Churches or other places without permission instead of nulling the old Ordinances touching this matter she had reviv'd the same extending that Statute which only concern'd the City of Venice to all other places of their Dominions under great penalties as if Churches and persons Ecclesiasticall were in
that he revok'd his Commandement The Senats Letter being deliver'd to the Pope by Nani the Venetian Ambassador in ordinary to prepare the way for Duodo the Extraordinary he sayed being a little transported that Monitory Breve's must not be answer'd by Letter and that the Answers of the Senat were frivolous He added that lately he had heard of another Law touching goods Ecclesiastic holden as Emphyteutike which was fit to be revok'd with the other and although he had not till then made any mention of it yet he had more to say against it then any other therfore it behov'd them to obey him because the cause was Gods Et portae Inferi non praevalebunt contra eam and if they wold not revoke the sayed Lawes they were Tyrants and degenerating from their Ancestors c. A little after he sent another Breve to be deliver'd the Duke for the release of the Canon and the Abbot under pain of Excommunication latae sententiae which he commanded shold be deliver'd into the hands of his Nuntio c. The Senat consulted the Doctors again about this Breve whereupon after some Eventilations of the matters this Answer was sent That the Breve of his Holines was read with much reverence and no lesse regret as perceaving therby that matters tended to encrease discord that his Holines went about to destroy the Laws of their Republic which so many Ages had bin kept entire to deliver up the Canon and Abbot was nothing els but to demand that they shold despoile themselfs of their just power to chastise crimes and wickednes which power they had enjoy'd with the approbation of his Predecessors from the Originall of the Republic that God the Founder of all States had bestow'd this power upon them from the beginning and that they did derive it from their Progenitors c. Duodo the Extraordinary Ambassador made no great hast to Rome wherat the Pope receav'd offence being arriv'd ther at last he was not suffer'd to passe his first Audience with complement as the custom is but the Pope wish'd him to fall to the businesse presently so he deliver'd with much gravity and pressing elocution the reasons that mov'd the Republic not to revoke those Laws and to detain the persons of the sayed Churchmen The Pope answer'd with som heat that the exemption of the Clergy was Iure Divino he sayed that he wold not meddle with things temporall but their three aforssayed Laws were Usurpations As the Pope had formerly acquainted most Princes with these traverses 'twixt him and Venice in a complaining way so the Senat sent unto the Republics Ambassadors abroad that they shold truly inform those Princes in whose Courts they resided of the truth of things In Venice ther were at that time Ambassadors from the Emperour France and Spain to whom the businesse was communicated by some of the Senators The Imperiall Ambassador sayed That his Master desired peace and that in such matters he wold not foment the will of the Pope The Count of Santa Cruz who was for Spain approv'd of the reasons already alledg'd in Rome for the Republic Mons du Fresne the French Ambassador answer'd That he knew not what to make of those pontificall Laws whereby Princes are restrain'd to govern their Subjects c. Pope Paul was still eager in the businesse telling the Venetian Ambassador that ther were none in the Senat that understood rightly the case which made them have recourse to Doctors but that he had written to such persons as were able to set their Doctors at School concluding that he wold proceed with his spirituall Arms in this matter but touching other things he wold still account of the Venetians as of his children Herupon a Consistory was call'd and most of the Cardinalls ran bias with the Pope except the Cardinalls of Verona and Vicenza who were more moderat examples against Hen. II. King of England the King of Castile and against the Kings Charles II. IV. were produc'd who underwent the spirituall Censures in like cases so he resolv'd upon an Interdiction yet he wold give the Senat twenty four daies of longer time to consider herof wherunto the Cardinalls gave their suffrages but a Libell was cast up and down the streets of Venice that the Consistory herin was brought to assentari not assentiri A little while after the Interdict was affix'd in the accustomed places of the City of Rome and scatter'd ev'ry wher som in Latin som in Italian wherin after recapitulation of those Decrees in Venice and the imprisonment of the foresayed Church-men The Pope declar'd that after the example of ten of his Predecessors with the Councell and consent of the Cardinalls after mature deliberation though the former sayed Decrees of the Senat were of themselfs void and of no validity neverthelesse he now declar'd them to be such therfore he did excommunicat declare and pronounce for excommunicated as if they had bin particularly nam'd the Duke and Senat of Venice which then were and which shold be herafter together with all their favourers promoters and Councellors if within the term of twenty four daies to be counted from the day of the Publication the Duke and Senat did not recall abrogat and disanull the Decrees aforesayed without any exception or excuse and if they caus'd not openly and in all places the sayed abrogation to be publish'd as also actually to render into the hands of his Nuntio the imprison'd Canon and Abbot That from this Excommunication they could not be absolv'd but by the Pope except it were upon the point of death in which case if any one receav'd absolution and shold afterwards recover health he shold fall again within this Excommunication if he did not as far as in him lay obey this his commandment that untill they had obey'd he forbad any one to be buried in holy place and if after the sayed twenty four daies the Duke and Senat shold continue in their obstinacy he put all their State under the Interdict in such sort that none shold celebrat Masse or Divine Service he depriv'd the Duke and Senat likewise of all their goods which they held of the Church of Rome or of other Churches as also of all their Priviledges and indults obtain'd by it and specially of that Priviledge inabling them to proceed against Clerks in certain cases reserving to himself and his Successors a power to aggravat and re-aggravat this Censure against them and their adherents c. The public Ministers of State who were than resident at Rome made instances to the Pope to retard a while this Interdict the Marquis of Chastillon who was for the Emperor D' Alincourt who was for the French King The Count of Verriie who was for Savoy but his Holines was inflexible saying he wold bring the offendors to obey wherupon the Savoy Ambassador replied that the word obey was too harsh to be us'd towards a Soveraign Prince yet after the publication of the sayed Interdict the
perswaded to bequeath in the behalf of their souls perpetuall Legacies and Mansionaries Moreover your Serenity ought to consider that the obligation of Masses multiplying ev'ry day with the nomber of Legacies a necessity seems to arise hâ—…nce either to increase the nomber of Churchmen who are uselesse for public service or to defraud the wills of the well devoted Testators wheron if the public eyes wold fix themselfs they shold see that the Ecclesiastics do not perform no not the least part of those daily Sacrifices which they are tied unto but they salve their consciences by saying that the Masse being of an infinit value one Masse may supply the necessities of many souls one Masse may also suffice to releeve the urgencies of one soul alone and the remainder shall be thought a superfluous nomber proceeding not from the necessity of the soul but rather from the cheat arising out of the avarice of the Priest The second abuse consists in the multiplicity of Pensions which are payed annually to Rome from the State of Venice Touching this it comes into my mind to remember your Serenity that the Court of Rome is like the middle Region of the Air who useth to make her thunderbolts against the earth ouâ—… of those exhalations She draws from the earth it self so the Roman Church is us'd to form her power for oppression of other States out of the rents contributions and pensions which She receaves from those States themselfs and let this suffice for the high wisdome of your Serenity in this particular S. Paul being arriv'd at Venice and sojourning there som daies saw a Priest drag'd into prison by order of the secular power and it being ask'd why the temporall Magistrat did exercise his jurisdiction so over an Ecclesiastic a Venetian answer'd him thus The Republic of Venice nor for any other mens threats or insinuations ever deviated from that constant path which Her Progenitors hath pointed her out for her own safety from the beginning among other jurisdictions which She hath alwaies conserv'd in the very face of Romes pretensions and power one is to have authority to punish the persons of Ecclesiastic Delinquents esteeming that Dominion to be absolute and universall which heaven hath afforded Her within Her own Territories This Republic knows well That when God did institut Soveraign Power he confer'd it upon Saul over all his people and over all the Tribes of Israel without exception Now you cannot deny but among the twelve Tribes ther were a great nomber of Levites and Priests ought the Priests therfore to disswade the people from that obedience which was ordain'd by the Divine Majesty it self towards their naturall Princes The Sacraments were ordain'd by God to wash away the pollutions of sin in the soul but not to deface the Characters of subjects on the body Nor was the Law of Christ ever incompatible with the jurisdiction of Caesar but in their opinions only who seek pretences to traduce and calumniat it The Ecclesiastics who interpret all things to their own advantage pretend to withdraw themselfs from the secular Power by those words of the Gospell Nolite tangere Christos meos but he who is of a sane and sound understanding will easily discern how much they are deceav'd in the sense of these words For although the same God forbad murther to all men by an expresse Commandement yet it is lawfull for Magistrats to take away the life 's of Malefactors In the administration of Justice Lay-Princes also represent God Now for any to pretend a withdrawing of himself from their authority is no other thing then to be unwilling to be subordinat to divine institution If Ecclesiastics wold interpret Scriptures with more reason then passion and partiality they wold discern that those words Nolite tangere Christos meos bear no other sense then to prohibit any injust outrage against those Ecclesiastics who for the goodnesse of their lifes and innocency of their manners deserve the title of Christs when a Church-man is naught he falls from that title and consequently from the priviledge of it nor can the Clergy of these times pretend to be exempted from the power of temporall Justice by the foresayed words unlesse it had bin in case that Christ had sayed Nolite tangere Anti Christos meos This Signory which can discern things in their tru essences doth not admit the falshood of any interessed opinion to purblind Her own proper understanding If a Clerk may err temporally against the State the State thinks it reasonable that he may be punish'd temporally by no other hand then by that to whom God hath committed the care of the State The danger of a State wold be too too evident and the confusion also if the Crimes that are committed against the conservation and common tranquillity therof shold stand in fear of no other punishment then what shall come from a forraign Prince who regulating himself by certain politic interests in lieu of correction wold haply tolerat orâ—…connive at the Crime to the public domage of that State and for his own advantage Behold for example how many Princes in Italy wher the Pontificiall Power predominats are disquieted ever and anon and corrupted by reason of the impunity of â—…lericall Libertines and what other thing can be hence expected but that the Ecclesiastics being exempted totally from secular Justice they may arm themselfs joyn in bands and turn their Cloisters to so many Castles that trampling so under foot the authority of their own Prince they may establish another Kingdom within a Kingdom That wisdom which sits at the Stern of the Republic of Venice will never suffer Her own subjects to be able to supplant Her by the protection and support of any forraign Authority Clerks are punish'd temporally when they offend temporally against the tranquillity of the State not els and if it seems strange to the Pope that the Venetians assume to themselfs civill jurisdiction over the Ecclesiastics much more seems it strange to the Venetians that the Ecclesiastics shold usurp worldly dominion over the persons of Seculars In the mean time they know well that Christ profess'd openly to have no Kingdomin this world This Speech being ended and S. Paul desiring to understand the late differences which had bin controverted 'twixt the Republic and Rome is inform'd by a Noble Venetian as followeth The Church of Rome was reverenc'd by us in that manner which was sitting for Christs lawfull Spouse but she corresponding with little gratitude hath not only conspir'd our ruine more then once but at last hath thrown out of doors the ancient monument of our services which have bin proclaim'd to the world for so many ages by the Trump of Fame by the trâ—… Narration of Historians approv'd by all precedent Popes in public Elogies S. Marks Lion can hardly endure to have that glory eclips'd which was alwaies the food of his generous thoughts and it seems strange to us that Venice having
his Censures he publisheth me for a disobedient son to the universall Father of Christianity But whether he is to be acknowledg'd as a Father who enemy-like robs his children judge you Can he expect to be reverenc'd as S. Peters Successor when diffring from S. Peter he stops his ears to the words of Christ who commanded him to sheath his sword Christ did institut a peacefull Kingdom nor did he ever ordain that his Cause shold be handled with Armes Neverthelesse the present Bishops make use of them because they are ready to meddle with any other Cause then with that of Christ In the interim good Fryer my fortune is worse then that of Malchus for if Malchus was offended with the weapon of Peter he was heal'd again by the hands of Peter but I find my self hurt by S. Peters sword yet cannot perceave his hand is dispos'd to cure me or restore me mine own S. Paul being departed from Parma goes to Florence wher being brought to the Court he heard the Gran Duke much transported with choler speaking to a Councellor of his in this manner Then Vrban the VIII intendeth that a Clergie-man shall go exempted from the imposition of Milstone wherunto the interests of my State oblige me to subject without exception any one that lives under my Government and who is he that arrogats temporall Jurisdiction over anothers Authority In the time of Christ secular Princes had their tribut and shall they now be refus'd in Vrban's time By this means the credulous simplicity of the Laity shall be continually taught to contribut so many Gabells to the Clergy and the Clergy shall be free from all taxes to them and who at any time leaves possessions to the Ecclesiastics they must be free from such Contributions which the Law of Nature awards ev'ry protecting Prince Who did ever affirm that the Legacies of privat men can be exempt from the public Jurisdiction of their Prince These are new Doctrines which tear the world in pieces being introduc'd by those Bishops who together with the Evangelicall precepts have forgot that Christ himself when he was upon earth payed tribut to Caesar professing that he came to fulfill the Law not toabrogat it and shall we admit in our free States an Authority which beyond the Order and example of Christ pretends to have power to controul and transvolve the Dominions of others yea to trample upon the Princes themselfs Is this the paradise that Christ promiseth to them that observe his Law or rather a Hell which they worthily deserve who beleeve too much in an adulterated Church But I observe that the Ecclesiastics by too many stiles do subject the simple seculars to pay contribution for Indulgencies for Dispensations for the Word of God for sacrifices of the Altar and in sum for all the Sacraments which the Divine goodnesse â—…ath afforded gratis to all the faithfull But what do I say the avarice of the Clergy is grown to that height that it doth not permit those poor souls that are under the agonies of Death to depart from this world to the other till they conjure them under the pretext of pious Legacies to pay a toll for their safe conduct constraining to bargain for their very graves they sell them for ready money the embraces of our common Mother the earth and I in my free State must not impose the least Tax as that of the Milstone upon my subjects But let Vrban practise what he please let Him thunder what Excommunications he will upon my Gabelleers I shall learn well enough how to fence away his blowes I will make the Jews my Receavers nor shall I ever suffer that Toscany be oppress'd by such rapacious Tyrants who under the mantle of Religion exercise such robberies upon us S. Paul leaving Florence resolves to visit the State of the Church in his journey he is accompanied with a subject of the Popes who vented forth his discontentments unto him in these words upon som expostulations of S. Pauls I was born a subject under the particular Dominion of the Church of Rome and that 's enough good Frier to pronounce me miserable The Civill Justice administred in my Countrey by Ecclesiastics the Authority abus'd by them that govern and their custom degenerating daily into cruelty and rapine have made the subjection insupportable and the life 's of those unhappy who live under the temporall Scepter of the Roman Clergy my toung cannot sufficiently expresse the rigidnes of their Government let ev'ry one comprehend by their tyrannicall practises they do exercise abroad what they do at home I was enforc'd to forsake my house for a Tax impos'd upon me for living well when a young rich man is discover'd by greennesse of Age and heat of bloud to be prone to any lightnesse presently comes a new Edict which will make him lie under a grosse sum of money herby it comes oft to passe that a small fillip somtimes doth equall murther and words are as dangerous as deeds for all comes under the title of transgression though the fault be no other then a slip of youthful lightnesse Furthermore the Ministers who govern our State of Rome under colour of zeal to our Salvation are wont ever and anon to send certain Catchpouls to search mean blind places cottages to see whether any subject cohabit with a Concubine ev'ry thing lies under the search of prowling eyes and the insolent hands of those Ragamuffins I will say no more then this that under the Domination of other Princes the Jews are more gently us'd then we are under the regiment of the Ecclesiastics nor is it a wonder for som Churchmen of our times are haply greater Enemies to the Gospell of Christ then som Christians are to the Talmud of the Hebrews S. Paul a little after meets with a Maronit passenger who had taken a journey from Mount Libanus in Syria to see Rome and was returning homewards S. Paul begins to mingle speech with him asking him of his Countrey and of the Motives that induc'd him to com to Italy and what opinion he had form'd within himself of Rome wherunto he answer'd thus My Countrey is Armenia the cause which brought me to Italy was no other then a desire to learn the tru Tenets of the Catholic Doctrine which in our Region is adulterated with such a multiplicity of Sects that they confound one another The eleventh year is now coming about that I have breath'd air under the climes of Europe having sojourn'd longest in Rome being led thither by Fame which somtimes useth to represent things otherwise then they are in their own essence I figur'd within my self That City to be She who as She pretends so She had deserv'd to be the Head of all Christian people as being the School of Sanctity and patern of all vertu And truly at the first sight I thought I was not a whit deceav'd by any extern appearance which oft times doth dazzle and fascinat the eyes of
bin that side the Alpes so that ever since the peace of Bologna which was in the yeer 1530. ther never happend any open War twixt Spain and Venice Ever since the Republic perceaving that the Popes were often transported with their own interests and that other Princes were either their dependents or their forces weak the Republic of Venice hath stood as it were in perpetual centinell to watch the common freedom of Italy whereby She hath much incurrd the hate of the Spaniard who seemd to stomack it much that Venice shold so stand in counterpoise with him Thereupon because he could do no good by open force he went another way to work to do her a displesure which was by erecting 〈◊〉 Fortresses in the Valtoline to impede all supplies that might com that way unto Her upon ocasion The Republic finding that tho Spanish Ministers aymd at nothing more than to depresse her strength and so make themselfs masters of all Italy in time she studied to find meanes by money and counsell to divert the strength of the Spaniard and cutt him out som work another way out of Italy imitating herein the Faulâ—…r who standing himself in repose and firm upon the Earth let ts fly Goshauks and Faukcons at the Birds of the Air. And although Venice appeerd for the support of Mâ—…ntoua yet this was don so cunningly that it did nothing prejudice her Peace with Spain or obligd Her to second France in that busines though She was much courted thereunto by Belieure and other great Ministers to engage So that although in former times She hath bin often constraind to play fast and loose twixt Spain and France yet this last century She hath kept herself alwayes in a politique neutrality SInce the principall aym of this peece is to make the industrious Reader fully acquainted with this Mayden Republic therefore we thought it worth the labour to insert here the opinions of the most approved and authentique Writers that have exposed to the World any thing of politicall goverments and a collation of their judgements with the variety of expressions may conduce much to instruct the Reader and perfect his knowledge of this famous Signorie Bodinus de Republica Lib. 11. COntarenus thinks the same judgement to be pass'd upon the Venetian Republic which he thinks may agree with all the three kinds of Governments Est inquit in Duce Regia quodâ—…modo potestas in Senatâ—… Aristocratia In Concilio Maximo Democratiâ—… Ther is sayeth he a kind of Regal power in the Duke an Aristocracy in the Senat And a Democracy in the great Councell But Ianotus who hath described the state of that Common-wealth from her first originalls and written most accuratly of her secrecies of Goverment convinceth Contarenus and accuseth him of grosse errors He demonstrates therefore that before Sebastiano Cyani who was Doge of Venice which is about 300 yeers since the Republic then was plainly a Monarchicall Goverment Contarenus averrs that She hath remaind about 800 yeers in the very same condition She is now in Paulus Magustius speakes of 1200 yeers which Ianotus proves to be false out of the public Acts and the History of the Times Howsoever it be It is most evident that in statu quo nunc the Republic of Venice is a pure Aristocracy For by the description of the Citty and the cense that was made of the Inhabitants 30 yeers since ther were about 60000. Cittizens excepting Women and Children that had not exceeded seven yeers of Age as also the Patricians in whom the power of the Republic is seated whose nomber may amount to 4000. All kind of Churchmen are exempted out of this nomber and young men under five and twenty who have no accesse either to the great Councell or the administration of any Office unlesse upon request made by their Seniors the same be obtaind Nor is ther in the Assembly of the great Councell which hath bin so long establishd both in our Ancestors and late Progenitors times more than 1500 but in former times ther were much fewer as appeers among the Historians This Convention therefore of the Patricians Gentry or Nobility hath the supreme power over all Lawes and Magistrats of Peace and War of last appeales of life and death as Contarenus himself confesseth Which being so who can doubt but this Republic is a pure Aristocracy For if the better sort of men had nothing els but the power of the Law and Magistracy it were argument enough to judg that it is an Optimacy as we taught before since that the election of Magistrats of the Senat of the Colleges of the Septemvirat of the Decemviri of the forty privat and so many public Judges criminal and civil depends meerly upon the grand councell of the Nobility or Gentry and the rest meere precarian powers The Duke is He who being a Soverain Governor may be sayed only to want comand for he can neither summon any one before him or apprehend any by his sole comand or demand any nor hath He more power in any Colledg of Senators whether great or small but only that he gives the last suffrage nor can He open any Letters either from forren Princes or any Magistrat or Officer nor admit or dismisse any Ambassadors without som of the Colledg of the Septemvirat or Decemvirat nor can He marry a stranger or go out of the Citty of Venice without leave Duke Falerio because he married a Lady that was born out of the Dominions of the Republic without the consent of the Senat was by the Decemvirat Councell sentencd to death and executed besides Him Sabellious enumerats twelve Dukes that either were slain in a popular tumult or punishd when they abusd their power The same Author in his 3. Book writes thus BUt the Senator must take this for a principall caution that he suffer not himself to be depravd by any bribes or engagd by any benefitt which allthough it be capitall there yet is it ordinary elswhere in other States and except the Signorie of Venice who hath a Senat so free and pure from this kind of sordidnes that the very Churchmen allthough they be Cittizens and Patricians born are restraind therfore from their civill Councells because they are known to be sworn to act not any thing against the profitts and interest of the Roman Bishop That cry is well known to all the world that before all suffrages this acclamation useth to be in the great Councell Fuora 1 preti insomuch that Hermolao Barbaro and what a man was He receavd the sentence of banishment because while Ambassador in Rome he sufferd himself to be coopted into the Colledg of Cardinalls without the consent of the Senat. Iac. Aug. Thuanus Lib. 23. THe Venetian Senat which may be truly calld the Shopp of all civil prudence hath it for a speciall Caveat That none initiated in Holy Orders shold touch any part of the Republic The same in his 27. Book THer 's no Prince in all
Italie except the Venetian Republic in the conciliation of whose frendship the King ought to labour much for by Her Lawes it is severely prohibited that none of Her Subjects receave any pension from a forren Prince Cardinall Arnoldus Ossat in his 353. Epistle THe Venetians to speak truly have no more devotion than needs yet they manage their affaires with as much prudence and gravity as any other Prince you remember without doubt how after the death of the last King they presently acknowledgd this present King viz. Henry the 4. and how they respected our Ambassador as formerly yet they would not admitt him to com with the other Ambassadors to the Chappell till the King was reconcild to the Church of Rome This they did because the Pope with the King of Spain and all the world might bear wittnes that howsoever what they did for politicall reasons yet they were exact observers of the Catholic Religion Interdicti Veneti Histor. Lib. 1. THe Republic of Venice excludes all Ecclesiastiques from the participation of Her goverment and only She neither gives or takes any pensions from the Court of Rome Paulus Paruta in Histor. Venet. Lib. 4. OUr Progenitors took singular care that the Cittizens of Venice shold employ their industry to navigation and maritime negotiation for the encrease and improvement of public and privat wealth and that the Venetian name might be propagated to remote and outlandish Nations The situation of the Cittie seemes to invite Her to such studies and exercises and to infuse such a propensity into the minds of Her Inhabitants In regard that the Citty having not of Her-self any Lands to cultivat which might answer their industry and make them rich and being destitut of all things els that are necessary for humane subsistence necessity herself did excite them to naval industry and to furrow the Sea which fills her with abundance and affluence of all things conducing to a being and well-being This made Her employ hundreds of Shipps and Gallies abroad into forren Countreys as well to Christian Regions as to Infidells and bring back rich commodities of all sorts not only for Her own ocasions but to exercise comerce and exchange comodities with Her neighbours farr and neer to Her unspeakable advantage In these Gallies many young men of the Gentry and Patrician Order do use to imbark themselfs as well for marchandizing as to gain experience up and down the world specially in the Art of Navigation Many wherof use to sojourn a long time among forren peeple and dispatch not only their own affaires but do favours and negotiat for others Wherby they attain to a great proportion of knowledg in all things and being returnd and salted as it were in the world and composd to frugality and modesty they com to the management of the public affaires of the Commonwealth Bodinus de Repub. Lib. 3. BUt because no man may think that so many Counsells shold breed a confusion in so well ordred a Republic he must think that She divides Her Councells into â—…ower principall Classes besides the Senat ther is the Councell of Sages which is calld the marine Councell then is ther the Councell of Sages who have the incumbency of matters by Land Then is ther a Councell of Decemvirs and Septemvirs wherin the Duke as in all other Colleges presides Which Councells though they be sejoynd in Colleges and Offices yet when the quality of the affair requires they all consociat The Senat is composd of 60. Gentlemen who with so many more Cittizens have the greatest management of affaires Idem ibidem WHat we have spoken for matter of taking Counsell it is no where practisd better than it is in Venice for when ther is a doubtfull deliberation of things in both the Councells of Sages they use to expedit it conjunctly with the Decemvirs Therfore it is subscrib'd underneath the decree con la giunta but if all this be not sufficient to put a period to the busines in agitation in regard of discrepancy of Opinions the Septemviri are consulted and if this will not serve the turn for discrepancy of censures the Senat is assembled where the whole matter is displayed but if the authority of the Senat will not suffice but ther will be still dissentient suffrages then it is finally determin'd by the Great Councell Idem Lib. 5. THe Venetians restrain Dowries by a specall Law viz. that the Portion of a Patrician Damsell or Gentlewoman be but 1600. Crownes lest the wealth of illustrious Families be exhausted but if a Gentleman marry a Plebean the dowry is terminated to 2000. Crownes But they suffer now this Law to be in a maner antiquated that the poverty of som Gentlemen may be repaird by the dowry of a Wife But this is prudently observ'd that they use as much as may be to remove Women from hereditary right if ther be any Male extant Idem Lib. 6. NOt long since in the yeer 1566. the Venetians created three Magistrats and endowd them with a Censorian power whom they calld a Triumvirat for the Reformation of the manners of the Citizens commonly calld I Signori sopra il ben vivere della Citta and they were thus entitled because the word Censor seemd to grave and severe for a Cittie that was so free from the beginning and abounding with affluence of all plesures Idem Eodem Lib. THe Venetians do dayly exercise and entertain above 4000. persons in public works than which nothing can be more profitable to the common peeple more commodious to the Citty and more delightfull to all men And as they employ so many in public works so with wonderfull benignity they distribut part of the public wealth for the relieving and sustentation of the aged and indigent Paulus Paruta in Hist. Ven. Lib. 7. IT hath bin provided by a singular way of circumspection and for the advantage of the Republic that Her Ambassadors which She employed abroad upon legations of State to forren Princes shold not reserve to themselfs what is given them by way of gift but to confer it to the public but if by particular favour such Ambassadors were permitted to retain such presents such a grace must passe by the suffrage of the Senat to oblige them therby more to the benevolence of the Senat than to the bounty of any forren Prince Paulus Iovius Lib. 1. THe Citty of Venice is ample and magnificent by navall study and Mercantile Negotiations She grew up from small beginnings but for Her incredible advantage of situation She is admird and preferrd before all other Citties under the Sun because that She being girt about with the waters of the interfluent Hadrian Sea and so not exposd to any sudden surprises or assaults She securely enjoyes Her-self and Her tresure hoording it up for times of danger For ther is no approch to Her by Land in regard 40. Stades of Sea intercede nor any advenue by Sea in regard of the blind and low foords