more being as it was believed a religious man of the moderne order or at least one of their education And therefore he would never consent to heare him But being still instant with the father Fulgentio with whom he thought he had bred a confidence he told him that he was a neare kinsman to Cardinal Baromus though fallen into disfavour with him and that he would advise him something that concern'd his life whereof he would give him such instances as might assure him of the truth Whereupon it was further resolv'd that he should not heare him and then the father spoke it with some little passion that it was a lesse trouble to die a violent death then to be put into a necessitie of living in continuall feares because mischiefes have their terminations but feares go in infinite So being able to get nothing but an exhibition from Fulgentio according to his need he resolved to desist in the businesse and looking upon him when he parted with a fixt looke he said thus Guardatevi da traditori guard your selves from traitors for you have very great neede God preserve you for you are honester religious men then others would you were And having made another attempt but in vaine to speake with the father upon the stayres of the pallace he went his waies and was seene no more One other particular to the like purpose must not be silenc't The Cardinall Bellarmine with whom the father had some accquaintance as hath beene said and although their writings one against the other were abroade in print yet that good affection whose roote is from vertue and christian Charitie was not extinct neither in the one nor the other He sent twice to him to present him with salutations of love once by a Roman Secular who told him from the Cardinall that he wisht him to looke carefully to himselfe for that he had great cause And by another time when Alberto Testini was come from Rome to a Chapter at Mantua the Cardinall impos'd it upon him that going to Venice he should salute the father in his name with much affection and to assure him that his love to him was not abated at all And by this he desired him to take an assurance that a Frier of Vicenza naming one Fra. Felice that lives had under the title of the life of father Paul compos'd a famous libell and made it to be presented to the Pope Paul the fifth who had delivered it to him the Cardinall to peruse and to give him his opinion whether it were fit to be published and that he the Cardinall made this relation that he knew the father very well and that his holinesse might take his word that the things mentioned were notorious calumnies which would be dishonorable to whosoever should publish them Thus much Maestro Alberto Testoni told the father besides some other things In offences of all sorts both against his life and his honnour the calumnies which have bene put in printe against him being infinite which such a member of libellers thinking to please the humour of the Court written and it hath so farre exeeded the limits of all Christian profession that like a swarme of frogs in a muddy marsh they have taken that embleme from their shamelesnesse only to see how farre their malediction could be carried yet the father never shewed the least signe either of disdaine or revenge one of his most excellent vertues which hath accompanied him to his grave was his meekenesse in such a perfection that those of his religion with a generall voice render him this testimony that they never knew him endeavour any the least kinde of revenge and it is to be observed that the authour of that famous libell whereof we made mention was not Fra. Felice of Vincenza as it was reported but another whom for his discredit I spare to name and one whom the father might well have procur'd to be punished at his pleasure But hee would not onely not doe it but as long as the father lived that man lived in security with imployments of Honour but the father was no sooner dead but that injury being resented by the publique with other failings and wretched operations of his brought him so farre into the publique indignation that hee was not suffered to remaine in the Dominions of Venice Philosophie and the very law of Christ can verie hardly eradicate a certaine pleasant itch of revenge and it is no small matter to abstaine from the action But this Father of ours was arrived at such a degree of vertue that when hee received the greatest wrong he kept the same serenity of face mildnesse of language extenuating the injuries that were done him as much as t was possible to doe alledging this many times for a reason That such an one either had his braines crackt or that his condition hung upon such interests that he could doe no otherwise after this time the Popes minde seemed to be much mitigated and he was somewhat sincerd in the opinion of the Fathers goodnesse and pietie True it is that the Bishop of Tine being not long after called to Venice upon a processe form'd against him by inquisitors of theirs that were sent into the Levant His cause was committed to the consultation of the father Paul who made such a judgement and relation upon it that the Bishop was rather commended then reprehended by the publique obtaining divers priviledges for his Church and for his person and returning afterwards from Rome and comming to Venice he told the Father that the Pope had enquired distinctly of his successe in his businesse and understanding how the Father had comported himselfe he seem'd to be much pleas'd and broke into some expressions that from divers parts he had heard that the Father was a great friend to justice and carried himselfe with much prudence and sincerity And of the other side the Father pray'd and desir'd God to send the Pope a long life and that he might survive him as hee was younger then he by a yeare or thereabouts and hee would often say to some of his inward friends by way of prognostique that Pope Paul he beleeved had sha'kt off his ill affection towards him but if he were dead whosoever should succeede him would revive it a gaine because the effects of the past controverfie continued still like scarres which in some some sort or other would quickly come into demonstration and he was not at all deceived in his judgement as will hereafter appeare But notwithstanding withstanding this malevolence it was a thing more then certaine that even at Rome among the great prelates he had a mighty repute and that when they had occasion to speake of him though but to satisfie the Court and their owne interests yet they discovered that they had him in opinion of a great personage both for honestie and learning and it is also certaine that Cardinall Bellarmine found much fault in publique that so little reckoning was made
I may say from that garden of spirituall delights into a thorny field of toile and wearinesse of spirit and body and at a generall Chapter he was by common consent created Procurator of the Court called Proctor generall This is the supreame dignity of that order under the Generall and in those times that religion flourished with learned men none were assumed into that order except men of exquisite prudence because the charge beares with it a necessity to defend all the variances and controversies at Rome that are promoted in all the religion besides the necessities of appearing in all courts and congregations to maintaine the causes that are brought to the court and of singular learning to be able to pray before the Pope upon daies that are design'd to that order And because the Proctors of Court are much imployed by the Popes in the congregations as in reading a publique lecture upon wisdome In these three yeares that he dwelt in Rome beside that incomparable prudence wherwith he treated of matters of religion there was knowne to be in him a great aptnesse to greater things and by order from the Pope himselfe he entred into divers congregations where there was occasion to discourse in occurrent actions upon important difficulties of doctrine At which meetings he came to know and take intimate acquaintance with father Bellarmine who was often present and was afterwards a Cardinall whose friendship continued even to the end of his life He knew there likewise the Doctor Navarro who was then at Rome about that famous cause of the Arch-Bishop of Toledo and he was wont to tell with a great deale of delight that he had many times had discourse with one of the ten compagnons of father Ignatius who then lived And I believe it was father Bobadiglia wherein I should be sorry to be mistaken Onely it is remembred that he found him often doing his exercise in certaine remote places and that he seemed to be full of holy simplicity and that he told him freely at one time that it was never the minde of the father Ignatius that his company should be reduced to what they were now and if he returned into the world he should not know them being become a quite other thing and so much changed from what he left them How he behaved himselfe towards the Cardinall Santa Severina protector appears in this that he alone among so many that were imployed went away in his good grace and favour which was no small matter with a Prelate of his disposition who was used to call those that went according to his by as without contradiction poore spirited fellows and flatterers and those that made lively opposition against him spake their minde undauntedly them he hated for being too free and insolent But above all he was entred so far into the grace of Cardinal Castagna who was after Pope by the name of Vrban the seaventh and succeeded Sixtus V. that he was infinitely pleased with him And t' is very like that this Prelate being of a more then humane meekenesse of life most innocent and for his carriage irreprehensible the similitude of their dispositions might be the cause of uniting their affections The father never visited him but by the cheerefullnesse of his face he might discerne that his visite was so much the more accepted by how much it was more frequent And after his going from home he alwaies continued to be his servant The short time that he lived in the Pontificate which was onely thirteene dayes gave no assurance how his favour would have continued to the Father after his assumption to that Throne for this very opinion that he had of the Father to bee a subject of so incomparable learning and ability I have this testimony from one that was present when the newes was brought him of his death that he said without any shew of alteration Ideo raptus est ne malitia mutaret intellectum ejus He had once occasion to goe to Naples to sit President as Vicar Generall at the Chapters and to make the Visitation where hee grew acquainted with that famous witt Gio. Battista Porta who in some worke of his that came to light makes honorable mention of Padre Paolo as of no ordinary personage and particularly of his specular perspective The time of his Office of Proctor Generall in Court happened to be at the beginning of the Pontificate of Sixtus the sift who as it is beleeved having been a Fryer knew much of the worth of those religious persons that were remarkable and among others having had information of the quality of the Father gave him imployment in congregations and other manages more frequently then was usuall He was present at the discussion of that matter Whether the Duke de Ioyeuse being a Capuchin were dispensable and to that purpose were spoken by those that would flatter such exhorbitances of the untimely power or rather the pontificall omnipotency that Father Bellarmine being present told the Father in his eare These are the things that have made Germany revolt and will produce as much in France and other Kingdomes Upon a time the Pope being in the street in his Litter called the Father unto him holding him a good while in discourse which was nothing else but of certaine memorials that were come to his hands against the Generall of that time This unwonted passage and observ'd by the Court that used to make observations upon all things was presently divulged abroad how much the Father was in the Popes favour what would you have more The vanity had already made him a Cardinall But this favour which was neither sought nor desired by him cast him into a most troublesome persecution At his going from Venice he had left his friends at the Councell and directions of master Gabriell Collison with whom hee had formerly joyned in the taking away certaine ill customes and grievances which some superiours had imposed upon others that were weaker then themselves and were detested under the odious name of Tyranny But as it often happens that what we detest in others we are ready to justifie in our selves and the nature of Gabriel being as it was afterwards discerned to bee onely a friend and lover of his owne interest In those three yeares of the Fathers absence from the Province hee had gotten an absolute Dominion whereto he had attain'd and maintained himselfe by very great extortions one onely impediment was a mighty traverse to him that the Father was shortly to returne to Venice to whom he knew such practises would bee no waies pleasing and he was out of hope of inclining him to those courses of his because he had had experience of his integrity that he was not to be corrupted He conceived his onely remedy was to make him a proposition against which the wisest men can hardly make a defence which was the way of Honours and therefore to remaine at home And began seriously to perswade him
thing to be admired how as if he had understood nothing but the Mechaniques he would presently comprehend the designe and give judgment whether it would serve for the thing it was intended for or not with the meanes how to better it how to facilitate and make another like it with what oppositions or defects But they say more of him those that brought him instruments to see with what facility he told them what they were made for saying This instrument is to take a scituation or to measure a voyage or to lift a great weight or to know how to returne to unknowne places by the same way they came The particulars would make a volume Signor Alfonso Antomini a Cavaglier of the most sublime vertues morall civill politique and military that can any way render a gentleman amiable after he had beene in Germany and Flanders to see the warres and so likewise with observation in others as with exercise of his owne person and especially of his wit in observing all things was raised to such a degree of military knowledge as very few have arrived to and was called back by the most serene Republique of Venice to doe them some service concerning the commotions that were then in Italy But those being fallen into a condition which might rather be called rumors of warre then open warr and not obtayning a libertie to depart to any place of reall wares gave himself to a remeditation of what he had formerly observed especially the orders of the Prince Maurice of Oranges and withal to se what Plobyus some other authors wherein he might know the orders of the ancient Romane militia and of other people and upon this occasion wrote a booke how a present militia might be managed But having conceived in his minde the inventions of many instruments and military engines he was desirous to goe to Venice to have conference with the father and to impart his thoughts and and receive his judgment therein and being accidentally fallen upon the subject of glasses and perspectives in which study Antonini had lately employed his witts the father did not onely discourse with him ex improviso upon the fabrick of many sorts of glasses and of their effects which seemed to to have some thing miraculous but presently taking pen and paper gave him the figures in forme with their demonstrative reasons as if he had come newly from studying Halazen or Vitellio and others of that profession although he was able to give a true account that it was above fortie yeares fince he had beene verst in any of those authors But to returne to my discourse he being come from Rome to his rest and to his studies returned also to his vertuous conversations and all the time that he could spare from divine offices wherein he was alwayes constant when not hindred by publique imployment and never omitting his private devotions he spent at his booke About that time he wrote some of his owne conceipts naturall physicall and Mathematicall which when he tooke a review of afterwards he made no account of and was wont to say Oh what childish things past through my minde And I am very certaine that if they had beene seene by learned men they would not have deem'd them childish His quietnesse then begun to be a little distracted by an accident that happened in religion It was a common expectation in the religion that a Milanese who was thought to deserve well should be made generall But the great Duke of Toscany opposed it and by his power at Rome caused a Bolognise borne at Budri to be created Generall who was a reader in Pisa of the Mathematiques This was a man of great learning and goodnesse but not able so for government as was needfull to sustaine such a charge in times of so great factions and discontent And very shortly after there flew such memorialls and advertisements to Rome concerning his simplicity and the crime of his companions which were all laid to his charge that favour failing him by the death of the great Duke Francesco which happened 1587. Sixtus V. and the Cardinall Santa Severina Protector concurring both in one minde which was not to favour that man in his office of Generall because he was inclined another way resolved that his cause should come to examination And after a long time of striving about the deputation of Judges by the Cardinal Santa Severina because the religion was then in factions and what one man proposed another refused at last the Pope who had taken knowledge of Padre Paolo undertooke to determine the controversie and commanded him to goe thither to understand the businesse So he was appointed to goe to Bologna where he continued many monthes in the treaty of that troublesome cause Because the Generall having obtained that advertisement of the proceedings should be given from time to the Auditor of del Torrone there being also before him at that time some Crimininall causes of of importance and it was in the publique prison they sate whe rethey fell often into differences of what was fit to be done For satisfaction whereof it had beene necessary to write and to expect resolutions from Rome And it was well worth observing that in all the controverted Points the opinion of the father was ever approved of notwithstanding the Auditors themselves use to be the most consummate and and absolute men in matters of judicature But the processe and the cause were both determined by the death of the Generall although some sentences which the father had given against some of the Fryers stood unrepealed The father being come back to Venice resumed the course of his former studies and of his retirednesse from bufinesse frequenting his accustomed vertuous conversations and the resort that was to the house of fignor Andrea Moresim whom we name before being growne very numerous and frequent because there came thither a great part of such as profest learning and not onely of the nobility whereof some subjects are since risen to be great Senators and like starres in the firmament of the most serene Common-wealth for goodnesse Religion learning and civill prudence but there were likewise admitted into that meeting all sorts of virtuosi as well seculars as religious beside the most eminent persons of learning that were then met at Venice or in Italy or of any other nation that did not faile to be present in that place as in one of the most celebrated conventions that had ever beene consecrate to the Muses In my life I have not seene more vertuous exercises and I wish it had pleased God that as the vertues of those two Andria and Nicolo the uncles which discended by inheritance unto their nephews so there might have beene in Venice such another meeting where there were met at sometimes five and twentie or thirtie men of rare endowments At this meeting the ceremony which is a thing so much affected in our times and so superfluous had no
Because Lagrimino that was gone into Vmbria had beene imprisoned at Rome and being confronted had sustained the things mentioned And though after he were made recant by charging it upon the Generall and so set free yet neverthelesse he disappear'd and vanisht out of the world though not like Enoch By this time the Cardinall saw that it was not possible to create master Gabriel his Generall at a chapter that was then called at Rome but yet he was able to put him that was Generall under judgment and to that purpose kept him in the prison of Santa Maria in via particularly because Lagrimino had accused him to be suborned and by the Cardinalls order there were committed many exorbitances and violences in the order under certaine pretences both with cause and without cause employing the officers of the Inquisition so far that except to those that had seene them the things were beyond beliefe During these passages there being a provinciall chapter at Venice to be celebrated in Vicenza he created president by a writ from the Pope the Bishop of that Citty Michel Priuli a man of great sence and prudence who perceiving of one side the disposition of the Fryars and on the other side the Cardinalls commands knew not which side he should adhere to And seeing the spirits of the factions inflamed he was perswaded by those of the Cardinalls faction to consent to an innovation which was never tryed before and that was to move the Rectors to admit some sergeants and other officers into the Monastery to prevent disorder but really intended to intimidate if not use violence upon the other partie But this made things worse then formerly before making the parties more obstinate And prolonging the Chapter to eight daies length which had wont to be determined in a few houres And these serjeants seeing all things setled in quietnesse and about eight Friers without armes so much as their knives they laid downe their gunns and left their armes carelesly upon certaine tables that stood in the Cloisters and the souldiers without further thought of any thing either stood still or went into the cellars to drinke or into the storehouse or forth into the Mount to sport themselves In the meane time the Friers fretted and knaw'd the chaine to see such a company of idle fellowes without any imployment a thing never done before and so scandalous to religion to see them consume those provisions which ought to be the aliment of the convent And their spirits were the more imbittered by the provoking language of those that gave it out that they that did not render themselves shortly to the Cardinalls order should either be throwne in prison or sent to the gallies or be otherwise disposed of like dogges And the last stroke which was like to end the businesse was that one evening there came from Vicenza to this Monastery of the mount where the Chapter sate the Bishop with another briefe from his holinesse besides that of his Presidentship which was sent from Rome to Vicenza in lesse then fortie houres giving order that the president might have power to expell the Generall vicar out of the Chapter beside a most ample authority to suspend transfer or prolong the Chapter and whatsoever he should thinke fit Whereat some of the wiser sort rather laught then wondred to see that in a capitular action being a thing of so small moment there should be sent forth two apostolicall briefes And the Pope himselfe enter into the Comedy after so great a Cardinall with the authoritie of the two Saints Sanctorum Petri Pauli which was according to the adage Magno conatu nugas agere That faction to which so much favour was exprest was added into the Bishops traine entring into the monastery in a tumultuous way with much noise and to solemnize their triumph the more they caused to be carried two naked swords before them with certaine acclamations which had beene more convenient for plebeians then religious men This occasioned so great an alteration that immediately a crue of young fellowes brought that very night the dore being set open into the Fryers chambers with great silence a number of those brave Vicentines with whom they had intelligence and were resolved the next morning when the Bishop and the chapter were met which was alwaies in the refectory and serjeants having left their guns carelessly as they used to doe to fall upon them and take such a revenge as their anger and the memory of such injuries should suggest Yet they lingred a while till they could speake with one that might give notice of their designe to Padre Paulo But it is a very hard matter that a thing knowne to so many should be conceal'd wherefore he among others having had an inckling of the businesse it is most certaine that with much labour and waking a great part of the night by entreating some and commanding others and giving a cleare understanding to all of the danger they should bring upon themselves of the slight consequence of the things in question and the scandall that might arise But above any thing else the venerall esteeme that they had of his authority was potent meanes to suppresse the conspiracy Yet he saw well that it was a matter of necessity to put an end to those discords which were no longer to be contained within the confines of voting but would be sure to rise into higher termes And because that being once admitted for a president and so horrid a resolution setled it would be an incouragement to others to attempt the like There is not in matters of government a more secure restraint then to know what mighty mischiefes are possible to ensue wherefore the father was resolv'd to doe his uttermost endeavour to compose the divisions which he could not doe so well as by making a journey in person to Rome But the matter of the aforesaid letter in Cypher and that of his communication with heretiques was a great discouragement to his going Because although he might well discerne an insubsistence that the Cardinall Protector was not much incens't by any instances against him upon those accusations although he sent other causes of very light valew to the Inquisitors against Fryers and others as soone againe took them off as the matter of voting in the Chapter house was past which for the most part was one of the chiefe ends of those practises of his neverthelesse the father tooke into consideration what the displeasure of so great a man might doe that had the power of judgment in his hands as Santa Severina being head of the Congegation of the holy office had And that in Rome it was well knowne how neare he was after Clement in election to the Papacy and the question was not onely extinct whether that election of Clement were valid or not Wherefore Clement was willing to feed the Cardinals humour by giving him leave to doe what he lifted besides that he was
moreover speciall commissions to treate with him of things concerning his owne greatnesse The father penetrated the Cardinalis end giving an account thereof to the publique and thereupon the most excellent Colledge were desirous to heare the fathers owne opinion remitting the resolution to his only prudence and to them he gave such an answer that by those most wise Senators it was resolved that he should not treate with the Cardinall And among other reasons the Senate never being inclined to grant either benediction or absolution to such as needed it not they could not foresee to what end it was to grant a private conference betwixt so great a Cardinall and a Frier And although the Father where of himselfe very sparing to speake yet it was in the power of others to make it more or lesse as they pleased Nor can be that serves a Prince have a worse encounter being already hated for anothers sake then to heare a thing whereby one part may be made jealous without hopes of pleasing the other When the agreement wasmade it was one of the conditions that the Common wealth should give thankes to all those that were not specified by their names in that revolt By reason whereof many returned backe to the state that had grievously offended the publique And the father was also comprehended in Individuo which was a thing beyond the course of common reason or the doctrine of lawes that peace being made with the Prince it should not be intended to be made with all his Councellors All which afterwards the Pope himselfe Paul the V did nominally ratifie to the then Embassador Francesco Contarini and at this day the most serene Prince and Duke of Venice And the truth of thus much shall be verified by things subsequent That the Pope speaking of father Paul in individuo said that he had given his benediction to all and was not willing there should be any more words of what had past Vpon which promises of so great a Prince and upon the integritie of his owne conscience the father reposing himselfe in all cleerenesse and tranquillity serving his naturall Prince with that faith and diligence which he kept incomparably to his last breath It fell after divers times into debate whether the father should goe to visite the Nuntio Gessi that was sent to Venice after that accommodation It was answered that it was but an office performed in relation to their owne Embassador at Rome and howsoever that it was but an expression of reverence And it being referred to his owne consultation He for his part shewed himselfe most willing but yet with regard had to the manner how Nuntios use to treate with the Prince himselfe having power to colour their treaty with a pretext of religion whereupon it was resolved that he onely use a set forme of precise words that were prescribed him from the most excellent Colledge And further what he should tolerate and what he should replie to in case the Nuntio as he pretended should fall upon the cause This had so much varietie of opinions and contrariety that the businesse without resolution fell to the ground But it hath since happened that the greatest Prelates of this state as well Patriarchs as Bishops have indifferently upon all occasions treated with the father of these affaires some visiting him in his Monastery and others sending to invite him to their houses It fell out at this time when the differences were already composed in Venice that Gasparo Scioppio a man well knowne to the world by his writings in printe coming from Rome to passe into Germany as he said or that he brought with him as it was also said a writing full of reproach against the republique to be printed in Germany beside other writings full of impiety as that of Frier Tomaso Campanella a Dominican who having attempted to betray Cosenza into the Turks hands was at that time kept a prisoner in the castle of the egg by the Spaniards In that of this he gave documents to the King and government of Spaine how under certaine pretexts of religion they might impropriate the papacy or else stir up his Holinesse to raise new controversies against the lesser princes continuing the practise untill he found an opportunitie to seaze upon their estates and so proceeding as he would have the Spaniards doe untill they had gotten the Pontificate into one of their owne that they might be both King and Pope at once or else that the Pope might be held on as an instrument of the oppression of others Whether it were for this or for any other secret cause that he had incurr'd publique indignation he was detained in prison three or 4 daies if they were so many and afterwards by publique order he had libertie to goe where he listed But Schoppio was desirous to treat with the father and they discoursed together in matters of learning very long and particularly of the doctrine of the ancient stoicke which he professed he would recall to light out of the thick darknesse wherein it was obscured besides many other learned thoughts of his and very much also in matter of state especially concerning the protestants of Germany And so falling into neerer discourse with the father he began to let him know that the Pope like a great Prince had long hands and having conceived some deepe offence against him it was impossible but that it would fall heavy upon him and that if he had defired to have him slaine he did not want the meanes But that the Popes intent was to have him alive into his hands and to fetch him from Venice and bring him to Rome Yet neverthelesse he offered himselfe whensoever he pleased to treate for his reconciliation and with as much honour as he could desire affirming that he had many treaties in charge with the protestant Princes of Germany about their conversions To this the father answered that he had done nothing for which his Holinesse had reason to be offended that he had defended a a just cause That he was extreamely sory that such a defence as was made should be encountred with the Popes indignation That in the accommodation he was individually comprehended and that he could no way presuppose a falling of publique faith in a Prince But as concerning his being slaine that that of all things troubled him the least That it was a thing plotted against Emperors executed upon Kings and great Princes not against private men of so low a fortune as his was But if such a thing were design'd against him he said he was prepared to submit himselfe to the divine pleasure and that he was not so ignorant of humane condition but that he knew what was to be thought both of life and death and whether of him that knew them both well they were either of them to be desired or feared more then was necessary And if he should cause him to be taken alive and carried to Rome yet all the power
he said he had done the Church very great service As for Poma as he was apprehended by a provost marshall he was shot above the him or so wounded that he died of it His sonne that was with him and he were sent to Civita Vecchia where he died in prison very miserably There was also seene some yeares after another sonne of Pomiani in Venice a young man of great stature and beautiful aspect but out of his wits and followed in the streete by a company of boyes ragged in clothes and begging his bread He was borne for an example of Gods punnishment which passeth from fathers to their children by a terrible visitation Of the other three I cannot tell the particular successes nor which of them was beheaded at the Castle of Perugia But true it is they came all to ill ends And because in Rome after they were secur'd and stipended for a time it came after to a resolution of casting them into prison or banishing them as effect made it appeare so the cause is in concealement as it ordinarily comes to passe in the resolution of great Princes It was imputed to their impatience because the promises were not performed it being reported that Poma was to receive 10000 crownes and the others very great summes which was the cause why they began to speake in derogation of the Cardinall Borghese and of the Pope himselfe in extravagant language discovering too cleerly that which was unperfectly executed could have no absolute praise nor due reward no not from those that could have given lustre to a thing that was done and had therefore beene better wrapt up in silence Then it was said or charged upon them that they held a conspiracy to kill both Borghese and the Pope Such is the faecunditie of finding out causes in Courts and especially in Italy That which I conceive more probable is that was told me by a Prelate now living that about the same time Ridolfo the Emperor being dead and his brother Matthias to succeede him the Pope sent the Cardinall Mellini as his legate into Germany to intervene in that action upon those ordinary pretensions which the Popes have had alawies in the creation of Emperors At his return to Rome he told them that the Catholiques of Germany tooke very great scandall that persons which were guilty of such accursed crimes should finde entertainement at Rome and that thereupon the Heretikes tooke occasion to publish odious writings against the person of the Pope and to the reproach of all the order of Cardinalls This discourse came to the Popes eares or was else fomented by the bold words which were spoken concerning the non-payment of the 10000 crownes which had beene promised and thereupon a just provocation given True it is that he gave order they should be put away from Rome although not without entertainments in other places This seemed to them a thing of so much sharpnesse that they began to lament that they were betraied and that those were not the promises which had beene made them and for which they had put themselves upon such evident dangers of dying upon gibbets and now to faile with them in matter of faith and in such manner as had beene infamous among the very Turkes but the provoking so much the mindes of those great men that are impatient of the least in jurie was the cause that the foresaid ill fortune fell so heavy upon them approving that old saying That no kinde of Traytors are pleasing to Princes and that divine justice though with a lame foote failes not to overtake the swiftest forerunners Now returning to our wounded father the first thing after his wounds were bound up and he tumbled upon his bed was to prepare himselfe in his soule to God to receive as he did the next morning the most holie communion in the greatest humility entreating all the other fathers that were present with many teares in their eyes to excuse him if by the impediment of his wounds he were not able to speake much as he desired to have done that he might by greater demonstrations of the sorrow for his sins have begged a pardon of God And as it is the order of that Government the Avogador being come to take his examen who was then Signor Girolamo Trivisano and at this time Generall in Candia the father told him that he had no enemy that he knew of nor had he knowne any Onely he praied the high Councell often that as he with all his heart did pardon him that offended him so they would make no other demonstration of it but what might serve to defend him better if God should be pleased to prolong his life any further expressing in his actions as a christian and sonne of the heavenly father his due obedience to the Gospell and as a Philosopher that he had eradicated out of his soule all spirit of revenge which is a kinde of savage Justice but deeply inserted into humane nature It was not a singular action of his upon this offence alone but observed by him formerly and after in the whole course of his life never to procure a revenge although the injurie were never so great and the most that was ever heard come forth of that blessed mouth of his case of his wrongs though most unsufferable in words or writings or actions was to say sometimes with a serene face Videat Dominus requirat The next morning the Generall Filippo Alessandrino hearing of the businesse came in all hast to visite him having beene intimate friends together and when he had heard how the businesse had been acted He fell into such an amazement that having communicated his commissions to Fra. Fulgentio he remained for a while speechlesse But observing his owne order in avoiding ostentation or unnecessary shewes of weaknesse it fell into consideration whether he should use the help of more then one for his infirmitie and so he was willing that Signor Alvise Ragâ—ra a young man but very discreete and in Chirurgerie of a light hand and no hard binding should giue attendance upon him But the condition of his person and the publique respects constrained him to give way that almost all the famous Physicians and Chirurgions in Venice should have a hand in his cure beside such as by publique order came thither from Padua among whom was Girolamo Fabritio Aquapendente anold friend an admirer of the fathers vertues And he was commanded not to stirre from the Convent being assisted by Adriano Spigelio who suceeded in the Anatomy Lecture at Padua untill it might be discerned whether the maladie would determine to life or death it being very long in doubt of judgment whether the one or the other Because beside that the wounds themselves were very grievous and much more by the complexion of that was wounded being so extenuated in nature that when at the best he seemed but a Skeleton so distinctly might his bones be numbered as also by so great a Iosse
they placed the Popes being arived at this quint-essence of subtlety to maintaine in all their dominions a formidable faction which for the most part is defraied by the purse of those very states whose destruction and desolation they had in designe That their religion was the same which was contained in holy scripture in generall councels and in the holy fathers of the five first ages agreeing with the Church of Rome in all the old articles of faith onely their discord is in those that are of their late invention which if any man will examine one by one he shall finde that they make very little to the glory of God but to the gayning of riches and reputation and of mundane Jurisdiction to the Ecclesiasticke order They further insinuated that the Romane religion was insensibly abastarded and that nothing else was reduced to religion but that which makes for the interest and benefit of the Court They made a collection of the intollerable grievances of Princes who for the present make lamentable and continuall complaints They descended to the particulars of the serene republique which confining upon the Turks for above eight hundred miles and as much upon the house of Austria and with the Pope very few miles which were nothing but of sand and sea-shore yet they received more offence from that side and more trouble of jurisdiction in one moneth then from both the others in ten yeares besides other continuall troubles with their Nuncio's who where they come to treat with their Prince they doe it with so much insolencie and soveraignty as if he were not onely their subject but their slave carrying still before them the head of Medusa the pretence of Religion to fright the timerous And the greatest Politicians that ever were are not able to penetrate the profundity of the Arcana of the Papacie by his mischiefe which was meerely caused by the Ecclesiastiques themselves and was by them attributed afterwards to those eminent subjects in Venice that were the principall maintainers of the publick cause But still the Father was hee on whom the blame was laid He it was if we believe the Courtiers that excited Protestants to put forth bookes to illuminate the people He it was that counselled these great men to a necessity of a change of Religion under pretence that the Popes were growne to such a greatnesse that nothing could serve their turnes but the servitude of all Italy But if ever any thing were false and calumnious it is this and although the Father seem'd not much to regard their defamations yet so farre as it concern'd the declaring of himself touching the provisions that were to be made from time to time with the Senators he gave his opinion counsel viva vece and vehemently upon all occurrents and oft in writing upon innumerable counsels having alwaies taught and inculcated that not only for truth and conscience sake but even for necessity and reason of good government every faithfull man but most of all Princes ought to invigilate to the maintenance and conservation of Religion Hee affirm'd that to this end God had constituted Princes as his Lieutenants in those states wherein the Church was planted and conferr'd their greatnesse upon them to make them Protectors Defendors Conservators and Nurses of holy Church as sacred Scriptures make mention in which calling the greatest of them can never give a sufficient discharge of himself except it be by a continuall and vigilant care in matters of Religion That God by hissingular grace had placed them in this Catholique Apostolick Romane Holy Church for which they were bound to acknowledge his divine favour and render him continuall thanks No greater misfortune being able to befall them from Heaven then that they should abandon or forsake it And howbeit there be many abuses yet that is not to bee imputed to the fault of Religion but of them that abuse it And all this being most true and undeniable no man ought to suffer himselfe to bee shaken in his confidence nor the Prince to give way that a chang or alteration should be so much as spoken of That perfection and absolute purity is the very Terminus whereunto the Church and every faithfull man ought to pretend though it be not the path wherein alwayes they tread Those Churches which were founded by the Apostles themselves and where they preach't and resided were not exempt from imperfections whereof the Epistle to the Galathians gives a clear testimony but more clearely that to the Corinths That as for their charity some adhered to Peter others to Paul others held of Apollo with schisme and express division from Christ As for opinions there were some that denied the Resurrection As for concord they drew their pleadings and differences to the Tribunals of Infidels As for manners they had fornication among them such as was unheard of among the Idolaters As for customes the supper of the Lord was converted into banquets where some were drunke and others hungry And yet all this while the Apostle acknowledgeth them to be a true Church and a body of Christ How much more ought we then to stand firme in the Church where God by his singular grace hath setled us although in the Government thereof there be imperfections and abuses which are also since converted into intollerable grievances But if at this day those evils have gotten grouth the fault will be found to bee in the Princes themselves who having little regard to the divine Precept which so straightly obliges to take knowledge of Gods most holy Law and of Religion but have altogether neglected this duty as if Religion were a thing that did not concerne them and as if they were not to render an account to God neither for themselves nor their subjects by neglecting the care and defence of it against the divine precepts of Gods Word the doctrine of holy Councels and Fathers and the use of pious Princes contenting themselves with a Religion without knowing what it is nor how it should bee kept from corruption tolerating for their owne interests their adulation and connivancies the cosenage of the people with continuall alterations under colour of devotion and piety with a dayly license not onely to religious men but to all sorts of persons to invent new orders to their owne gaine and greatnesse without considering that every custome carries his credit along with it and so Religion becomes changeable and accommodated to the advancements of them that manage it And these ordinary alterations being received the Princes themselves have tolerated them and so they have agreed with posterity for approbation by an authority which time and custome had put upon them A thing that happens in the greatest part of humane affaires but most in Religion where the vulgar are the inventers of superstition The Pope beside that he is the head of Religion is also a Prince and one that from above 500 yeares to this day hath aspired to the Monarchy of Italy