Of the differences betwixt the Factions The description of a Muster of Souldiers The application an Abbot made of that Muster to the Conclave Of the Faction of Chigi and how numerous Of the industry us'd by the French to oblige the Chigi Of a notable saying of a Cardinal upon Chigi's obstinacy not to forsake his own Creatures Of the Faction of the Flying Squadron Of the disorder in the French to see this Squadrone volante managed by Cardinal Imperiale Of the first Scrutiny which prov'd vain Of the Cardinals which receiv'd Votes in the Scrutiny Of the open practises of the French in favour of Farnese Of the promise made by Imperiale when he went into France that he would concurr to the Election of a French Pope and how he brake it Of an idle report spread about the City that Cardinal Rospigliosi was created Pope in the beginning of the Conclave and from whence it proceeded Of the practises for Rospigliosi recommended to Azolino by the Cardinals Barbarino and Chigi Of the entrance of Cardinal Donghi into the Conclave Of Cardinal Ginetti who presented himself to Barbarino and the answer Barbarino gave him Of the creation of Rospigliosi and the Politick Aphorisms of Azolini AMongst all the conferences and politick actions amongst all the managements and publick negotiations transacted by the Cardinals it is certain the action of the Conclave is most worthy to be inquir'd into by all such as have the management of publick affairs The Election of the Emperor carries a Magnificence along with it for being in the power of six or seven Princes partly Temporal partly Spiritual of which number four being obtain'd the Empire is gain'd But the Election of the Pope is after another manner there being many more Princes considerable in this than in the Election of the Emperor himself and that because the Pontificate is of both Spiritual and Temporal consequence The Conclave is not manag'd by six or seven voices but by sixty amongst which there are some who are neither for God nor the Devil others devoted to their own interest only others obliged to follow the resolutions of the Nipotisme others of the French others of the Spaniard some promise fairly with their tongues to one and with their hearts to another and there are some also to be found who take delight in excluding all parties to give a longer impediment to affairs The learnedest of the Cardinals are those which prevail least the most politick are follow'd the worst the most ignorant are the most obstinate in brief things are manag'd in that manner that those very men who have the chiefest share in the whole transactions can scarce give an account of what they have done the affairs of the Conclave to some persons seem easie and easily to be penetrated and for that reason they desire to be prying but as to the point of the Keyes there are so many intricacies and Meanders they can hardly find the way thorow So many Conclavists as there are in the Conclave so many Conclaves are represented to the ears of the Court people imagine things according to their representations and figures but the business is the figures of the Conclave have feet and walk not have eyes and see not have ears and hear not and tongues and speak not The French make many Popes to amuse the Spaniards with jealousies of such plots as they never think of themselves The transactions of the Conclave are of two sorts publick and private the private are managed by the Cardinals in secret where the sound of their voices can scarce penetrate the air much less the ears of any body and these are good but those which are in publick are full of hypocrisie and dissimulation to lull and illude one another and therefore not to be commended They who at the opening of the Conclave do make relation of the managements and transactions in the Election can speak no more than they know which commonly is nothing but what is common because the most politick and most occult affairs are kept close in the minds of the Cardinals who either will not or care not to communicate them to any body For this cause the Conclavists themselves are oftentimes confounded in their relations and I have heard two of them contending about the Conclave of Innocent with great heat one pressing and persisting in what the other did deny and perhaps both of them disputing upon that which was never so much as mention'd in the Conclave But I believe there was never to this day seen a Conclave more imbroyl'd without broyls more confounded without confusions than the last in which Clement the 9th was created a Pope certainly very worthy of the charge as we shall demonstrate in its place Imbroyl'd in sundry respects because France is in its achme of Grandeur and upon the brink of a rupture with Spain which has neither King to govern the Helm nor Cardinal to manage its Faction because the number of Cardinals was so great and many worthy pretenders amongst them because the Faction of Chigi was resolv'd to have no other Pope whatsoever but one of the creatures of Alexander and for several other reasons sufficient to render the Conclave tedious and yet all succeeded without any trouble at all Certainly the facility of concluding this Conclave so soon is commendable and worthy to quicken the curiosity of all people to inquire into the reasons of it If the time of fifteen dayes be consider'd it seems to be long being in Summer time and in the City of Rome but if it be compar'd with the time of other Conclaves preceeding and the variety of interests crossing and thwarting one another it will be thought but short But to speak the truth the Conclave of Clement was much longer than it seems in appearance because the transactions were more without than within and things were resolved before they enter'd the Conclave Two months together Alexander continued dangerously ill whilst Posts were sent every where up and down not only with the news of his languishing condition and the impossibility of his living above two or three dayes but with the certain tydings of his death and twice it was believ'd in the very City of Rome In this tedious agony of Alexanders every one had time to adjust his own business and to bring his affairs to such a pass that his deplorable death could produce no great novelty in the Court nor more pretenders to the Papacy It may be said therefore and with reason that the Conclave of Clement lasted little less than three months that is two before the death of Alexander and the rest afterwards The Cardinals seem'd to precipitate running towards Rome as it were with wings on their feet which hast was occasion'd by the news that the Conclave would be much imbroyl'd and their celerity was so great some of them were arriv'd before the Pope was expir'd and particularly the French Cardinals who were there at the due
out of the minds of the Cardinals for the scandals of their Church are the ediâ—ications of ours disturbances in their Church giving ours repose He that has ears to hear let him hear he that has zeal enough to make reflection upon these words let him make it whilst I betake my self to more deep considerations It is not above a hundred and sixty years since this Nipotismo began to Lord it over the Church and the Cardinals in Rome They insinuated by degrees and multiply'd their authority dayly to that pass that at present of a custom it is become a necessity there being little difference either in their Grandeur or Command betwixt a Pope and a Nephew so strangely is their Majesty confounded About the same time Luther and Calvin one after another began to appear preaching with great vehemence against the errors of the Catholick Church and the exorbitant covetousness of those that govern'd it and in a short time putting the whole world into disorder introducing Reformations in those very Kingdoms that were thought the most Catholick Against this Torrent that ran down with great Victory and Triumph the Emperour Charles the fifth thought good to oppose his zeal perhaps more ambitious of gaining Success to his arms than Provinces to the Pope so that with his Sword in his hand Tryumphing thorough Germany he conquer'd their Captains but not their Preachers he subdued their Soldiers but not their Consciences the Reformists increasing every day It was not Luther and Calvin only that oppos'd themselves against the abuses in the Church or that made themselves heads of the Religious and Reformists There were other persons that appear'd of greater learning of better extraction and of more eminence and credit Nevertheless the Popes of those times knew how to find a remedy and with most accurate diligence they hindred its growth crushing the Brat as it were in the Cradle And yet the Popes then had not so many thousands of men were not in that esteem amongst the Princes had not so many Cities and Provinces under their Dominion nor so many thousand Crowns to expend nor in short made use of their Spiritual and Temporal arms so easily And O God who is it that can dive into the secrets of Heaven or understand why the Church should in its poverty be able to oppose it self to the very face of its Persecutors and so weak and unable now the Popes are grown rich to put a stop to an inundation that sprang from so small a beginning Oh God why have the Popes that pretend to an universal Monarchy given place and submitted to too weak and unarmed men that their hearts should be able to endure to see themselves devour'd without so much as speaking a word that they should be contented to condescend though with shame rather than to contend with honour In this condition do things stand though it ought to be otherwise did not our experience teach us all this it would very hardly be believ'd did not example confirm our Faith our Faith would stagger to believe it did not our eyes behold the Enemies of Rome multiply'd daily and Rome it self neglected these relations would be counted false though they be never so true But let admiration cease when reason appears the minds of the faithful are disturb'd and wander in the very sight of that light that directs them Let all amazement cease seeing the cause of these evâ—s is so manifest He that would know why the Popes for so many ages have shewn themselves so zealous in defence of the Church that is committed to their custody let him go no further than Rome Let him visit the Coffers of the Popes and he shall see that and the reason why being really besotted and asleep notwithstanding their pretences of vigilance they have been this hundred and fifty years purging the Church of Christ of so many Persecutors to the great scandal of Christendome and the great derision of the Hereticks Before the said hundred and fifty years the Popes had no other thoughts than the espousing the interest of the Church so far have some of them been from preferring their own Families that they would sooner have expos'd all their Kindred to the greatest misfortune than in the least have been deficient in their Pastoral Cure As soon as they were sensible of any new Heresie that was broach'd they stirr'd up immediately zeal in their breasts and indignation in their hearts they united their Prayers sent Ambassadors every where and open'd their Treasures of Indulgences to the Reformists and of Gold to the Soldiers The people being fortify'd in this manner and the Princes excited they cheerfully drew their Swords against the Hereticks postponing their own to defend the interest of Christ They glory'd in exposing themselves to a thousand inconveniencies and disasters and to spend their bloods in the preservation of the Christian Faith They emptied their Chests of their Treasure to replenish the Flock of Christ They rais'd Armies of Christians to destroy the barbarous Enemies of Christendome And in a word they thought of nothing but following the example of those Bishops that follow'd the example of Christ But for these hundred and fifty years last past things have gone clear otherwise the Princes are grown cold the Infidels multiply'd the Hereticks increas'd the Credit of the Clergy diminish'd and the Church on all sides afflicted and why so because the Popes of Pastors of Christs Flock being become Monarchs of the Church have had no other thoughts but to make Princes of their Nephews casting off Gods Interest lest they should destroy the Interest of their Kindred History does shew us as the curious may observe in a hundred places and clearly evince that for the space of fifteen ages the Princes took a pride to spend their Treasure in opposition of those that oppos'd the Religion of Christ the reason that excited them was the example of the Popes who having but little gave all they had notwithstanding to the supply and reimbursement of those Princes that imploy'd theirs against the Enemies of Christ And in truth till within these fifteen hundred years the Emperours Kings Princes and Commonwealths did strive and contend to joyn themselves in Leagues with the Popes against the Hereticks and Infidels and rejoyc'd more to be acknowledg'd Defendors of the Faith and Persecutors of the Infidels with their Swords in their hands than Princes with their Scepters and the same glory the Popes took likewise not spending their dayes in pleasure in their Castle of Gondolfo nor strutting in their Gardens of Monte Cavallo but in solliciting and uniting the Princes in a League against the Infidels offering on their part for their supply not only to sell their Consecrated Vessels from their Altars but their very Clothes from their backs But how comes it things being thus manag'd that the Armes of the Christians advanc'd not victoriously to the farthest extremities of Asia How could Heresie reign so long if the Sword of
not endure to have it mention'd upon any occasion Alexander the seventh was not well pleas'd neither to see him cheek by jowle amongst so many select persons and therefore gave himself over to use him ill sending him away without any respect to a place that was a greater distance from Rome but the rest of the Cardinals looking upon the misusage of his person as a reflection upon the Order in general they made their complaint to his Holiness and he was immediately set at liberty Donna Olimpia perswaded him to espouse the interest of Spain which he did but finding by degrees the little esteem the Spaniards had for him by their several times neglecting to call him to their Assemblies in which the intrigues of that Court were transacted and all because they knew he had not judgement enough to give them any Councel he turn'd to the French who receiv'd him very readily if for no other reason to secure his voice in the Conclave And this is certain his negotiating with the French has not a little instructed him in his Complements it being the general observation of the Court that since his Voyage into France he is grown much more conversable than formerly In the last Conclave of Rospigliosi he suffer'd himself to be transported into some expressions rather dictated to him than spoken by him against the Spaniards The Spaniards were nettled and bit their thumbs as the Italians use to do in private though in publick they seem'd but to laugh at it Some say the Spanish Ambassador having notice of it from one of the Conclave who being no great friend of Maldachini's had told the story a little too sharply reply'd laughing The voice of an Ass reaches not to Heaven which coming likewise to Maldachini's ears displeas'd him exceedingly so that he fell a railing against all that belong'd to Spain which the Spaniards likewise understanding for the Spyes in Rome will not fail to do that good office to mortifie and rebuke him they resolv'd to stop the Rents of those Abbeys and Benefices that he held in the Kingdom of Naples and other Catholick States and he finding himself in this manner necessitated to renounce has within few months resign'd three Abbeys into the hands of the Pope one of which is given to Monsignor Strada the second to Monsignor Polini both of them of the Privy-Chamber and the third to a Son of the Marquess Astalli Nephew to the Cardinal aforesaid whose Father is of the Faction of Spain In short I would not swear this Cardinal should not be Pope if there was need of nothing but his own single voice but otherwise I fear he will dye without it GIO. FRANCISCO GONDI a Frenchman call'd Cardinal di Retz he was promoted to the Cardinalship the 19th of February in the year 1652. at the instance of the King of France with whom he was afterwards disgusted having receiv'd some considerable affronts though he was Archbishop of Paris The Court cry'd out exceedingly against Mazarine who govern'd all at that time and was the principal cause of the persecuting this person and that upon good grounds The Ecclesiasticks pretended that the greatest Princes that are cannot repress the power of a Cardinal when they are treating of matters of State no though the Cardinals be contriving the ruine or disturbance of the Publique Peace But this is a doctrine the Princes do but laugh at and amongst the rest the Kings of France who upon any such occasion do fly presently to their Gallican Rites It was strange to Innocent that after the Crown of France had with so much instance and importunity recommended this person to be promoted and after he was advanc'd to so honourable a Dignity he should be slighted and ill used immediately by the same Crown of which he made frequent complaints to Mazarine who wanted not his pretences to excuse them However the Politicians look'd upon it as a great over-sight in Mazarine to present that person to the Cardinalship without pre-considering what might follow and indeed they that understood the Spirit of the man inclin'd alwayes to disturb and perplex the quiet of his Superiours were much scandaliz'd to see Mazarine instead of keeping him at a distance by some politick pretence to endeavour to make him equal in Dignity to himself and by consequence to give him greater opportunity and encouragement to undertake what in effect he did enterprize But Mazarine was oblig'd to do what he did for private and occult reasons not imagining the said person could have been able to have kindled so great a Conflagration as he did The timid though unquiet Nature with which he observ'd Gondi to be govern'd perswaded him that he was not to be parted from that Country where he manag'd all so as the judgement of so great a Head-piece as Mazarine is many times deceiv'd he finding by experience that the most timerous man if back'd and supported grows most troublesome and ambitious The Spaniards endeavour'd what they could to fetch over this Cardinal to their party promising him as is reported much more than he could hope for in France but he that had his aim upon France and not upon Spain kept himself close to the interest of that Crown demonstrating upon several occasions that his adherance to the Male-contents was not from any animosity to that Kingdom but only from a desire to humble the fortunes of Cardinal Mazarine At the time that accident happen'd to the Duke of Crequy in Rome which was the twentieth of August 63. amongst all the Cardinals there was none that stuck so zealously to the French party as he to the admiration of every body that a person that had been turn'd out of his Church and other Benefices had been imprison'd persecuted and banish'd should appear with such ardour in defence of that interest that was the cause of his troubles and which is worse resolv'd never to readmit him to the Dignities he had lost But his proceedings in this point were prudent enough for having voluntarily disoblig'd his Most Christian Majesty it was but reason he should be voluntarily oblig'd And the King of France unwilling to let the constancy or generosity of Retz with which he maintain'd the just Priviledges of his Crown to go unrewarded he admitted him again into his favour which he enjoys to this day but with some conditional limitations as retaining still in his mind the prejudice he did formerly to the Crown though he often declar'd that all his designs were against Mazarine LVIGI HOMODEI from his very first entrance into the Prelacy had an ambitious hankering after a Cap and it cost him and his Family no small quantity of money before he did compass his ends It was thought very strange his Family being like to extinguish for want of Heirs that he would suffer it to perish rather than marry it is reported that a friend of his advising him to marry he reply'd That he had higher thoughts However things have
in the presence of their Deputies and oftentimes ordain'd that businesses of the Church should not be handled in any other Assemblies but their own Councils whereunto such Bishops were call'd as were esteemed necessary and fit for regulating sacred matters The terror which Tyrannical Emperors spread abroad in the world so aw'd the Ecclesiasticks that lest they should see Christianity extinguish'd they humbled themselves to very Tyrants judging it better to overcome by humility than to break by pride They humbled themselves to good Emperors likewise because they saw them zealous in defence of the Faith and the propagation of the name of Christ and therefore they scrupled not to engage them in the care and Spiritual Government of the Church to the end the interest of Christian Religion might have the more strength and Majesty This Correspondence and Union of Secular and Spiritual Power of Magistrate and Priest Prince and Bishop not only kept the Laity in awe but oblig'd them to a prompt Obedience the Subject being not a little edifi'd by seeing his Soveraign interessed in the Government of the Christian Religion And indeed how could it be otherwise but that the Prince's zeal should produce great ardour and affection in the Breasts of the people For generally the Subject bears a certain occult hatred yet not so occult but that it is discernable against the Majesty whereunto he is subordinate which hatred is suppress'd either by force of the Sword or by reciprocal Affection and Love which is the less durable when it is not deeply rooted and therefore 't is expedient for a Prince to know with what kind of love his people is to be oblig'd in order to the extinguishing of that hatred which seems naturally seated in their breasts Now what greater instance of love and benignity can a Prince show to his Subjects or a Magistrate to his Citizens than to declare himself zealous not only in preserving of their privileges abstaining from lading them with impositions and taxes dispensing favours liberally executing justice impartially honouring the well-deserving and punishing the guilty but also in watching that together with external privileges they may enjoy those of the Soul inviolate which are alwayes the dearest to the Commonalty and consequently aptest to cause in them good or ill sentiments towards those who carefully protect them or supinely betray them There is no people in the world so barbarous but they rejoyce more to see their Religion which concerns the good of their Souls zealously and vigorously maintain'd than the privileges of the State which referr only to the commodity of the Body and 't is certain that a people is more sensible of injuries done to their Consciences than of the spoiling of their goods which are nothing but corruptible things whose value depends much upon humane fancy and avarice Those popular Revolutions are easie to be quieted which arise from the grievances and Taxes laid by Princes upon their Subjects for when these impositions are taken away the arms fall out of the hands of the incensed multitude Whereof we have seen sundry Examples in our times particularly in the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily and the Dutchy of Milan But when the Subject draws his Sword against his Prince or the Citizen against the Magistrate upon account of Religion 't is a hard matter if not impossible to appease the tumult because in this case his Soul is engag'd and sets his hands on work and suppose the Prince should promise to yield to the demands of the people they will scarce take his word And indeed 't is a common saying That the wounds given to the Conscience in matter of Religion are hardly to be cur'd by the same hand that inflicted them I find that two effects are produc'd by the diligence of a Prince or Magistrate in taking good heed to the deportment of Churchmen and to the preservation of the Laws and Ordinances of Religion First it increases the people's devotion towards the service of God and kindles more ardour in their breasts to frequent the Sacraments and this by virtue of their Superiors example so that when Subjects behold their Princes full of zeal and vigilant for the good of their souls they become so inamor'd on them that in requital they would even spend their blood for the service of their Princes which is for the advantage of the Prince as well of the people And 't is certain that 't is more easie for a Soveragin who takes care for preserving the Laws and Religion to obtain supplies of mony from his people than for another Prince who thinks of nothing less than of Religion The second effect is That the spiritual service of the Church is carried on with better order and the number of pious Souls is alwayes more multiply'd when Churchmen find that Princes keep an eye upon them and for the fear of being corrected in case of deviating from their duty makes them bestirr themselves to perform their charge with all imaginable zeal and diligence and if they be not really religious yet they become wary of being accounted scandalous or negligent Not but that they are of a nature weak and apt to fall into great miscarriages but they know that they are under the Magistrates eye and feel his goad at their sides which keeps them both from tripping and jading And to speak truth if we compare the present obedience and respect that is paid by Subjects to their Princes and Magistrates with the alacrity of former times we shall find the present to come much short and in probability too unlikely to continue so as there being great Armies in some places and strong Cittadels and Fortification in others to keep them in subjection I am of opinion that that reverence the Princes receive is not radicated in the heart of the Subject but proceeding as it were ab extra may more properly be reckon'd the policy of the Prince than the affection or good nature of the Subject For my part I believe and have many others of the same faith with me that the respect obedience honor and affection the people of this Age do bear to their Magistrates is either forc'd or miraculous Forc'd because the Princes understanding their own Power and Supremacy or to speak more properly knowing the humour of the people very little inclining to obedience they do either actually force them by the power of their Arms or fright and terrifie them into an unwilling allegiance Miraculous because Religion having naturally the strongest influence upon the People there is nothing moves and actuates them like that either into tumult or obedience So as the Magistrate interrupting and even opposing that zeal and fervour of Religion the Layity ought to enjoy as freely as the Ecclesiasticks no wonder if their obedience be a Miracle A great reason is that the Ecclesiasticks are permitted to pry and peep into the actions of Princes and Magistrates To have a finger and intelligence in the most secret
putting thoughts into their heads which otherwise had never come there But who are those audacious Ecclesiasticks that dare to put ill thoughts into the heart of his Holiness What Devil possesses them with such wicked designs What Malignant Star is it that guides them what Land that bears what Heaven that nourishes them Let them be known let them be discover'd that the eyes of the Faithfull be blinded no longer And yet indeed in some respects they are to be excus'd 't is contrary to their intention if they do any hurt they sin by striving to do too well 't is their great zeal to the Church and the Pope that makes them ill servants to both They are like the Ape that hugs and imbraces what it loves so hard that it many times kills with its kindness and I am afraid one day they will bring an old house over their heads But you will ask who these are The Divines What Divines Those Divines who being Partisans of the Court of Rome employ a thousand Artifices for the depression of Secular Authority and elevation of the Papal Whence in hopes of a Cardinals Cap will with great impudence maintain that the Pope is not only infallible but also impeccable This is the Source of all the mischief and Heresie in the Church hence proceeds the sorrow of Christians the failing of Miracles and the Scandal of the See of Rome In the Primitive dayes when there were no such Doctors but such whose business was to correct not to flatter the Governours of the Church in their iniquities holiness flourish'd miracles were frequent zeal and sincerity was alwayes in the Hearts mortification in the Countenances and edification in the Mouths of the Saints Piety was showr'd as it were from Heaven and perfum'd the Altars in the Churches whilst the Priests by their good lives won over the people to Devotion Those Popes that were inwardly holy forbore not to confess themselves Sinners publickly and because those Divines that writ then as with pens from Heaven did not ascribe to them that outward appellation holiness they endeavour'd to attain inward holiness by Mortifications and Sackcloth and all imaginable subduing themselves lest as the Apostle admonishes his followers preaching to others they themselves should become cast away Those Primitive Popes were in such fear of erring that they undertook not any business of importance but after long fasting and severe pennance they willingly follow'd the advice of the most pious Prelats and submitted with humility to the judgements of such as had more zeal in their hearts than honey in their tongues They gave ear always with so great attention of mind that by-standers conceiv'd them rapp'd into an exstasie but not to such as flatter'd them with panegiricks or tickled them with stories of the peoples applause not to such as cry'd up the grandeur of their charge the holiness of their lives and happiness of the people in being under such holy Pastors not to such as strein'd their wits for far-fetch'd adulations to tickle their ears loosing themselves some times in magnifications of their virtues as false as tedious Such as these were not suffer'd in Rome were not receiv'd into the Vatican were not admitted into the presence of the Pope but were chased from the Court banish'd from the Church suspended from the Ministry and depriv'd of their Priesthood and why Because the Popes in those dayes being holy as David would not hearken to any of their Doctors but such as were like the Prophet who dar'd to rebuke iniquity even in David himself They would sit whole dayes together in the Chair of St. Peter hearing such Divines Ambassadors and Ministers as with tears in their eyes recounted the miseries of the people the afflictions of the Faithfull the necessities of the Church the ill administration of Officers the irreverence of Priests the scandals of Prelats and the little care which Churchmen took of the Service of God Oh! What effect did these complaints work in the hearts of the Popes in those times With what hast would they apply themselves to the finding a remedy How they would embrace those that gave them such informations and with what ardour and zeal would they implore the Divine assistance How blessed a sight was it to see Criminals reverently fall upon their knees in the presence of those Popes that reprehended them And what heart could be so stony as not to melt at their pious and humble admonitions They did not threaten but imbrace Offendors and if they threatned their threats awaken'd repentance as being affectionate and void of worldly design When those Popes admonish'd Sinners they did it not to revile them with reproachfull and injurious language but acknowledging that themselves also had their frailties and were subject to errors as other men said We are all Sinners not you are all Sinners Our flesh is lyable to Sin we are not Angels but Men with which meek and humble expressions they wrought themselves first into the hearts of Sinners and afterwards apply'd all fitting remedies to their condition Such was the holy Church in the Primitive times such were the Popes whose piety was a great cause of miracles being so frequent and of the universal holiness of that age But now let us see the difference of times and the reasons why no Popes do miracles now adayes nor holy men shine any longer in the Church God forgive those Divines that have been the chief occasion of that loss to the Church Before the Divines turn'd Parasites the Popes were holy but they became Devils after the Court of Rome was once fill'd with those Virmin who are become the very Plague of all Christendome Let us ask those Courtiers that from Sun rising to Sun setting walk up and down in the publick Chambers of the Pontifical Palace expecting when by the favour of the Nephews a Cardinals Cap should fall upon some of their alwayes uncover'd heads They can tell us if they please and give us a list of what persons are admitted now adays into Ecclesiastical charges and who have the most familiar and frequent access to the Pope's presence which if they would do I am confident the Faithfull would be no longer at a loss in seeking the cause of the cessation of miracles provided those persons would be exact in relating the truth Miracles From whence should they come if Sanctity be banish'd from Rome and the Popes follow not those excellent examples that were left them by their Predecessors In the Vatican there is now nobody to be seen but people crowding in with their offerings and full of hopes of obtaining those dignities by their mony which they could never have expected from their merits whilst out of the City Gates are to be seen melancholly and afflicted troops of the best deserving persons unprovided for the places which they had merited being given to the unworthy Simoniacks Miracles And how should that be if they who rebuke the iniquities of the scandalous are
Protestant and Catholick Churches to no purpose and so glutted as to make sport of them They will not make me a Saint and I suffer them not to come near my heart lest they should make me a Devil Let the Catholick Divines write as they think good and the Protestants do the same I am resolv'd to be unconcern'd and sit down with this Doctrine of St. Paul Non plus sapere quam oportet sapere sed sapere ad Sobrietatem And why should we go look for our Church in the Volumes of the Divines whether Protestant or Papist if we can find it out our selves in the Gospel of Christ This is to condemn our selves by our own folly to hire an other mans Horse to leap down a precipice withall to borrow Spectacles that we may see more plainly the way to our damnation and in short it is to believe our Divines have more Judgement than Christ and more Holiness than the Apostles The true Church of the Saints according to the true Doctrine of the Apostles consists in doing good and abstaining from evil to imitate our Saviour in good works And let the Divines alone with their new Opinions to make the present time conform to the antient and not suffer the modern to destroy the antient for if we walk not in the same way they did in the beginning antiquity does but distract the present proceedings And this puts me in mind of an Example no less moral than curious which I shall insert in this place In the time of Henry the Great a certain Protestant Prince invited the Popes Nuntio that was then in Paris to Supper The Nuntio refus'd the invitation excusing himself with many pretences but at last overcome by the Civility of the Prince he makes bold with his Ecclesiastical reasons that oblig'd him to the contrary and went with his whole Court to visit him In the Chamber they were to Sup the Prince had caused on one side of the Wall the twelve Apostles to be hung in excellent Tapistry and wrought with that Artifice they seem'd to want nothing but words to be alive but withall they were unshod ungirt ill habited and in every thing conformable to the Poverty of the Apostles On the other side with the same exactness he plac'd twelve Cardinals on Horse back cloathed in Scarlet their Trappings imbost very rich their Foot-cloth of Silk their Bridles of Gold and their Spurs of the finest Silver As soon as the Nuntio entred the Chamber casting his eyes about as one experienc'd in those things he presently apprehended there was some mystery in the business He was surpriz'd and could not but show some confusion in his looks however he counterfeited as much as he could turning his eyes this way and that way and pretending to look on every thing but the Hangings till at last having wash'd as is usual amongst great Persons the Prince observing he would needs set on the Apostles side that he might have them on his back and the Cardinals in his eye the Prince with no small Ceremony would perswade him to the other side telling him pleasantly in Italian but with the grace of a true Frenchman By your favour Sir do me not that disgrace to turn your back upon my Religion but turn it rather upon your own The Nuntio observing the Prince to smile he smil'd a little himself but it was but from the teeth outward however he reply'd immediately Your Excellence believes me of a Religion I am not of and your self of another you are not of neither To which the Prince answer'd facetiously Then there will be no difficulty in ending our Ceremonies the difference will be decided if every one takes which side he pleases And with this they sate down the Nuntio at the end of the Table where he had the prospect both of the Apostles and Cardinals too But for the Readers better understanding it will not be unnecessary to explain what the Nuntio meant when he told the Prince That his Excellence believ'd him to be of a Religion that he was not of and that he himself was not of that Religion he did believe I suppose he alluded thereby to the State of the Cardinalship and the exemplary life of the Apostles And therefore the Prince having desir'd him not to turn his back upon the Apostles but upon the Cardinals of whom he understood the Nuntio to be one the Nuntio that was no Cardinal reply'd that he was not of the Religion his Excellence took him to be and withall added a little sharply that the Prince himself was not of the Religion he suppos'd though the Prince had signify'd to the Nuntio that his Religion was Protestant and founded upon the Example and Doctrine of the Apostles The Princes words were smooth and deliver'd with a good grace yet no less pungent than the other they troubl'd the Nuntio a little but nothing so much as the unavoidable sight of those Hangings which he conceiv'd as indeed they were hung there in design Had it been any Nuntio but he they would have probably taken it so ill as to have left the Princes Supper to himself but this Nuntio being a prudent man and considering how inconvenient it would be for his affairs to disgust the Prince at that time he past away the Supper very well with the variety of dishes driving both the Pictures and Expressions out of his mind At Rome however it was ill taken and the Nuntio severely rebuk'd by the Pope for supping with a Heretick but he was so well acquainted in the Policies of the World and the Intrigues of the Court of Rome that he knew well enough how to excuse himself to his Holyness The Cardinals truly and the Prelates in the Church of Rome are so exorbitant in their Expences not only for their Cloaths and Liveries but their Diet and Houses that the Protestants who are alwayes prying and making their observations cannot believe that Church to be good in which they find such excess of Luxury and Pride For it is most certain and most Catholicks will confess it that it is not the outward Pomp and Splendor of a Church that denotes it a true one as some of their Divines would maintain And indeed Christ did not promise Pomp Magnificence Gold Riches or Honour to his Church but Poverty Affliction and Persecution For my part I believe that the truest Church in which the poor Members are the least bewitch'd and carried away with the interest of the World especially the Ecclesiasticks who ought to give example insomuch as in my judgement there are many Catholicks in Rome of very good reason that live there and yet believe Rome to be the most polluted and defil'd Church in the Universe and for what cause think you Because they find the Prelates and Popes themselves so wedg'd and link'd to Secular advantages they have not time to think upon God nor Religion nor Faith In the year 1657. being by accident at Rome to see the
one a lighted Torch in his hand in which posture they go in Procession through the Piazza where the Guards of light Horse are drawn up as soon as they are come into the Church the Cardinals pay their Reverences and then there is a Hymn sung in the Quire that done three Instances are made by the Procurator of that Prince Province or City upon whose request the Canonization is made a Mass is sung and his Holiness presented with two young Turtles and other little Birds in two Silver Baskets many of which Birds are let go Mass being ended the Cardinals put off their Habits and attend his Holiness back again We have spoken thus far of what is done whilst the Cardinals are living it will not be amiss to observe something now that passes at their death A Cardinal being dead he is carried to the next Church to the place where he dy'd his body is laid upon a high Scaffold built on purpose on a quilt of Cloth of Gold dress'd in the same Habit he wore when he was admitted into that Order that is if he was a Bishop in his Rocher if he was a Priest in his Choppines if a Deacon in his Cassock with his wonted Mitre at his head and two Pontifical red Caps at his feet After Dinner all the Fryeries go to that Church and there say the Offices for the dead and cause a Nocturral to be rehearsed during which the Cardinals are in their Purple Habits and entring into the Church they put on their Copes of the same colour and that done they go and pray to the Host after that they advance to the feet of the Corps where saying a Pater Noster they sprinkle the Carcass with Holy water repeating some usual Verâ—â—s and Prayers for the dead and then they return to their places and this is perform'd by every Cardinal that is present but if there come more Cardinals than ordinary the anuentest performs the Ceremony for the rest they sitting still in their orders in the Church till the service is done The four Masters of the Ceremonies are assisting in like manner with their upper Garment of Purple Serge the Sergeants also in their long Purple Gowns with their Silver Maces in their hands with every one of them a Priests Cap given them for a present There are also two of the dead Cardinals Crowns standing by in mourning with two Bannerols of black Taffaty with his Arms painted upon them in their hands the Church is hung also with black with the Cardinals Scutchions fasten'd upon them and such Trophyes as are usual at the Funerals of great Persons They are buried for the most part in the Churches of their Titles with great Pomp the Fryers marching with great Tapers in their hands and after them the Major Domo the Bishops the Apostolical Protonatories on Mules pontifically with the Masters of the Ceremonies and his Holinesses Family in long red Robes and this Ceremony is alwayes perform'd about the four and twentieth hour But those that desire to be buried without any Pomp are carry'd privately in a Coach about two a Clock in the morning to the place where they are to be interr'd Those Cardinals that are descended from great Families and have rich Relations have their Exchequer in the Church where they are buried with noble Herses where the whole Colledge of Cardinals are assistant at the singing of Mass making Orations in praise of the Cardinal departed and performing other Ceremonies not unlike those before mentioned It is now time I return and say something to the general satisfaction and indeed though I may wander a little in some particulars my chief design is common satisfaction above all things else I think convenient to touch something in this place upon the Original of the Title of Eminence which is of that value now adayes amongst the Cardinals they would think him almost a Heretick that should deprive them of it But before we pass to the Titles of the Cardinals it will be requisite to say somewhat of the Titles of the Popes which are as great if not greater than the Titles of our Saviour differing only in point of duration â—ur Saviours being Eternal and the Popes but Momentary By the Law of Nature the Popes must leave their Title of Holiness taken up in the Vatican and dye like a corruptible worm whereas our Saviour whose Holiness is natural to him remains to all Eternity for what cause is it then that the Popes take such pains themselves and their flatterers also lay about them to heap Title upon Title upon them seeing in spight of all they can do they must dye and return to their first principals of dust and vanity The Holy Scripture pronounces Christ Impeccable the Books and Theologists of Rome do the same for the Pope Christ was call'd Holy so is his Holiness Blessed and so is he In the infancy of Christianity the light of Holiness shin'd out in the Consciences of Christians blessedness in their minds and their Impeccability in their Zeal and Ardour for the service of the Church which rewarded their labours with a Crown of Martyrdome Those Titles that are now in such esteem were not only undervalu'd then but with a Pious Zeal despised and abhorred the Popes and the Ecclesiasticks taking more glory in the humility of their Lives than in all the variety of Titles could be given them and upon what grounds Because being instructed by the Celestial love of the Holy Spirit they understood very well that giving way to the outward applause of the people it could not but communicate something of the venome of Ambition within which is the Harbinger of all the mischiefs in the Church Had any one in those dayes gone into the Popes presence with those Titles that are in such request at this present in Rome and the Vatican that is with the Titles of Blessed or Holy he would have been look'd upon as a most pestilent flatterer and have been banish'd the Vatican and made uncapable of any part of the benignity of the Pope or of any preferment in the Apostolick Sea and for what reason Because the Popes had then no need of begging those Titles from man when by their Repentance and Sackcloth their Fasting and Prayers their Mortifications and good Works that over-flow'd like a River the banks of the Church they both challeng'd and deserv'd them The good Popes did then labour from morning to night by their good works to demonstrate that they were bless'd already by that God that can alone give blessedness to man and therefore they despised that happiness that was got by ambition which make people happy only in the sight of the world They abominated as a Serpent that Holiness was given them by the Priests because they knew that that Holiness in the Tongue would be a pernicious Poyson in their Hearts Many there are as well devote as ingenious that have broke their brains almost to find out the reason for
he began by little and little to take upon him exceedingly and apply himself wholly to the execution of it But the Pope his Unckle who understood his debility too well to commit such a charge intirely to him he left him no liberty at all but in appearance dispatching all things himself and using all possible care to instruct him in such things as were requisite in that place It seem'd to the Cardinal that with the authority and superintendency that was given him he had receiv'd trouble enough to break his brain a thing he abhorr'd in his very nature insomuch that as often as his business increas'd so often would he be disgusted and repine at his Cousin Agostino that injoy'd all the felicities and applauses of the Court without the least disturbance at all and therefore without any respect to the admonitions of his Father who exhorted him to acquaint himself by all possible diligence in the mysteries of the Court he exercis'd the office of Padrone only in taking recreations and turning his back upon all business that would give him any trouble to the no small dissatisfaction of his Unckle who was forc'd thereby to swallow more of it himself In short he began to be so well known to all the publique Ministers that were resident in the Court for his weakness and indexterity in politick affairs that in matters of importance they thought it better to make their addresses immediately to his Holiness than to make use of the interposition of the Cardinal Padrone who for the most part was entertaining himself with his ordinary pastimes to which he was inclin'd more naturally than to the troubles of the Court and indeed all those that had a mind to try their fortunes and to negotiate with him lost their labour and their time he forgetting every circumstance of what he was inform'd so strange an addiction he had to his sports and so strange an aversion to any thing of business Towards the latter end of the Pontificate of his Unckle by reason he was tyr'd with the multitudes of business he had undertaken at the beginning of his Papacy and began to allow his Nephew more reins he shew'd himself diligent enough in his office of Padronancy but yet without renouncing his ordinary recreations He is indifferently well vers'd in the History of Italy and discourses of it upon occasion with some sort of judgement They that have business go away contented still but not satisfi'd for being very civil and courtly he sends them off well furnish'd with complements and good words though in strictness they signifie nothing yet some few months before the death of his Unckle when he had absolute authority to dispose of things as he pleas'd he precipitated as it were the businesses that were before him using at that time more deeds than words and yet nevertheless the greatest satisfaction any of them had was fair promises and civil usage he shewing himself indifferent to all though otherwise he was of a nature that would truckle to the first difficulty that appear'd In the time of the Padronancy of this Cardinal he shew'd no great covetousness but chose rather to spend than to lay up and that as was suppos'd for two reasons the first for that he had no other Nephew for his Brother his branch determining in himself and envying also on the other side Don Agostino his Cousin he contented himself to be careless of getting lest thereby he should render his Cousins branch more considerable The other reason was because he saw his Father Don Mario so anxious and greedy whose Estate he knew would fall to him as the only Male of his time as indeed afterwards it did But the last year he chang'd his opinion and gave himself with that fury to the filling his Coffers as if he car'd not for the ill name he would leave amongst the people In his Legation into France he gave more instances of generosity then of any thing else endeavouring to give every body satisfaction and truly all the French that had any thing to do with him were well pleas'd with the humanity of his entertainment though in strictness he kept not his word with his Majesty in the business of Castro and of the next Conclave At the beginning of his Unckles Pontificate not knowing which way was most fit for him to follow whether the interest of France or of Spain he carried himself with a certain indifference to both But the Spaniards found a way though not wholly yet in great part to gain him so that in many things he favour'd the Spanish interest to the utmost of his power yet so as not to disoblige the French whom if he did not love he did not hate at all But after the attempt upon the Duke of Crequy he became for the Spaniard clearly at his heart though he durst not do any thing to provoke the King of France whose anger he dreads exceedingly After the death of his Unckle it was impossible but he must receive some affront both from the people and the Colledge yet he knew how to swallow all with prudence endeavouring with large presents to gain the favour of the Nephews regnant GIROLAMO BONVISI a Noble man of Lucca repair'd to Rome with design to try his fortune as others of his Countrymen were wont to that end he apply'd himself to the courting of the Barbarini then regnant with all patience and assiduity for he knew very well how to gain their affection Cardinal Antonio knowing him to be inclin'd to secrecy began to have confidence in him and to entrust him in matters of no ordinary importance and particularly in the time of the Wars with the Princes of Italy he made use of him as of a well-affected Minister which being ill understood by some Courtiers they made sport with it in their discourse He bought the Chiericatura di Camera in which he gain'd some reputation especially in the Assemblies da Cameranti being very well practis'd in matters concerning the profession of Law Afterwards being grown into particular favour he discharg'd himself in several Offices that he executed with good reputation But being troubled at the inconstancy of the Court to see persons preferr'd to eminent degrees that were less deserving than himself he took a resolution to leave them and return into his own Country as he did afterwards and remain'd for a long time out of Rome to the great admiration of many because he had at first express'd such constancy to the Court. The principal cause of his absence was because he could not endure that insatiable liberty that Donna Olimpia us'd in getting of money with so much diminution of the Treasure of the Church and particularly when he saw the bartering for the Taxes upon Provisions he generously refus'd the Prefecture that he might not be instrumental in so infamous a business which Innocent and Donna Olimpia especially taking in dudgeon they began to contrive some way of doing him a displeasure
many Cardinals as would serve to make him Pope and to that purpose he writ down with his own hand the names of the Cardinals in which the thought he might confide but he had not time to finish it Cardinal Cesenna a great friend of Ferrara's coming in and he being cautious of giving him any cauâ—e of sufpition he took the note and gave it to Lottino with these words Take it take it these are sufficient The note being receiv'd the Cardinal Saint Angelo and the Cardinal Chamberlaine began to consider of so great a number what was sufficient to make him Pope and having found it with ease they selected eight of the greatest authority most powerfull to perswade and most affâ—ctionate to Santa Croce the rest of those who were written in the Note they distributed to the said eight to this two to that three to another four as they knew they were friends either to the one or the other a most remarkable policy with express charge never to forsake them but to conduct them fairly into the Chapel where the scrutiny was to be made and then to speak to their heads and letting them know their design to intreat them that they would comport themselves with prudence and peace and indeed every one of ehe eight executed their charges with that order and decorum there was not one of the contrary party understood it but the Cardinal of Cesena who meeting Lottino in the Gallery whisper'd him in the Ear and told him I know your design and am pleas'd with it tell the Cardinal Chamberlaine from me if you please that I also will be for Santa Croce They sent Lottino to confer with Cardinal Trento likewise who had many times declar'd that he would sooner give his vote to Ferrara the head of the French Faction than to Santa Croce who was a Creature of Paul's nevertheless Lottino perswaded so with him that he consented at last abandoning all his private resentments Trento consulted with certain Imperialists who were all of opinion that though they did condescend to the Election of Santa Croce the Emperour could have no cause of apprehension seeing he was a person of inferiour condition and by consequence without hope of assistance but from the State Ecclesiastick which was weak and unable by reason of the impositions of the last Popes Trento being satisfy'd with this answer return'd this answer to Lottino that he also did concur with the Cardinal Chamberlain to make Santa Croce Pope All these things being related to Ferrara who endeavoured his exclusion as much as possible being to that purpose retir'd into the Chappel of San Sâ—xtus full of fear and anxiety to see a Pope created in his presence in despight of him He went with Lottino who was come to speak with him into the Chappel of Paulina where the others were and declar'd himself willing to concur with Santa Croce to the great satisfaction of them all The conclusion being ascertain'd in this manner the Cardinals Farnese and Sforza would needs have Cardinal Santa Croce taken from his Chamber and conducted to the Chappel by the Cardinals of Trent and of Mantua which gave some little jealousie to Ferrara which he was forc'd to swallow as time requir'd In the Scrutiny there were but three contrary votes which were not so refractory but they came with great cheerfulness to the Adoration And in this manner it was Marcellus Cervinus was created Pope after the See had been vacant 17 dayes which Election fell out the 9th of April he being unwilling to alter his name was publish'd by the name of Marcellus the second And thus you have the Papacy hereditary to the Faction of Paul the second time behold now the Farnesian Nipotisme making a Pope again at their own pleasures The dayes of Marcellus were very short for he dy'd the first of May which was 21 dayes after his creation The shortness of his life was the occasion that the same Cardinals were present who had been in Julius his Conclave and with the same conduct of Factions unless in what I am about to say There enter'd 45 Cardinals into the Conclave a greater number than was in Julius his because many were come a far off to be present at Marcellus his Election and thought good to continue where they were till the creation of a new Pope The 15th of May at night they enter'd into the Conclave in which day they did nothing but give Audience to the Princes Ambassadors and distribute such Orders as were necessary The Cardinal Julius della Corgna Bishop of Perugia and Nephew to Julius the 3d. who had not regarded the forming of Factions in the preceeding Conclave being advis'd by some of his friends he resolved to make himself head of those Cardinals which were created by his Unckle and he found so many of them as were sufficient for an exclusion who were call'd by the rest Julianists Farnese on the other side being desirous to conserve the reputation he had had in two Conclaves before intreated the Cardinals which were the creatures of Paul his Grandfather not to desert him but to follow him unanimously in fixing the Election upon one of his creatures his eyes being still upon Cardinal Pâ—ole for whom he had alwayes an affection and taken much pains in his behalf in the Conclave of Paul And forasmuch as the Cardinal of Corgna to make himself more strong had joyn'd with the chief of the Imperialists promising to concur with them in what ever should be for their satisfaction if they would oblige him by choosing one of the creatures of his Unckle Julius Farnese combin'd on the other hand with the chief of the French to fortifie his own Faction thereby and make the Julianists the weaker The first point Farnese endeavour'd to weather was to make Cardinal Poole Pope but he found two great oppositions the first was that amongst the French Cardinals there were some of them so averse to Poole that they openly declar'd they would sooner lay down their Caps than give their voices for him the second was that even those Cardinals who were friends to Poole were scrupulous of consenting because he was then in England whence he could neither come nor go without prejudice to the Church and infinite inconvenience to such as should be deputed to conduct him to Rome to which 〈…〉 sons he was forc'd to submit The Cardinal of Perugia in the mean time manag'd his designs with the same vigour to make one of the Julianists Pope and that out of an animosity he had against Cardinal Farnese who being us'd to give Laws to the Conclave disdain'd any others creature but his own He propos'd therefore to the Imperialists Cardinal Giacomo Pirâ—â— dâ— Nizza a person deserving in some measure from the Emperour and a great friend to all the chief of the French and the business went so far that many went towards the Chappel to make a Scrutiny there being votes enough Farnese could not easily brook to
recited at a Carneval When the Nephew Lorenzo was made Treasurer as aforesaid he call'd him to him and in the presence of all his Courtiers told him Nephew if you have a desire to arrive at that dignity I am at you must study and be sure you follow my steps which words of his set not only his Servants a laughing but the Nephew himself This Nephew who at present is Cardinal Raggi his Unckle being dead was by the Barbarini made Superintendant General of the Gabels through the whole State Ecclesiastick and that for no other reason but because he was known to be a great friend to Parsimony and Thrift and the Barbarini believing that he being ambitious of a Cap he would not fail to be a friend to their Coffers nor were they mistaken for Monsignor Raggi that he might be serviceable to them in heaping up money and to satisfie himself in his covetous humour carry'd himself so ill in his imployment that he gave occasion to several disorders and particularly in the raising Armes against the Duke of Parma and the Princes of the League at which time the Souldiers could not receive their money though the Pope had given express order they should have four Musters pay In so much that the next day after the Election of Innocent the tenth the Souldiers appointed as a Guard to the Conclave fell a plundering whatever they met with and because Raggi would give them but one half of their pay they took it so ill they with great fury fell upon the place where their money was broke up the Chests and carry'd all away they could find and in that rage they assaulted the Palace of Don Tadeo searching every where up and down for Raggi but he having notice of their designs leap'd out of a window to save his life And indeed so highly were they incens'd every body was affraid of some popular revolution which had certainly fallen out had not Pope Innocent who was but newly elected apply'd remedy immediately Such a business as this could do no less than give offence to the whole Court and to imprint a disgust against the person of Raggi in the breast of the Pope so that every one believ'd his Office would be taken away because it was privately hinted to him that he should offer to resign it But it happen'd clear contrary for in the year 1647. in the month of October he was created Cardinal to the admiration of the whole Court though afterwards when he was promoted to that Dignity he fram'd himself exceedingly to the Customes of the Court of Rome which in him appear'd more remarkable than in any other person because he understood how to accompany them with such Ceremonies as allure and inveagle the hearts of all such as have business with him But when it comes to the drawing of his purse-strings he does no great matter all that is to be got is but civility and good words he has a smattering in Learning and if he would study more he would become more considerable His manners and humour would not be ill were they not obscured by his ambition and avarice vices that have too great dominion over him In the Court he passes for an indifferent person and is spoken of only as he makes himself notorious by his defending the interest of Spain he being one of the most Spanioliz'd Cardinals of them all To be short he is about 45. years of age he abounds not over much with charity he is a Genoese and by consequence out of all hope of being Pope unless the face of affairs be alter'd But he seems not to have any ambition for it because he does not take the right way to arrive at the Papacy so that though the face of affairs should alter there would be but little hopes for him FRANCISCO MALDACHINO is the Son of Marquess Andrea Maldachino that was Collateral General to all the State of the Church he was promoted to the Cardinalship out of the great affection his Holiness bore to Donna Olimpia Sister to the said Marquess and Cousin to the Pope the seventh of October 1647. to the wonder not only of the Court but of all Christendom His Holiness to speak the truth was with great difficulty brought to condescend for six months together he refus'd all the importunities his Cousin could make as not willing to burden his Conscience by admitting such a Monster in Nature into the number of so great Princes and into a Colledge of worthy men but he could not resist her multiply'd prayers any longer but as it were blind-fold he created him Cardinal in the 18th year of his age But that which is most strange is that Donna Olimpia not contented to see her Nephew in Scarlet notwithstanding the irregularities both of his person and manners would needs introduce him to the Government of the Ecclesiastick State and give him possession of the same credit and authority that Cardinal Barbarino had during the Popedom of Vrban the eighth seeing his Holiness her Cousin resolv'd that he might have assistance in the sustaining so great a weight to adopt a counterfeit Nephew because he could have no real one since Pamfilio that was his Nephew indeed had renounc'd the Cardinalship to marry the Princess of Rosanno as noble a resolution perhaps as ever fell into the heart of man though dislik'd both by his Unckle the Pope and Donna Olimpia his Mother he having by that marriage perpetuated the Name of Pamfilio by two little Sons that he has worthy of such a Princess to their Mother and which do contribute much to the honour of Rome Donna Olimpia imploy'd her utmost interest with the Pope to have made him Cardinal Padrone or Cardinal Nephew and because his Holiness was I know not how engaged in his affections to this Lady his Kinswoman and durst not absolutely deny her so on the other side being unwilling to promise it he temporiz'd and dally'd with her that he might not displease her But she to make all sure by his Holiness consent put him under the institution of the Cardinals Panzirolo and Cherubino that he might be well instructed in the affairs of Court But this was no more than to sow Corn upon a Rock Maldachini had no capacity to receive any thing at all having brought an incredible stupidity along with him even from his Mothers belly Panzirolo that understood very well the humour of Maldachini and the Popes resolution not to entertain such a Statue into business of State advis'd his Holiness to create Astalli Cardinal Nephew and he did so but with so much dissatisfaction to Donna Olimpia when she heard it that she fell almost mad upon it thundering out her maledictions and invectives against Panzirolo with such fury that it was a great cause of her falling out of favour with his Holiness All the while Innocent liv'd after the Creation of Maldachini he express'd great regret for having made such a person a Cardinal and could