reporting them Whereas if those lay-Catholikes should once open theyr eares to know the Protestants opinions from them selues that hold them which was the use of the old world in theyr ingenuous simplicitie and singlenesse of proceeding they would not be found eyther so absurd perhaps but that a reasonable or so wicked but that a religious mind might embrace them Then secondly by this meanes they do knit their owne faction more fast together and unite them more firmely to the head thereof the Pope sith no service of God but in his communion and with him no conjunction without utter separation and estranging from his enemies Wheras if his partie should but joyne with the Protestants in such services of God as are allowed by both this concurring with them in some actions might abate that utter dislike which they haue now of theyr whole way yea and haply taking a liking of them in some things they might be drawne still on by degrees to other and so finally slip away or grow cold in theyr first affections For factions as by disparitie of minds they are raized so by straungenesse they are continued and grow immortall whereas contrariwise they are asslaked and made calme by entercourse by parlie they are reconciled by familiaritie they are extinguished A memorable example of the vertue of this policie our owne Country in these latter times hath yielded where in the first Reformation under King EDVVARD the Praelates and Clergie having before under King HENRY discarded the Pope did easilie joyne with the Protestants though not in theyr opinions yet in the publike service of God in the Churches being indifferently composed and offensiue to neither part And but that the Pope soone after upon extraordinarie cause was restored to his former authoritie by Queene MARY that faction had in likelihood bene long since ended But after that the Pope was once againe admitted and had libertie to temper with his partie at pleasure in the second Reformation by her Majestie not a Bishop of his could be perswaded to come to our Churches but choosing rather losse of living and the greatest part also imprisonment they layd thereby the foundation of that faction of Recusants which hath since bene continued by theyr followers unto this day notwithstanding our service be lesse offensiue to them than in King EDVVARDS time and in no part opposite to any poinct of theyr beliefe But so hath it seemed good to theyr politike Governours by this utter breach and alienation to preserue and perpetuate the remaines of theyr partie and that in the midst of theyr much more potent adversaries though armed with Lawes quickened with suspicions yea and exasperated by theyr often dangerous practises against them Now in that they proceed also yet one step farther and not onely inhibite theyr partie the reading of Protestantbooks and repaire to theyr Churches but discounsell also all joyning with them in any service of God by whomsoever and how lawfull sort soever performed thereby doe they engender in them according to theyr desire an extreame hatred and bitter detestation of theyr opposites For if the Protestants by reason of theyr enmitie with the Pope and swarving from his way doe stand in tearmes of so deepe disfavour with God that theyr Prayer it selfe doth turne into sinne that theyr humble thanksgivings are abominable praesumptions that to joyne with them in praysing the Creatour of the world is no better than dis-service to his Majestie then surely woe worth the houre wherein they were borne and blessed bee that hand which shall worke their bane and ruine then no stay or doubt but what the Pope directeth that boldly to be executed against the enemies of God And this haue they set up as a Crowne and accomplishment to the rest of theyr practises against theyr adversaries For now is theyr faction not onely kept on foote and continually maintained without decay but inflamed also with such hatred of theyr enemies that they are ready to any violence that opportunitie can aduise For as diversities of judgements doth grow into dislikes and dislikes by opposition doe issue into factions so hatred in factions doth breake out into seditions and attendeth onely advantage to use force against those they hate Whereas on the contrary side the Protestant being not armed nor quickened up with such stings of hatred as his adversarie is more cold and carelesse in his opposite desires and exceedingly inferiour in all strong attempts and practises But certeinely howsoever in this craftie kind of policie which hath too much bewitched the witts of this age and doth too much tyrannize over that auncient true wisedome wherewith the world in fore-times was more happilie governed these courses may seeme very fine and effectuall for the atchieving of that end whereto they are framed yet I suppose it would proue very hard to be shewn how they can stand with the principles and rules of that Religion whose roote is Truth whose braunches are Charitie whose fruits are good deeds extending and even offering them selues with cheerefulnesse unto all men to the encouraging of friends and reclayming of enemies to the mending of the worse and accomplishing of the better For if a magnanimous noble mind in the high vertuousnesse thereof doe carrie it selfe in all actions with such moderation and measure as that it neyther hate his enemie so much in regard of his wickednesse but that it loue whatsoever in him hath resemblance of vertue neyther yet feare him so much for his mischieuous desirs as to rage and grow fierce upon him in his weakenesse but contenteth itselfe so far forth only to repress him as may disable him thence forward from doing hurt unto others how much more may it seeme reasonable that the heavenly affectiō of a Christian rejoyce for whatsoever goodnes appeares in any man as finding there some lineaments of his Creatours Image detest nothing but impietie and wickednesse the worlds dishonour and lastly in the true and serious worshipping of God do joyne when occasion offers with whatsoever of his Creatures with united affections to cheare up his service where scandall by shew of approuing that which is evill in them doth not hinder But this world in the basenesse of his mettal now the last and worst and in the weakenesse of his old and decayed yeares laying the ground of all his policie in Feare and Iealousie issuing from a certeine consciousnesse of his owne worthlesnesse and want of vertue holdeth those courses for the best which worke with the greatest and most secret advantage against such as eyther are or in time may become concurrents or enemies letting passe with some tearmes of formall commendation those auncient more noble wayes which being derived from the high Governor of both the Worlds having their ground on the unmovable principles of true wisedome and vertue must needs bee of greater force both for the upholding of those that hold them and for the effecting of all theyr worthy and honourable desires were there
alwayes at his devotion in all elections whereby having the Exclusiue as they terme it no Pope can be made but with his liking hee proceeds on by his Ambassadours to name also some fiue or six unto them whereof please they to choose any he shall rest wel satisfied Which course though it mightily distast the rest of the Cardinalls who are hereby for ever debarred from their chiefe desire yea and inwardly much afflict the great States of Italy who are loth to haue theyr Pope of a Spanish edition yet is there no remedy one of those in fine they needs must choose the discretion they can haue is onely this to choose such of them as is likely to proue least to his purpose A memorable example heereof in the election of the last GREGORIE where a greater part of the Cardinalls enflamed against the King and banding against him yet in conclusion after two Moneths imprisonment in the Conclaue were foreed to relent and to choose one of his nominates or otherwise a cleare case no election at all Which whether there were or no made no matter to Spaine who stood upon the surer ground in his exclusiue obstinatenesse The necessitie of the Church the State of the Papacie theyr owne present condition the disorders of the Citie of Rome and of all theyr Territorie which in want of a Pope and in this locking up of the Cardinalls as it were into a celler do swarme exceedingly did mainely cry out to haue some Pope or other which at last they yielded to by consenting upon a favourite yea and subject of Spaine also for such was that GREGORIE Howbeit the maine matter runnes not with him so clearely they being not the same men that are chosen and that are Popâ—s but chaunging with theyr estate both name and nature also Yea sometimes not easie to find two divers men of humour more different then is the same man in his Cardinalship and in his Papalitie Where of no man better witnesse than SIXTVS QVINTVS the most crouching humble Cardinall that was ever lodged in an Oven and the most stoute resolute Pope that ever ware Crowne in his Cardinalship a meere slaue and vassall of Spaine in his Papacie the daungeroust enemie Spaine had in the world in summe who in his Cardinalship was scorned as a base Frier in his Papacie was redoubted as a Prince of great worth and spirit Neyther is there any mervaile to bee made of this difference seeing the hope of obtaining and of maintaining the Papall honour are so cleane contrary seeing in the one state they fashion them selues to all other mens humours in the other they looke that all men should accomodate themselues to theyr honours and lastly seeing those Princes whose favour is the onely meanes to compasse the place theyr power is the onely terrour of quelling downe the estate For which cause as in generall the Cardinalls doe in theyr hearts favour Fraunce aboue Spaine both as beeing the weaker part and the farther neighbour and the onely hope to maintaine counterpoise against the others greatnesse so let the King of Spaine make what choyse among them of a Pope hee can hee shall find that as long as those reasons continue whosoever sits in the seat will respect more his owne saferie than the service of his preâ—errour even as doth this very Pope who for that cause is conceived to haue made some alteration of inward firme friendships though holdiâ—g in good tearmes of loue and loyaltie with both But this uncerteintie and mutabilitie of the new Popes affections doth cause both the Kiâ—g of Spaine and other Princes of Italy aboue all things to ayme at a man of a caâ—me nature and not stirâ—â—ng mettall that if they cannot make any great accompt of his friendship yet this naturall disposition and temper may assure them that hee will not be a raiser of new stirrs in Italy as divers of them to scamble somewhat for theyr owne haue beene as on the other side an especiall good inducement to the Cardinalls is his age and sicklinesse that the place may be soone voyde againe for the gaining whereof there is alwayes practising and plotting a new immediately vpon the Election And thus is the Pope made who hath his Counsell of Cardinalls to attend and advise him hee chosen by them and they created by him Whose number may amount they say to Seuentie two but many pâ—â—ces are kept voyd still to serue for desperate pushes and of those that are some twenty lightly are the younger sonnes of Dukes and Princes who in case theyr auncesters states should descend upon them with dispensation from the Pope would resigne uppe theyr Hatts Among the Cardinalls for theyr owne honour and for the gratifying of the world are sorted out and diuided all the orders of Religions and all the Nations of Christendome whereof they are appoincted the particular protectours in the Court of Rome as the Protectour of England now is Cardinal Gaetane a stout man of spanish faction who hath beene Legate into France and more lately into Poland but is now returned Among this Counsell also being compacted of many Personages of very eminent sufficiencie what for theyr learning what for theyr experience and weightie employments are parted is by way of severall Congregations according to the use of the severall Counsels in Spain all the important affaires as well standing as by dayly new occasions arising of the Church and Papacie by which means they both disburden the Pope of much lighter businesse and the greater causes by long and exact discussion are ripened and made fit for his decissiâ—n Such is the Congregation for propagation of Christian-Faith the Congregation of the Inquisition the Congregation for England the Congreation of Bishops for all Controversies which happen betweene them and theyr Subjects a Congregation for any diversitie of opinion in matter of Religion betweene Schoole men or Friers with sundry such other A course lately there begun but of good importance and well worthy to be imitated Now for This Pope who by race and name a Florentine but his Father having beene chased thence upon a Conspiracie against Duke COSIMO by byrth became a kind of Romane I haue little more to say than that which I haue before touched Hee is reputed to bee a man of a good calme disposition and not too craftie yet close and suspicious and thereby secured to hold his owne well enough kind to his friends and denout in his way and thinks without doubt that he is in the right He will weep very often some conceiue upon a weaknesse and tendernesse of mind habituated therin by custome others say upon pietie and godly compassion At his Masses in his Processions at the fixing uppe his Iubilees his Eys are still watering some times streaming with teares in so much that for weeping he seemes an other HERACLITVS to ballance with the last GREGORIR an other DEMOCRITVS for laughing Touching his secret life the Italians speake somewhat diversly
the upholding of that state that without the Papacie sundry of them haue no hope and some no title to continue in their owne dominions For to omit things more apparant in the Eys of al men their praetended auâ—thoritie to excommunicate and depose them to discharge subjects of all oath and bond of obedience to oblige them under pain of damnation to rise against them to honour their murtherers with the title of Martyrs for to that degree of eternity haue some of their sect grown the effect of which proceeding some great Princes haue felt and more haue feared and few at this day list to put it to the adventure the tempering with so unlimited power in Princes Mariages by dispensing with degrees by the Law of God and the World forbidden by loosing and knitting mariages by devise at pleasure by legitimating unlawfull and accursed issue and therby aduancing into thrones of Regalitie oftentimes base sundry times adulterous yea and sometimes incestuous and perhaps unnaturall off spring doth not reason foretell and hath not experience adverred that both the partners in such marriages and much more their whole issue are bound in as strong a bond to the upholding of the Popes infinite authoritie and power as the honour of their byrth and title of their Crownes are worth It was a seely conceipt in them who hoped that Queene MARIE would not restore the Popes authoritie in England by reason of her promise when a greater bond to her than her promise did presse her to it What man ever in the world stucke faster to his chosen friend than the late K. PHILIP of Spaine to the Papacie notwithstanding with the Popes themselues his often jealousies and quarrells having ordeined moreover that all his Heirs and successours in the state of the Low-Countries by vertue of his late transport shall for ever in their entry into those Signories take an oath for the maintaining of the Papacie and that Religion Is not the reason apparent that if the Papacie should quaile his onely son with whosoever descend of him are dishonouâ—ed and made uncapable as in way and right of descent of those great States and Kingdomes which now he holdeth yea and a fire kindled in his owne house about the title to them Neither is it to be admitted into any conceipt of reason but that this young King will be as sure to the Papacie as his Father being borne of a Marriage prohibited by God abhorred hapâ—ly by Nature disapproued by the World and onely by Papall authoritie made allowable For for my part I hold that opinion not unprobable that the mariage of Vncle and Niece as it was in this case is contrary to the Law of Nature and not Gods positiue Law only seeing the Vncle hath a second right and place of a Father But howsoever that poinct stand wherein I dare not affirme ought it is cleerly contrarie to such a positiue Law of God as the reason and cause whereof must needs continue till the dissolution of the world or overthrow of mankind and therefore in reason and Law no way abrogable or dispensable with but by the same or an higher authoritie than that which first did make it that the Pope need not thinke they do him apparent wrong who invest him with the Title of that man of power who sitting in the Temple of God exalteth him selfe aboue God For what may it seeme els bearing him selfe for Head of the Church to take upon him to cancell or authentically to allow of the breach of Gods Law without having his expresse and praecise warrant for so doing Though I am not ignorant that they haue distinctions for all this which were a merry matter if Sophistrie were the proper science for Salvation But by this and some other mariages those straunge relations of alliance haue growne that K. PHILIP the second were he now aliue might call the Archduke ALBERT both brother cousin nephew and sonne for all this was he to him eyther by bloud or affinitie being Vncle to him selfe cousin-germain to his his Father husband to his Sister and father to his Wife And to come a step neerer home the same rule of policie made me strongly conjecture till that now God by death hath prevented that mischiefe howsoever the Pope hitherto what for feare of scandalizing what for other respects made shew not to be forward to consent to an entended mariage betweene a married King and his Mistresse much lesse to legitimate the children adulterously begotten by finding nullities on both sides in the former marriages things made on purpose as he knoweth to cloke a falshood that yet notwithstanding him selfe or his successour would yield to it in the end if any colour in the world could be layd upon the matter to salue the credite of his not erring sea and he might see good hope for that race to prevaile yea and it may yet be that in some other match he will guide that streame into the same course that so deriving the succession also of this other great Kingdom upon issue whose title must hold off his legitimation he may be better assured of it than he hath been hitherto and haue them for ever most firm irreconcileable adversaries to all such whether subjects or neighbours or whosoever as should oppose against his Soveraigntie and unstinted power so searching and penetrant is the cunning of that Sea to strengthen it selfe more by the vnlawfull marriages of other men than ever Prince yet could do by any lawfull mariage of his owne The Dispensing with Oaths and discharging from them especially in matters of Treatie between Princes and States is a thing so repugnant to all morall honestie so injurious to the quiet and peace of the world so odious in it selfe so scandalous to all men that it may be they adventure not to play vpon that string in this curious age so often as heretofore for feare of discording all the rest of their harmonie Cleare it is that heretofore this made them a necessary helpe for all such Princes as eyther upon extremitie were driven to enter into hard conditions or upon falshood and dishonestie desired to take their advantage against their neighbours when it was offered Which Princes having no means to salue their Credite with the World but only by justifying the unholinesse of their act by the Popes holy aucthoritie interposed in it were afterwards tyed firmly to adhaere vnto him And this was the case of FRANCIS the first with whom immediately upon his oath given to CHARLES the sift for performance of the Articles accorded at his delivery CLEMENT the seventh dispensed and by probable conjecture had promised him to dispense with his Oath before hand upon hope also whereof he tooke it The effect was for the Popes behoofe that ever after there was strict loue intelligence between them testified finally to the World by that famous mariage between the Son of the one and the kinswoman of the other And verily though
serue and by drawing in the marginall notes and glosses of their Friers into the text of the Fathers as in some of them they haue already very handsomly begun the mouth of Antiquity should be also opened for them There remained then only the rectifying of S t. PAVL whose turne in all likelyhood if ever should be the next and other places of Scripture whose authoritie beeing set beneath the Churches already it were no such great matter to submit it also to her gentle and moderate Censures especially for so good an intent as the weeding out of Haeresies and the preserving of the Faith-Catholike in her puritie and glorie But aboue all other the second Commandement as the Protestants Graecians and Iewes reckon it were like to abide it which already in their vulgar Catechisms is discarded as words superfluous or at least wise as unfit or unnecessary for these times And then without an Angell sent downe from Heaven no means to controll or gain-say them in any thing But these are but the dreams perhaps of some over-passionate desires at least wise not likely to take place in our times But what is it which the opinions of the not possibilitie of erring of the necessary assistance of Gods Spirit in their Consistories of authoritie unlimited of power both to dispense with Gods Law in this world and to alter his arrests and judgements in the other for thereunto do theyr pardons to them in Purgatorie extend what is it which these so high and so fertill opinions are not able to engender and do not powerfully enforce to execute carrying men away head-long with this raging conceipt that whatsoever they do by the Popes they do by Gods owne commaundment whose Lieutenant hee is on Earth by a Commission of his owne penning that is to say with absolute and unrestrained jurisdiction that whatsoever they do for advancement of his Sea and Scepter they do it for the upholding of the Church of CHRIST and for the salvation of mens Soules which out of his obedience do undoubtedly perish And verily it seemes no caâ—slâ—sse doubt or feare that these humours and faces so forward so adventurous to alter and chastise with palpable partialitie the works of former times in an age which hath so many jealous eyes on theyr fingers so many mouths open to publish theyr shame such store of Copies to restore and repaire whatsoever they should presume to maime or depraue that in former ages when there were few Copies small difficulties no enemies as it is found by certein and irrefragable arguments that many bastard-writings were forged in theyr favour and fathered on honest men who never begat them So also they might beside other their choppings and changings puttings in and puttings out suppresse many good and auncient evidences which they perceived were not greatly for theyr purpose to be extant But of all other in reforming and purifying of authours the care and diligence of this Pope doth farre exceed who not content with that which hath bene done in that kind before him nor thinking things yet so bright as they should be causeth much to be pervsed and scoured over a-new yea and it is thought will cashiere some worthy authours who as yet though with cutts and gashes hold ranke among them And for a farther terrour not to retein books prohibited I haue seene in theyr printed instructions for Confession the having or reading of books forbidden set in ranke amongst the sinnes against the first Commaundment And for farther provision The Iewes who haue generally not any other trades than friperie and usurie loane of money and old stuffe are inhibited in many places the medling any more with bookes for feare least through errour or desire of lucre they might do them praejudice Neither is it lawfull in Italy to carrie bookes about from one place to an other without allowance of them from the Inquisitours or search by theyr authorities Wherein as I confesse they haue neglected nothing which the wit of man in this kind could possibly devise so yet may it be doubted that as too much wiping doth in the end draw blood with it and soile more then before so this too rigorous cutting of all Authors tongu's leaving nothing which may favour any freedome of spirit or giue any satisfaction for understanding times past may raise such a longing for the right Authors in the minds of all men as may encourage the Protestants to reprint them in theyr first â—ntiâ—enesse hauing hope given to vent them although in secret These haue I observed for the complotts and practises of the Roman-Church and Papacie not doubting but they may haue many more and much finer than I can dreame of and yet in the surveying of these altogether me thinke they are such and so essentiall in theyr proofe that it causeth me in generality of good desire so to wish that eyther the cause which they striue to maintein were better or theyr policies whereby they mainteine it were not so good Now to take a briefe view of the Present State of the Papacy or rather of some poincts therein more requisite to bee knowne first to consider it in his owne proper and Peculiar Dominions namely in the Signories and Territories which the Pope holds in Italy for as for Avignon with his Countie Ueniâ—llâ—ne in France by reason of the ill neighbourhood of the Protestants of Orange it hath yielded him I weene in these latter times no great matter yea rather it hath beene an over-charge unto him for which cause they like well to bee under the Pope as bringing more in to them than hee taketh from them I take it at this day of the foure great States of Italy by reason of the accesse of the Dukedome of Ferrara escheted to him of late to bee clearely the third at least and to surmount the great Dukes which it hath well-nigh surrounded also Yea question might be made concerning the second place For although the Venetians in amplitude of Terriitorie farre and in greatnesse of revenew not a little exceed it Yet beside other difficulties and charges of necessitie to which they are more subject in militarie force they greatly come short the Popes men retaining still the braue hearts of theyr auncestours and breeding among them plentie of able leaders whereof at this present both the great Duke and the Venetians do serue themselues whereas the Lombards wherein is the flower of the State of Venice are as heavy and unwarlike as theyr soile is diepe and fat insomuch that the Venetians are driven to seeke abroad and especially to the Grisons from whom they are â—o haue at all times ten thousand at call But on the contrary side being to be alleaged that the Venetians are by sea puissant where the Pope can do nothing I suppose they may stil hold the second place of greatnes the first even in Italy without other respect being incompaâ—ably due unto the Spanish mightinesse And this in possessioÌ„ Besides which all Italy
holding partly of the Pope partly of the Empire saue the Sign of Venice who acknowledge no Lord of the Pope the kingdomes of Naples and Sciâ—ily with theyr dependants the Dukedomes of Parma and Placentia and Vrbin besides other lesse quillets of these the Duchie of Vrbin no great thing but full of stout men and of some hundred thousand crownes revenew is in great possibilitie to devolue to the Church ere long the Duke being in yeeres and without heyres though as now vnmarried by his old wiues decease of late but the Iesuites labour hard that hee so remaine perswading him that Biganne is not so acceptable an estate to God There is also possibilitie of the escheting of Parma and Placentia there being but the young Duke who remaineth still unmarried being withstood as is thought in his long loue at Florence both by Spaine of old and now by the Pope also besides the great Dukes not hastinesse to forge his Neeces portion and the Cardinall FARNESI his Brother who in that case I belieue should find as difficult a suit at Rome for dispensation to marry as the Duke of Ferrara did before him for a transport of his tenure Of Naples I can say nothing eyther of probabilitie or possibilitie as things now stand Onely it is apparent that the Popes haue a very great desire unto it and opinion of good title also even in present But the unfortunate successe and fearefull example of Pope SIXTVS QVINTVS hath given a fresh stop and great checke both to theyr desire and title This SIXTVS QVINTVS hauing of a simple Frier beene advanced to the Papacie by the â—avour of Spaine onely which of long he had served fore-seeing very plainely in his changed discourses the inevitable bondage which together with all Italy the very Apostolike Sea and Lady-Church of the world was in short time to fall into if the greatnesse of his preferrour did grow as it began whose irreligious enchroachments upon the Church-rights whose tyrannous importuning them to serue his turnes and humours whose bravadoes threats insolencies and lording over them his eyes did see dayly and could not remedie constrained by these eminent daungers and present indignities adventured to reviue and harbour in his mind the afflicted and forsaken thoughts of PAVLVS QVARTVS his praedecessor and to embrace a desseigne of chasing the Spaniards out of Italy and especially of recovering the Realme of Naples to the Church which hath now but a quit rent of foure thousand Crownes out of it sent to them vpon an Hackney being â—… the richest platts that is in the world For â—…ffecting of which purpose by inhaâ—â—sing â—…s all commodities after the example oâ—â—… Princes and States and his neighbours â—…y other devises together with good mâ—nâ—gâ—â—â—nâ— in short time he raysed fiue Millions of Treâ—â—ure a good ground of warre and moreover after the example of the same PAVLVS QVARTVS who brought into very Rome it selfe two thousand Alman Lutherans to oppose against the Duke of Aâ—â—a King PHILIPS Generall in Italy yea and was content to endure quietly those abuses and despiâ—es which they dayly offered to his Images and Sacrament and sunâ—â—y other devotions as remaineth in a report of credit not to except against so this SIXTVS began couertly to seeke strength from the Protestants propending more to favour this French Kings labours yea and desiring to enterteine good correspondence with England also as was strongly suspected commending her Majesties governement aboue all Princes in the world By which meanes and endeavours he drew upon him so great feare and hatred of the Spanish partie and especially of the Iesuites from whom also as being too rich for vowers of povertie he tooke away at one clap aboue tenne thousand Crownes rent and bestowed on S t. PETER as I haue heard reported that they styled him a Navarrist a Schismaticke and Haereticke an Allie of the Divels yea and protested they would farther proceed against him and at this day they ordinarily giue out in Italy that the Divell with whom hee had intelligence came and fetcht him away being in truth one of the â—â—â—thiest Popes this age hath seene and of a â—ind most possessed with high and honourable enterprises But the unprosperous event as I said of this project for the uniting of Naples againe to the Papacie and his precipitated ruine who dared to advance it having beene poysoned by Spanish practise as the wisest there say and while my selfe was in Italy a Priest one of the Popes subjects reported in secret that there was lately a supplication put up to his Holinesse by a person unknowne craving absolution at his hands for making away of a Pope which was thought could bee no other than this SIXTVS doth deter them that come after from embarking them selues in the like and from imitating his actions whose end they haue cause to tremble at So Naples remaineth in his view that hath most right to it but in his hands and armes that is strongest to hold it And is like so to continue till some stout Pope assisted with greater aydes and opportunities shall adventure to send backe that Spanish Hackney with a great Horse after him as the Frier advised And this for the Popes temporall State which may yield him perhaps two millions of yearly revenew by reason of the great encrease Ferrarâ— hath brought and be able to make at home for their owne defence some hundred thousand fighting men or thereabout if need were Besides which rent arising from the Popes patrimonie and state at home that which hee sucketh from Forain parts is not small even at this day though nothing perhaps in comparison of those former â—â—ch times when money came in dayly so flush from all quarters that their temporall of which now they make theyr principall was then but an accessorie additament to theyr greatnesse For among many other blowes which LVTHER with his long pen hath given that Sea it hath compelled them besides the entire losse in Countries revolted even in those which stick to them to draw more moderatly than before for feare of offending Yea they haue bene driven also in these latter times to share or yield up into the hands of great Princes of Fraunce namely and Spaine for the better assuring them a great part of those Fleeces which them selues wont to sheere from the Clergie heretofore without any such partners Howbeit in Italy and some other few places theyr Annates and tenths doe still runne current besides the Spoglie as they tearme them or strippings of Clergie-men at theyr deaths unlesse in theyr life-time by yeerely pension they list to redeeme them and amount no doubt unto a good round summe His gaine out of Spaine is thought matchable very neere to that of Italy which the Kings thereof doe and will more contentedly endure for the better assuring of the Papacie to them which otherwise were likely to runne mainely with Fraunce I would not report it but that I haue it from good place
alwayes so bare yea and makes their temporall state the worse governed in Italy for so it is compted is in their often change of Popes by reason of their yeeres the infinit desire each hath to advance his kinred his Children first if he haue any as PAVLVS tertius who left his base issue no lesse than Dukes of Placentia and Parma and GREGORIE the Xiij th more lately who made his base sonne Duke of Sora and Castellan of St. Angelo and if they haue no Children or list not be knowne of them then theyr Nephewes and other kinsmen which is common to them all Yea it often falls out that those Popes who haue not any known children of theyr own by extending their loue larger to a greater multitude of Nephews yet desiring for theyr owne renowme and perpetuating of theyr name to raise them to as great State and wealth as they can possibly do consume more the goods and treasure of the Church than those other who haue theyr loues though stronger yet to fewer as was apparâ—nt in the two GREGORIES the Xiij th with his few Sonnes and the Xiij th with the multitude of his Nephews and kinsmen And these mâ—n being raised often from the bottome of basenesse to the heighth of pride and power having no hold in theyr hands nor scantling of theyr fortunes as having never beene in the middle state which is the measure of both extreames doe fall into ryot able to ruine any Prince and rage and ravine in theyr Offices and governments as they that knowing theyr time short meane to use it to the full proofe the examples whereof are both many and fresh which for theyr foulnesse and basenesse I list not to repeat For which cause it was a good helpe for SIXTVS QVINTVS to bee Pope that hee had small kinred though that ground is moueable seeing Pedegrees change for the most part together with mens fortunes which as a conscionable Aâ—bitratour neyther annoyes the poore ever with multitude of kinâ—men nor discomforts the rich with paâ—citie For the â—… of the rest of the Clergie under the Paâ—… it â—… as the Countries In Spaine the â—… are exceeding rich in revenew the Areâ—… of Tolâ—edo not inferiour to some Kingdoâ—… In Italy the livings of the Praelates are compâ—… considering the excessiâ—e multitude Yet with so great diversitie that some meere Bishopâ—icks are aboue twenty thousand Crownes rent other some under one thousand But the custome of Italy which avoydeth yea blameth multitude of servants and great house-keeping in all sorts and degrees makes a small matter sufficient and a great superfluous Besides there to haue many livings is a matter of credit not of profit onely though as wise men as they haue thought otherwise of it to bee a private great burthen and a publike great mischiefe The Paâ—â—sh Priests in Italy who haue not the tenths which in a Country whose soyle yields three harvests in sundry places all in a yeere would amount to an huge matter and considering the great rents and exactions would be insupportable but haue in stead of them certeine farmes as gleabland appropriate and some certeine quantitie out of the encrease of their neighbours are so provided for that the meanest lightly which are theyr Curati haue an hundred Crownes a yeare and the Piovani which are the Priests of Mother Churches from two hundred to fiue hundred and upward sometimes which they helpe out with Masses as occasion serues which are still in Italy as cheape as a groat In Germany the Praelates are likely great Princes and great Nobilitie required to haue those places In Fraunce the Clergie hath beene in fore-times most flourishing theyr revenew amounting when land and all things were cheapest to six Millions in the whole besides theyr great place and authoritie in theyr State and theyr ample jurisdiction in theyr severall praecincts At this day they are fall'n generally especially the inferiour part into great miserie and beggerie accompanied with all base and vile conditions whereby the Country people is growne also utterly without knowledge of God or sence of Religion being fall'n into those tearmes that plentie which should make men thankefull makes them but wanton and affliction which should make men repentant makes them desperate and nothing can better them The whole Realme in summe hath bene scourged with a three stringed whip Warre Ill-governement and Injustice particular whereof the two lattet are like to last still whilst on the one side the places of Iustice are sold as by the Drumme on the other side the Church Praelacies and other governments of soules are made the fees and charges of meere Courtiers and Souldiers whoâ—e merits would haue rewards but suiting to theyr qualitie which in a Realme so abounding with meanes could not bee wanting but by too much want of indifferencie and measure heaping all upon a few and most where are least deserts whereas these so unfit and ill-suited recompences distemper that harmonie which should be in a flourishing state and overwhelme the Land with all kind of corruption and confusion But to returne to the Papacie or rather now to the Pope himselfe and first to His Election the right whereof having bene of Old in the Clergie and people and from thence transferred to the Emperours nomination is now wholly remitted to the College of Cardinalls so that two third parts of theyr voices that are present are requisite to him that eyther by adoration or in Scrutinie shall winne that glorie Which double porportion of voyces to agree makes this Election of greater difficultie and giues occasion of rarer stratagems and devises in it than I suppose are to be found in any other in the world I haue heard that in these latter times a Cardinall of Sicilie whose Holynesse and learning advanced him to that dignitie for of some such alwayes there is care to make choise for divers considerations entring the Conclaue to an Election and expecting that by incessant prayer as in times of old some divine inspiration should haue poincted out Christs Uicar but finding when he was there nothing but practisiâ—â— and canvasing promising and terrifying banding and combining setting of some up for stales only to ease passage for other who were reserved till the last cast when former hopes and angers beeing spent and evaporated had abated the prime edge and strength of opposition in summe being him selfe also assaulted by all meanes yea tugged and haled now by one part now by another the good man agast as in a matter so cleane contrary to his fore-framed expectation Ad hunc modum quoth he fiunt Pontifices Romani there withall so soone as that Conclaue was broken retired to his Country and would never see Rome againe But the matter of greatest marke herein at this day is the power of the K. of Spaine in swaying those Elections who by pensions by preferments by hopes of the highest having assured a great third part of the Cardinalls to him to bee
especially for his younger yeeres But mens tongues are alwayes prone to attaint theyr Governours and the worst men speake worst as hoping them selues to lurke under the blemishes of theyr betters For my part hearing no extraordinarie bad matter against him but onely by suspicion I judge the best and howsoever had rather preserue the credit of an ill man than staine or impaire it in a good For his yeeres he doth little exceed Three seore and three but is troubled with the dropsie and that caused some say or accompanied with a thirstie infirmitie For a Praelat hee hath good commendation a favourer of learning and advauncer of them whose studies haue bene to the advauncement of his Sea an enemie to the licentious life of Friers yea to the Pomp also and Secular bravery of Cardinals howbeit more desiring reformation in both than daring attempt it in eyther for ought that yet appeares very magnificall and ceremoniall in his outward comportment in his private austere and humble as his friends say in menaging the Church temporall goods rather thriftie than liberall but of theyr spirituall treasure of Supererogatorie works in Indulgences and Pardons which he useth not only as charitable reliefes of the needie but as honourable gifts also to reward Princes that haue presented him in these I should thinke him very exceeding wastfull but that where the treasure is infinite there the spender in ordinarie accompt cannot be Prodigall For a Prince hee hath beene thought somwhat defectiue heretofore as being neyther of deepe resolution nor of great spirit But fortunate-men are wise and conquerours valiant And surely this mans projects and attempts haue so well prospered what in reduction of the French King by prosecuting him to extremitie what in the matter of Ferrara what in working the great peace the honour whereof by the most is wholly attributed to the Pope though other say he was importuned to deale in it by the Spaniard being so tyred and wasted out with troubling his neighbours that in fine no desire no hope but in peace onely that it hath purchased him the opinion not onely of a fortunate and wise Pope but of one who doth sincerely affect the quiet of Christendome and thinks nothing remaining to the height of his glorie but to be the author of an universall league and warre against the Turke against whom hee hath sundry times given ayde already For which end it is conceived notwithstanding his abilitie and opportunitie extraordinarie what by his excommunications and what by his ready army to haue righted himselfe that yet he hath layd by his owne particular pretences as well against the great Duke of Tuscanie for Borgo di San Sepulchro which belongs to the Church as also and more principally against the Venetians for Rovigo and the Posesine which they haue rent by warre and reteine from Ferrara not to mention that auncient quarrell touching the Patriarchship of Aquileia whose Territorie even all Friuli theyr State is said to haue usurped that no private temporall commoditie of his Church and Sea might giue impediment to the publike most necessarie good in withstanding and repressing the graund enemie of Christendome These thoughts surely are honourable neyther unnecessary for his owne future safety considering how neere a neighbour the Turke is to him and how often his State hath beene afflicted by him and sometimes enhazarded But now for his neere neighbours the great Duke and the Venetians as theyr States so theyr loues and his are but neighbourly they thinking his growing to bee theyr stop and endaungering But the Venetians perhaps feare him and the great Duke hates him more the Venetians as having still even painted in theyr great palace and dayly before theyr eyes the extremitie to which former Popes excommunications haue brought them having theyr State as ill seated in regard of potent neighbours who all gape after them upon any advantage as any that I know againe in the world the Turke confining and bordering with them on the East the King of Spaine on the West the Emperour on the North the Pope on the South who can never want pretence they holding that which they list not yield besides some jealousies and discurtesies passed lately betweene them and the Pope and his Cardinalls the great Duke not onely for that haereditarie enmitie first and that personall discourtesie since at what time affecting the Title of the King of Tuscanie whereof his wife is written Queene by some already and having got as is said the Emperours liking the Pope denyed him putting him off with a distinction that hee was content hee should bee King in Tuscanie but not King of Tuscany which scholasticall subtilities plaine suiters doe not loue but much more for that correspondence of Conference and favour which is thought to bee betweene the Pope and those popular Florentines who distasted with theyr home government once free now almost servile liue both else-where abroad and at Rome in exceeding store especially seeing not onely this Pope in the faction of his particular familie but all Popes in the affection which the Papacie it selfe doth engender doe naturally more desire that theyr neighbours States should bee popular as having the ground of theyr greatnesse in swaying the multitude But generally the Dukes of Tuscanie will bee alwayes regardfull to hold the best correspondence with the Popes that may bee as having theyr State more open to assault on that side the rest beeing surrounded by the Apennine and the Sea To conclude this Pope where there is no privat cause of disfavouring his person or disallowing his place carrieth the name of a good Pope and they which do subtilize the points of goodnes more curiously will say that PIVS QVINTVS was a good Praelat but no good Prince that SIXTVS QVINTVS a good Prince but no good Praelat GREGORIE the Xiij th a good Praelat a good Prince but no good man this Pope both good Man good Praelat and good Prince And so I leaue him wishing his dayly encrease in all parts of true goodnesse whereof his Church hath too little I ween and himselfe haply as other good men nothing too-much and returne now to the Papacie The next poinct wherein which commeth to be considered is what power it is of at this day in the world by reason of those Nations which eyther in whole or great part still adhere unto it which are Italy with his Ilands Spaine with his Indies Germanie with his Skirts which I accompt the seventeene Provinces of the Low-Countries on one side the thirteen Cantons of Swisse three leagues of Grisons on an other Bohemia with Moravia and Slesia on a third and lastly the great united well seated fruitfull populous Kingdome of France with his neighbours of Loraine and Savoy whom though Princes of the Empire whensoever them selues list and find it for their profit yet in regard â—f theyr greater affinitie to Fraunce both in language and fashions which consociate also affections I annex unto it
of all which some briefe view seemes necessarie to bee taken For as for Poland and Transcilvania with Ualachia and the remaines of Hungarie by reason of theyr neere and daungerous confining with the Great Turke together with the multitude of Religions which are swarming in them in Poland especially of which it is said by way of by word that if a man haue lost his religion let him goe secke it in Poland and he shall be sure to find it or else make accompt it is vanished out of the world there is no great reckoning to be made of theyr force eyther way Then England with the more Northerne Kingdomes Scotland Denmarke and Sweden whose King notwitstanding is of the Roman saith now but hath few there that follow him they are accompted wholly to haue cast of the Papacie For albeit they make reckoning of many favourers in them as of fourtie thousand sure Catholikes in England alone with foure hundred English Roman Priests to mainteine that Militia who upon quarrell with the Iesuites affectors of superioritie and disgracers of all that refuse to depend upon them haue instantly of late demaunded a Bishop of the Pope to bee chosen by them and to bee resident among them but are crost in that desire by the countermine of an Arch-priest obtruâ—ed upon them by the practise of the Iesuites yet this is so small a proportion being compared with the whole as not to be esteemed especially seeing in Italy compted wholy theirs there are full fourty thousand professed Protestants that haue exercise of theyr Religion also in the Valleys of Piemont and Sâ—lâ—zzâ— besides sundry Gentlemen in Piemont who liue abroad and resort unto them In Lucca also a great part are thought favourers of the Reformation and some of that sort there are scattered in all places especially in the State of Venice But theyr paucitie and obseuritie shall enclose them in a cipher So that for Italy wee will accompt it wholly to stand for the Papacie True it is that the Princes and other free states of Italy little fauour the Popes enlarging in his temporall dominion at home beeing already of a large size in proportion with theirs and especially for those pretences which his sea neuer wanteth and those extraordinarie advantages which the concurrence of his spirituall supremacie by interdictions excommunications discharging oaths of obedience doth giue him aboue all other Princes in the world Which they also aboue all other men in the world haue greatest cause to feare both in regard of the huge multitude of Priests Praelates and Friers wherewith hee hath fortified him selfe exceedingly in all other states and in theirs aboue all excessiuely as also for that discontent which theyr cruell and crying extortions and oppressions by monopolies and taxes by impositions upon mens persons upon theyr lands and goods upon theyr viands and markets upon theyr trades and labours upon theyr successions upon theyr mariages in summe upon all beneficiall or easefull actions haue bred in theyr owne miserable and consumed subjects who wish rather that all Italy were reduced into the hands of some one naturall Potentate whose greedinesse how great soeuer they were able to satisfie and of the Popes aboue all mens who promiseth some more lenitie by his late example at Ferrara where hee remitted many imposts which theyr late Dukes had raysed than to bee thus dayly racked fleyed and devoured by so many petie tyrants as it were with theyr prolling Gabelliers whose ambitions and emulations whose prides and pleasures thirteene millions of yeerely revenew which Italy now yieldeth them is not able to exsatiate Howbeit though as I said for these important causes the Princes and States of Italy no way favour the Popes strength in his temporall at home considering withall what swelling and turbulent spirits mount sometimes into that chaire who haue purposely set Italy on a flaming fire that in the sacking of many them selues might get somewhat for the advauncing of such as nature and bloud did cause them to loue best yet on the contrary side for his spirituall power and soveraigntie abroad they wish it upheld and restored if it were possible both for the honour of theyr nation which is thereby the tryumphant Queene of of the world and much more for the commoditie which by vicinitie they and theyrs reape thence in more aboundance than all other together what by sharing as occasion serues in his booties abroad what by beeing alwayes in sight to receiue favours at home what by that which necessarily sticks to them in very passing through theyr territories Then to exclude any innovation theyr owne safetie and not quiet alone perswades them it beeing daungerous in a body so full of diseased and discontented humours to chaunge or stirre any thing seeing all alteration set humours on working and one humour on foote quickneth up all other what allured by sympathy what by antipathy provoked the end whereof is eyther the dissolving of nature by length of conflicts or the disburdening of nature by expelling that which before oppâ—est it For this cause no audience to be given to the Reformation as enemie to theyr peace which is the nurse of theyr riches and sole anchor of theyr â—atetie For it were but simplicitie to thinke that conscience and loue of truth did sway this deliberation the world having in most places done Religion that honour as to remoue it out of those secret darke Cabinets of the heart where the jealousie of some devout dreamers of the gardens of Paradise had imprisoned it and advanced it to the fairest sight and shew of the world even to make a very maske or viâ—ard of it with eyes and mouth fairely painted and proportioned to all pretences and purposes And other of yet more gallant free spirit haue giuen it a generall passe to goe whether it selfe list so it come not neere them It doth grieue me to speake yea the thought of it must needs bring horrour and detestation what a multitnde of Atheists doe braue it in all places there most where the Papacie is most in his prime what renouncers of God blasphemers of his sonne villanizers of his Saincts and scorners of his service who thinke it a glorious grace to adore the King of a Country but to name or thinke reverently of the Creatour of the World to proceed from a timorous very base mindednes abjectnes of so deepe reach and judgement are these pedlers in theyr proportions who know no other Magistrates but those of theyr parishes These men are favourable alike to all Religions but can best endure that wherein they are least checkt and may raunge with most impunitie But for the Souldiarie of this age a profession and exercise in old time reputed for an only Schoole of vertue but now infamed with all vice and villanie in old time such that the wisest Philosopher thought it reason sufficient why the Lacedaemonians were generally more vertuous than other Nations because they followed the warres more at this
the English Protestants to haue an English Church there none understanding their Language neither in Service nor Sermons yea and purging their Liturgie of whatsoever may seeme to impugne or deface their Religion if there be any thing in it of that offensiue quality as for my part I know nothing but think rather with great judgement it was purposely so framed out of the grounds of Religion wherein both sides doe agree that their very Catholikes might resort to it without scruple or scandall if faction more then reason did not sway Then for repairing to their sermons they know by experience they will not be backward especially hauing the opinion of great Divines is some say that it is not unlawfull And lastly what reason why they should not be as hopefull to gâ—â—ne English mens soules as Iews yes theyr hope is greater else would they not bee at such cost upon the one abroad and bestow so little labour upon the other at home To this question they would answer first that there were more danger of flocking away theyr people if they should haue but a bare view of our Reformed Churches as being more infectious and therefore no policie and secondly to what purpose the making of any such motion what need unto us and to them what profit This answere deduced from policie and profit I take to be the right answere also to the first principall question and neither of the former drawne from Iustice or Charitie For there is no cause of any feare at all either of the oppressed Graecian or of the obstinate Iew bearing a marke of ignominie and reproach in all places Yea they remaine rather as examples spectacles among them of contempt and miâ—crie the one for his ungratefull refusall of CHRIST himselfe the other for his sedition against Christs Vicar as they inferre against him Whereas to giue the Protestants any foot among them were the next way to leaue them selues no foot to stand on On the other side by extending pitie towards the afflicted and dismayed Graecian whom the hand of God hath layd as low as the very dust wee tread on they sow some hope of ranging him selfe againe under theyr subjection which were to them a reputation and strength inaestimable and such as cunningly by â—alse bruits they cause the world dayly to feed on Then â—or the Iew the profit by him is exceeding great and greater in proportion of number than by the very Courtizans and that as well to the Pope as to other Princes of Italy to whom they pay a yearly rent for the very heads they weare besides other meanes to â—acke and wracke them in theyr purses at pleasure Which gaine as it is a piece of the cause why the beastly trade of the one so is it the entire reason why the trade of the other is permitted they beeing used as the Friers to sucke from the meaner and to bee sucked by the greater in so much that the Pope besides theyr certein tribute doth some times as is said impose on them a subsedie of ten thousand Crowns extraordinary for some service of State Now to consider a little what probabilitie of theyr conversion in those parts and by the way to touch somwhat of Theyr Religion and usage thus stands theyr case They haue a Religion though somwhat strange to our conceipts as being framed not onely out of the Law of the old Bible but also out of sundry the straunger opinions of the auncienter Philosophers together with certein capriccious fancies and fables of the Rabbins yet so handsomly pieced and glewed together that one part seemes to hang to the other not absurdly And that which they hold they are so perfit in that they will giue both a profitable accompt thereof out of a certein morall Philosophy and reason wherein they are well seen as also make some shew for it out of the Bible it selfe wherein they are the skilfullest men I belieue in the World and needs must be so setting theyr Children to the Hebrew language at three yeers old and following no other studie saue of the Bible and writings upon it all theyr life long except certeine few that betake themselues to Phisick Touching God and his nature their opinions are for the most very honourable and holy saue that they deny the Trinity touching Angells but weake and soyled with much poetrie touching the nature and condition of man very exquisite and for the most part drawing neere unto truth But for the three States of the soule of man they runne some more straunge courses holding the creation of them all together before the bodies with sundry of the auncient both Divines and Philosophers the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of PITHAGORAS though not to different species and PLATOâ—S Purgatorie Of vertue and Vice and mans course in both they think not much amissâ— saue that to the expiation of sinne they hold nothing necessarie but the repentance of the sinner and the mercie of the forgiver which in that case is always ready For reward it commeth wholly from the bounty of God without desert yet different in degree according to the works of each man That the generall Law of all men is the Law of Nature onely which who so keeps it shall lead him to blisse in what Religion soever though the Hebrew unto whom MOSES Law was peculiarly given by observing it shall haue a greater praerogatiue of glory They prefer the civill life before the solitarie and mariage before Virginitie as being to nature more agreeable to mankind more profitable and consequently to God more acceptable Their beliefe of the end of the world and of the finall judgement of the restoring of mens bodies and of their happinesse everlasting in the heighth of the Heavens is good in the generall But as they think it a bad opinion which some of great name haue seemed to hold that God in his everlasting and absolute pleasure should affect the extreame miserie of any of his Creatures for the shewing of his Iustice and severity in tormenting them or that the calamitie casting away and damnation of some should absolutely and necessarily redound more to his glorie than the felicitie of them all considering that his nature is meere goodnesse and happinesse and hath no affinitie with rigour or miâ—erie so contrariwise they thinke with ORIGEN that Hell in the end shall be utterly abolished and that the Divells them selues after a long course of bitter repentance and punishment shall find mercie at his hands that did create them that the world may entirely be restored to that puritie wherein God at the first did make it and to that perfection and happinesse whereto each part of it in his severall degree was dâ—stined by him from whom nothing but goodnâ—s and blisfulnesse could proceed Their Liturgie in the kind of it is not different from ours consisting of Psalmes and Prayers with sundry shorter Hymns and responds of lessons one out of the Law and read by some chiefe