of a new Duke The Pope hauing aduise of this from the Nuntio how he had presented the Breues and how the Duke was deceased writ vnto him that he should Protest vnto the State and enioyne them not to passe on to a new Election in as much as it should be void being made by men excommunicated aiming by this new deuice to bring some confusion or diuision within the State as sometime it fals out at Rome in the Vacancie of the Chaire shewing himselfe herein vtterly ignorant of that Republique which doth not receiue any alteration by the change of their Dukes or by a Vacancie but remaineth still equally firme and stable The Nuntio to execute this command required audience of the State with great importunitie but he could not be admitted it being their custome not to heare any Ministers of Princes during the Vacancie vnlesse their businesse be that of condoling Whilst they applied themselues to the Election of a new Duke the Nuntio communicated to many persons the Commission which hee had to protest and besides another order which he had to see that hee did not any thing which might seeme to approue any of those proceedings They made remonstrance vnto him concerning this enterprise how important it was to attempt a thing vnheard of in the world and at once to confound matters Spirituall with the Temporall Briefly that it was an extreame iniury and irreparable not only to the State but year 1606 further to all Potentates and that in the Citie would not follow any alteration on this occasion but the iniury would excite all the world ioyntly to sustaine the publique dignity and peraduenture breake off all commerce with the Court of Rome He gaue notice vnto the Pope how he had not beene admitted to Audience by the Councellors and at the same time writ vnto him of all these considerations But the Electors did not long delay to acquit hemselues of their charge for the tenth of Ianuary M DC VI. by scrutiny according to the custome they elected vnto the Dukedome Leonardo Donato a Senator of all the rest without controuersie the most eminent for his life full of integritie for his experience in Gouerning and for his exquisite knowledge in all good Learning adorned besides with all heroicall vertues qualities rare in this age All Ambassadors forthwith went as the manner is to congratulate with the new Prince only the Nuntio neglected to doe that office till he had receiued answer from his Holinesse touching some considerations which he had sent by suggestion of some sage Prelats Yet though the Nuntio did not performe his complements the Duke did not omit to write vnto the Pope as the custome is and to giue him aduise of this Election Vpon this newes there went a rumor in Rome that the Pope had a purpose not to acknowledge the new Duke and although it came to the eares of the Ambassador yet he neglected not to visit all those who were neare the Pope declaring the certaine mischiefes that would ensue if this deliberation were executed that for his part he was resolued what to doe if his Holinesse should refuse the Letter which he was to present vnto him in the name of his Prince But the Pope whether moued with his discourses or by some aduice which he had from his Nuntio passed in silence that pretension receiued the Letter and answered the Duke congratulating with him for his Election and reuoked the Order formerly giuen to his Nuntio of not presenting himselfe to the Duke In the space of time which passed from the presentation of the Breues vntill the answer which was made by the Senate whereof we shall speake at all Audiences the Pope vrged to haue their resolution saying that they ought not to deferre for default of a Prince and that the Senate might well notwithstanding be assembled that they should not thinke to spend or gaine time by deliberations that he was an enemie of time that he had written in hope of the obedience of the Republique but if he had not a speedy answer hee would resolue vpon some other course and one time he said We will dispatch the next morning which afterward hee explained not to haue beene spoken affirmatiuely but only that he might not oblige himselfe to any limitted time but remaine free to doe what pleased him though he should lose his skin he would maintaine the cause of God and his owne reputation The opinion of the Court was that the Republique would submit and rather liberally bribe than trouble their peace that among the Senators many were scrupulous and therefore that in the streits of deliberation feare might produce good effects But at Venice the first affaire treated in Senate after the election of the Prince was this difference with the Pope and first an Ambassador was appointed in place of Leonardo Donato now made Duke who was Peter Duodo Knight and taking the Breues which they beleeued to be the one touching the Lawes the other the Prisoners after they had opened them they were both found of the same tenor and couched in the same termes In these Breues the Pope said in substance That it was come to his knowledge that the State in former yeeres had treated and ordained in their Councell many things contrary to Ecclesiasticall liberty and to the Canons Councels and constitutions Pontificall but among others that in the yeere M DC III. in the Councell of Ien hauing regard to certaine lawes of their Ancestors for bidding to erect Churches or other places of deuotion without permission in stead of abrogating and disanulling the old ordinances touching this matter they had againe reuiued and decreed the same and extended that statute which formerly onely concerned the Citie of Venice to all other places of their Dominion vnder great penalties as if Churches and persons Ecclesiasticall were in any sort subiect to the Temporall iurisdiction or hee who foundeth a Church were worthy of so rude a chastisement as if he had committed some great crime Moreouer that in the Moneth of May last past the Senate hauing regard to another law made in the yeere M D XXXVI whereby was prohibited the perpetuall alienation of Lay mens goods within the Citie and Dukedome of Venice to Ecclesiasticall places without permission of the Senate vnder certaine penalties in stead of reuoking that law as their dutie required they had againe renewed the same and extended that law with the penalties to all places of their Dominion as if it were lawfull for Temporall Princes to ordaine any thing to exercise any iurisdiction or to dispose in any sort without the Ecclesiastiques and particularly without leaue from the Pope of the goods of the Church especially of such goods as haue beene giuen vnto Churches persons Ecclesiasticall and other places of deuotion by the faithfull for remedie of their sins and discharge of their consciences That these ordinances tending to the damnation of soules to publique scandall and also contrary
both reall and personall greater or lesser according to the exigence of times and places which hath bin also practised in other Realmes and Principalities being alwayes exempted as well by Emperours as other Princes from the power of inferiour Magistrates but not from their owne Soueraigne authority That the Exemptions granted by Popes vnto the Order of the Clergie haue not beene admitted in some places and in others admitted only in part and that they haue been valide only so farre as they haue beene receiued that notwithstanding any Exemption the Prince hath still Power ouer their persons and goods whensoeuer necessity constraines him to serue himselfe of them And if at any time they should abuse such Exemption to the perturbation of the publique tranquillitie that the Prince is obliged to prouide a remedy Another point of their Doctrine was that the Pope ought not to thinke himselfe infallible vnlesse where God hath promised him his Diuine assistance which some Moderne Doctors say to bee onely in necessary points of Faith and when hee vses fit meanes to that purpose of diuine Inuocation and of Ecclesiasticall consultations But the authority of Binding and Loosing ought to bee vnderstood with this Caution claue non crrante seeing God hath commanded the Pastor to follow the Merit and Iustice of the Cause and not his owne inclination that when the Pope vpon any difference with Princes passes on to thunder out his Censures it is permitted vnto the Doctors to consider whether he hath proceeded claue errante aut non errante And the Prince when he is assured that the Censures thundred against him his Estates and subiects are inualide may and ought for the conseruation of publique peace hinder the execution thereof preseruing his Religion and the reuerence due to the Church and that according to the doctrine of S. Augustine the Excommunication of a multitude or of Him who commandeth and is followed by a great number of people is pernicious and sacrilegious that the new name of Blinde Obedience inuēted by Ignatius Loiola vnknown to the Anciēt Church and to al good Diuines taketh away the essence of that vertue which ought to work by certain knowledge and election exposeth vs to the dāger of offending God doth not excuse him who is deceiued by the Ghostly Father and may ingender seditions as it hath beene seene within these forty yeares since that abuse hath beene introduced On the contrary the Doctrine of the Romane Writers or Papalins affirmed That the Temporall Power of Princes is subordinate to the Power Ecclesiasticall and subiect to it consequently that the Pope hath authority to depriue Princes of their Estates for their faults and errors which they cōmit in Gouernment yea though they haue not committed any fault when the Pope shall iudge it fit for the good of the Church that the Pope may free Subiects frō their obedience and from their oath of Fidelity which they owe vnto their Princes in which case they are obliged to cast off all subiection and euen to pursue the Prince if the Pope command it And although they all agreed to hold these Maximes yet they were not at accord touching the manner for they that were touched with a little shame said so great an authority did not reside in the Pope because Iesus Christ had giuen him any Temporall authority but because this was necessary for the Spirituall Wherefore Iesus Christ giuing Spirituall authority had giuen also indirectly the Temporall which was a vain shift seeing they made no other difference then of Words But the greater part of these men spake plainly that the Pope hath all Authority in heauen and earth both Spirituall and Temporall ouer all Princes of the World no otherwise then ouer his Subiects and vassals that he might correct them for any fault whatsoeuer that he is a Temporall Monarque ouer all the earth that from any Temporall Soueraigne Prince men might appeale to the Pope that he might giue Lawes to all Princes and annull those which were made by Them For the Exemption of Ecclesiastiques they all with one voyce denied that they held it by the grace and priuiledge of Princes although their Lawes to that purpose Constitutions and Priuiledges be yet extant but they were not agreed how they had receiued it some of them affirming that it was de iure diuino others that it came by Constitutions of Popes and Councels But all consented vpon this that they are not Subiects to the Prince euen in case of treason and that they are not bound to obey the Lawes vnlesse it were vi directiuâ And some passed so farre as to say that the Ecclesiastiques ought to examine whether the Lawes Commands of the Prince beiust and whether the people be obliged to obey them and that they owe not vnto the Prince either contributions or customes or obedience that the Pope cannot erre or faile because he hath the assistance of the Holy Spirit and therefore that it is necessary to obey his Commandements whether they be iust or vniust that to Him appertaines the clearing of all difficulties so as it is not lawfull for any to depart from his resolution nor to make reply though the resolution be vniust that though all the World differ in opinion from the Pope yet it is meet neuerthelesse to yeeld to Him and he is not excused from sinne who followes not his aduice though all the world iudge it to be false Their bookes were also full of such other Maximes that the Pope is a God vpon earth a Sunne of iustice a Light of religion that the iudgement and sentence of God and the Pope is one same thing as also the Tribunall and the Court of the Pope and God that to doubt of the power of the Pope is as much as to doubt of the power of God And it is notable what Card. Bellarmine hath boldly written that to restraine the obedience due vnto the Pope to things concerning the Saluation of the Soule is to bring it to nothing that Saint Paul appealed to Caesar who was not his Iudge and not to S. Peter lest the by-standers should haue laughed at him that the holy Bishops of old shewed themselues subject to Emperors because the times so required Others adioyned further that then it was meet to introduce the Empire of the Pope by little and little it being a thing vnseasonable to despoile Princes newly conuerted of their Estates and also to permit some thing vnto them for to interesse them Other like discourses they made which many godly Persons abhorred to read and reputed them blasphemies Furthermore the manner of treating on the one part and on the other was very different inasmuch as the Writings of the Popes partisans and especially of the Iesuites were full of railings detractions iniuries and slanders against the Republique and their Doctors full also of many motiues to sedition But the Writings of the Venetians following the intention of the Senate were full of all kinds
Iesuites other Religious which tooke part with the Pope as also to their friends accompanying them with seditious letters And thus they continued sending during some weekes in forme of pacquets or blancs with inscription to any whomsoeuer whose name they knew One thing was much wondred at that in the vulgar Copie printed in the Vatican this clause of the imprisonment of the Abbot and the Canon had beene adioyned And haue committed the knowledge of their cause vnto the Secular Magistrate of the Signiory named the Auogardor which clause was not in the Latine copie That which caused the wonder was that such commission was neuer giuen and men could not penetrate to what end this falshood could serue them The Monitorie was addressed to the Patriarches Archbishops Bishops their Vicars Generall and to all the Ecclefiastiques Secular and Regular hauing Ecclefiasticall dignitie within the Estate of the Republique of Venice The Pope by this Monitorie declared that some Months before it was come to his knowledge that the Duke and Senate of Venice some yeeres before had made some Decrees contrary to the authoritie of the See Apostolique and against the Ecclefiasticall immunitie repugnant vnto the Generall Councels to the Canons and Constitutions of Popes and specially he made mention in the first place of that ordinance in the yeere M DC II. by which Ecclefiasticall persons were forbidden to receiue or purchase goods immoueable vnder shadow that themselues were thereof the direct Lords their right notwithstanding being not hereby impeached In the second place he mentioned that of the yeere M DC III. by which the prohibition to build Churches or other places of deuotion without leaue was extended to all the State In the third place that of the yeere M DC V. which in like manner extended to all the State a prohibition to alienate for euer any goods immoueable Secular or Lay to men of the Church In the fourth place he spake of the restraint of the Canon of Viçença and the Abbot of Neruese adioyning that some of those Lawes abolished the rights which the Church had euer inioyed and tended to the preiudice of his authoritie of the rights of the Church and of the priuiledges of persons Ecclefiasticall in briefe of Ecclefiasticall liberty all of them tending to the danger of the soules both of the Duke and of all the Senators and also to the great scandall of many others That they which had made these Lawes had incurred the Censures the confiscation of their fiefs from which they could not be absolued but by the Pope and by reuoking first all these statutes and ordinances and by restoring all things into the former estate But forasmuch as the Duke and Senate after sundry fatherly admonitions had not daigned to reuoke their Lawes or to render the Prisoners he who might not in any sort endure that Ecclefiasticall liberty and immunitie together with the authoritie of the See Apostolique should be violated following the example of ten of his predecessors there recited many others with the counsell consent of the Cardinals after mature deliberation although the Decrees aforesaid were of themselues void and of no value neuerthelesse hee did now declare them to be such And further he did Excommunicate declare pronounce for Excommunicated as if they had beene particularly named the Duke and the Senate which then were and which should be hereafter together with all their fauourers counsellors and adherents if within the terme of foure and twentie daies to be counted from the day of the publication which he appointed in three termes each of eight daies the Duke and the Senate did not reuoke abrogate and disannull the Decrees aforesaid and all that which had followed thereupon without any exception or excuse and if they caused not to be openly in all places published that abrogation of the Lawes and the restitution of all that which had beene done in consequence thereof with promise not to doe any more such acts for the time to come and to giue account of all these things to himselfe as also actually render into the hands of his Nuntio the Canon and the Abbot That from this Excommunication they could not be absolued but by the Pope except it were in the point of death in which case if any one receiuing absolution should afterwards recouer his health he should againe fall within this same Excommunication if he did not so farre as in him lay obey this his commandement That vntill they had obeyed he did forbid to bury any one deceased in holy places And if after the foure and twenty daies the Duke and Senate should continue three daies longer obstinate he put all their State vnder the Interdict in such sort that none might celebrate Masses or Diuine Seruices except in forme in places and cases granted by common right And he depriued the Duke and Senate of all their goods which they held of the Church of Rome or of other Churches as also of all their Priuiledges and indults obtained by it and specially of that priuiledge inabling them to proceed against Clarkes in certaine cases reseruing to Himselfe and his Successors power to aggrauate and reaggrauate the Censures and penalties against them and against their adherents fauourers counsellers others and to passe vnto other paines and remedies if they persisted in their contempt not withstanding c. Commanding all Patriarks Archbishops Bishops and other Ecclefiastiques vnder penalty c. respectiuely that after they had receiued these letters or had thereof notice they should publish them in their Churches when their people were fully assembled and cause them to be affixed to the Church doores Ordaining that they should giue credit vnto the Copies hereof imprinted being first signed by a Notarie and sealed with the seale of some one promoted to Ecclefiasticall dignity And that the publication made in Rome should oblige as much and haue like force as if there had beene personall intimation SECOND BOOKE THe publication of a Monitorie so rude suddenly and vnexpectedly thundered out against a State so great and puissant troubled the Ministers of Princes which resided with his Holinesse The Marquis of Chastillon Ambassador for the Emperour whether because it seemed vnto him that the interests of his Master did so require or because he had his owne estate confining vpon the Venetians made great instance with the Pope to deferre a while at which his Holinesse was little moued either for that he esteemed this Office of small consideration as proceeding from a Minister and not from direction of his Master or because hee lightly regarded the Emperour himselfe or his interests as standing in need of his aid in the war against the Turkes For these reasons whensoeuer he iudged fit to communicate of this affaire with the Ambassadors he neglected in a maner the Emperours But the Marquis seeing how little account was made of his Office and interuention in this businesse sent to the Emperour to the end that he
THE HISTORY OF THE QVARRELS OF POPE PAUL V. WITH The State of VENICE IN SEVEN BOOKS Faithfully translated out of the Italian and compared with the French Copie LONDON Printed by John Bill Printer to the Kings most Excellent Maiesty M. DC XXVI TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE SIR THOMAS COVENTREY KNIGHT L. KEEPER OF THE Great Seale of England One of his Maiesties most Honourable Priuie Counsell My most Honoured Lord THe Author of this Excellent Historie was the same wise and worthy Frier who of late with so great iudgement and fidelitie hath reuealed vnto the World that piece of the Mystery of Iniquity those Arcana Imperij Pontificij in the History of the Trent Councell which shall bee a lasting Monument of his memorie and Fame to all Posterity His owne Countrey-men knew well how to value and reward his Vertues iudging him a Person capable to assist in their Highest Counsels of State But at Rome his goodnesse easily merited the extreme hatred of the Courtiers though hee liued and died in the outward Cōmunion of that Church so farre that they sentenced and martyred him in his Picture being defeated in their reall attempt vpon his Person as a Mezzo Lutherano an Heretique such as are in their account all those that cannot beleeue that thirteenth Article of the Roman Creed Subesse Romano Pontifici c. est de necessitate salutis In these Annals Your Lordship may see the naturall Power of all Soueraigne Princes and Law-giuers first rudely assaulted by Him who will needs bee Perpetuall Dictator at Rome and giue Lawes at his pleasure to all the World then generously asserted and vindicated by that most Prudent and Illustrious Common-wealth which though one of the most aged in Europe hath still maintained it selfe fresh and flourishing amidst all the Confusions and Alterations of Italy an indubitable argument that it is a Body well complexion'd and foundded vpon sollide Rules of good Policy The Translator presumes to put this Piece into Your Honourable Hands not as prizing so highly his owne performance which is but weake like Himselfe then whom none is more conscious of infirmities but encouraged hereto both by Your Benignity and by the Dignitie of the Worke it selfe from which hee knowes Your Lordships Wisedome will draw many serious and important Considerations Also his priuate Interests binde him publiquely and vpon all occasions to professe his very very deepe obligation to Your Honour such as He can neuer satisfie He could speake largely in Your Praise and the common Voice of the People would acquit him from suspition of flatterie which naturally Hee abhorres the Kingdome generally being much comforted to obserue the great Iudgement of our most Gracious Soueraigne and his loue to the Publique in his choice of so Able and worthy an Officer But hee forbears lest He should offer violence to Your Modesty and refers Your Goodnesse to God and Your owne good Conscience to bee more really recompenced Finally Hee euery day heartily blesses God to see this Church so happy in so great a Friend and an Example of Religion and this State in so great a Patrone and Patterne of Equity The same God of Grace continue long Your Lordship an Instrument of his Glory and multiply all his Mercies vpon Your owne Person Your most Religious Ladie and Your Hopefull Children This is the Prayer of Your Lordships sincerely and thankefully deuoted C. P. TO THE READER THe Ambition of Princes hath many goodly shrouds and disguisements it vsually borrowes the false beautie of apparences to bleare vulgar eyes and to elude or pacifie Opinions But among the rest it hath none either more potent to this effect or more malicious than when it gilds it selfe with the colour of Religion and assumes the couerture of Pietie For this is to write God himselfe the Author of all their vsurpations and to cast vpon that Infinite Iustice the patronage the shame and dishonour of all their publique Robberies Oppressions and Violences The Pagan Tyrants of old though they were not more iust yet they were more modest They had a more venerable conceit of their Gods such as they were then to entitle them to their owne vniust actions And therefore when by plaine force or fraud they tooke from lawfull Princes their Crownes and Kingdoms they professed ingenuously herein to neglect Piety and Iustice hence that Maxime of theirs regnandi causâ violandum est ius In caeteris rebus pietatem colas But among vs Christians to the great blemish of our most holy Faith and the scandall of Infidels wee haue Two great Catholiques the one a King the other a Bishop who vnder the faire pretence of Piety haue already inuaded a great part of the World and in their hopes deuoured it all The former vnder shadow of Conuerting the West-Indies hath depopulated them baptized those poore Paynims in their owne bloud and to make them Christians hath made them no men And no doubt it was meerely respects of Conscience and pure zeale for the Church against Heresie that moued him to seaze vpon Nauar Sicily c. to imbroile all France with that damned Holy League and now lately to depriue the Grisons of the Valtoline and that most Noble Prince Palatine of his ancient Inheritance For it seemes it is a part of their Gospell in Spaine that the Catholique Faith cannot subsist without the Catholique Monarchy And it seemes they are aliue againe whom that noble Britaine of old in Tacitus called raptores Orbis quos non Oriens non Occidens satiaucrit auferre trucidare falsis nominibus Imperium atque vbi solitudinem faciunt pacem appellant I am sure whosoeuer lookes vpon the present miserable Face of Europe euery where mourning and labouring vnder his Armes or Artifices will confesse that if he aduance his Conquests a little further though euery good man will abhor the Omen and humbly pray the Lord God to auert it he will quickly lead all Europe in triumph make the Pope himselfe become his Chaplaine turne all Kingdoms into his Prouinces Plant them with Colonies of Moores or Indians all Princes to be petty Officers of his House and send the meane people to dig in his Mines or to fish Him some Pearles in America The worst is he preuailes not so much by his owne Vertue as by our sinfull security who are become 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fallen from the innocence wisdome and courage of our Auncestors if betimes we looke not to it our Posterity will haue occasion to curse vs for betraying their Liberty The Lord of Hosts goe out with the Armies of our most religious and worthy Soueraigne and send him Counsell and Strength and good Successe in these his iust and necessary Warres so as all that hate Him may flee before Him For the Other who qualifies himselfe the Catholique Bishop it s a pitty to reade how he inchanted the World in former times with the formidable names of S. Peters Keyes and his Swords of the Romane Succession
whatsoeuer with such persons an Edict which doubtlesse had beene highly commended by some former Popes But this man after it had beene represented vnto him approued the law in it selfe but said neuerthelesse that the Republique of Luca had no authority to make any such ordinance which touched Religion howsoeuer it were in it selfe good and holy for as much as Laiques haue not any power to decree in matter of Religion although the Law be in fauour thereof And therefore he absolutely commanded that the Edict should be rased out of their Records hauing an intention to make another the same in substance but to publish it by his Pontificall authoritie The other was that the Republique of Genoa being aduertised that the Gouernours of certaine Lay Fraternities instituted by deuotion had not dispensed the Reuenew with requisite fidelitie resolued to examine and renew their accounts and to this effect commanded that the Bookes should bee brought vnto the Duke And in the same Citie there happened a thing of much greater importance occasioned by a new institution of an Oratorie of Secular persons in the House of the Iesuites for Christian exercises wherein they of that Congregation conspired not to fauour any but of their owne Society in the distribution of Magistracies Whereof the State hauing notice by publique authoritie they tooke order to prohibite all such Assemblies These Decrees which indeed commended the pietie of that Republique as desirous to prouide against the euill husbanding of temporall goods giuen to pious vses and to preuent all vnlawfull conuenticles and assemblies which vnder pretext of Religion tend to the ruine of Cōmmon-wealths were not expounded in the true sence nor well accepted by the Pope but contrarily he was much offended and gaue the Republique to vnderstand that these Ordinances were against the Liberty Ecclesiastical and therefore expressely he enioyned them to reuoke their Edicts otherwise he threatned to thunder out his Censures Hee made great instance to the State of Venice that they would succour the Emperour with money for the warre of Hungarie against the Turke offering himselfe in case the Senate should make difficultie for feare of prouoking against themselues so puissant an Enemie to receiue it secretly and passe it vnderhand that it should not be perceiued In which treatie hee and his Nuntio vsed a forme of discourse not like as when one Prince represents vnto another their common interests but like one which demandeth some extraordinary contributions from his subiects And therefore after some modest words of answer at last for a finall resolution the Senate said that for the conseruation of their Estates they were forced to make great expenses and to prouide for many diffidences which hindred that they could not apply themselues to any new enterprises that it was necessary first of all to settle a perfect intelligence among Christian Princes to the end that hauing quitted all suspitions they might being well vnited entend the oppression of that common Enemie that whensoeuer any ouerture vnto a good Vnion should be offered the State would not be the last that should take armes against the enemies of Christianitie This answer seemed strange vnto the Pope as perswading himselfe conformably to the doctrine of the moderne Canonists that he might command any Prince to doe whatsoeuer he thinkes expedient for the common good of Christendome neuerchelesse he iudged not meet to ground his Quarrell vpon this but vpon some other occasion which in pretence at least might be more spirituall and trench more neerely vpon the See Apostolique Wherefore first onely in generall termes he treated that the Ecclesiasticall libertie might not be in any fashion violated but rather that iurisdiction restored entire this was the talke of his Nuntio in Venice and of himselfe at Rome to the Embassador of the Signiory After comming to particulars hee mentioned some affaires concerning Nauigation and the imposition vpon oyles and touching an exchange on the coast of Romagna for the Marquisate of Ancona assaying by all meanes to make the State receiue his commandements Further he proposed the reuocation of an Ordinance made by the Senate the eleuenth of December MDCIIII forbidding the Subiects of the Signiory to set forth any Vessels by sea or to make any assurances or companies for the traffique of any merchandize whatsoeuer to be exported out of the State of Venice into foraine countries vnlesse first it passed by Venice alledging that this would hinder the great importations and abundance in the Estate of the Church and by consequent was against the Ecclesiasticall Libertie But being answered that euery Prince commands his subiects that which may serue for the commoditie of his owne Estate without considering what may follow thereupon to neighbour Princes which cannot iustly be therewith offended howsoeuer they may be in some sort endamaged and that whensoeuer his Holinesse shall commaund his Subiects any thing which may turne to the profit of his Gouernment the State would not take it in euill part nor esteeme it against their Libertie the Pope perceiued by this essay that thus he could not compasse his intention there being not any shadow of pretext to fetch this controuersie within the bounds of things Spirituall For this reason so soone as he could apprehend an occasion which might more probably be thought Spirituall leauing the rest he setled his proiects and purposes wholly vpon this The occasion was that at Vicenza one Scipio Sarraceno Canon there of a Church who had with great contempt defaced the Seale of the Magistrate which was put to for the custodie of the Bishops Court of Chancery at the request of the Chancellor the See being vacant did his vtmost endeuour to seduce a Damosell his kinswoman and preuailing not with her after he had long molested and pursued her in publique and euen in the Church at last in a despitefull outrage he shamefully defiled her portall and house doores with his excrements for which cause being assisted by some Gentlemen of her family she came to Venice and there put in her complaint against this Canon who being called readily presented himselfe The Canon had a kinsman Bishop of Citta Nuoua a man very busie and enterprising who serued in Venice for a Guide and Counseller to all the Nuntio's and Ministers of the Pope and by his counsels directed all their actions and the Nuntio's had expresse order to communicate with him their Commissions By his meanes the Nuntio was moued in this affaire who both by his owne disposition was vehemently desirous to procure for the Clergie a licentious exemption and but a little before was come to Venice with that designe The Nuntio then and this Bishop speedily gaue aduice of this businesse vnto the Pope and to the Bishop of Vienza who was then in Court who thereupon treated together and mutually excited themselues to the defence of the Canon and of the Ecclesiasticall Libertie Both the one and the other spake of this matter to Augustin Nani Embassador of
make them depart as well by meanes of the Nuntio as of another Minister of a certaine Prince who for foure daies space hanted their Couent at last they gained them by suggesting that all the world would cast their eyes vpon the Capuchines and that their resolution would be a definitiue sentence of the validitie or inualiditie of the Monitorie Wherefore since their opinion would be infallibly followed and embraced by all the world they now had a faire occasion offered to merit much of the Holy See Which did puffe them vp in such sort that they went to the Prince to declare vnto him that they could not remaine and Father Theodore de Bergamasco the Companion of the Prouinciall passed so far as that he had the boldnesse to say that their condition was much differing from the condition of the other Religious whose actions were of small importance but the Capuchins ought to be the rule of all the rest all the world hauing an eye to them for to take example whether to esteeme the Popes Censures or to contemne them Now the terme of 24. daies prefixed in the Monitorie approaching the Iesuites were required on the 9. of May to giue a certaine resolution who then declared their equiuocation by refusing to say Masse which they said was not contrary to their former promise inasmuch as the Masse for the excellencie of it is not cōprehended vnder the name of Diuine Offices And certes it was a pretty inuention to offer themselues to doe Diuine Seruices and then after to exclude the Masse because of its excellence and all others likewise because they had not wont to celebrate them and so by this shift to promise all things and performe nothing to the Republique as also to abide within the State and yet withall to keepe the Interdict according to the intention of the Pope Hereupon the same day the point was put in consultation and it was determined in full Senate to send the Grand Vicar of the Patriarke for to receiue and take into his charge all the ornaments and iewels of the Church with commandement vnto the Iesuites that they should speedily auoid the Countrey Letters also were written to the Gouernours of Cities that they should cause them to depart from the places of their Iurisdiction The Iesuites of Venice vnderstanding this resolution called tumultuously vnto the Church their deuoted ones from whom they drew a very great summe of money and perswaded the Capuchines that at their parting they should goe forth in Procession with the Holy Sacrament seditiously intending to moue the people if it had been possible And the euening being come they demanded of the Magistrates to be assisted by publique Officers for their securitie which was accorded vnto them But here with not contenting themselues they sent to request the Ambassador of France that it would please him to let them be attended by his Seruants which he did not thinke fit seeing they had already a publike guard In the end that euening they departed two houres within night each one carying the Holy Host at his necke to intimate that Iesus Christ departed with them to this spectacle there were assembled a great multitude of people as well by land as by water And whē the Superior who last of al entred the Barque demāded Benediction of the Viccar of the Patriarch who was there straight a voice was raised by all the people crying in the language of that Country Andè in mall ' hora Goe with a vengeance or in the Deuils name These men in the meane while had hid in the Citie vessels and precious ornaments of the Church many bookes and the best moueables of their House which they left in a manner void All the next day there remained the relikes of a fire in two places where they had burned an incredible quantitie of writings They left also a good number of cruses to melt mettals the noise whereof being heard thorow the Citie which scandalized the few deuoted ones which were left there the Father Posseuine writ and his letter was publikely seene that these cruses were not to melt gold or siluer as they were slandred but only for to accōmodate their bonnets Shortly there remained not any thing of importance within the House saue the Library bequeathed vnto them by the Arch-Bishop Leuys Molino Bishop of Treuiso which was found with in their Armories and a case of bookes forbidden in a place separate But at Padua were found many Copies of a certaine Writing containing eighteene rules vnder this title Regulae aliquot seruandae vt cum Orthodoxâ Ecclesiâ verè sentiamus that is to say Rules which ought to be obserued to the end that our Beleefe may be conformable to that of the Orthodox Church in the seuenteenth whereof there is a prescription to take heed how men presse or inculcate too much the grace of God and in the third it is ordained that men must beleeue the Hierarchicall Church although it tell vs that that is blacke which our eye iudgeth to be white Before their parting they left vnto their Penitents some instructions how they ought to gouerne themselues in the obseruation of the Interdict The Iesuites being thus gone there seemed small cause of feare for the other Religious that they would breed any trouble But vpon the bruit which ran of the Capuchines and Theatines who said that they must needs keepe the Interdict there were some that imputed this manner of proceeding in them to a feeblenesse of conscience easie to be deceiued and so condoled with them and desired they might be tolerated Others more aduised seeing well that this did proceed from their ambition to seem better than others with designe to be fauoured by his Holinesse detested their hypocrisie But the Senate reputing it not agreeable to that reason and iustice which they vsed in matters of State nor to the seruice of God and tranquillitie of Religion and that on the contrary in times so calamitous such a noueltie might bring much danger if within the State it were permitted that any Ecclesiastique should obserue the Iuterdict gaue order that all those who were not disposed to continue the Diuine Seruices should retire out of their Dominions Whereupon the Capuchines Theatines and the reformed Franciscanes departed from Venice and others Religious were appointed to the Gouernment of their Churches But the Capuchines in the Territories of Brescia and Bergamo where there were no Iesuites to seduce them did not accord with the other but remained and continued their Diuine Seruices without any innouation for which they were bitterly persecuted by their Superiours at Rome with Excommunications and other Spirituall penalties although without effect as touching their Temporalls because the Prince had taken them into his protection and for the Spirituals they defended themselues by some Writings which were published vpon very good groūds being men well learned and of great prudence who were not carried to take any resolution but with the
safety of their consciences The Capuchines of Venice according to the intention of the Iesuites would haue gone out with solemnity thereby to moue a tumult but being therein hindered they celebrated that morning only one Masse and consumed all the holy Sacrament of the Eucharist which was preserued in their Church and concluded the Masse without giuing Benediction vnto the people They left also to their Deuotes diuers instructions for to obserue the Interdict as did likewise the Theatines But in such a confusion and in so great haste being not able to consult together they did not well accord with the Iesuites as also the Iesuites disagreed amongst themselues whence it came to passe that their adherents proceeded diuersly some being of opinion that all the Sacraments administred by the Priests that stayed were nullities and therefore that it was not lawfull to adore the holy Eucharist as before Others esteemed that to heare Masse was only a veniall sinne and others held it a sin most grieuous although the Sacrament were truely celebrated Of these instructions and of the different wayes of obseruing them are yet to bee seene the Writings published by their Fauourers The Iesuites being departed retired themselues to Ferrara Bologna and Mantua neighbouring places where they might receiue the consulations of their friends and readily send their answers as also employ themselues to excite more easily some sedition whether by their emissaries or by their frequent letters The other Religious likewise which were gone retired in like maner to Milan Ferrara Bologne Mantua where they were seene with an euill eye by the other Religious of the same Orders as those who were come to spend part of their commodities And the Superiours of Houses complained that though by this meanes the mouthes were doubled yet the Pope had not sent any other prouision but Indulgences and they said openly that if other succour did not come from Rome they could not continue to make such expence nor to furnish so many persons with Vestiments And it is certaine that the Capuchines which departed out of the State of Venice to the number of eight hundred could not finde at least all of them any conuenient retrait so as many of them died for want of sustenance At Venice they communicated to all Ambassadors and Agents of Princes all that had passed and also writ vnto the Ministers of the Republique in all Courts how that the Nuntio was recalled that their Ambassador had been dismissed that the Republique iudged all things done herein by the Pope meere nullities that they were resolued to liue Catholiques and to defend themselues At Rome men held for constant that the Monitorie would cause three notable effects The first that the Religious would all depart the Countrey and so the Interdict at least by necessitie should be obserued The second that the Cities and people seeing themselues depriued of Diuine Offices Exercises would seditiously be moued and send to the Prince to giue satisfaction to his Holinesse The third that vpon this occasion the Nobilitie might be disordered grieued and terrified so diuided amongst themselues Vpon these hopes and considerations they suffered to slip not onely the foure and twenty daies before determined but many more during which the Iesuites tho absent put in worke all their artifices But they saw at Rome that neither the Censures nor the sleights of the Iesuites did worke any great effect nor produced the commotions which they had figured so that except the Iesuites banished the Capuchines and Theatines dismissed no other Order was departed and the Diuine Seruice was celebrated after the custome yea oftentimes with more solemnitie the people comming to the Churches in greater multitudes and some of them now frequented the Seruice which at other times had not beene so diligent The Senate was greatly vnited in their deliberations the Citie of Venice and the inhabitants kept themselues in all quiet obedience and the Cities of the Estate which till then had not sent their Deputies to the new Duke for congratulation did now performe that duty without any regard or respect vnto the Monitorie already published further declaring openly that in things temporall they would not acknowledge or obey any other power whatsoeuer And this so great a tranquillitie did not onely proceed from the voluntarie obedience of the people but also from the prouidence of the Senate and the diligence of the Magistrates which prouided for all accidents and this great affaire was conducted with so much prudence and dexteritie that no bloud of any man was shed for contempt or rebellion euery man admiring that so great a Body and Gouernment should be kept vpright without any violence or execution For touching the commandements giuen vnto the Eeclesiastiques vnder paine of death they were giuen in that sort at the instance and request of those amongst them who being voluntarily disposed to execute them desired neuerthelesse some pretext to excuse themselues The Court of Rome blamed the actions of the Pope and those which spake least to his disaduantage said that though his cause had beene neuer so iust yet in his proceeding he had vsed too great celeritie and too too excessiue confidence On the other side they commended the prudence of the Venetians who hauing receiued so vehement a shocke had yet retained their state in repose and tranquillitie After this came to Rome the Father Antony Barison who had taken poste to goe tell the Pope what was said at Ferrara from whence he came and at other places confining vpon the State of Venice where the reasons of the Republique were approued and notwithstanding he incited the Pope to preserue the Pontificall dignity The Pope made great complaints in the Consistorie that the Interdict was not obserued by the Ecclesiastiques and he required the Cardinals that euery one of them would with great care thinke of some remedy and make vnto him report a part Neuerthelesse the Cardinals did not beleeue that as well the Ecclesiastiques as the people for the most part were perswaded that the Censures were nullities rather they conceiued that there was in them a disposition to obserue them but that they expected some occasion to come to that effect wherefore they esteemed it good to giue occasion by exciting the Religious to some new practises either by abstaining from Diuine Offices or by departing out of the State This was the reason why the Cardinals Protectors of the Regulars together with their Superiors which were in the Court of Rome and in other places of Italie did what they could with them with menaces of Censures paines and other euils corporall and spirituall as also with promises of graces honours dignities not only to the Chiefe but further to each particular if they would obserue the Interdict or retire themselues But they dealt one way with the Monks and other Regulars endowed another way with the Mendicants To these they said that being not able to remaine and obserue entirely
serue himselfe of this pretext for to inuade some part of their Estate as sometimes it had fallen out among Christians but onely by reason of State they made some light prouisions when they saw the Pope resolued to passe on to Consures For this cause they suddenly writ to the Prouisor Generall in Candie to send his Gallies into the Gulfe They established also Philip Pasqualigo with soueraigne authoritie ouer all the Isles of the Leuant And further they commanded the Prouisor Generall in Dalmatia to leuie 400. footmen out of Albany and Croatia vnder foure Captaines for to distribute them into ten long Barques 40. to a Barque prepared to that effect They elected also 30. Gouernours of Gallies to be readily armed if necessitie should require Benedicto Moro Procureur of S. Marc was also elected Prouisor Generall for the firme Land But the Pope hauing regard to an euill humour which was in his Estate not onely for the custome of the people which are neuer contented with a Gouernment which tends more to the commoditie of those that gouerne then of them that are gouerned but also for some particular defaults of his Pontificate caused a reuiew to be made of men drawne out of those which are appointed to carry armes within his Estate He made also some feeble reparations at Rimini and at Ancona and to assure himselfe of Ferrara where most danger was to be feared hauing therein onely 500. footmen and 45. horse he adioyned more a 1000. foot After hee banished from Romagna and from the Marquisate of Ancona all strangers commanding that all the Natiues should come home But hauing receiued the Letters from Spaine he esteemed it necessarie to maintaine the reputation which he thought he had acquired with some effects and by the feare of Temporall armes to induce them to yeeld vnto the Spirituall to make the greatest preparations of Warre that he could possibly wherein not withstanding he was many waies hindred For first there was an extreme want of victuals at Rome and in all his Estate which made men cry out at Rome and elsewhere for Bread and Peace which famine likewise afflicted the neighbouring places especially Naples Abruzzo whereas on the cōtrary in the Venetian Dominions there was great abundance of all things He cōsidered further the danger of the riuer of Romagna which lay opē exposed vnto incursions the people of that Country being well affected vnto the Venetian Name for the great necessary commodities which by cōmerce they receiued frō them The inhabitants of Ferrara were likewise suspected by him for remedy whereof he tooke from the Cardinall Aldobrandin that Legation which Pope Clement the 8. had giuen him irreuocably during his life Hee tooke away also that of Bologna from the Cardinall Montalto who had kept it eighteene yeeres and created Legate at Ferrara the Cardinall Spinola and at Bologna the Cardinall Iustinian and in Romagna the Cardinall Caietan holding them but little affected to the State of Venice He made likewise some preparations but very slender in the maritime Townes He conuayed the siluer stuffe cups chalices crosses from the Chappell of Loretto vnder pretence to keepe it safer Hee sent to Ferrara Lucio Sauelli to command there the men of warre where hauing caused the Citizens to haue beene disarmed and the Artillery of the Castle to be turned vpon the City and all Strangers to be banished who had not any traffique of consideration he increased the Garrison to the number of eighteene hundred foot and one hundred horse changing the Guard of the Cittadell euery ten daies out of distrust and wanting Armes he tooke away those of Meldola which the Pope Clement had giuen by a Breue to Iohn Francis Aldobrandin In Romagna he published a new Ban that all Strangers should be gone and the Natiues returne He prouided Rauenna of two hundred foot Ceruia of three hundred and Ancona only of forty because that Citie would keepe it selfe He put in Garrison by the Sea-coasts some Souldiers taken out of them who were chosen in Villages to beare Armes which he was forced often to change because they were not paid and many ran away The number of Souldiers sometime encreased sometime diminished according as they escaped or were constrained to retire themselues to their Houses as wanting maintenance but it is certaine that the number of foot-men payed was neuer aboue 1400. and the number of horse 350. Hee sent to Ancona the Colonell Fabio Ghisleri elected Captaine of the Light-horse who made a List of 1700. Harquebusiers Horse-men taken out of diuers Cities of the Ecclefiastique State the most part neuerthelesse without Armes and without Horses to whom notwithstanding he gaue no other stipend but only a permission to beare Armes and therefore they could neuer be gotten together He made further a List of Captaines fit to serue him when he had need which List he euery where diuulged and called to his seruice some of those that were in Flanders He forbade likewise them of Romagna and the Marquisate of Ancona to haue any comerce with the Venetians which quickly after he was faine to recall hauing learned by experience that the greatest damage herein would redound to themselues in as much as the Customers protested they would quitte the Customes which they had farmed and he knew not how else-where to haue money to pay the Souldiers Further he prohibited the transportation of gold or siluer aboue ten crownes and arrested the reuenues of all Venetians within the lands of the Church And at Rome to get siluer was laid a new imposition vpon Salt vpon Flesh and Paper with resolution to lay it likewise vpon Wine and Timber when he should be reduced to any great necessity These Impositions being not yet sufficient they consulted in Congregation how to prouide money and in so difficult a matter the opinions much varied It was treated to taxe the Cardinals whereat some were silent others made signes that they did not approue it wherefore nothing was resolued but that a Subsidy should be paid by the Orders of Regulars as it was indeed I haue thought meet to ioy ne all these things in discourse although they were done successiuely in diuers times by the Pope vntill the accord that I might not interrupt the order of the negotiation which is the principall subiect of this History In the Duchy of Milan there were not in all aboue 900. Spanish Souldiers comprising also those that were in Garison seuen Companies of Light-horse in good order and a small number of others ill appointed And in the Chamber there was not aboue 400000. crownes and the Garrisons so ill payed that the Souldiers in the Castle of Milan were neare a mutiny had not the Count de Fuentes and the Gouernour of the Castle appeased them by giuing them some siluer The Count de Fuentes added some twenty Companies of the baser Spanish making in all 1800. men the greater part being young raw and without any experience in
of respect vnto the Pope and of modestiē towards them who had written in his fauour pressing the matter in hand without digressions and without nothing the faults of the Court of Rome not for want of good information being so many and so notorious to all the World but onely to vse all due seemelinesse which is not to passe from the matter to the persons as doe those who faile of reasons All this may be euidently seene in the Recollections printed in diuers places and in seuerall Languages wherein are contained the Writings of both parties The Spaniards were not well pleased with the publication of these Writings and they signified vnto the Pope that it was better to proceed herein by his sole Authority forasmuch as Books gaue matter of discourse vnto the World and occasion to each one to frame his iudgement with diminution of the Popes authority Especially that they of his side had too far trenched vpon the Authority of Princes which could not bring any aduantage to the Church as also that they did more abound with reuilings then with reasons besides that each proposition drew to it selfe an Answer Also Father Sosa a Franciscane was reprehended for Writing in Spanish vpon this matter and he was inioyned to call in all the Copies of his Booke which accordingly he did And at the instance of the Nuntio they consented that all these Writings should be forbidden not by the Counsell of the King as was desired but by the Inquisition And lest the Protestation of the Prince should be included they specified by name in the Censure all Writings imprinted saue onely that censuring the Manuscripts in generall tearmes in the end commanding that for the time to come none should write in this cause for the one side or for the other Not withstanding this Edict was not imprinted nor affixed contenting themselues onely to haue it published throughout the Parishes which are Churches lesse frequented By occasion of these Writings in Milan was like to haue followed a great disorder For as they were greedily read by some in secret so were they by some ill affected bitterly reprehended with calumnies and iniuries familiar to the Ecclesiastiques which Antony Paulucci Secretary of the Repub. could not endure and gaue testimony of his dislike Whereupon a Processe was formed against him in the Inquisition which being come to his knowledge he complained thereof to the Count de Fuentes who maruailed at their presumption and promised to take speedy order for his quietnesse But a few daies after a Notary of the Office cited him in the name of the Inquisitor to whom he answered that he was a publique Person and vnder the protection of the Count and that he owed no obedience to any besides his Prince threatning the Notary to proceed against him on another fashion The Count aduertised hereof sent for the Inquisitor and signified to Paulucci that he might come securely to the Audience Yet after the Count had talked with the Inquisitor he said to Paulucci that he published too freely the Reasons of the Repub. and that he should doe well to goe to the Inquisitor who had one word to speake vnto him and no more Paulucci refused to submit himselfe to any whomsoeuer without Commission from his Prince The Count offred to send along the Treasurer Torniello to accompany him to the Office who should stay with him till the Inquisitor had taken his answere and then conduct him backe vnto his house For which Paulucci thanked him but said hee could not doe it without leaue Wherefore the Count sent to tell him that hee would not trouble him any further or take more knowledge of the matter The Secretary gaue aduice of all to Venice whereupon complaint was presently made to the Ambassador of Spaine and all that their Secretary had done was approued The Ambassador hauing written hereof vnto the Count he called Paulucci telling him that he had spoken too boldly of these affaires and that it behoued him to giue no scandall To which Paulucci answered that he hoped his Excellency would take order for the time to come that none should giue him any occasion Afterward the Inquisitor gaue him to vnderstand that not as Inquisitor but as his friend he desired to speake with him in some priuate house He answered that before this difficulty he was stil ready to speake with him as a particular Friend but now he could not and he would not doe it But to returne to the treaty of Peace which still continued not withstanding that either part defended their Reasons by writing in the end of August was made a greater ouerture to the Agreement which almost gaue perfection vnto the Treaty although afterwards many Negotiations passed without effect On the seuenteenth of August Mounsieur de Fresne came to the Senate with Letters from the King of the fourth of August wherein he testified his great displeasure for the Differences betweene the Pope and the Republique fearing the mischiefes which might ensue that in regard of the place which he held in Christ endome for his Deuotion to the See Apostolique and for the Amity which he had with the Republique he was moued to interpose himselfe desiring to finde some honest Composition but that he should be hindered to execute this his laudable designe if the Republique did not aid him by such meanes as depended vpon them that he had enioyned Fresne his Ambassador to exhort his Serenity to continue his ordinary Prudence and the affection which he had towards God towards Christendom and towards the State and to assure him that his intention aimed meerely at the conseruation of the Libertie of the Republique The Letter of the King being read Fresne made his proposition saying that the King was disgusted for that he could not draw from them any thing but generall words in a businesse so important and so pressing that he doubted the new instance which now he made with sincerity would bring discontent and be interpreted to other ends than he intended neuerthelesse being a friend and obliged to the Republique for that which sometimes they had done in his behalfe and remembring their courtesies as also fore-seeing the inconueniences which might fall out he was sory for this quarrell and had interposed himselfe not being desired to stay these euils which doubtlesse would increase if the Repub. would not aide him that the Pope had condescended to honest Conditions and such as he seemed not to demand any thing contrary to the Dignitie and Liberty of the Republique that the King would be displeased if the Pope hauing iustified his Cause to the World in some sort though in effect all iudged for the Repub. they should resist the Motions of al Christian Princes in which case he could not fauour them as otherwise he was purposed to doe if the Pope against all iustice would force their Libertie and endamage their Gouernment for then he would employ all his Forces all his Armes and his
whereof he named the Captaines That 〈◊〉 would further prouide himselfe but that it would not be good to passe too speedily That by his presence at Nancy he had rather increased than diminished the difficulties caused by the euill offices of the Iesuites This difficultie found Padauin in the successe of his iourney But at Basil he receiued a very fauourable answer from the Counsell as touching the Leuie but for the passage it was told him that it was meet to expect the returne of the Deputies from Soloturn because Basil being the gate of Heluetia they ought to haue the consent of their Allies before they suffered any forreine Souldiers to enter At Soloturn a Gentleman appeared in the Name of the Archduke Maximilian who said that his Master vnderstanding of the Iourney of the Secretary of Venice to obtaine a Leuie and a passage demanded that both might be denied which demand he made for his zeale to Religion and for the quiet of Heluetia and their neighbours principally for his Estates of Alsatia by which they of Lorraine must passe This instance was fauoured by the Catholique Cantons and especially with great heat by the Sonne of the Colonell Lusi of Vnder walden who had beene dismissed by the Republique for the small contentment they found in him But the Protestant Cantons opposed themselues saying that it was not the Custome of that Nation to deny passage to those who would not any way endamage the Countrey or bring preiudice to their Neighbours or Friends On the contrary that without danger or trouble the Lorraines might passe orderly without insolence and without Harquebuzes being no way reasonable to forbid them passage seeing it had beene yeelded two yeares before vnto the Spaniards going into Flanders To returne to the Secretary Padauin Verdeut seeing him resolued to speake with the Count de Vaudemont to diuert him from Nancy he conducted him to Badonuille a place in the County of Salma where not finding the Count he was welcomed and defrayed by Therel his Secretary and Treasurer but he discontentedly made his plaint to Verdelli saying That it would seeme very strange to the Republique that their Minister should be thus hindered in the Affaires of the Signiory by one who was obliged to doe them Seruice especially being further to Treat with the Duke and his other Children and thereupon complained also of the Duke Verdelli excused the Duke as knowing nothing hereof and that the Count was very well disposed but his Seruants had found meanes to stop him to auoid many euill accidents and especially the Cardinall was the cause who for his Interests was a Partisan of Rome All these discourses did not satisfie Padauin wherefore Verdelli resolued himselfe to go in post to Nancy from whence he would write for him to come and that he would come to meet him as he did in the Caâ—â—ach of the Duke and told him that he should be very welcome to all and that the Cardinall would euen embrace him without scruple offring himselfe to interpose for a peace because the Pope desired it Verdelli further declared to Padauin how the Pope had writ a Breue vnto the Cardinal wherein he charged him to command Frier Verdellia Knight of Saint Iohn of Hierusalem that he should not make any leuie of men for the Republique of Venice who were refractarie to his commandements which the Cardinall had intimated vnto him setting before his eyes his owne interests and those of his Fraternity And that Mounsieur de Maliana father to a Chamberlaine of the Popes offered him the first vacant Commendam to make him desist from his enterprises But that he answered that seeing he leuied not men for to command them nor at his owne expence he might doe it without scruple Padauin also had aduice at Nancy that the Canton of Zurich had granted the passage and the Leuie absolutely declaring the Cause of the Republique to be as iust as that of the Pope vniust and violent Likewise that Basil and Berne had freely granted the passage without condition and for the Leuie they had done the same only reseruing to speake with him by word of mouth to consult about securitie for the payment of stipends and touching the conditions according to the custome of that Nation who will not admit of Captaines but onely such as are Natiues of their Countrey Padauin had Audience of the Count de Vaudemont and declared his Commission reporting vnto him what he had Treated with them of Zurich and the other Suisses and gaue him to vnderstand that the money was ready for the Leuies and that now nothing wanted but to come to execution The Count answerd coldly that he would doe his duty and take care to Treat the other particulars but he praied him to consider that he was onely a Sonne in the Family and that he depended vpon his Father with whom it was necessarie first to speake The Secretary replied that he had order so to doe and two daies after hee had Audience of the Duke and said vnto him in the first place that the Republique did well accept the sending of Marinuille and the zeale which he had shewed to publique Tranquillity from which the Republique was neuer auerse but that the Preparations of the Pope and of others in his fauour constrained them to doe the same for their conseruation The Duke answered that he had sent Marinnille with good intention and that it pleased him well that he was accepted He exhorted them to Peace and said That he was busied about the Assembly of the States of Lorraine to be holden at Nancy in such sort that he had not leasure to thinke vpon any other particular Affaires Padauin did also his complements to the Duke of Bar and requiring the Cardinall to giue him Audience he answered That he would willingly heare him if he would Treat how to end these Controuersies but for simple Complements he could not admit them because of the Dignity of Cardinall which he had and lest it might giue occasion of Discourse The Cardinall vpon this occasion dispatched a Currier to Rome giuing aduice of the comming of Secretary Padauin and of the quantitie of siluer which he brought together with the preparatiues which were made in diuers places as also the answer which Verdelli had giuen him Padauin knew well the great instances which the Count had from diuers Persons to hinder him from seruing the Republique in this particular The Pope also had renewed his Instances by other Breues complaining that a Sonne of the House of Lorraine would take Armes against the Church to maintaine Rebels in their obstinacie especially hauing no obligation to this Seruice the seuen yeeres being now expired during which he had obliged himselfe He offered him further to make him Confalonier that is chiefe Standard-bearer of the Church beyond the Mounts a new title which cost the Pope nothing The great Duchesse his Sister writ vnto him that he should not by seruing in fauour of the
Republique cause in the end a Warre damageable to his Friends and preiudiciall to all Christendome putting him in minde that he had but one Soule and that he ought to doe any thing to saue it and not to lose it That hee should take good heed how he thrust himselfe so far forward that after he could not retire himselfe That he would not be the cause of combustion in Italy it being much better for him to restore all that he had receiued of the Republique then to enrangle himselfe so dangerously And the Card. to obtaine from the Pope certaine Benefires at which he aimed did all he could in his fauour and was instant with the Duke his Father that it was not for his good that the Count should beare Armes against the Pope That the Republique could not complaine forasmuch as by the nomination of Captaines he had giuen sufficient reputation to their Affaires That it behoued not to passe any further but onely to imploy himselfe for a Concord as did all other Princes Besides the Gouernours of Alsatia writ that they had order not to giue passage to any souldiers an opposition of no moment since they might haue a thousand other passages Among the Grisons things passed with great confusion because the Count de Fuentes on the one side and those of the County of Tirol on the other continued to giue them great occasious of iealousie seattering a rumor that they would inuade the Valtoline in three places with those of Milan by the Lake with those of Tirol by the Valley of the Sunne and of Trentin by Bormio and they had already remoued the Monks out of some Monasteries within these passages to make room for lodging of souldiers Whereupon Salis at Venice continued his sollicitations that the Repub. would giue them effectuall succours assuring them that they could not maintaine those Garrisons so necessarie to preserue the Valtoline for themselues and the passage for the Republique vnlesse they had some pay That the souldiers placed in the Valtolins were for the seruice of the Signiory and therefore ought to haue pay from them That there wanted more money to erect a Counterfort to that of Fuentes The dangers were not indeed so great as they were represented but they were thus amplified to draw siluer from the Republique and the 1800. footmen put in the Valtoline vnder the conduct of 12. Captaines were all good souldiers but such as could not well be trusted being of the Diocesse of Como and being corrupted by some writings published by that Bishop This notwithstanding vpon the pressing importunitie of Salis the Senate decreed to giue for the payment of these Garrisons 27000. Crownes for nine Moneths 3000 for each Month and to lay downe for the present in hand 6000. for two Moneths wherewith Salis being not content and vrging for a greater summe hee receiued to the summe of 10000. Crownes and it was told him touching the erection of a Fort they had not yet determined for the time or place But if things came to a manifest rupture the Republique would not faile to giue all necessarie assistance And when Salis pressed further to haue declaration what succours they intended two Senators of the Colledge were deputed to Treat with him and to vnderstand the particular state of things and their necessities But as it hapneth often that they are surprised with terror who meane to terrifie others the Count de Fuentes hearing of the descent of the Grisons into the Valtoline and considering how easie it was if they had any numbers to ouer-run all the Estate which was without defence and vnprouided of souldiers he sent the Marquis of Como and writ to the Duke Sfondrato and to the Count Ptolomy Gallio to be prepared for all euents Hee collected some Paysants about the number of 7000. without Armes and ill souldiers the conduct of which he gaue to the Gouernour of Lodi not without the discontentment of the Marquis of the Duke and of the Count and other persons of qualitie in the Countrey Hee sent them Drums Ensignes to discipline them with the wonder of all men that against all Rules of Policie he would put Armes into the hands of Paysants the Allies Kinsmen of those against whom hee would employ them and such as were not entirely affected to the Spaniards Fuentes thought also to put some diuision among the Grisons vnder pretext of Religion endeuouring to seduce the Catholiques and promising they should serue vnder the pay of the Pope which produced a cleane contrary effect because the Grisons were so much the more suspicious And by the permission of Card. Borromeo he brought to Milan the Preacher of Bargaglia a Protestant to Treat with them of that Quarter some Grisons traytors vnto their Countrey promising that he should obtaine a Leuie which moued a sedition and being assembled in Pitae at the end of February they made some difficultie touching the Leuie and passage for the Republique But when the newes came from Venice of the moneys granted the secret Counsell were very thankfull and all those that were at Pitac euen they that had been most opposite consented to the Leuie and to the passage Notwithstanding the Bishop of Coira did not cease to doe Offices for Spaine with all the Catholiques euen in his Sermōs assuming to himselfe this colour that they ought not to goe against the Church or to abandon their Countrey Insomuch that hee preuailed with them of Longatissa and of Visilis which for the greater part were Catholiques whereunto the friends of the Republique did not oppose themselues as it was meet hoping that the more these broyles increased they should obtaine the greater summes of money Whence grew new tumults which were pacified by Vincenti Secretarie of the Repub. giuing some Donatiues to the Pitac which was done in the beginning of March Yet the Bishop did not cease to continue his euill practises against the Republique as well in his Preaching as vpon all other occasions that were offered so that a new tumult was raised in some Catholique Cantons who pressed the Garrison of the Valtoline to send backe the money to Venice with hope that if they demanded 20000. Crownes by the Moneth they should haue them Wherefore the Garrison sent to tell the Chiefe of the Leagues that they would not permit either Leuie or passage vnto the Venetians if they did not augment their wages seeing that vpon their occasions all these disorders were in their Coutrey That the Count de Fuentes would not moue if he were assured that passage should not be granted to souldiers from beyond the Mountaines to come into Italie They sent also souldiers among the Commons to display their Ensignes for a common Vnion and to hinder the passage with whom ioyned the fauourers of Spaine who with their siluer fomented the Sedition protesting vnto the Heads of the Leagues that they would call the Commons at their owne charge in case they would not hinder the Leuie for
were renued the instances made vnto the Count to withdraw himselfe from the Seruice of the Republique He had Audience of all seuerally with contentment The Count would not be seene by him excusing himselfe by reason of his indisposition but some dayes after being much importuned he receiued him with condition that he should speake but little and be content with a short answer without replying He had then Audience where he endeuoured to moue the Count by Reasons of Religion and of State To which the Count answered that he had a care of his Honour which was in such sort ioyned with Religion that they could not be separated Padauin met this Criuelli at the Church who vsed to him courteous words saying That the Duke his Master desired Peace and that for this effect he had appointed publique Prayers and that he proiected to goe in Pilgrimage and that he hoped Peace would follow considering that the Spaniards really desired it both for the affaires of Flanders and for the Election of the King of Romanes SEVENTH BOOKE WHilest Padauin expected an answer from Venice Mounsieur de Bassompierre arriued at the Court of the Duke of Lorraine to speake by word of mouth with that Secretary from thence to passe vnto the Seruice of the Republique according as he had promised to the Ambass Priuli And he brought this newes vnto the Count that when he took leaue of the King his Maiesty desired him to tel him in his behalfe that he could not saue his Reputation if he failed the Republique much lesse finde any apparant pretext to excuse himselfe Further he gaue him aduice that the Duke of Guise offered himselfe to be his Lieutenant and that a great number of Souldiers were prouided to got with him the King being willing to giue license to all except his Officers There was one expressely sent vnto the Count from the Canton of Schaffusa who offered Him a Leuie of men and all other commodities Marinuille also returned from Florence bringing certaine hopes of a Concord which was further confirmed by a Currier dispatched with diligence vnto the Duke with aduice that the Cardinall de Ioyeuse hauing receiued all contentment was to depart from Venice to goe to the Pope But the Currier being come from Venice with answer Padauin complained vnto the Count in the Name of the Republique for that the Souldiers were not ready as he had promised and pressed him to make haste in remedy of his former slacknesse The Count hereat was astonished and answered that he had done his duty before if the Duke his Father had permitted him with whom it was meet to speake Padauin replied that he would doe so for so he had order but that he had first addressed himselfe to him as to the Principall that he would retaine the Currier a day or two to the end that he might absolutely send his answer not of complements or excuses but of effects The Father and aâ—d his Sonnes assembled in Counsell vpon the answer which they were to giue The Cardinall first began and said That their House had bin alwaies deuoted to the Church against which none of their Family euer carried Armes and that they ought not now to do otherwise That this were to blast their Reputation and incurre the vniuersall hatred of Catholiques besides the danger of running into Censures which were terrible setting before their eyes the great Troubles of the Duke of Bar for marying Madame Catharine the Kings Sister And much exaggerating these Reasons he concluded that they ought openly to deny Padauin that which he desired and that this might be a cause of Peace considering that the Repub. seeing themselues defeated of this succour would humble themselues vnto the pope The Duke of Bar was of the same opinion with the Cardinall adding withall that it was fit to finde some temperament by which they might saue the Reputation of the Count. The Count himselfe considered on the one side what had beene told him from the King of France and from others who admonished him of his engagement and on the other what had beene written from Tuscany and concluded that they should well weigh how farre he was obliged for that he ought to preferre his obligation to all other considerations The Father said that he felt in himselfe a very great combate for the Reasons of Religion and State did not permit that any of His should take Armes against the Church and especially when other Catholique Princes would not doe it Besides that the Warres of Italy would be the ruine of Christendome But on the other side he desired to giue some contentment to the Republique yet he preferred still the considerations of his House to all others Vpon this ground he was resolued since he could not satisfie them with words to abide all euill accidents that could happen rather than giue way to this Leuie Wherefore when Padauin came to the Audience which the Duke gaue him in presence of the Duke of Bar his Sonne where He declared that although at Venice they greatly maruelled why the Souldiers were no sooner in readinesse yet neuerthelesse they were perswaded that this default would be recompensed with a greater diligence The Duke answered that he accounted the Peace to be in a manner concluded and therefore there needed no more words That the Republique hauing their Affaire accommodated the Censures would fall on his House That for this cause they ought not to bring molestation vpon others without any fruit seeing that the more he desired to gratifie the Republique vpon all occurrences so much the more sory was hee that he could not permit his Children to serue against the Church That on other occasions he and his Children would be alwaies ready to employ themselues with all their forces for the seruice of the Republique Padauin apprehending the Negatiue so clearely iudged it necessarie to speake plainly and said That the reports of Peace were without ground that if they had beene true he should not haue had so many Commandments so often reiterated to sollicite them and although the Peace might follow vpon the Treaty yet the Count denying the seruice which he owed might render it difficult because the Pope hereby might be more hardned That the Republique had not pressed this Leuie so much if they had not esteemed it necessarie That whosoeuer puts himselfe in the seruice of a Prince ought to obey not taking vpon him to iudge whether that which hee commandeth be necessary and conuenient or not That the feare of Censures was but a vanity because they knew certainly that the Pope would acknowledge his error and keepe himselfe from the like hereafter That if Excommunication were valide in all cases Princes were vndone That it was not meet to presuppose infallibility in Popes since God often permits wicked Ones for the chastisement of the world That the obligation of the Count by the consent of the Duke his Father had beene contracted in time of Contentions
Taken away notwithstanding this latter pleased them better because it was vsed on both parts the word Taken away being employed both in regard of the Censures and of the Protestation But the Cardinall declaring that he could not herein goe beyond his charge which he had from the Pope and the Senate perceiuing not any difference lest they should seeme to deny it only because they were instantly requested they condescended in the end that the word of Reuocation should be vsed And to shew that all was done in one and the same time it was concluded to say The Protestation in like manner is reuoked All these particularities being thus concluded and determined and the Manifesto dressed they appointed the day the 21. of Aprill to giue an entire accomplishment to that which was determined which was done in the manner following The Cardinall was lodged in the Palace sometime of the Duke of Ferrara whither Fresne that morning went by times and Marc Ottobon the Secretary being come with two ordinary Notaries of the Dukes Chancery the Officers brought Marc Antony Brandolino Valdimarino Abbot of Neruese and Scipio Sarazin Canon of Vicenza Prisoners entring with all their troupe into a Chamber where was the Ambassador accompanied with his Domestiques and some others of the family of the Cardinall And hauing saluted the Ambassador they told him that those were the Prisoners which conformably to that which had beene accorded the most Illustrious Prince had sent to be deliuered to his Excellence in gratification of the Most Christian King with protestation not to preiudice hereby the authority which the Republique hath to iudge Ecclesiastiques The Ambassador answered that so he receiued them Then the Secretary demanded some publique instrument or act hereof to be made by Girolamo Poluerin and Iohn Rizzard the Dukes Notaries in presence of those of the Cardinals Court and of the Ambassador together with the publique Officers This done the Prisoners recommended themselues to the Ambassador who with words of curtesie promised them his protection and going out of the Chamber with the company causing the Prisoners to be brought after him into a Gallery where the Cardinall walked he said vnto the Cardinall These are the Prisoners which are to be deliuered to the Pope The Cardinall pointing to one neere him said Giue them to him who was Claudio Montano a Commissarie sent by the Pope to this effect who touched them in token of dominion and possession and praied the Ministers of Iustice which conducted them that they would be pleased to keepe them for him This Act thus finished the Cardinall departed with the Ambassador and both went vnto the Prince who after Masse was gone with the Signiory and the Sages into the Colledge where all being set as ordinarily the Cardinall pronounced these formall words I reioyce very much that this happy day so much desired by me is come wherein I declare vnto your Serenitie that all the Censures are taken away as in deed they are and I take therein much pleasure for the benefit which shall redound hereby to all Christendome and particularly to Italy Then the Duke put in his hand the decree of the reuocation of the Protestation And after some words of complement the Cardinall praied them to send their Ambassador with speed to Rome and so departed The reuocation of the Protestation was addressed vnto the same Prelates to whom the Protestation was directed and in substance contained That a means being found whereby the Pope was certified of the vprightnesse and sincerity of the Republique in their actions He had taken away and remoued the causes of the present differences And also as the Senate had endeuoured alwaies to entertaine a good intelligence with the Holy See so they receiued much contentment by obtaining the effect of this their iust desire whereof they were willing to giue them notice adioyning that on both sides all being executed which had been agreed on and the Censures being taken away the Protestation in like sort did remaine reuoked The Cardinall had determined after the Audience of the Prince to goe to the Cathedrall Church of S. Peter there to celebrate Masse and the Ambassador Don Francis de Castro had intreated him that he might there assist the rumor whereof going thorow the City very much people were there assembled early Wherefore many Masses were celebrated from morning till Mid-day as also the dayes before both in that Church and in others there was a great frequentation of Masses and other Diuine Offices praying God that what was Treated for the accommodating of so great a Cōtrouersie might succeed to his glory The Cardinall going from the Colledge tooke his way to S. Peters and at the same time the Count de Castro went to the Audience of the Prince to congratulate with him In the meane while the Cardinall arriued at the Cathedrall Church where for the multitude of people they celebrated at three Altars and expected a while the comming of Don Francis de Castro with Don Innigo de Cardenas alwaies continuing Masse after Masse At length the Ambassadors being come the Cardinall celebrated in the presence of an infinite multitude The same day after dinner a bruit was scattered that that morning in the Colledge the Cardinall had giuen an absolution which caused a great discontentment to such as were zealous for the publique Honour who were curious quickly to discouer the originall of such a bruit with designe to haue a remedy so fixed was that resolution in the spirits of the Venetians to shew constantly that the Republique was not in any fault but this rumour was suddenly appeased because in seeking whence it might arise they found it had beene scattered here and there by the French who said that all the Senators of the Colledge being assembled and expecting according to the custome that the Duke should first sit downe then after all to take their place in order the Cardinall made the signe of the Crosse vnder his hood Which being vnderstood the generall discontent was turned into merriment for as much as none is ignorant that if this be admitted as an Absolution the Ecclesiastiques may giue Absolution from their Censures euen to them which refuse it or wch do not desire it that none can hinder it that they may also following this doctrine absolue men absent as it shall seeme good vnto them That if the Card. made the signe of the Crosse vnder his hood he might haue done it more cōmodiously in his Lodging this importing nothing to the purpose It was sufficient that the Interdict had not beene obserued for any one moment and that the Senate refused not onely absolution but euen all ceremonies which might haue the least apparence thereof In the euening of the same day the Senate assembled where they deliberated to elect an Ambassador to goe to Rome to reside with his Holinesse and Francis Contarini a Knight was elected who had beene sent by the Republique some yeeres before with