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
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
to the Ecclesiasticall liberty were of themselues void and of no value as furthermore he declared them to be such no man being obliged to obserue them On the contrary that they which had made these Statutes or any like or which had furthered them had incurred Ecclesiasticall Censures and depriued themselues of all such lands as they held of the Church as also their Estates and Demaines were subiect to other penalties in such sort that they could not be absolued vnlesse they reuoked all such lawes and reestablished all things in their former estate That hereupon being placed in the Soueraigne Throne and not being able to dissemble or endure these things he admonished the Republique to consider the danger whereinto they had cast their soules vpon this occasion and betimes to seeke a remedy otherwise in case of disobedience he commanded vnder the paine of Excommunication latae sententiae that the foresaid Laws both ancient and moderne should be reuoked and disanulled that this Monitory should bepublished in all places of their State and that he expected from them account there of if they did it not that he should be constrained after his Nuntio had giuen him notice that his Letters were presented to come to execution of the penalties and to such other remedies as he should thinke meet remembring the reckoning which he was to giue vnto God at the day of Iudgement and declaring that he who had no other end but the repose and tranquillitie of the Common-wealth could not in duty dissemble when the authority of the See Apostolique was dimini shed Ecclesiasticall liberty trod vnder foot the holy Canons and Decrees neglected the rights of Churches and the priuiledges of Ecclesiasticall persons violated of all which the charge and custodie is committed to him besides affirming that hee was not moued to doe this by any worldly consideration nor desired any other thing but the glory to exercise perfectly so farre as he could his Apostolique Gouernment And as he did not purpose to vsurpe any thing vpon the Secular Authority so would he not permit that the Ecclesiasticall should be diminished That if the State would obey his commandements they should deliuer him from great paine which he suffered in their regard and might still retaine the lands which they held of the Church That by no other means the Republique could so well secure it selfe from the incommodities which it suffered by Infidels as by conseruing the rights and liberties of Church-men who watch day and night in prayer to God for their conseruation The Senate considering these difficulties raised by the Pope deliberated to conferre thereof with their Counsellors learned in the Ciuill lawes who were Erasmus Gratian of Vdine and Marcus Antonius Pellegrine of Padua Knights and famous Lawyers at that time as it appeareth by the workes which they haue published And further that they might haue neere them a Counsellor versed in Diuinity and in the Canon Law they called vnto the seruice of the Signiory Frier Paul of Venice of the Order of the Seruites With these three and with other principall Doctors of the Vniuersitie of Padua as also with those of the Citie of Venice and the neighbouring places men eminent for sound learning and good conscience the Senate aduised how to answer the Pope with most conueniency They resolued also to consult on these questions the most celebrious Doctors of Italy and other parts of Europe and to vse their counsel touching other difficulties which might be offered And in short time they had the iudgement of many excellent Lawyers of Italy not subiect to the State of Venice and in particular of Iames Menochio President of Milan a person illustrious for his honourable Labours in the defence and maintenance of the Authority of Magistrates and for his learned Writings which hee hath published and wherein he shall liue for euer They had also not long after sent vnto them in writing the opinions of the most renowned Doctors of France Spaine who by diuers arguments shewed euidently that the controuersies moued by the Pope concerned neerely the Temporall Power wherein the Papall authoritie ought not to intermeddle and therefore that it was lawfull for the Republique to make any such Ordinances so farre as respects of Gouernment might require There were also sent to Venice the Lawes of almost all the Realmes and Estates of Christendom wherein the like Ordinances are obserued which afterwards were alledged in diuers Bookes published in fauour of the right of the Republique But for that time the Senate vnderstanding the iudgement of the Doctors made answer the 28. of Ianuary in these words for substance That with much griefe and wonder they vnderstood by the Letters of his Holinesse that the Lawes of their State obserued carefully through so many ages and neuer questioned by any of his Predecessors the reuoking whereof would subuert the Foundations of their Common-wealth were reprehended as contrary to the authority of the See Apostolique and that they which made them Persons of great pietie meriting well of the See Apostolique who are now in Heauen were noted for violators of Ecclesiasticall Libertie That according to the admonition of his Holinesse they had examined and caused to examine their Lawes old and new but had found nothing which might not well be ordained by the authoritie of a Soueraigne Prince or which might iustly offend the Popes authority being euidently a thing belonging to the care of a Secular Prince to haue regard what Companies are erected within his Dominions and to preuent the building of such Edifices as in time to come may be hurtfull to the publique safetie And although their State abound with Churches and places of Deuotion as much as any other yet when they see conuenient they haue neuer refused to giue permission to new Foundations themselues thereunto contributing liberally That in the Law against the perpetuall alienation of Lay goods vnto Ecclesiastiques the question being of things purely Temporall they could not be taxed to haue done any thing contrary to the Canons and Decrees That if the Popes haue power to forbid the Clergie to alienate any goods of the Church vnto Persons Secular without leaue Princes may doe the same and take order that the goods of Seculars shall not be alienated to the Clergie without permission Nor doe the Ecclesiastiques by this meanes lose any thing bequeathed or giuen vnto them seeing they receiue a price answerable in value to the immoueable adioyning that it tends to the great preiudice not only of the Temporall State but also of the Spirituall to weaken the forces of their Republique which by such alienations is depriued of necessary seruices and which in effect in a Vantgard and Fortresse for all Christendome against the Infidels That for these reasons the Senate could not perswade themselues that they had incurred any Censures since Secular Princes haue by Law Diuine from which no Humane Law can any way derogate a power to make Lawes in things
might haue order from himselfe which yet did no more succeed by reason of the opposition made by the Marshall Prainer ill affected towards the Venetians D'Alincourt Ambassador of the most Christian King did the same Office but as from himselfe to whose demands the Pope would not condescend but answered that he ought rather to exhort the Republique to obey wherefore he gaue aduise to the King his Master by the ordinary Currier as well of that which had passed as also of the Office by him tendered and of the Popes answer The Count of Verrüe Ambassadour of the Duke of Sauoy treated with more vigour in the name of his Master with his Holinesse exhorting him to make delay and to find meanes to compose these differences to whom he answered that this were the ready way to render the Venetian more obstinate and that the Duke ought to addresse himselfe to them to make them obey Whereupon the Ambassadour could not containe himselfe but replied that the word Obey was too harsh to be vsed towards a Soueraigne Prince and that a delay in this case would in the end be found very behouefull The great Duke of Tuscany also writ to the Bishop of Soana praying him to doe the same Office in his name with his Holinesse After the publication of the Monitory the Ambassadors of the Republique were visited by the Ambassadours of the Emperour of the King of France and of the great Duke of Tuscany who communicated vnto them what they had done with the Pope and how they found him still in his first resolution Some men were of opinion that the Pope according to the custome of those that are without experience quickly after the Monitory had beene published the heat of his courage being a little tempered would seriously consider the inconueniences which in all reason he might see would follow and hereby beginning to relent would desire an occasion to prolong the terme if he were thereunto required by the Republique Others said it was likely that by the mediation of Princes and their Ambassadors alone he would giue longer terme if he did beleeue that the Republique would accept it Which might haue beene for his aduantage considering that by this meanes a way had beene opened to cause his commandements to be receiued But the Pope remained firme resolued to see the issue of his Monitorie the publication whereof being knowne at Venice it was first by the Senate ordered that all should haue recourse to their praiers command was sent to al Churches Monasteries as well of men as women and other places of deuotion to make orisons and supplications following the ancient vsage and a good summe of money was also distributed in almes to these holy places Then after they deliberated vpon the Gouernment and consulted whether it were meet to leaue their Ambassadors at Rome or to call them home Some were of opinion that they should be recalled since that the Republique hauing receiued so great an iniury could not with any honour keepe them at Rome Others considered that to call them away were vtterly to breake off all communication In the end both opinions were approued and both the one and the other followed with this temperament They resolued to call home onely the extraordinarie Ambassador thereby sufficiently testifying their sensiblenesse of the wrong but to leaue the Ordinary to doe all offices of piety and reuerence towards the See Apostolique and to preuent an absolute rupture which they would auoid till they were forced by an extreme violence It was also determined to communicate all these matters to the Ambassador of England to whom till then they had not imparted any of these things for considerations which hinder to treat with him vpon points controuerted with the Pope And accordingly they writ to Gregory Iustiniano Ambassador of the Repub. in England that he should informe the King Henry Wotton the English Ambassador at Venice complained with words of courtesie that they had communicated these things to other Ambassadors so long before him but for the pretensions of the Pope he said that he could not vnderstand this Romane Theologie which is contrary to all iustice and honesty Now to the end that they might prouide against the inconueniences which the Popes Monitorie might cause command was giuen to all Prelates and Ecclefiasticall persons that they should not publish or permit to be published or affixed in any place wheresoeuer any Bulls Breues or other writings which might be sent vnto them Furthermore proclamation was made vnder paine of incurring the displeasure of the Prince that whosoeuer had any Copie of a certaine Breue published at Rome against the Republique should bring it vnto the Magistrates at Venice or to the Gouernours of Cities and other places of their State to which all men did so cheerefully obey and brought out so many copies that it was a thing maruellous to see what quantitie had beene imprinted neither was any one any where affixed by reason of the generall diligence of all the people who discouered in diuers places and caused to arrest those who came for that effect They imparted likewise to all the Agents of Princes which were then at Venice the reasons and causes of these motions and the same was written to all the Residents for the Republique with Princes It was also thought fit by the Senate to write to all Gouernours of Cities and places within their State and to giue them aduice of the iniurie which the Republique had receiued and did daily receiue from the Pope as also the pregnant reasons which they had in their defence with order that these letters should be communicated to the Consuls Communalties of their Cities Which being done euery where were seene the effects of an incredible obedience and submission towards their Prince with great resolution to defend and maintaine the publique liberty for aid whereof they offered succour of men of money and armes according to the abilitie of each place and these offers were afterwards performed in their time with the same promptitude and cheerefulnesse During this time Duodo the extraordinarie Ambassador of the Signiory at Rome receiued commandement to depart He tooke leaue of the Pope the 27. of the Moneth telling him that seeing he could not obtaine of his Holinesse to take into his consideration the reasons by him represented and hauing no more to say or doe he was called backe to Venice The Pope answered him with words of courtesie towards himselfe and touching the difference said that he had done nothing but what his conscience obliged him to doe that the case was cleare and decided that in the whole order of his proceedings he had followed the example of his Predecessors that his weapons in this quarrell were spirituall the vse whereof accorded well with that fatherly loue which he had euer caried to the Republique requiring onely such obedience as all Princes are bound to render vnto him But at Venice the Nuntio of the Pope
they were ready to receiue any iust aduice tending to peace And therefore that he should imploy himselfe toward the Pope to cause him to take off his Censures that so a way might be opened for the Senate to shew their good will and then in respect vnto his Maiestie they would doe whatsoeuer they could possibly sauing alwaies their Libertie The Ambassadour hereupon replied that the King foreseeing and fearing the euils which would follow vpon these differences not for any particular interest but meerely out of respect to the Republique had deliberated to interpose Himselfe that alreadie at Rome he had done all that could be desired in this affaire Wherefore it seemed vnto him that the Senate ought to put confidence in the King and declare vnto him what they would doe in case that the Pope should take off the Censures or for to induce him to reuoke his Monitory But since the Senate would not depart from these general termes nor trust the King hee was resolued to retire himselfe and henceforth not to trouble any person about this businesse For touching the Pope who beleeued that he had not done amisse as being ruled and conducted by the holy Spirit and that in reuoking his Censures he should suffer in his reputation it could not be possible to draw him to it but only by shewing him what he might obtaine for his satisfaction in fauour of his Dignitie He said moreouer that Alincourt found the Pope of a nature firme and resolute and that it was meet to be a skilfull Orator to perswade him that if sometimes being vanquished by reason hee yeelded a little yet after he was wont to resume his former resolution And when he was forced by reason he would say he would thinke on the matter but this thinking was to remaine constant in his resolutions Wherefore if they would say no more the King his Master would not intermeddle THIRD BOOKE WHilest these things were treated at Venice at Rome and in the Courts of Princes the Iesuites did not cease to doe all sorts of euill offices to the Republique within and without Italy in the Cities where they liued scattering many calumnies as well in priuate Discourses as in their publique Sermons So farre as that they sent Letters into the Signiory to their adherents and caused their Deuotes to come to the Confines and themselues very often entred the State disguised and vnknowne for to seduce the Subiects publishing Indulgences in fauour of them who would obserue the Interdict or perswade others to obserue it or who would fauour the pretensions of the Pope They forged also false and counterfeit Letters dispersing them vnder the name of the Republique of Genoa to that of Venice and also scattered in many places a writing of one of their Sectaries in the name of the Citie of Verona to the Citie of Bresse These artifices being come to the knowledge of the Senate it was decreed that information should be made against the seditious actions of these men as well since these last occasions as long time before vpon many others And touching that which they had done in this last occasion it was manifestly iustified that in their Sermons they had vsed inuectiues against the Republique calling them Heretiques Lutherans and slandering the Gouernment as tyrannicall abominable with an infinite number of like Epithetes and that within the Cities of Ferrara Bologne Parma Mantua Bari Palermo and in other places that from their sleights and suggestions had proceeded all the euill passages happening in Spaine and in Bohemia vnto the Ambassadour of the Republique and in France and Polonia they had attempted that they might receiue all kinds of affronts especially in England that they had done all the disgrace vnto them which they could with the Catholiques of that Kingdome so farre as to finde fault that the Republique held an Ambassador with the King as that King reciprocally at Venice although they excused other Princes saying that their interests required it but there was not the like reason for the Republique That with the Princes of Italy they had endeuoured to effect that the Republique should not be permitted to make any leuy of men within their Estates when this deuice succeeded not they went in all places detesting the name of Venice and finally menacing them that should go to warre in their defence the seditions are numberlesse which they haue excited within the Dominions of the State by their Letters instructions and speeches with the Subiects of the Republique who went for their affaires vnto the Cities where these men were with their deuoted ones which they caused to come vpon the confines of the State It was further iustified that a good part of the vexations done by the Pope vnto the Republique vpon these occasions had proceeded from their instigations and from the hopes that they had giuen him that they had a faction and could put diuision in the Senate Now for matters passed formerly it was also verified that when the Republique after the death of Henry 3. gaue the title of most Christian King vnto Henry 4. these men had vaunted at Rome that they had put scruples in the consciences of many Senators who had repented themselues of that they had done promising to absolue them in case that they would promise to retract that therefore it was facile at the least instance of the Pope to change the whole face of this affaire which was the cause that his Holinesse pressed them who being not satisfied hence followed so many discontentments that on diuers occasions they had shewed themselues the fauourers of great Princes by that meanes had mingled themselues in the affaires of Gouernment that they dispended yearely aboue an hundred crownes in the portage of Letters whereby appeared the multitude of their affaires and the correspondencies which they had in all parts Further it was proued against them that they had great designes vpon the goods and faculties of their Penitents and of Women especially to the great preiudice of Families Also their Doctrine was considered in matters Politique that they praised Monarchy and blamed an Aristocratie with certaine Maximes very contrary to the Gouernment and Institution of the Republique adde hereunto that the Iesuites had beene the Authors and Instruments of all Vproares Seditions Confusions and Ruines happening within our Times in all Kingdomes and States in the world Wherfore hauing found their faults in so great number and they not only in some particulars of them but in the corps of their Societie all was proposed in Senate who deliberated hereupon the fourteenth of Iune and made the Decree which followeth That the Congregation of Iesuites hauing beene receiued at Venice from their first beginning and there euer since fauoured they on the contrary returning nothing but ingratitude towards the Republique and shewing themselues still inclined to doe all sorts of euill Offices to that State in which disposition they yet continued by insupportable enterprises and insolent
King-killers and Assassins wherein their weake or wilde Nouices are first frighted out of their Wits and so animated and prepared for any the most desperate enterprises Neuer was Sect so iustly and vniuersally hated and feared All Nations detest and suspect Them yet still they prosper So strangely that whosoeuer seriously eyes their Power and Practises will see they doe but equiuocate with their owne Masters the Pope and Spaine pretending to be their Factors and Instruments but indeed hauing their right eye vpon Themselues So that if the World do not quickly resolue to preuent Them by an vtter abolishing of this pestilent Vermin the next Age will see the Iesuites plant both the Catholique Crownes vpon the Head of their Generall In the meane while we sleepe and which is worse we sinne Neuer more need we had to be at peace with God and well vnited among our selues being threatened with so many dangers and Enemies abroad What then can wee iudge of so many new Doctrines in the Church so many old sinnes in the State but that they are certaine symptomes and indeed Causes of our approaching ruine which in all humane iudgement cannot be auoided vnlesse the Lord as he is wont work some Miracle in our preseruation He hath long wooed vs with innumerable vnparalell'd mercies and of late scourged vs with a furious Mortality but our dull dead hearts are still stupid and insensible we do not turne to him that smiteth vs we doe not meet our God by Repentance we returne nothing but insolence and ingratitude We despise his Mercy and defie his Iustice we scoffe at Holinesse in stead of honouring and imitating it we laugh at sinne in stead of lamenting it and those are called Manners with vs which our honest Fore-fathers would haue counted Vices Our Atheisme Sacriledge Luxury Excesse Pride Vnthankfulnesse open Prophanenesse c. crie downe vengeance vpon our heads and will doubtlesse make vs the example of Gods indignation to all the World as we haue beene formerly of his loue the pity of our Friends the hissing and reproach of our Enemies round about vs. Tunc votorum praecipuus locus quum spei nullus All you that loue and feare God and that tremble vnder the expectation of his wrath giue him no rest stand vp in the breach and quasi manu factâ Deum ambientes assault him with your prayers helps to quench this fire of his anger with your teares of sorrow Giue not ouer weeping repenting and praying till you haue receiued a gracious answer till the sinnes of our Nation be pardoned his imminent iudgements auerted his ancient fauours recouered till he haue rebuked Satan and trodden him vnder our feet till he haue frustrated the bloudy hopes and desires of the Enemies of his Truth till he build vp the breaches raise the ruines binde vp the wounds of his Sion Saying with Daniel O Lord God which art great and fearefull which keepest couenant and mercy towards them that loue thee and keepe thy Commandements We haue sinned and committed iniquitie and haue done wickedly we haue rebelled and haue departed from thy Precepts and from thy Commandements For wee would not obey thy Seruants thy Ministers which spake in thy Name to our Kings to our Princes to our Fathers and to all the People of the Land O Lord righteousnesse belongeth vnto thee and to vs open shame and confusion of face as appeareth this day Yet compassion and forgiuenesse is with the Lord albeit we haue rebelled against him Now therefore O Lord heare the prayers of thy seruants and their supplications and cause thy Face to shine vpon thy Sanctuary that lyeth waste for thy Names sake O Lord heare O Lord forgiue O Lord consider and doe it deferre not for thine owne sake O my God for thy Name is called vpon thy City and vpon thy People Errata PAge 8. line 1. for was sent reade was neere sent p. 16. l. 19. for degree r. decree p. 23. l. 1. for Neralse r. Neruese ibid. l. 10. for Priorie r. Prior. p. 37. l. 9. for of Fen r. of the Pregadi p. 115. l. 14. for Prinli r. Priuli p. 119. l. 3. for could r. would p. 164. l. 4. for obedience vnto r. obedience due vnto p. 193. l. 16. for Damila r. Damiata p. 206. l 5. for Papatins r. Papalins p. 207. l. 26. for Courts r. Commands p. 210 l 21. for there Sosa r. Frier Sosa p. 211. l. 2. for as be was desired r. as he desired p. 229. l. 11. for it is r. it was p. 245. l. 16. for that not hauing r. that hauing ib. l 19. for repaied r. repaired p. 334. l. 16. for his horse r. his House In Epist to the Reader conclusions r. combustions amased r. amused THE HISTORY OF THE QVARRELS OF POPE PAVL 5. With The State of Venice First Booke POpe PAVL the fift was addicted from his youth and nourished in those studies which haue no other end but to acquire vnto the Pope the Spirituall and Temporall Monarchie of all the world and to aduance the order of the Clergie so farre as not only to exempt them from all power and iurisdiction of Princes but further to exalt them about Kings themselues and to submit vnto them Secular men in all kindes of seruices and commodities Being come to perfect age hee had yet better means to manage those armes by which this doctrine is maintained For hauing exercised the office of Auditor of the Chamber a charge altogether agreeable to his nature and inclination in as much as the power attributed to that Magistrate is to be Sententiarum censurarum intus extrà latarum vniuersalis executor He employed himselfe in this charge more exactly than any of his Predecessours so that more Monitories and Citations were thundered out by him during the fiue yeares of his office than had beene in any fiftie yeares before In that while he conceiued a vehement desire of vengeance against those who seemed to him to bring some empeachment to the libertie or to speake more properly licentiousnesse of persons Ecclesiasticall and to the free and arbitrary exercise of Excommunication But because the desire of reuenge is extinguished or at least repressed when it is directed against Persons so potent and eminent that there is no hope to effect it his courage and resolutions were bent not so much against Kings and Monarches as against Republiques or popular Common-wealthes because that considering the Gouernours thereof in their priuate persons in which respect they are without power he might hope to attaine his end howsoeuer they were ioyned in one body and assisted by authoritie which accompanieth publique forces But aboue all he had a particular designe of reuenge against the State of Venice as well because it alone sustaineth the dignitie and hath the true markes of a Prince independent as because the Ecclesiastiques haue no dealing in that Estate and yet further it alone among all Princes doth not giue pensions to any
as much as the bruit of his departure being scattered thorow Rome all they of the Nation resorted to him and besides the Barons and Romane Gentlemen affected to the Republique But the Pope on the morrow dispatched after him a Colonell to accompany him thorow-out the State of the Church who ouertooke him at Foligno and offered to attend him in the name of his Holinesse The Ambassador though he was well accompanied receiued notwithstanding the Colonell for a part of the way and then thanking his Holinesse sent him backe who returned and was well entertained in all places of the State Ecclesiasticall as he passed At the same time the chiefe of the Councell of Ten sent for the Superiours of Monasteries and other Churches of Venice to whom was made knowne that the intention of the Prince was that they should continue the Diuine Seruices and that none of them should depart out of the State without permission Protection was promised to them that would remain and for them that would be gone it was declared that they might not carry away any goods of the Church nor any other thing of value They were further commanded that if any Breue from Rome or any order from their Superiours were by any meanes sent vnto them they should bring it vnto the Magistrate before they reade it In like manner the Gouernours of all Cities within the State were commanded to doe the like thorowout all places of their Iurisdiction After they consulted whether it were meet to make answer vnto the Monitory There were that proposed to vse the remedy of Appeale practised in all times by all Princes and Republiques especially within these last three hundred yeares against the attempts of Popes and particularly by the Senate of Venice vpon like occasions and in like occurrences yea euen since that the Popes Pius 2. Sixtus 4. and Iulius 2. by their Breues and others by the Bulle in Coena Domini haue assayed to condemne such Appeales Others neuerthelesse alledging that Appeales are made in case of an iniustice which hath some colour of iustice which hath no place in this Monitory where the nullities were in great numbers and so notorious their aduise was receiued Wherefore it was resolued with one consent to write vnto the Prelates of the State touching the iudgement of the Prince concerning the Monitory published and why he determined to vse no other remedy These Letters were written the sixt of May and were imprinted to be affixed in publique places and contained in substance that he had receiued aduise of a Publication made at Rome on the seuenteenth of Aprill of a certaine Breue fulminated against him and against the Senate and Signory wherefore being obliged to haue a care of the publique tranquillitie and of the authoritie of a Soueraigne Prince he Protested before God and all the world that he had not omitted or neglected any meanes possible to make the Pope capable of the most cleare and strong reasons in behalfe of the Republique But hauing found his cares shut and seene that Breue published against reason and iustice and against the doctrine of the Holy Scriptures of the Fathers and of the Canons in preiudice of the Secular authoritie giuen by God and of the libertie of the State with the trouble of the repose of his subiects and to the great scandall of all the world he did not doubt to account that Breue not onely for vniust but for meerely void and null and so vnlawfull that he did not repute it needfull to haue recourse to such remedies as in other occasions the Republique and many Soueraigne Princes haue vsed against such Popes as outpassed the power to them giuen by God trusting that the Prelates would hold on in their accustomed courses and continue the diuine seruice the Republique being resolued to perseuere in the holy Catholique faith and in the reuerence of the Romane Church such as they had from the beginning euer tendered Vpon this there hapned a thing notable Vpon the 8. of May the same time that the Nuntio was with the Prince to demand leaue to be gone were affixed thorowout the Citie Copies of the foresaid letters and as he returned he saw one fastned to the doore of S. Francis Church which was hard by his lodging The Capuchins and Theatins vntill then did not thinke of departing out of the State or at the least they did not discouer their designe on the contrary the Prouinciall and other Fathers of the Capucines which gouerned one of their Prouinces which they haue within the State when they vnderstood that the publication of the Monitorie was made at Rome tooke counsell among themselues and determined that seeing no matter of faith was treated betweene the Pope and the Republique they were not obliged to follow the intentions of the Pope and to this effect following this resolution they sent letters to all their Conuents situate within the State Afterwards receiuing an expresse command from their Superiors that by all meanes they should be gone and retire out of the Venetian Dominions they wrought in such sort that they were prohibited to depart vpon paine of death and procured this commandement to be generall to the end that they might be lesse suspected which being done they raised and spred a rumour that they had an intention to retire but now they could not being forbidden by the Prince vnder paine of death But afterward they vtterly changed their opinion vpon the occasion which followes The Iesuites immediatly after they had notice that the Monitorie had beene published in Rome dispatched to his Holinesse the Father Achilles Gaillardi of Padua for to represent vnto him what good offices they might doe to his aduantage if they were permitted to remaine within the State For this reason expecting hereof an answer from Rome when the pleasure of the Senate was signified vnto them they spake in apparence as did others neuerthelesse either because they were in doubt of the Popes intention or for some other reason seruing themselues of their ordinary equiuocations they professed that they might continue the Diuine Offices their Sermons Confessions according to their custome But the Pope hearing the propositions of the Iesuites and considering that if they did not publikely keepe the Interdict they would bring more damage to his pretensions then profit by their sleights which they could practise vnder hand hee gaue them to vnderstand that his resolution was they should obserue the Interdict and for this effect sent vnto them a commandement by the same Currier which brought vnto the Nuntio his order to depart yet that they might delay so long as they could with conuenience Notwithstanding they scattered a report that they had decreed to stay abstaining only from saying Masse in publique but otherwise to continue all Diuine Offices And forasmuch as it seemed a great diminution of their reputation if when they went away the Capuchines should abide after they had vsed many artifices to
calumnies seeking all occasions to offend them For these causes they should neuer be admitted or receiued in any place of the State nor this Decree reuoked vnlesse the whole Processe against them were first read in full Senate which consists of no lesse than 180. Senators whereof fiue parts the whole being composed of six should giue suffrage for their reuocation And this may be one certain argument of their enormous and euident crimes that there was not any one Person of so great a number who spake anything in fauour of them and in the Scrutiny made by secret voices all were found vnanimous to decree their perpetuall banishment notwithstanding that some of this number had formerly vsed them as their Confessors who had much fauoured them on many other occasions But the Pope fore-seeing the difficulties to come to this accord so much desired with the honour which he expected and likewise considering that all the shifts and artifices as well of the Iesuites as of other Ecclesiastiques could not cause any trouble in the State of the Republique which he thought might be greatly profitable to induce the Senate to yeeld to his will all enterprises to this effect resting vaine and without fruit as also being not able by so many deuices and trickes to draw to himselfe any other than some simple persons aduised himselfe of a most subtill inuention Which was that on the nineteenth of Iune he published a Iubilee whereby he inuited all Christians to pray God with him for the necessities of the Church and to this end granted Indulgences Absolutions and Remissions to all excepting them that were found in Cities or places Interdicted whom hee excluded from these fauours not comprehending them so much as in their number whose prayers he implored In Italy no Spirituall thing is more wished or expected by the people and when it is granted nothing receiued with more deuout affection than a Iubilee Whereupon at Rome they beleeued that the people within the State of Venice seeing themselues depriued of such Graces giuen to all the faithfull would certainly be moued with sedition to seeke their part in them But the euill designe which the Iesuites did hope would succeed by their Sermons in the neighbouring places where they had publiquely declamed against the Honour of the Republique being frustrate they aduised hereupon to put in worke their last artifice to raise vp commotions by writing to their Adherents that although the Pope had excluded from the Iubilee in generall all the Subiects of the State of Venice yet they had power from his Holinesse to grant it to such persons as would obserue the conditions by them propounded among which these were some not to goe to Masse not to approue the publique reasons and actions and others more important The end of this Inbilee was very well knowne in Spaine for although they haue a very great deuotion towards the Indulgences which come from Rome and principally in the Iubilees neuerthelesse they remained in suspence and though the Nuntio were very instant to cause it to be published yet three Moneths passed before they gaue their consent In this same time wherein at Rome they were thus busied in Ceremonies a certaine Writing was affixed at Vicenza and many other places whereby the Republique was exhorted to withdraw it selfe from the obedience of the Romane Church and hereupon it touched many points of Religion calling the Pope Antichrist Which being knowne at Venice the Senate was there with greatly troubled their resolution being to continue alwayes most constant to conserue their Religion inuiolable They considered that howsoeuer such actions might be done by stealth and some one man neuerthelesse if prouision were not made strictly to deterre any more to imitate the like there might follow very pernicious consequences Whereupon they caused to bee published a very rigorous Ban promising recompence to him that could discouer the Author giuing charge to the Gouernours to make an exact search after him But with all the diligence which they could vse nothing could be fouÌ„d saue only some obscure coÌ„iectures that this was an Artifice of the Ecclefiastiques themselues whether to shew the danger wherein they were and thereby to incite the State to some speedie accord with the Pope or for to verifie the calumnies which the Iesuiticall Fathers dispersed against the Republique At the same time when the Pope published this Iubilee he wrought in such sort with the Marquis de Villena that he dispatched a Currier into Spaine to giue aduise vnto his King that his Holinesse would cast himselfe intirely vnder his Protection and that for this reason he demanded not onely his fauour but some succour of men But the King of Spaine answered his Ambassador that he ought to represse these thoughts in as much as the troubles of Italy would not be aduantageous either to the See Apostolique or the Crowne of Spaine And although this answer afflicted the Pope beyond measure neuerthelesse to trie all meanes he himselfe dispatched a Post with a Breue to that King and a Writing containing his Reasons which he accompanied with a Letter addressed to the Duke of Lermâ—â— wherein with an ardent affection he recommended vnto him his Person and Affaires with offers of Obligation and acknowledgment calling him the Base of the Crowne of Spaine vpon whom depended the Catholique Monarchie and the onely pillar of the Church This Breue was written first in Latine but afterwards in the vulgar Italian for to giue vnto him the title of Excellence a thing which the Popes haue not vsed Notwithstanding all this the Pope distrusting to obtaine from Spaine that which he desired hearkned vnto the treaties of peace proposed And it is certaine that the offices done by the Cardinals and Ambassadors at Rome and especially those of the Ambassador of France had such effect that being ioyned with the remorse which the Pope felt in his conscience they reduced him to such a point that he was neere perswaded to condescent to a suspension of the Censures to open a way to some farther treaty and he came so far as to collect hereupon the suffrages and opinions of the Cardinals But whilest he was considering of their aduice in the beginning of Iuly at the same time when Fresne made his last instance whereof we haue spoken and when the Ban against the Iesuites and the publication of a Iubilee interrupted the treaty came the answer of the King of Spaine to the Letters of his Holinesse Which was presented vnto him by the Marquis de Villena being accompanied with three Cardinals which imported That the King had desired that the differences with the Repub. of Venice should not haue come so far but because He saw the honour of his Holinesse much interessed he was resolued to assist him with his forces which his intention he had signified to his Ministers in Italie and likewise giuen order that they should make it knowne to the Princes his Dependents This Letter was
the wars which were put in the Garrisons He made also some musters of Horse-men within their quarters that they might not be payed who appeared on horses for the most part borrowed being not able to furnish themselues with horses vnlesse they had receiued their pay He brought also out of ranke some Spanish Souldiers comming downe from Monaco and Final and made them diligently to labour at Pauie in the Castle of Milan for the transporting of the Artillery And the Pope to enduce the Count de Fuentes to serue him with more cheerefulnesse gaue many Benefices in Spaine to his kins-men and to such as he commended and to aid his expences he granted him the Tenthes out of the Clergie of Milan although the Ecclesiastiques assembled by the Cardinall Borromeo for the execution of this Grant did contradict it saying that the charge was new and had neuer beene imposed Wherefore they resolued humbly to intreat his Holinesse and the Count de Fuentes that such a nouelty might not be introduced The Count was not earnest in the affaire and therefore it easily passed without execution He made also a rumor to be scattered that he would haue an armie in readinesse of fiue and twenty thousand men composed of Neapolitans Dutch Suisses and Spaniards but because he began not to execute this Designe till the yeare following we shall speake more thereof in due place In the meane while the Spaniards armed at Naples six and twenty Gallies to be ready vpon any exigent But the Senate at Venice did not so much attend the Preparations of the Pope as to preuent some ambushes and the army at Sea prouided at Naples Therefore besides the eight and twenty Gallies which they had ordinarily they adioined other ten and three great Gallies with twentie lesser Barques whereof each one carried fifty Souldiers They gaue charge vnto the Prouisor Generall in Candie that he should send to Corfu the Gallies appointed for the guard of that Isle well strengthned They commanded all the Sea-Captaines to retaine all Vessels which passed by the Gulfe for what place soeuer and to send them vnto Venice except such as had Patents from the K. of Spaine for his affaires which brought a great disorder on the Coasts of Romagna and the Marquisate of Ancona which by this meanes were in a manner besieged All exportation of Corne was prohibited euen vnto Subiects Ecclesiasticall and the transportation of Gold and Siluer aboue ten Ducates into the State of the Church the Reuenues of such Ecclesiastiques as were out of the State were sequestred which brought many incommodities to the Court of Rome many Prelates being hereby constrained to abridge their Families and expences The leuies of men which had beene made out of Families were discharged to a third part to the end that al heads of Families and men maried should be left behind and that third amounted to the number of twelue thousand foot-men Besides the Garrisons which were ordinarily kept in the Forts they leuyed in the beginning two thousand Italians six hundred Corses and an hundred and fifty Alban Horse vnder three Captaines to whom they ioyned six hundred more vnder the pay accustomed all which were distributed vpon the Continent in seuerall places sending to this effect Nicholas Delfin to be Prouisor on this side the Menzo and Iohn Iames Zanne vpon the Po and in the Polesin of Rouigo And the troubles after increasing they intertained six thousand Italian foot-men the ordinary Bands remaining which were put vnder the charge of certaine Gentlemen of the Continent Subiects of the Signiory which were augmented the yeare following vnto the number of twelue thousand foot besides those of the former leuies and foure thousand horse as shall be said hereafter In the same time the Cities and other particular Subiects offered to contribute whensoeuer they should be commanded and these offers from diuers places amounted to the number of seuen thousand foot-men and twelue hundred horse which were not leuyed because at length peace was concluded As also there was no need to make vse of those Christians Subiects of the Turke whom the Arch-bishop of Philadelphia a man highly esteemed among the Greekes as well for his good life as for his excellent learning offered to cause to come by his authority in such numbers as they would desire and vpon such honest conditions as the Senate should iudge fit whereunto the Turkes also easily accorded Likewise for the same reason they did not imploy the seuerall succours which some French Lords offered among whom the Duke de Maien offered to send his sonnes and the Prince of Ionuile his nephew and Monsieur de Boniuet whose ancestors haue beene alwaies well affected to the Republique was purposing to come himselfe in person And the Protestants of that Kingdome not onely offered voluntarily Captaines and Souldiers but euen sollicited to be therein imployed and although the Senate thanked them with a purpose to serue themselues of them if need required yet had they a firme resolution not to vse them vnlesse they were pressed with extreme necessitie as also not first to begin the Warre in Italie but onely prepare themselues for defence in case they should be assaulted The Count de Fuentes for to maintaine the effect of the promise of his King and of his sleights gaue the Pope often to vnderstand sometime by meanes of the Ambassador of his Master at Rome sometime by expresse persons what he purposed to doe and how he had resolued to hinder the passage of any souldiers into Italy giuing aduise that hee kept a strong guard on the confines of the Grisons to that end and that he was armed in the frontiers of Venice to keepe them in awe All this notwith standing the Pope knew well that by reason of the dearth and famine which was in Naples the Prouisions out of that Kingdome would goe on but slowly and further he saw that hee could not satisfie the demands which were made on the behalfe of Spaine Besides he thought deeply vpon the words which that King had spoken to his Nuntio that his purpose was not to moue any warre but onely to assist the Pope if he were assaulted in his owne State for which cause he imagined that the King of Spaine did rather desire to see Him lose reputation and the Republique driuen to expences then that the affaire should be ended to his aduantage And therefore hee lent an eare to all that spake of the accord and especially because it was ardently desired by his Brethren who had a purpose to buy Regnano of Lucio Sauelli as afterward they did notwithstanding the need which the See Apostolique had of money For these considerations the Pope heard and fauoured greatly the Ambassador of the most Christian King who spake vnto him touching the accord and although the Ambassador of Spaine did the same offices for a Peace his Holinesse neuerthelesse hearkned more willingly to him of France as well because he iudged