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
obtaine nothing not only because the purpose of the King was to carry himselfe as a Neuter but especially because that Kingdom holds it for a matter most certaine and apparant that Popes haue no power ouer the Temporalty of Princes and that they cānot proceed by Censures against Thē or their Officers in things which cōcerne the State Vpō these reasons the Nuntio was cōstrained to quit his pretensions and they treated with the Ambassador of Venice after the maner accustomed not altering any thing for the Popes Censures On the contrary as soone as the King knew of the Publication of the Monitory at Rome he complained greatly of the too hastie proceedings of the Pope and sent a dispatch to him with speed requesting him to prolong the Terme with designe to interpose his authority by consent of the parties to accommodate the difference He further writ thereof particular Letters to this effect vnto the two brethren of the Pope to the Cardinall Borghese and to the French Cardinals and although the Post did not arriue till after the daies prefixed by the Monitory Alincourt the Ambassador of the King did not therefore omit to deliuer the Letters and to treat thereof with his Holinesse who excused himselfe for as much as the Terme was expired which took from him the meanes of prolonging it and so of giuing satisfaction vnto the King The King was offended that his mediation had beene so little esteemed neuerthelesse he resolued to pursue it and writ to his Ambassador that he should not neglect to treat with the Pope for to giue ouerture to some other meanes of accord In England the opinion which that King hath of the Popes authoritie being well knowne to all the world any one may iudge how he receiued the newes of these actions of the Pope Nor shall it be necessary to relate any thing therof but only the answer which the King gaue to Iustiniano Ambassador for the Republique then when he informed him of all that had passed in Senate which was very notable The King then hauing heard the relation of the Ambassador after he had shewed how well he accepted that office and had commended the Lawes of the Republique said that he longed to see the whole Church of God reformed and that to this end he desired much a Free Councel to determine so many Controuersies which haue no other cause but the Spirituall Vsurpations of the Roman Bishops in which desire he thought the King of France and other Princes would ioine with him that perhaps God meant to produce this happinesse out of these troubles of the Republique that he had spoken thereof to Pope Clement then when hee was moued by him when first hee came to the Crowne of England to vnite himselfe vnto the Romane Church but he would not heare any thing of a Councell that this Vnion was much to be desired but clearely there was no other meane to effect it then by a free Generall Councell The King added moreouer that the ruine of the Church proceeded from this that the Popes esteemed themselues as Gods and further were so corrupted by flattery that it was no maruell if they could not giue care to any reason and if they proceeded with precipitation From Holland the States of those Prouinces Vnited and the Count Maurice of Nassau apart writ letters of great affection to the Repub. offering succour of armes and victuals with all sorts of seruices vpon any occasions which might be offered by this difference whereunto the Senate answered by letters full of the like beneuolence accepting their offers if necessitie should require At Turin when the Duke of Sauoy vnderstood by Peter Contarini Ambassador of the Republique how the Monitorie had beene affixed at Rome he shewed that he had beene formerly aduertised thereof and made it appeare that he well vnderstood the reasons of the Republique and that it was the common cause of all Princes so as he could not make any demonstration in fauour of the Pope although the Nuntio made great instance to that purpose Yet not willing openly to offend his Holinesse he abstained from the Chappell to take away all occasion of quarrell Notwithstanding the Ambassador which he had at Venice did not gouerne himselfe with the same moderation but on the contrary retired himselfe from the Court auoiding the Dukes presence though he was often inuited and in the Citie in the part where hee had his lodging he did many euill offices towards the Ecclesiastiques against the Repub and in fauour of the Pope which serued more to shew his crooked spirit and passion then to doe any hurt or damage to the State And the Duke himselfe although he had alwaies the same opinion of the Popes Censures did not afterward treat in the like fashion with the Ambassador For the Republique hauing written to his children with the title of Excellencie so as they had accustomed he in disdaine hereof made a Chappell without admitting thereunto the Ambassador and gaue him notice that it was because the Republique had not vsed the stile of Highnesse to his Sonnes At Florence the great Duke did not make any nouelty with Robert Lio Secretary of the Republique but treated with him in all respects as formerly he was wont But Antony Grimani Bishop of Torcelli the Popes Nuntio in that place altho a Venetian Gentleman himselfe refused to receiue the Secretary into his House giuing him to vnderstand that he would not be visited by Him vntill he had order from Rome what he should do Yet a few daies after hauing changed his minde no man knowes for what reason without expecting any other order from Rome he returned to treat with him as before At Naples the Count de Beneuento Viceroy vpon that which was represented vnto him by Austine Dolce Resident in that Court for the Republique blamed the rash proceedings of the Pope approued the reasons of the Republique and treated alwaies with the Resident as formerly as did in like manner Bastoni Bishop of Pauie the Popes Nuntio The like was also obserued at Milan by the Count de Fuentes Gouernour of that Estate towards Antony Paulucci Resident with him for the Repub. For the other Cities of Italy the Repub hath not in them any Minister The Dukes of Mantua and Modena also testified what esteeme they made of the Repub. and what iudgement they had of the Popes actions by meanes of their Residents at Venice But to resume our discourse the Princes of Italie together with the Ambassadors of Kings as well at Rome as at Venice after that they knew that the Pope seeing his Monitorie lightly esteemed was much perplexed as if he had manifestly repented him of the fact had some hope that the affaire might be accommodated and each of them desired to be a Mediator in the difference and during three Moneths after the publication they offered themselues not without enuy one of another The Duke of Mantua who had notice from his Agent at
was farre from any Concord although he shewed the contrary or that possibly he desired to appeare puissant that he might treat with the more aduantage Wherefore they esteemed it necessary to trie in like manner what would be the intention of their Friends in case they should come to strokes and hereupon they writ to their Ambass in France and England for to giue aduise vnto the Princes with whom they resided that the Pope was euery day further from all reasonable Pacification and went on with his warlike Prouisions that already the King of Spaine had declared himselfe hauing giuen his owne Letter for a pledge with promise to assist him that the Pope sent often into Spaine On the other part that the Repub. was resolued to doe nothing against their Liberty and Honour for any respect that the Senate thought it time to haue recourse vnto their Maiesties to vnderstand their intentions and what they would be pleased to doe if things should fall out into a manifest rupture These Ambassadors had also charge from the Republique to doe what they could to sound the intention of these Kings and to draw from them some resolution Besides it was deliberated to call the Ambassadors of the one and the other King Residents at Venice to impart vnto them the same things Whereupon the English Ambassador after he had thanked the Senate for this Communication and had complained in the Name of the King his Master of the iniuries which were offered against all Reason to a Republique which merited graces and fauours he praised their Generosity and resolution to defend their Honour assuring them that on so important an occasion they should haue from his King all aid and fauour as well in good Offices as in Armes and succours The Ambassadour also proposed as from himselfe a League with his King and other Princes his Friends But the Ambassador of France answered that the King his Master acknowledged very well the Reasons of the Republique and the wrongs offered vnto them by the Pope with whom notwithstanding they ought not to proceed toorigorously giuing example of the submissions which the King had vsed towards Pope Clement and exhorting the Republique to vse all diligence to find some meanes to accōmodate these Controuersies adioyning neuerthelesse that if they should come to Armes which he could not beleeue the King would assist the Signiory That the Spaniards were not in case to beginne new Warres that they brought nothing but words and apparences which for certaine would not come to effects But if that should fall out he promised in ample words the assistance of his King He added further that the Pope spake mildly demanding that the Lawes might be suspended and that he would suspend his Censures yea whensoeuer the Pope was assured that the Lawes would be suspended he would be the first to suspend the Censures Moreouer Mounfieur de Fresne propounded another motion yet as from himselfe that for to put an end to all debate and wholly to stay the Pope with assurance that the reasons of the Republique should remaine entire they might remit all difficulties into the hands of the two Kings of France and Spaine who because of their interests and seeing the matter was common to all Princes could not but approue the Lawes and actions of the Senate Whereupon they considered the great difficulties which might grow before the Pope might be made to consent to this ouerture and after he had consented how many other questions might arise before the conclusion So it was represented to the Ambassador that this proposition could not succeed wherefore he passed it in silence The Senate aduised their Ambassador in Spaine of all these propositions and answers commanding him to thanke the Catholique King for his offer to interpose in this affaire and to make remonstrance vnto him how needfull it was for that Crowne to conserue the amitie of the Republique and so modestly to complaine that the designes of the Pope were fomented by the Letters of his Maiestie and by the offices of some of his Ministers Whereunto the Constable of Castile in the Name of the King answered That the Letter written vnto the Pope was not for to breake the amitie which was betweene his Maiestie and the Republique but onely to shew himselfe a defender of the See Apostolique when the Pope should be assaulted in his Estate Some fifteene daies after the communication made to these Ambassadors He of Spaine was at the audience and gaue account of the Letter which his King had written to the Pope assuring them with effectuall words that it was nothing and that it was written onely in generall termes since the King his Master had no intention to assist the Pope but onely in case that he were set vpon in his owne Estate by the forces of the Republique accompanied with the Armes of forraine Princes but otherwise hee had not any purpose to offend the Republique And although the Letter was written vnto the Pope with words of great affection that this was onely to gaine credit with his Holinesse to the end that he might more powerfully mediate an amiable agreement of these differences That to this end he had required leaue of them to demand of the Pope in the name of the Repub. that he would take away the Censures and withall to signifie they were sorry for the disgusts of his Holinesse But that the commission which the Senate had giuen him for to pray the Pope was too much restrained to produce any good effect that therefore it was meet to inlarge it as might seeme good to his Serenitie And hee added further that he assured the Republique on the word of a King of this his good intention and more that hee knew not whether others who made shew to interpose themselues in this agreement aimed so much at Peace as the King his Master Some men beleeued that Cardenas resolued to doe this office after he vnderstood the communication which had beene made to the Ambassadors of France and England and considered the alteration which the Letter of the Catholique King had produced with other effects which might follow Others held that he had receiued expresse commission thereof from Spaine But it is certaine that the same office was done some few daies before in Spaine to the Ambassador of Venice by the Constable of Castile sent expresly to tell him That the Letter written by the King to assist his Holinesse was not to breake the amitie which his Maiestie had with the Republique but onely to get reputation with the Pope wth out designe to come to armes in his fauour vnlesse it were in case of necessitie when he should be assaulted in his Estate And certainly in Spaine they employed themselues with all sinceritie to the Pacification and did what was possible to perswade the Nuntio to treat with the Ambassador of Venice at least in secret to the end that from him hee might vnderstand that which they thought not
this Congregation and of the qualitie of those that were elected as also for that the Pope had not expected the answer of the King as he had promised And because he had then receiued answer from the King concerning that which the Republique had yeelded in gratification to his Maiestie he gaue them thanks for the Prisoners and for the other things which they had promised yet he signified that there remained some doubt in the King that the Pope would hardly be induced to reuoke his Censures before the Suspension of the Lawes seeing the Lawes had giuen occasion to the Publication of the Censures that his Maiestie had considered the Reasons of the Republique and approued them and that hee would serue himselfe thereof in time and place although he would not contest with the Pope who hauing cast himselfe into a precipice by euill counsell yet would not see the meanes to recouer himselfe and therefore often recalled the word which he had once giuen and all delay put him in doubt and suspition Wherefore he exhorted them speedily to put an end vnto the Difference which could not be done without suspending the execution of their Lawes alledging for reason that this was nothing but a pure ceremonie should be done in gratificatiō of the King not of the Pope That it should be done to no other end then to giue some pretext vnto the Pope to retire himselfe with honour and that haply in so doing there should be no speech of the Prisoners nor the Protestation That the King in all this protested he desired not any whit to preiudice their Liberty and their Estate as hauing for end only the common good That hereby they perceiued his intentions to differ from theirs who had requested the Pope to suffer no Cōposition but by their meanes the end whereof was to consume both the one part the other Fresne adioyned that when they should bee forced to make Warre the King would readily serue the Republique if they would communicate with him their Designes as well offensiue as defensiue Hee demanded also assurance that they would not treat of the Accord but by his Mediation and by no other meanes because the King was not yet certaine that the Pope would cast himselfe into the armes of Spaine But if he should see him resolued to breake he knew well how to restraine his furie which he would doe principally for the fauour and good intelligence which hee had with the Republique though if he had not so strict an alliance with them yet he was obliged by reason of State to assist them and oppose himselfe against their ruine Vpon this the Senate thought it conuenient to procure a confirmation of all this from the Kings owne mouth and therefore commanded their Ambassador Resident with him to doe all that he could to discouer the minde of his Maiestie and to draw from him this confirmation intreating him that since the Pope relying vpon the Spaniards and others did not cease to Arme and because the times required his Maiestie would be contented to vse his authoritie to stop the course of these euils which if they should continue the Republique could not but haue recourse to their true ancient and approued Friends among whom he was the Principall And when it should please him confidently to communicate with them his intentions they would send vnto his Maiestie a Person expresly to treat of particularities To this the King answered that hee had beene desired by the Nuntio in the name of the Pope to declare himselfe for his Holinesse that he would answer them in like manner as he had answered the Pope to wit that to declare himselfe for either partie wereto foment the Differences and therefore he would not fauour the purposes of the one side or the other as did the Spaniards for their owne aduantage but if they should disturbe the publique tranquillitie in that case he would doe what beseemed him and as any one might coniecture but for the present they ought not to presse such Declarations but rather studie to preuent a rupture for to auoid the incommodities of War which none can comprehend but they that haue tried them especially considering the danger of Religion which Warre importeth That for these reasons it was fit to vse all meanes not to interrupt the Treaty nor to render him incapable to conclude the agreement as he should be if he declared himselfe for the one or the other that to send vnto him an expresse Ambassador was to render him suspected vnto the Pope and to giue occasion to the Spaniards to fill his minde with euill impressions Further they communicated to the Ambassador of England Resident at Venice the Preparations which the Pope made at Rome and told him that he might now publish the Declaration of the King his Master and procure the Succours which he promised accordingly they gaue order to their Ambassador Iustinian to treat with the King The English Ambassador testified very much contentment to doe this Office affirming that it was to publish the glory of his King which he would doe not onely in Venice to all the Ministers of Princes but also that by his Letters he would diuulge the fame thereof thorowout the world He also praied them to signifie vnto him their particular Designes for that the King Himselfe and other Ministers of his Maiestie in all places would doe their vttermost in their behalfe and shew their affection and open heart He passed further and said that it was necessarie to put a speedy end to this affaire which could not be attained but by one of these three meanes either by yeelding or referring the matter to Princes or by Warre That he saw well the Republique had no minde to the first and if they resolued to make a reference to any they could not make choise of any fitter then his King who maruellously well vnderstood how much it imported to maintaine the Authoritie giuen by God to Princes But if the matter should come to Armes he praied his Serenitie to consider that though Philosophers say the Sunne warmes these inferiour bodies without heat in it selfe yet in humane things it is not so but he that would heat others in his fauour must first be hot himselfe Moreouer the Senate determined to signifie vnto all Princes the Declaration of the King of England But the King vpon the Representation of the Ambassador Iustinian answered That he called God to witnesse his resolution to defend the Cause of the Republique had no other end but the Seruice of God and to conserue the Liberty giuen by God to all Princes and not for any euill will which he carried to the Pope being not moued by the particular Interest of the Republique but only so farre as he knew they defended a Cause most iust and acceptable to God which the more he considered in his minde so much the more was he confirmed in their Protection and Defence not finding any apparant shadow
seeing the Spaniards to continue their warlike prouisions But aboue all he gaue a manifest signe of a minde vtterly auerse from Peace when he declared the day of Ianuary in full Consistorie that he would haue Warre with the Republique of Venice That to this effect he had from the King of Spaine 26000. foot and 4000. horse and named the Cardinall Borghese his Nephew to be his Legate with 1000. Crownes a Moneth for prouision This declaration of the Pope ioyned to the preparations of the Spaniards were little pleasing to the Princes of Italy and particularly to the Duke of Sauoy the great Duke of Tuscany and to the Duke of Mantua who considered very prudently how much it imported that the Spaniards had so great forces in Italy and that the Pope had cast himselfe intirely into their hands The Duke of Sauoy obserued it so much more iealously because he had beene iutreated by the Count Fuentes to fill vp his companies of horse to receiue within his Countrey some of his Troupes and to put in his hands the Fortresse of Carbonara to hinder the Huguenots of France to passe vnto the succour of the Venetians giuing his word that so soone as the Republique of Venice should be vanquished which hee said would be within three Moneths hee would withdraw his souldiers and leaue the Countrey free wherewith the Duke was much grieued and complained thereof in Spaine And the Duke of Mantua being required to lodge the Neapolitans within Montferrat excused himselfe not only vnto the Count but also to the King who sent order to Milan that the Duke should not be pressed But to diuert the course of these disorders the Duke of Sauoy Treated with the Pope by the Count de Verüa his Ambassador that he would ioyne himselfe with the great Duke of Tuscany and that they would put together good forces to succour him and on the other side the same Duke signified to the Senate of Venice the offers which he had made vnto the Pope protesting that he made them not to offend the Republique or to strengthen the Pope further for the Warre but to the end that the Pope should not wholly cast himselfe into the hands of Spaniards But the Pope did not take in good part this Ambassage of the Count de Verüa on the contrary he maruailed that his Master did not ioy ne his intention with the Spaniards Wherefore he began to suspect his iourney to Venice and wished him to consider that for the obstinacie so he spake of the Venetians nothing could be done and therefore exhorted him not to hazard so his reputation In Spaine the Duke of Lerma complained to the Ambassador of England of the Demonstrations of assistance which his King had made in fauour of the Republique saying that they had not shewed themselues so resolute against the Pope if they had not been encouraged by his King because from France they could expect nothing but words or peraduenture some Troupes hired with their owne siluer He said also that the King his Master opposed himselfe to the Treaty of Peace with the Hollanders to enfeeble so much the more the Succours which the Pope might otherwise haue from Spaine but that the Catholique King would abandon all other enterprises to increase his power for the maintenance of Religion That not withstanding he hoped to be able for the seruice of God to doe both the one and the other making ready 50000. souldiers which would suffice both for Italy and the Low Countries That he would leuie 45. Companies of foot to send into Italie vnder Don Ferdinand of Toledo That he would draw the men of Warre out of Sicily Naples and Milan and gather more out of Germanie and Suisserland being resolued not to aband on the Pope That he would haue the King of Great-Britaine vnderstand that the aide which he intended to the Republique should be to small purpose forasmuch as they had not forces answerable to report That their great treasure was a brag That their subiects were discontent and desirous to change the Gouernment That the Signiory had no Captaines of reputation the Catholique King hauing with him all the Italian Princes vnlesse they had recourse to some hereticall Prince which would render them odious both to the People and the Souldiers All this was spoken to the end that the Republique seeing themselues forsaken by all should yeeld more easily to that which the Pope desired Now at Venice men beleeued for certaine that the Differences with Rome could not admit of any Concord and that the present yeere would not passe with such tranquillitie as the former had enioyned which was wholly spent in Treaties and Disputes Which they feared so much the more because the Leuies of men of Warre within the State of Milan euery day increased And though some imagined vndoubtedly as also the euent afterward shewed that all this was done to no other end then to constraine the Republique onely for feare to yeeld vnto the Popes demands or rather by these apparences to giue him content or to oblige him farther not withstanding this produced a contrary effect in the spirits of the Venetians who resolued to hasten with more courage the preparations of Warre and to make ready all their Troupes Italians and Albans with some others of the Vltramontans They determined also to elect a Secretary to be sent to the Count de Vaudemont as well to giue the first pay to the souldiers as to write vnto him that he was to begin the Leuie and they elected Iohn Baptista Padauin who had beene employed to the same effect in the yeere 1601. who had Commission to make a Leuie of 6000. footmen to wit 3000. French Lorraines and Wallons and 3000. Dutch although afterwards hee had commandement to let the Dutch alone and to leuie 3000. naturall Suisses to whom hee was inioyned by the way to communicate the Differences of the Republique and the occasions which they had to make vse of their Nation and in particular hee had charge to doe these offices at Zurich Basil and Berne without lingring that hee might quickly passe to Nancy which was the principall aime of his iourney Verdelli being still at Venice where he had beene since Aprill of the former yeare it was determined to let him know that if the Controuersies with the Pope passed on further the Republique should haue need to serue themselues of men beyond the Mountaines and therefore that he should aduertise the Count de Vaudemont his Master to take so good order with his Affaires that he might on all occasions cause to passe into Italy such numbers of Souldiers as the Republique should require for their seruice Verdelli answered that the men were ready and that they should be more troubled to retaine them that were superfluous than to send them that were required That for the passage the Count his Master would let them passe securely by the way of the Suisses and Grisons And hee said moreouer that it
of the Court of Rome which being by them interpreted a contempt is the cause that they cary all an especiall hatred and nourish in themselues an euill will against that State Hereupon being aduanced vnto the Papacie he proposed no other thing for his end but to enlarge the Ecclesiasticall authoritie or as he termed it to restore it vnto that condition from which it was fallen by the negligence of this Predecessors and particularly of Clement 8. Wherefore his first purpose was to establish a Congregation at Rome whose only charge and studie should be to consider oâ—… whereby this authoritie might 〈…〉 and augmented or at least by cramining all writings vpon these matters to raise new difficulties and to prepare occasions for his Successours to giue perfection vnto that which he could not finish and in the meane while to mortifie the presumption as he called it of Secular Estates Besides he imagined that to bring this his designe to perfection it was necessary to send into all Kingdomes and Courts of Catâ—… Princes such Nuntio's as were enclinâ—… the like thoughts That which straight wayes he began to execute by changing the 〈◊〉 formerly imployed and particularly 〈◊〉 to Venice Horatio Matthei Bishop of Giâ—… a man so passionate in this cause that he blâ—shed not to say vnto the Duke in full assembly that Alines and other workes of pietie the frequâ—â—â—ing of Sacraments and all other good and Christion actions ad nihilum valent vltra were nothing auaileable if men did not fauour the Ecclesiasticall libertie these were his words And in many familiar discourses which he had with diuers persons he was wont to say that he had heard the pietie of the City of Venice often 〈◊〉 amply commended by himselfe could perceiue but little considering that Christian perfection doth not consist in almes deeds and deuotions but in exalting the Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction which is the true ciment of that perfection And many times he would intimate that he had beene sent by the Pope in that charge of his Nuntio for to receiue martyrdome if it were needfull in defence of the authoâ—â—tie of the See Apostolique But the vanitie of this man so desirous of Martyrdome was not without some mixture of ambition and desire of command For if any one did reply against him with reason or contradict his discourses vpon this subject his ordinary answer was as if it had beene a forme of speech or a lesson giuen him here I am Pope and I will be obeyed But the Pope did not crect this Congregation according to his first deseigne being aduertised that by this meanes hee should too manifestly discouer his intentions which might bring iealousie to all Princes and cause them to proiect some remedies and so it might produce effects quite contrary to his meaning as it fell out with Clement 8. who by founding a Congregation vpon the affaires of England excited the spirit of that King to obserue more narrowly the cariage of the Catholiques of his Kingdome which was the cause that their enterprises were afterward much more thwarted And againe the Pope would not put in execution during the first Monthes of his Papacy any one of those particulars which were alreadie designed because being first weakened by the vehemence of his hopes and ioyes hee â—as afterward assailed with a grieuous melancholy accompanied with a strong apprehension of death which he feared would seaze vpon him within a few dayes This feare was more encreased by a rumour dispersed thorow Rome that the Image of our Lady de Subiacco had sweated which vsually happens as the vulgar beleeue for to aduertise the Popes that their death is at hand And further a Flemmish Astrologer had foretold that in March Pope Clement 8. was to die and that after him should be elected one Leo and then one Paul who should liue but a short time Besides this Pope by nature was timorous and much inclined to giue credit vnto Diuinations which he entertained vpon all occurrences and accidents This perturbation of spirit held him fiue Months in such extremitie that all things affrighted him in so much that he dismissed his Cooke and his Caruer who had long time serued him and if any persons of base and meane condition and vnknowne did present him with any memoriall or petition as hee passed the streets very often hee let them fall to the ground fearing lest they might bee empoysoned Being thus vexed with suspitions his designe touching the enlargement of Ecclesiasticall Libertie was neglected But in the Month of September after his promotion to the Papacie his friends and kinsmen found a remedie for this feare hauing made a great assembly of all the Astrologers and other Fortune-tellers of Rome in the house of the Lord Iohn Francis brother to his Holinesse who concluded by their rules that the time of some perils threatned by the influences was past and that therefore he might now liue many yeares His feare being thus remoued he resumed againe his first and ordinary thoughts of augmenting the Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction He began to moue the most Christian King that the Councell of Trent might be receiued in his Kingdome In Spaine he procured that the Iesuites might be exempted from paying any Tithes At Naples he wrought in such sort that Iohn Francis de Ponte Marquise of Morcone called the Regent de Ponte was sent to Rome as punishable in the Inquisition for hauing condemned to the Gallies a Bookeseller for a matter which the Inquisitor pretended to belong to his cognisance Hee tooke from the Religious of Malta the collation of certaine Commanderies conferring them vpon the Cardinall Borghese He raised many difficulties to the Duke of Parma as well for the imposts which he had put vpon his Subiects of Parma in the absence of the Bishop as for the fact of Count Albert Scotto and also for other things which the Pope pretended to haue beene enterprised against the Bull in caena Domini Moreouer he had some differences with the Duke of Sauoy not only because his Officers tooke knowledge and gaue iudgement in the temporalty of Benefices but also because Laiques assist at the Office of the Inquifition but especially by reason of an Abbey which the Duke had conserred on the Cardinall Pio. All things being put in deliberation the Duke changing the person named to the Abbey placed therein a Nephew of his Holinesse some what to appease him But none of these attempts succeeding to his minde in the beginning of October two occasions were offered not only of themselues very proper for the end which the Pope pretended but very commodious as being so many degrees and meanes to open him a passage to greater matters The one was that the Republique of Luca considering that many of their Citizens hauing changed their Religion had retired themselues into Protestant countries in this regard they had published an Edict by which all their subjects were forbidden to haue any commerce or to treat in any fashion
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
conuenient for themselues to tell him Particularly the assurance which the King gaue that hee would not assist the Pope but for the defence of his owne Estate against forraine Nations and further that he might know how the Republique treated with the French But the Nuntio would neuer consent to treat no not secretly with the Ambassador of Venice Although the businesse of the agreement was in the hands of two great Kings neuerthelesse the great Duke of Tuscany had an excessiue desire that by his meanes it might bee ended Whereupon he complained vnto the Resident of the Republique with him and also made it knowne by his Resident at Venice that hee had effectually employed himselfe with the Pope not to any other end then for the quiet of the Repub. in which hee had no other interest then that of amitie his owne affaires being in good case and very well setled That if there had beene any correspondence on the side of the Republique by communicating vnto him their intentions and giuing him some liberty to treat hee had peraduenture brought the affaire to good termes adding withall a large discourse of the profit and aduantages of Concord of the damages and incommodities of Warre The Senate made answer to his Resident and gaue order to Robert Lio Secretary of the Signiorie who was with his Highnesse to let him vnderstand that his sinceritie and good will was well knowne vnto them that the offices which hee had done with the Pope were acceptable and that his discourses were very true but the times were such that the Republique could not condescend to any particular proposition before the Censures were remoued because the Pope hauing interrupted all commerce and meanes of treatie it was meet that hee should open the way by taking off his Censures which way once opened they might then aduise vpon the propositions which they should finde most proper to put an end to the differences This answer being made by Robert Lio to the great Duke he replied That his intention was very good for the good of the Republique which he would alwaies procure if he were required that his owne affaires were not in any bad case that he should desire a change that he was aged and therefore his counsels merited to be followed that on both sides notable faults had beene committed by passion and that there was need of a Physitian that they might make vse of him to that purpose that he had spoken freely to the Pope who was in some diffidence with him because he had not offered him succours as did others that the Pope was well inclined but the Cardinals did ill offices that he would yet further imploy himselfe for the Republique and speake in their behalfe if they thought well otherwise he knew not what he could do When the proposition of the Senate was arriued in France by which the King was desired to make some declaration his Maiestie answered That the Nuntio of the Pope had required of him the same in the name of his Holinesse But he saw very well that in declaring himselfe he should doe nothing else but render himselfe suspected on the one side and consequently depriue himselfe of all power to be a Mediator for an accord and vtterly to breake off the treatie already begun Vpon this reason he did not thinke fit to declare himselfe for either partie or to fauour the reasons of the one or of the other but remaining neutrall to continue the treatie of agreement which might bee more profitable to both parties then the declaration could be aduantageous to either of them and so much the rather because he had a good hope very quickly to finish it also that the Senate must needs yeeld a little because the Pope was not vnwilling to haue all accommodated But the King of England although hee was much busied by the presence of the King of Denmarke his Brother in Law in such sort that he could not thinke on any other affaire or giue audience vnto any Ambassador yet hauing notice that Iustimano the Ambassador of Venice had something to say vnto him he heard him and after hee had vnderstood all the progresse and successe of matters passed with the demand of the Senate He answered That he was much comforted to vnderstand the Constancie of the people and the Vnion of the Senate to the defence of their proper liberty of Iustice and of the Power giuen by God to all Princes Hee laughed at the declaration of Spaine made only by a Letter saying that he who will come to effects is not wont to giue words that He was obliged to the Repub. for the affection which they had testified to him and for their demonstration of Honour towards Him in sending their Ambassador Ordinarie and Extra ordinarie And therefore that there was contracted betweene them an amitie reciprocall and sincere so as there should neuer be occasion of rupture betweene the Republique and Him that Hee could not say so much for others But for that which the Senate then demanded He held himselfe obliged to condescend First because in iudgement He approued the actions of the Republique and secondly since they had a great cōfidence in Him that He should shew himselfe ingratefull and vniust if He refused to protect a cause so righteous wherein the Senate onely defended themselues from oppression and susteined their liberty together with the authoritie of all Princes that it was indeed a prudent aduise to proceed herein with dexteritie to auoid Warre and Troubles but if the violence of others would needs bring all to a rupture the Senate might rest assured that in the word of a Prince hee would assist the Republique with all his forces That he had giuen charge to his Ambassadour at Venice to performe more amply the same Office not being able then to say more for the presence of the King of Denmarke The Earle of Salisbury by commandement from the King confirmed the same things to the Ambassadour and added thereunto that the King was not moued to assist the Republique for any designe that he had to diuide the Members of the Romane Church from their Head that he knew well they meant not to leaue their own Religion wherein he did not blame them that he was carried to this resolution by the Declaration which the Spaniard had made for the Pope that his intention onely was to oppose himselfe to those who assaied to depriue Princes of their Libertie and to aid those that would sustaine and defend it The Ambassadour of England at Venice spake on the same manner saying That he had particular Commandement from the King his Master to oblige him vnder the Word of a King to a neere Vnion with the Republique to assist them with Connsell and Forces as also to labour with all his Friends that they should doe the same nor for any base ends or priuate interests nor for to foment a diuision nor to come into concurrence or opposition with
three others to congratulate with this Pope for his assumption to the Papacie Thus was ended this tumultuous Affaire which seemed impossible to be composed by Accord and verily a great part of the good successe ought to be ascribed to the dexterity of the Cardinall who omitting pointilles and subtilties did not say at Venice all that which the Court of Rome had wished whereunto he saw clearely they would neuer haue consented Many were of opinion that it was meet to send Extraordinary Ambassadors into France and Spaine to thanke those Kings who had interposed and employed themselues for an Agreement especially considering the quality of the Ministers whom they had herein vsed whereof the one was very eminent as being the most ancient Cardinall the other as Nephew of the Duke of Lerma This aduice pleased the general as being grounded vpon termes of gratitude and acknowledgment of obligation Wherefore the Senate put it in deliberation where balancing the reasons which incouraged to doe this with others which disswaded it because it was to giue too much reputation to the Affaire and to make the world beleeue that the Republique thought themselues well deliuered from a merited danger this sole respect had so much weight that they resolued all with one voice that it would suffice to doe such a complement by the ordinary Ambassadors Likewise many expected in Venice they should make bonfires and other signes of ioy or at least ring their bells Notwithstanding nothing of this was done nor one bell founded neither at Venice nor in any Citie of the State when the News arriued Not that the Senate and the Cities of the State were not very glad to be freed from the danger of Warre but to the end that such signes of ioy might not be interpreted to signifie some absolution which they had receiued or the Republique thereby conceiued to haue beene formerly in a fault which as an vntruth and falshood they euer abhorred Moreouer by order of Senate aduice was giuen of this Agreement and of all that had passed to the Ambassador of England and to the Ministers of the Republique in all Courts and to the Gouernours of Cities in the State and particularly to the Secretary Padauin who besides this aduice had commandement to dismisse the French and Lorraine Souldiers and charge also speedily to depart from Lorraine and to goe into Suisserland to make there a Leuy of 3000. men Afterward the Senate writ Letters to the Kings of France and Spaine but to the King of Great Britaine they gaue very many thankes as he merited for his ready declaration to assist the Republique with forces when they should haue need Further a Present was giuen to the Cardinall of 6000. crownes of siluer and another to Don Francis de Castro of 3000. At Rome the Pope had aduice how the Agreement was accomplished how the Cardinall de Ioyeuse had trauailed therein and the Protestation reuoked which did not please him in that clause That the Protestation was in like sort reuoked As also it did not please the Court who howsoeuer they approued that which the Pope had done yet they desired that according to the custome the end had beene with the victory of that See which in matters of Affaires was euer wont to be the Conquerour And indeed many offices and pursuits were done by diuers persons and for diuers ends to raise herein some new difficulties But his Holinesse abhorring these troubles approued that which was done and writ thereof to the Cardinall de Ioyeuse And the 30. of Aprill declared in Consistory how the Accord was finished and Peace concluded The Cardinall Colonna was forward to speake somewhat to the contrary and the Cardinall du Perron answered him in few words and nothing was said further The aduice of the Agreement being come to Milan the Count de Fuentes made shew that he beleeued it not and fained to be more actiue than euer in the preparations of warre Which he did to the end that they of Milan might not complain of the damages which they receiued and lest the Souldiers knowing that they must be disbanded should make instance to be paied especially for that the Germanes and Suisses had couenanted to haue pay for three Months which would arise to the summe of 300000. crownes In the meane while his purse was emptie and he was indebted 50000 crownes to the Cōmunaltie for lodgings But when the Secretary of Venice by order from the Senate gaue him particular notice of the Agreemēt he answered courteously neuerthelesse with small contentment and he could not containe himselfe when he was prayed from the Pope to dismisse his troups but answered harshly that he knew very well what he had to doe At Venice the Cardinall de Ioyeuse being aduertised of the displeasure which the Pope conceiued by reason of some termes contained in the Manifesto prayed that they would somewhat temper the matter by their Letters which the Ambassador should carry vnto the Pope and to the Cardinals exhorting the Republique in the Name of the King to a good intelligence with his Holinesse In Rome after this there was a bruit that the Pope would not rest contented with that that had passed for that hauing weighed all things he found that the Protestation was not reuoked by the termes of the Manifesto and that hee would not endure that any Religious should rest excluded for as much as this was to confirme the authority of the Republique to iudge them and therefore that hee menaced to retract all That the Count de Fuentes did offer him 30000. men to force the Republique vnto that which he desired all which bruits a little terrified the Card. de Ioyeuse But the Pope was far enough from any such thoughts on the contrary he designed Rimini to be his Nuntio at Venice And the Venetian Senate dispatched the Lord Contarini the 9 of May with order that he should goe alone to Audience lest any should thinke to lead him in triumph Presently after his arriuall hee had Audience of his Holinesse the 19. of May where he was benignely receiued the Pope testifying that he would neuer after remember any thing that had passed taking vp that word of Scripture Recedant uetera noua fint omnia Also he exhorted the Senate since they had in readinesse so great an Army to thinke vpon assaulting the Turke There was published in Print a sheet of paper containing the Articles of the Accord full of notorious forgeries whereof the Author was thought to be the Cardinal Caètan because it was certaine that he sent many Copies to Milan with his Letters to Captaine Sceuerolla which was also yet more probable because he was also the Author of a Discourse made vnder the name of Nicomachus Philaleteus in matter and forme much like the other The foresaid paper was carried into France where it was prohibited by the commandement of the Most Christian King The 2. of Iune the Nuntio arriued at Venice where he was