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
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
themselues at length resolue to Suspend their Lawes to gratifie my King and not the Pope And he endeuoured to perswade by many Reasons that as a Suspension at the instance of the Pope might bring preiudice so it could not be any way preiudiciall to doe it in consideration of another Prince and for example alledged that his King at the request of the King of France Suspended the Edict of thirty for an hundred and did not esteeme that it was any diminution to his reputation Wherefore he exhorted them to ballance the Suspension a light thing with the incommodities and dangers which might be caused by their resolution and made instance to haue a new answer Whilest they were considering this Proposition being still resolued to yeeld nothing preiudiciall to their Liberty they receiued aduice how the Pope had erected in the beginning of September a new Congregation at Rome called The Congregation of Warre with order that it should be holden twice a week to Treat vpon the point of Warre which gaue matter of discourse not only in Rome but thorowout Italy And first for the extraordinary Name of the Congregation of Warre it hath beene an ancient Custome of the Court of Rome to couer the managing of Temporall things vnder Colours and Names Spirituall whereas here on the contrary the Pope being destitute of all meanes to make War though he had desire enough made this vaine ostentation of worldly Power intitling this Congregation with the proud Name of Warre And men maruailed so much the more considering the quality of those Men where of this Congregation was composed who were all of a Profession vtterly vnexperienced and vnfit for such affaires fifteene Cardinalls being thereunto called in the choise whereof the Pope discouered in whom hee placed his greatest confidence all being of the Spanish Faction The names of these Cardinals were Como Pinelli Sauli Camerino Sfondrato Iustinian S. George Arrigone Visconte Conti Burghese Sforza Montalth Farnese and Cefis Out of these he culled Foure to wit Pinelli Iustinian S. George and Cefis to be employed with the Treasurer and the Commissaries of the Chamber about the meanes to prouide money He also Created eight Cardinalls in the middle of September not without the astonishment of godly Persons and such as reuerenced Antiquity because he had not expected the due time of Ember which followed but a few dayes after It is true sometimes the Popes vpon some vrgent consideration had formerly Created one or two or three Cardinalls out of that Time when it is farre off but this was obserued to be the first entire Promotion made out of Time which had been seasonable the next week following These Cardinals newly Created were the Nuntio's of France and Spaine to the end that they might employ themselues more zealously in his Seruice by reason of this Honour which they had receiued and also that by this meanes they might haue more credit with those Princes Two others were Caietan and Spinola to serue himselfe of them in the State Ecclefiasticall vpon the Frontiers of the State of Venice as well knowing their humour and disposition To these were ioyned soure others Lanti Auditor of the Chamber Montreal Maffei and Ferratini by whose Promotion fell vacant many great Offices vendible in the Court of Rome This Promotion in no sort pleased the Ambassadors of France and Spaine although this latter had reason to be content for the Interests of his King since of this whole number of eight there were at the least Six well affected to that Crowne But that which displeased the Ambassador was that his Brother had beene neglected as also He of France was not well satisfied because they had not thought vpon Villeroy his Father His Holinesse rendered an account of this Promotion vnto the King of Spaine by his Nuntio and on this occasion made new instances to that King to be aided against the Republique representing in a violent fashion according to his custome the matters treated by Fresne who said as he fained that at Venice the Authority of the Catholique King was despised and so did him no benefit for the King of France who yet was his Friend and employed himselfe for him effectually would take the contrary side if he saw him thus ioyned with Spaine But the Spaniards were too well aduised to be swayed by such feeble Reasons At Venice by reason of this Congregation which the Pope had erected the Senate now clearely made answer to Cardenas the Ambassador of Spaine that it was Notorious to all the World that the Republique could not alter their Lawes in any sort without great detriment to their Estate that it seemed strange to them why they should addresse themselues vnto the Republique only and make Propositions so preiudiciall whilest on the other side they fomented the pretensions of the Pope that if their end were the repose of Italy and of Christendome they might clearely see the good affection of the Republique to that purpose and that the contrary signes appeared manifestly in the Pope that the most apparent was the Congregation newly formed for Warre by which it was euident where at they aimed and that by the quality of them which he had elected he had shewed sufficiently where he grounded his hopes The Senate also protested that they had no other end or intention saue only to defend themselues in which regard if they came to Armes the Cause should proceed meerely from the Pope Wherefore if the King of Spaine desired the Peace that he should labour with the Pope from whom arose the beginning and progresse of all these Troubles They commended likewise the good Offices done by the Ambassador for quietnesse to which end if others else-where had employed themselues with like intention and dexteritie things had not gone so farre noting hereby the Marquis de Villena of whom they were aduertised euen from Spaine that he did not aime at Peace They sent also a Currier with diligence to Francis Priuli their Ambassadour in Spaine commanding him to speake in like manner to the King and to his Ministers The same time Monsieur de Fresne was called by the Senate with whom they discoursed touching the Cōgregation of War newly erected and of the Cardinals whereof it consisted who were ill affected to the Republique and not well to France wherein the Pope had testified his small respect of the most Christian King not expecting his answer which they could not ascribe to any other cause but the Popes purpose to pursue the Troubles who was confident in the declaration of Spaine not making account of any other for the assistance and forces which he expected from thence Adioyning that the Senate would communicate with him in all confidence as with the Ambassador of a King iust and their friend that they were resolued to doe what they could in their defence and to repell the iniuries promising themselues on the Kings part all assistance for the common Seruice The Ambassador complained of
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
Iesuites other Religious which tooke part with the Pope as also to their friends accompanying them with seditious letters And thus they continued sending during some weekes in forme of pacquets or blancs with inscription to any whomsoeuer whose name they knew One thing was much wondred at that in the vulgar Copie printed in the Vatican this clause of the imprisonment of the Abbot and the Canon had beene adioyned And haue committed the knowledge of their cause vnto the Secular Magistrate of the Signiory named the Auogardor which clause was not in the Latine copie That which caused the wonder was that such commission was neuer giuen and men could not penetrate to what end this falshood could serue them The Monitorie was addressed to the Patriarches Archbishops Bishops their Vicars Generall and to all the Ecclefiastiques Secular and Regular hauing Ecclefiasticall dignitie within the Estate of the Republique of Venice The Pope by this Monitorie declared that some Months before it was come to his knowledge that the Duke and Senate of Venice some yeeres before had made some Decrees contrary to the authoritie of the See Apostolique and against the Ecclefiasticall immunitie repugnant vnto the Generall Councels to the Canons and Constitutions of Popes and specially he made mention in the first place of that ordinance in the yeere M DC II. by which Ecclefiasticall persons were forbidden to receiue or purchase goods immoueable vnder shadow that themselues were thereof the direct Lords their right notwithstanding being not hereby impeached In the second place he mentioned that of the yeere M DC III. by which the prohibition to build Churches or other places of deuotion without leaue was extended to all the State In the third place that of the yeere M DC V. which in like manner extended to all the State a prohibition to alienate for euer any goods immoueable Secular or Lay to men of the Church In the fourth place he spake of the restraint of the Canon of Viçença and the Abbot of Neruese adioyning that some of those Lawes abolished the rights which the Church had euer inioyed and tended to the preiudice of his authoritie of the rights of the Church and of the priuiledges of persons Ecclefiasticall in briefe of Ecclefiasticall liberty all of them tending to the danger of the soules both of the Duke and of all the Senators and also to the great scandall of many others That they which had made these Lawes had incurred the Censures the confiscation of their fiefs from which they could not be absolued but by the Pope and by reuoking first all these statutes and ordinances and by restoring all things into the former estate But forasmuch as the Duke and Senate after sundry fatherly admonitions had not daigned to reuoke their Lawes or to render the Prisoners he who might not in any sort endure that Ecclefiasticall liberty and immunitie together with the authoritie of the See Apostolique should be violated following the example of ten of his predecessors there recited many others with the counsell consent of the Cardinals after mature deliberation although the Decrees aforesaid were of themselues void and of no value neuerthelesse hee did now declare them to be such And further he did Excommunicate declare pronounce for Excommunicated as if they had beene particularly named the Duke and the Senate which then were and which should be hereafter together with all their fauourers counsellors and adherents if within the terme of foure and twentie daies to be counted from the day of the publication which he appointed in three termes each of eight daies the Duke and the Senate did not reuoke abrogate and disannull the Decrees aforesaid and all that which had followed thereupon without any exception or excuse and if they caused not to be openly in all places published that abrogation of the Lawes and the restitution of all that which had beene done in consequence thereof with promise not to doe any more such acts for the time to come and to giue account of all these things to himselfe as also actually render into the hands of his Nuntio the Canon and the Abbot That from this Excommunication they could not be absolued but by the Pope except it were in the point of death in which case if any one receiuing absolution should afterwards recouer his health he should againe fall within this same Excommunication if he did not so farre as in him lay obey this his commandement That vntill they had obeyed he did forbid to bury any one deceased in holy places And if after the foure and twenty daies the Duke and Senate should continue three daies longer obstinate he put all their State vnder the Interdict in such sort that none might celebrate Masses or Diuine Seruices except in forme in places and cases granted by common right And he depriued the Duke and Senate of all their goods which they held of the Church of Rome or of other Churches as also of all their Priuiledges and indults obtained by it and specially of that priuiledge inabling them to proceed against Clarkes in certaine cases reseruing to Himselfe and his Successors power to aggrauate and reaggrauate the Censures and penalties against them and against their adherents fauourers counsellers others and to passe vnto other paines and remedies if they persisted in their contempt not withstanding c. Commanding all Patriarks Archbishops Bishops and other Ecclefiastiques vnder penalty c. respectiuely that after they had receiued these letters or had thereof notice they should publish them in their Churches when their people were fully assembled and cause them to be affixed to the Church doores Ordaining that they should giue credit vnto the Copies hereof imprinted being first signed by a Notarie and sealed with the seale of some one promoted to Ecclefiasticall dignity And that the publication made in Rome should oblige as much and haue like force as if there had beene personall intimation SECOND BOOKE THe publication of a Monitorie so rude suddenly and vnexpectedly thundered out against a State so great and puissant troubled the Ministers of Princes which resided with his Holinesse The Marquis of Chastillon Ambassador for the Emperour whether because it seemed vnto him that the interests of his Master did so require or because he had his owne estate confining vpon the Venetians made great instance with the Pope to deferre a while at which his Holinesse was little moued either for that he esteemed this Office of small consideration as proceeding from a Minister and not from direction of his Master or because hee lightly regarded the Emperour himselfe or his interests as standing in need of his aid in the war against the Turkes For these reasons whensoeuer he iudged fit to communicate of this affaire with the Ambassadors he neglected in a maner the Emperours But the Marquis seeing how little account was made of his Office and interuention in this businesse sent to the Emperour to the end that he
safety of their consciences The Capuchines of Venice according to the intention of the Iesuites would haue gone out with solemnity thereby to moue a tumult but being therein hindered they celebrated that morning only one Masse and consumed all the holy Sacrament of the Eucharist which was preserued in their Church and concluded the Masse without giuing Benediction vnto the people They left also to their Deuotes diuers instructions for to obserue the Interdict as did likewise the Theatines But in such a confusion and in so great haste being not able to consult together they did not well accord with the Iesuites as also the Iesuites disagreed amongst themselues whence it came to passe that their adherents proceeded diuersly some being of opinion that all the Sacraments administred by the Priests that stayed were nullities and therefore that it was not lawfull to adore the holy Eucharist as before Others esteemed that to heare Masse was only a veniall sinne and others held it a sin most grieuous although the Sacrament were truely celebrated Of these instructions and of the different wayes of obseruing them are yet to bee seene the Writings published by their Fauourers The Iesuites being departed retired themselues to Ferrara Bologna and Mantua neighbouring places where they might receiue the consulations of their friends and readily send their answers as also employ themselues to excite more easily some sedition whether by their emissaries or by their frequent letters The other Religious likewise which were gone retired in like maner to Milan Ferrara Bologne Mantua where they were seene with an euill eye by the other Religious of the same Orders as those who were come to spend part of their commodities And the Superiours of Houses complained that though by this meanes the mouthes were doubled yet the Pope had not sent any other prouision but Indulgences and they said openly that if other succour did not come from Rome they could not continue to make such expence nor to furnish so many persons with Vestiments And it is certaine that the Capuchines which departed out of the State of Venice to the number of eight hundred could not finde at least all of them any conuenient retrait so as many of them died for want of sustenance At Venice they communicated to all Ambassadors and Agents of Princes all that had passed and also writ vnto the Ministers of the Republique in all Courts how that the Nuntio was recalled that their Ambassador had been dismissed that the Republique iudged all things done herein by the Pope meere nullities that they were resolued to liue Catholiques and to defend themselues At Rome men held for constant that the Monitorie would cause three notable effects The first that the Religious would all depart the Countrey and so the Interdict at least by necessitie should be obserued The second that the Cities and people seeing themselues depriued of Diuine Offices Exercises would seditiously be moued and send to the Prince to giue satisfaction to his Holinesse The third that vpon this occasion the Nobilitie might be disordered grieued and terrified so diuided amongst themselues Vpon these hopes and considerations they suffered to slip not onely the foure and twenty daies before determined but many more during which the Iesuites tho absent put in worke all their artifices But they saw at Rome that neither the Censures nor the sleights of the Iesuites did worke any great effect nor produced the commotions which they had figured so that except the Iesuites banished the Capuchines and Theatines dismissed no other Order was departed and the Diuine Seruice was celebrated after the custome yea oftentimes with more solemnitie the people comming to the Churches in greater multitudes and some of them now frequented the Seruice which at other times had not beene so diligent The Senate was greatly vnited in their deliberations the Citie of Venice and the inhabitants kept themselues in all quiet obedience and the Cities of the Estate which till then had not sent their Deputies to the new Duke for congratulation did now performe that duty without any regard or respect vnto the Monitorie already published further declaring openly that in things temporall they would not acknowledge or obey any other power whatsoeuer And this so great a tranquillitie did not onely proceed from the voluntarie obedience of the people but also from the prouidence of the Senate and the diligence of the Magistrates which prouided for all accidents and this great affaire was conducted with so much prudence and dexteritie that no bloud of any man was shed for contempt or rebellion euery man admiring that so great a Body and Gouernment should be kept vpright without any violence or execution For touching the commandements giuen vnto the Eeclesiastiques vnder paine of death they were giuen in that sort at the instance and request of those amongst them who being voluntarily disposed to execute them desired neuerthelesse some pretext to excuse themselues The Court of Rome blamed the actions of the Pope and those which spake least to his disaduantage said that though his cause had beene neuer so iust yet in his proceeding he had vsed too great celeritie and too too excessiue confidence On the other side they commended the prudence of the Venetians who hauing receiued so vehement a shocke had yet retained their state in repose and tranquillitie After this came to Rome the Father Antony Barison who had taken poste to goe tell the Pope what was said at Ferrara from whence he came and at other places confining vpon the State of Venice where the reasons of the Republique were approued and notwithstanding he incited the Pope to preserue the Pontificall dignity The Pope made great complaints in the Consistorie that the Interdict was not obserued by the Ecclesiastiques and he required the Cardinals that euery one of them would with great care thinke of some remedy and make vnto him report a part Neuerthelesse the Cardinals did not beleeue that as well the Ecclesiastiques as the people for the most part were perswaded that the Censures were nullities rather they conceiued that there was in them a disposition to obserue them but that they expected some occasion to come to that effect wherefore they esteemed it good to giue occasion by exciting the Religious to some new practises either by abstaining from Diuine Offices or by departing out of the State This was the reason why the Cardinals Protectors of the Regulars together with their Superiors which were in the Court of Rome and in other places of Italie did what they could with them with menaces of Censures paines and other euils corporall and spirituall as also with promises of graces honours dignities not only to the Chiefe but further to each particular if they would obserue the Interdict or retire themselues But they dealt one way with the Monks and other Regulars endowed another way with the Mendicants To these they said that being not able to remaine and obserue entirely