the Assembly It was the seuenth day after he had beene forced that he was set at liberty but by and by after followed a new encounter For the souldiers that had beene leuied for the seruice of the Republique cited their Captaines and commanded them to giue their pay which forced the Resudent to giue the Captaines 2000. Crownes for this effect and by that meanes the Sedition was pacified and in the interim the Troupes or Companies were assembled In Spaine because the Negotiation of Don Francis de Castro did not succeed as they desired and since the Duke of Sauoy made continuall instances to the King that he would approue his iourney to Venice they resolued at length to giue way vnto him although they held him rather a Souldier then a fit instrument of Peace thinking it also dangerous to deny him such a demand Notwithstanding they gaue him an ambiguous answer as beleeuing not that he would Treat conformably to the intention of Spaine but that as a souldier hee thought to be employed in the Warre by one of the Parties rather then to agree them And because they began to suspect that the Pope relying vpon the succours of Spaine would refuse too stifly to admit a Concord the Catholique King aduertised the Nuntio by his Ministers that to the end they might be more ready in Italy he had giuen order vnto all the Captaines who were retired to repose themselues in their houses that they should present themselues with all the power they could vpon the confines of France and had also written vnto the Viceroys of Barçelona and of Nauarre that they should put all the Forces they could possibly in the Forts vpon the Frontiers Neuerthelesse they adioyned that it would well become the Pope for diuersion of these broyles and dangers to support some small faults in his children though to him they seemed great And a few daies after on another occasion they told the Nuntio that the King should doe more seruice vnto the Apostolique See by repressing the Heretiques in the Low Countries then by fomenting the troubles of Italy and that so much the more as the Pope should bee assisted by Spaine so much the more straitly would the Venetians league themselues with the enemies of the Catholique faith wherefore it was good aduice that the Pope should neglect his owne priuate interests for the vniuersall good of Christendome In conclusion to speake more clearely they said that it did not beseeme the Father of all Christendome to ground a Warre so cruell and pernicious to Christian people vpon a King so pious and that his Holinesse would abase the Apostolique Dignitie if he sustained by humane meanes the Authority which God had giuen him They said further that it was meet to recompence the King with some thing for the Declaration which he had made since thereby he had drawne vpon himselfe so many enemies aiming herein either at the Tenths of the Realme of Naples or at the remitting of the Fief It is certaine that this newes extremely troubled the Pope seeing them when there was no need to make so liberall offers and in time of necessitie thus to retire But in Lorraine the Count de Vaudemont fell sicke Some attributed the cause thereof to a wound which he had receiued in his head chasing a Hart a yeare before whereby he lost a good quantity of bloud and others to the vexations which he receiued by the importunities of so many in different places In the meane while Aduices came from Italy that the Dissentions were likely to be accommodated Montagu the Resident at Venice for the great Duke writ vnto the Duke of Lorraine that the Cardinal de Ioyeuse and Fresne had assured him that the Accord would certainly follow their Negotiation but that they kept it secret because being knowne if it were not agreeable to all it might be interrupted The Duke visited the Count de Vaudemont and comforted him with this aduice promising him that the Secretary Padauin would returne contented And calling Him to speak with him vpon this aduice first he excused himselfe for deferring to Treat with him because he was hindered by the Diet then told him that from Rome and from France he had certaine aduice that the Peace was vpon concluding That the Preparations at Milan and Rome were slackened and so the occasion of the Leuie ceased And howsoeuer hee had a charge to sollicite it neuerthelesse things now being vpon termes of Concord he ought to surcease vntill he had further cōmandemēt That his intētion was very good and that he would not deferre to prepare himselfe but onely to spare them charges praying him to represent vnto the Republique this his good office and counsell which he gaue with sincerity The Secretary thanked him but withall wished him to consider that oftentimes rumours of Peace were scattered which in effect vanish into smoake and that the Pope was then farthest off when he seemed to be the nearest That the Republique hauing yeelded something in stead of being appeased he required yet more That the Pope hauing published in Consistory his finall resolution to the Warre vanting himselfe of the Assistance of Princes and naming a Legate this had made the Republique to Arme for the common repose That the diligence which the Count had testified of his willingnesse to serue them had moued the Senate to send Him into Lorraine That none knew better their necessities than the Republique themselues that his Highnesse ought to beleeue him knowing well that the Senate would not cast themselues vpon needlesse expences Wherefore it was not to the purpose to write vnto Venice that the Leuie might be deferred but rather to take such order that he might write that their Souldiers were ready in the field The Duke replied that what he had said of the Peace was vpon good ground that he desired this satisfaction that he would write according to his counsell especially since the indisposition of the Count his Sonne might dispense with his employment for some few dayes Hereupon Padauin consented to write by an expresse Currier saying he hoped that the Count being recouered whilest they expected an answer would then take order to make the Leuy To which the Duke answered nothing and not withstanding that many times euen by interrogations the Secretary was instant to haue an answer whether the Count did seriously intend as also the Duke his Father to assist them yet he could draw nothing from them The Count sent to see whether the Secretary were satisfied by the Duke to whom He answered That he was to attend his recouery that they made prayers for his health at Venice whither he had written assuring the Republique of his seruice which gaue the Count great comfort and the Duke thanked Padauin saying That hee would acknowledge his Sonne owed his life vnto him About this time Criuelli Chamberlaine to the Duke of Bauier arriued at Nancy bringing with him a Breue from the Pope by which
read by the Pope with great ioy which he testified not onely by words but by his Letters full of affection to that King and to the Duke of Lerma which he sent by an expresse Currier There were who beleeued that these Letters which were said to come from Spaine had beene written in Italy and they alledged for a good coniecture that the King therein wrote that he had signified his pleasure to the Ambassador of Venice who was with him although he had not spoken one word to him thereof before he had receiued the answer of the Pope But it is true that the Duke of Lerma for the honour which his Holinesse had done him and in regard of his humble praiers in his Letters was willing on his side to correspond which was to him very easie For the Counsellors of Estate by reason of the translation of the Court hauing permission to absent themselues for three Moneths none of them were at the Court saue the Duke de Chinçon who as brother in law to the Marquis de Villena had the same designes It was further said by some Ministers of that King in Italy that he suffered himselfe to be perswaded to write that Letter vpon hope to pacifie things more easily inasmuch as some Venetian Prelates had assured that when the King of Spaine should declare himselfe openly for the Pope the Senate would yeeld and quickly humble themselues which being writ from Rome into Spaine did render the demand of his Holinesse more easie with the King and the Duke of Lerma both which inclined to the conseruation of the peace But the Ambassador of the King of Spaine at Rome and his Ministers in Italy pretended by this Letter other offices to haue put the See Apostolique in great reputation so that Ambassador said vnto the Pope That his King would make him obtaine with a few words that which others could not doe with many and that hee would bring the Venetians prostrate at the feet of his Holinesse Hereby it seemed vnto the Spaniards that they had well merited of the Holy See and that they might expect requitall from the Pope at their need And therefore purposing hereby to reape no lesse profit and reputation than the Pope himselfe they required of him three things The first that he would make at Rome a publique Festiuall with bonefires and other signes of ioy and gratulation The second that the Letter might be read in Consistory and conserued within the Archiues The third that he would totally breake off the treaty begun by the Ambassador of France and not speake any more of this affaire with the most Christian King Which demands being published in Court and from thence thorowout the Citie moued Alincourt to goe to the Audience and to giue the Pope to vnderstand what rumors were scattered of the Triumphs which were made by occasion of this Letter and of the things promised and demanded by the Ambass of Spaine To which he added that all was nothing but vaine ostentation to interrupt the treaty of Peace and to hold in discord two of the greatest Princes in Italy who remaining vnited might be a counterpoise sufficient to hinder the designes of these men that the termes which they vsed were too too arrogant euen in the mouth of a Monarch of all the world that the Spaniards knew well enough themselues and their feeblenesse which they could not otherwise maintaine that in Italy they beleeued they might command all and be the sole arbritrators of all things neuerthelesse if they would be stirring others would not onely looke on with the armes acrosse and let them doe what they list The Pope confessed that the demands of the Spaniards were true but that they could not please him and that Hee could doe nothing therein that he would not cease for all that to continue the Treaty already begun True it is that he held himselfe obliged to the two Crownes for the piety of the two Kings from whom hee equally hoped for all protection That he had already taken the voices of the Cardinals and that euery of them counselled him not to passe further on the points proposed for accord if the Venetians did not shew respect Notwithstanding the partizans of Spaine did not cease to extoll and magnifie the offers of that King so far that the Cardinals of the Congregation consulting what was to be done to reduce the Venetians to yeeld to the will of the Pope concluded and reported to his Holinesse that the succours of the Catholique King would be more than sufficient and would not faile him prouided that he would yeeld him that which be desired touching Sicilie which as men beleeued they said after they had talked and agreed with the Marquis de Villena the Catholique Ambassador In Spaine the Counsellors spake on the same fashion to the Nuntio saying that if the Pope desired fauour of their King it was but reason that he should yeeld somewhat on his side for to giue some satisfaction vnto his subiects to the end they might not repent themselues to haue beene embarqued in such a warre They touched in a word the remitting of the fief o Naples the granting of Ferrara for the garrisons of their souldiers and Ancona for the retrait of their Armie The Count de Fuentes in the meane while in execution of the promises of his Master sent Don Francis de Mendozza Captaine of the Castle of Lodi the Gouernour of Lech and the Captaine Lachiuga to the Princes of Italy diuiding among them the charge according as the commoditie of the voyage required and that for to make knowne vnto them the intention of the Catholique King and to moue them to ioyne with him in fauour of the Pope These offices were diuersly interpreted by those Princes who neuerthelesse each one in particular sent backe these Messengers with generall answers none of them thinking meet to come to such a declaration But it seemed to the Count Fuentes that the Duke of Modena onely had not answered with such readinesse and freedome as he wished The Pope highly contented with this Letter and with that which the Count de Fuentes had done remained neuerthelesse in suspence seeing the Ambassador of Venice welcome in the Court of Spaine But the Marquis de Villena found meanes to accord these actions which seemed contrary saying that all this was done for the seruice of his Holinesse to the end that that which the King intended to doe in his fauour might be more easily receiued This Letter of the King of Spaine and the â—ffices which the Count de Fuentes did thorow Italie were so many trumpets which in the midst of Peace excited all the world to Warre For although formerly the Senate of Venice had made some prouision yet was it not with any designe to assaile others nor did they thinke it would be needfull to defend themselues from the temporall armes of the Pope and much lesse of any other Prince who would enterprise to
of Reason to relinquish them that He had readily taken this resolution and would sustaine it constantly that He would not doe as the Spaniards who by a Letter had filled the Popes Spirit with Vanity to cary Him into a precipice but that He would execute with courage and sinceritie what He had promised He considered also as a thing of great importance that the Pope prepared himselfe for the Warre and had to this effect erected a Congregation of men Disaffected to the Republique and Dependents of Spaine To which He added that he would be as ready to performe his Promise as to publish his Declaration and if it might turne to the good of the Republique He would doe it with all possible Aduantage doing also good Offices in their behalfe with all Princes his Friends and Allies as with the King of Denmarke and the Princes of Germany from whom he hoped to draw some Succour For the King of Spaine and the Arch-Duke he said it was to no purpose to speak vnto them seeing that the Former had declared himselfe for the Pope and the Latter depended vpon the former that for France it was not necessary because Spaine being for the Pope it behoued that King more than others to consider it and to foresee the enterprises which might ensue against his Kingdome so as formerly he had experience that if he beleeued the Defence of the Church to appertaine vnto him by reason of his Title of Most Christian he might well know that the Church herein was not endangered but the Cause in common touched the Libertie of Princes by whom the Church was to be Protected and Maintained For conclusion He said that Hee would doe more by effects than in words And accordingly he executed all that he had promised Signifying by the Earle of Salisbury vnto the Ministers of Princes which were with him the resolution which he had taken to Assist the Republique and writing also as much vnto the Princes of Germany and other his Friends Whilest these things were thus treated with Kings and by them with the Pope the great Duke of Tuscany iudged that it would be an action worthy of his great Experience if he assayed to finish that which was so difficult to two so great Kings Wherefore euery weeke almost he spake thereof to Robert Lio Resident with him and caused his Resident Montagu in like manner to speake at Venice exhorting them to Peace and Concord for the good of Italy and offering himselfe to become the Mediator To which they alwaies answered with thankes and with this conclusion that he should addresse himselfe rather to the Pope since the Republique had so farre condescended that the King of France had thanked them But the great Duke was not content with this Answer which gaue no occasion for him to draw the affaire to himselfe and therefore he complained with great dexteritie that he had profitably imployed himselfe both with the Pope and with the Republique without any correspondence on their behalfe on the contrary that on both sides he had receiued such words which if hee had reported they had beene sufficient to trouble all the affaire and to cut off hope of a Conclusion That his meaning was not to giue counsell vnto the Senate knowing well their prudence much lesse to enterprise to Treat with the preiudice of other greater Princes but to ioyne with them for the Seruice of God and of Christendome That he would therefore aduertise the Republique of all that the Pope had said in the last Audience to his Ambassador which was that his Holinesse could not nor would consent vnto the Conditions proposed by the Ambassador of France in as much as it should be to him a great preiudice to receiue the Republique to fauour by the hands of any King being himselfe the Spirituall Head of the Church to whom it is not sitting to receiue his Subiects at the hand of another and so much the more because generally in any difficult betweene the Ecclesiastical Court and the Secular the Iudgement thereof pertaineth to the Ecclesiasticall as to the more worthy That the Pope further said that to receiue the Prisoners by the hands of the King was to goe backward because some Venetian Prelats which were then at Rome had assured him that the Republique would willingly deliuer them to himselfe That therfore he was resolued not to Suspend the Excommunication before the Prisoners were deliuered and the Writings reuoked which had beene published in fauour of the Republique that afterwards hee would be content the Differences remaining might be examined at Rome by a Congregation of Cardinalls Auditors and Diuines whereof a part might be the Confidents of the Republique vpon Condition notwithstanding that the King of France and the great Duke would passe their word that they would stand to that which was determined by this Congregation that although he had formerly condescended to an Accord by a reciprocall Suspension of his Monitory and of the Lawes of the Republique yet he could not execute this Accord because it was not approued by the Cardinalls That the Most Christian King had signified vnto him that the Venetians ought to accept this Condition but for himselfe he was not obliged That if the Venetians had the aid of Heretiques he would haue on his part more Christians than men beleeued That the great Duke signified these particularities to the Republique to let them see that there could be no worse resolution than that which enclined them to Warre against the Pope which must needs be to their damage for as much as whosoeuer contends in that kinde with him may lose much but gaine nothing which it shall not be meet doubly to restore That Warre is profitable to none especially not to them who finde themselues in good estate seeing it produces alterations and easily men passe therein from better to worse with little hope of returning That if the King of France treated in this Businesse with great zeale for the good of the Republique himselfe would not be inferiour to him in a good desire to procure the same being their Friend an Italian Prince and a good man That they ought not to doubt but if the Warre proceeded the Pope would be assisted by the Spaniards and others and therefore to auoid the Troubles of Italy which might follow he would perswade the Pope to be contented that all Differences might be referred to the iudgement of the Two Kings and desired the Republique to doe the same yea that he would counsell them to doe this not expecting the Popes assent considering that since it was certaine the Pope would not consent to this motion because it was to submit himselfe to the iudgement of another the Republique hereby might gaine some aduantage by putting the Pope in diffidence with these Kings and by taking away the courage of the Spaniards for his assistance And although the Pope should consent yet the Republique might be assured that the Kings in the decision
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
were renued the instances made vnto the Count to withdraw himselfe from the Seruice of the Republique He had Audience of all seuerally with contentment The Count would not be seene by him excusing himselfe by reason of his indisposition but some dayes after being much importuned he receiued him with condition that he should speake but little and be content with a short answer without replying He had then Audience where he endeuoured to moue the Count by Reasons of Religion and of State To which the Count answered that he had a care of his Honour which was in such sort ioyned with Religion that they could not be separated Padauin met this Criuelli at the Church who vsed to him courteous words saying That the Duke his Master desired Peace and that for this effect he had appointed publique Prayers and that he proiected to goe in Pilgrimage and that he hoped Peace would follow considering that the Spaniards really desired it both for the affaires of Flanders and for the Election of the King of Romanes SEVENTH BOOKE WHilest Padauin expected an answer from Venice Mounsieur de Bassompierre arriued at the Court of the Duke of Lorraine to speake by word of mouth with that Secretary from thence to passe vnto the Seruice of the Republique according as he had promised to the Ambass Priuli And he brought this newes vnto the Count that when he took leaue of the King his Maiesty desired him to tel him in his behalfe that he could not saue his Reputation if he failed the Republique much lesse finde any apparant pretext to excuse himselfe Further he gaue him aduice that the Duke of Guise offered himselfe to be his Lieutenant and that a great number of Souldiers were prouided to got with him the King being willing to giue license to all except his Officers There was one expressely sent vnto the Count from the Canton of Schaffusa who offered Him a Leuie of men and all other commodities Marinuille also returned from Florence bringing certaine hopes of a Concord which was further confirmed by a Currier dispatched with diligence vnto the Duke with aduice that the Cardinall de Ioyeuse hauing receiued all contentment was to depart from Venice to goe to the Pope But the Currier being come from Venice with answer Padauin complained vnto the Count in the Name of the Republique for that the Souldiers were not ready as he had promised and pressed him to make haste in remedy of his former slacknesse The Count hereat was astonished and answered that he had done his duty before if the Duke his Father had permitted him with whom it was meet to speake Padauin replied that he would doe so for so he had order but that he had first addressed himselfe to him as to the Principall that he would retaine the Currier a day or two to the end that he might absolutely send his answer not of complements or excuses but of effects The Father and aâ—d his Sonnes assembled in Counsell vpon the answer which they were to giue The Cardinall first began and said That their House had bin alwaies deuoted to the Church against which none of their Family euer carried Armes and that they ought not now to do otherwise That this were to blast their Reputation and incurre the vniuersall hatred of Catholiques besides the danger of running into Censures which were terrible setting before their eyes the great Troubles of the Duke of Bar for marying Madame Catharine the Kings Sister And much exaggerating these Reasons he concluded that they ought openly to deny Padauin that which he desired and that this might be a cause of Peace considering that the Repub. seeing themselues defeated of this succour would humble themselues vnto the pope The Duke of Bar was of the same opinion with the Cardinall adding withall that it was fit to finde some temperament by which they might saue the Reputation of the Count. The Count himselfe considered on the one side what had beene told him from the King of France and from others who admonished him of his engagement and on the other what had beene written from Tuscany and concluded that they should well weigh how farre he was obliged for that he ought to preferre his obligation to all other considerations The Father said that he felt in himselfe a very great combate for the Reasons of Religion and State did not permit that any of His should take Armes against the Church and especially when other Catholique Princes would not doe it Besides that the Warres of Italy would be the ruine of Christendome But on the other side he desired to giue some contentment to the Republique yet he preferred still the considerations of his House to all others Vpon this ground he was resolued since he could not satisfie them with words to abide all euill accidents that could happen rather than giue way to this Leuie Wherefore when Padauin came to the Audience which the Duke gaue him in presence of the Duke of Bar his Sonne where He declared that although at Venice they greatly maruelled why the Souldiers were no sooner in readinesse yet neuerthelesse they were perswaded that this default would be recompensed with a greater diligence The Duke answered that he accounted the Peace to be in a manner concluded and therefore there needed no more words That the Republique hauing their Affaire accommodated the Censures would fall on his House That for this cause they ought not to bring molestation vpon others without any fruit seeing that the more he desired to gratifie the Republique vpon all occurrences so much the more sory was hee that he could not permit his Children to serue against the Church That on other occasions he and his Children would be alwaies ready to employ themselues with all their forces for the seruice of the Republique Padauin apprehending the Negatiue so clearely iudged it necessarie to speake plainly and said That the reports of Peace were without ground that if they had beene true he should not haue had so many Commandments so often reiterated to sollicite them and although the Peace might follow vpon the Treaty yet the Count denying the seruice which he owed might render it difficult because the Pope hereby might be more hardned That the Republique had not pressed this Leuie so much if they had not esteemed it necessarie That whosoeuer puts himselfe in the seruice of a Prince ought to obey not taking vpon him to iudge whether that which hee commandeth be necessary and conuenient or not That the feare of Censures was but a vanity because they knew certainly that the Pope would acknowledge his error and keepe himselfe from the like hereafter That if Excommunication were valide in all cases Princes were vndone That it was not meet to presuppose infallibility in Popes since God often permits wicked Ones for the chastisement of the world That the obligation of the Count by the consent of the Duke his Father had beene contracted in time of Contentions
would haue respect to their owne Interests which were the same with those of the Republique That of this Proposition were not admitted then be had another peraduenture some what more difficult but which would certainly better succeed if they would make some small Expences which it behoued them not to reiect for as much as a seasonable Expence is ordinarily very effectuall That hee knew well what hee said hauing a great Friend in Court the Lord Iohn Baptist Borghese the Popes Brother that if they would giue way with a little siluer hee would assuredly bring the Controuersie to a good agreement To these Proposuious the Senate answered after they had thanked the great Duke for the communication of all that which he knew from Rome as also for his good Offices Counsels and Discourses that the inclinatiō of the Republique to Peace was knowne to all the World in which they purposed still to continue prouided that they were not constrained to doe otherwise also they had giuen hereof good Testimony seeing that not hauing no regard to Offences receiued to the iustice of their Cause which required that Iniuries should be thorowly repaied before they gaue care to any Conditions of Peace they had notwithstanding not only kept open the way vnto The Treaty and harkned to the Propositions which had beene made but had further yeelded so far as they were able at the instance of the Two Kings And although they had done so much and that the King of France was not onely fully satisfied touching their actions but had also sent expresly to thanke them yet neuerthelesse they could not yet see any effect of the Treaty of that King with the Pope and therefore the Republique was obliged to stand to that which they had treated with the King and expected what his Maiestie would doe in the businesse iudging it not fit to interrupt the treaty which hee had enterprised but in the meane while that they would say confidently there were many and vnauoidable difficulties in those things which the Pope had signified vnto him by his Ambassador For touching the point of the Prisoners hauing giuen them vnto the King they had no more to doe in them nor was it in them now to take any other resolution And for that which concerned the Writings those of Rome being first published and full of iniuries reuilings and calumnies whereunto they were of necessity to make answer with modestie it was not meet to vrge them if they did not first of all or at least at the same time vrge against those of Rome For the Congregation to which the Pope would remit the affaire it was not needfull to say much the Republique being not accustomed to refer vnto the decision of another such things as coucerne their Gouernment And for the other Propositions of his Highnesse since that the Popes fashion of proceeding gaue iust suspition that he was not disposed vnto Peace they could not examine them vnlesse they had greater certaintie of his intentions and seeing all former Treaties had produced no good effect by reason of the Popes inconstancie well knowne to his Highnesse the Republique saw clearely it was to no purpose to harken to any further propositions or to oblige themselues by their word in any points without a reciprocall assurance on his behalfe But when after the remouing of the Censures they should see any appearance of an amicable temperamēt which might efface the iust apprehensions which they had of his ordinarie inconstancie they would consider thereof aduisedly and end all with resolution that which could not be done so long as matters were handled by discourse To this answer made by the Resident in the name of the Senate the great Duke replied that the Pope was not ill affected although haply some accidents had troubled him which he could affirme out of his certaine knowledge and that although he seemed to be altered yet when his Ambassador did represent vnto him the things aforesaid he confirmed them and he adioyned that he had caused many Propositions to be made to the Republique and yet could not preuaile to know their intentions That it was meet to vnderstand the one the other That treaties prepare the way to conclusions and that if they should trust him with any thing he would make vse thereof to the aduantage of the Republique his purpose being not to discouer all at once vnto the Pope which he had to tell him but to reserue a part to serue himselfe thereof as occasion required not meaning to doe as others who had not drawne from the Pope any resolution although they had proposed many things to his aduantage The interposing of so many Princes for the according of these Differences moued also the Emperour to haue his part therein and to this effect he sent in the beginning of October his Vice-Chancelor named Coraducci to the Ambassador of the Repub. Soranzo Resident with him for to tell him that his Maiestie vnderstanding that the Differences betweene the Pope and the Republique were so far passed that the agreement thereof was very difficult especially since the King of France seemed ready to forsake the Treaty Himselfe was once purposed for the good of Christendome which he passionately desired to employ himselfe for the setling of a Peace betweene the two parties if he had thought that his trauell herein would be accepted and that he might performe it with honour but since both of them were so resolute not to yeeld any thing the one to the other he could not hazard therein his dignity and reputation Soranzo answered after he had thanked his Maiestie that the Republique was ready to doe all they could possibly to preuent the trouble of the publique Tranquillitie sauing euer their Liberty their Dignity and the Interests of their Estate but that the Pope would needs carry all and pretended that all ought to yeeld vnto his Will without any demurre or contestation The Vice-Chancellor after some Discourses vpon the Points replied that the Emperour would not demand any thing of the Republique which might be against their Honour and that he would send the Marquise of Castillon with good instructions After this the Nuntio of the Pope and the Ambassador of Spaine did all they could to cause the Emp. to decalre himselfe for the Pope to whom the Emperor freely answered That He thought not fit to declare himselfe for either part or to make such offers as some had made by Letters and other such Apparences this tending to countenance and incourage very exorbitant Pretensions That He wished Peace might be established in any case and being resolued to bend himselfe this way he would not do a thing whereby Peace might be hindered And in priuate he gaue the Ambass of Spaine to vnderstand that for the publique quiet of Christendome the King his Master ought to mortifie in some sort the Pope to the end that being reduced to Reason hee might more easily admit the Peace These things when
Rome the Pope vpon all occasions continued to make instance with Alincourt that the French Ministers would vnite their Offices with the Spaniards which was diuersly interpreted Some said it was out of his desire that the Accord might be effected because he feared left if they proceeded seuerally they might hinder one the other through reason sie or other respects which ordinarily doe not permit that any Affaire come to good end which is handled by two Mediators who doe not communicate together Others said on the contrary that to hinder all good successe in the businesse he desired that it might be managed by the Spaniards and French to the end that one should vndoe what the other had done which vsually comes to passe when an Affaire is vndertaken ioyntly by those who haue different ends and interests and when there is no likelyhood that the one will yeeld to the other At Rome Alincourt answered that it was necessarie to haue first some order and commandement from the King And at Venice Fresne was displeased that such a thought should come into the Popes head saying openly that he knew not what end he had vnlesse it were his owne aduantage but that he saw well this was nothing else but to crosse the Treaty of the King his Master since hauing often proposed the Suspension which the Pope said he demanded onely in apparence and to haue some colour to preserue his Dignity and Authoritie the Senate had still denied it as a thing most preiudicall and therefore he saw not how they could now yeeld it On the contrary he requested the Senate when they had a purpose to grant more then they had done at the instance of the King his Master that it would please them to let him know it to the end that he might accordingly gouerne himselfe Also when the resolution giuen to Don Francis de Castro that they would not in any sort condescend to the Suspension was communicated to him he assured them his King in that Matter would sollicite them to farther Whilst these things were treated at Rome and a Venice the Emperour continuing in his purpose to interpose himselfe for the accommodating of this dissention resolued to giue the charge hereof to the Duke of Sauoy and to the Marquis of Castillon with some prerogatiue vnto the Duke but without touching any particulars in their Commission only in generall giuing them order to Treat the Manner in what manner they should see fit yet so same reseruing himselfe that when there should happen any point of moment they should giue him aduice and wait his answer This his resolution being sent to the Republique by their Ambassador Soranzo in the Name of his Maiesty the Senate writ back to the Ambassador that he should than he his Maiestie for that it pleased him to interpose in 〈◊〉 Affaire as also for that he purposed to employ herein a Prince of such note and eminency But that he should perswade him to turne his Offices towards the Pope from whom proceeded all this stiffenesse for so much more facile as they were at Venice the Pope was still so much more difficult It is certaine that the Duke of Sauoy seeing what difficulties had passed in the Treaties of Peace by the French and Spaniards did thinke that himselfe should ouercome them or at the least make his vse of these occurrences to some other effect Wherefore that he might interpose with great Reputation besides the credit of his owne Person being a Prince of greâ—â— consideration in Italy he thought to ioyâ—â— thereunto this quality of One representing the Emperour together with the Kings of France 〈◊〉 Spaine But in those two Kingdoms he found many oppositions The Spaniards disswaded him saying That it was not for the Reputation of himselfe or of their King to whom he was so neerely Allied that he should runne the hazard of doing nothing in this Businesse as there was euident danger That notwithstanding all this the King had granted his desire if he had knowne his intention in time that he might haue reuoked the Commissions giuen to Don Francis de Castro But there wanted not some who beleeued that there was a more secret cause which moued the Spaniards vnwillingly to behold the Duke mingling himselfe in this Treaty as iudging that he might haue some Designes separate from theirs Againe in France the Proposation of the Duke was holden for a Spanish Artifice and therefore the King excused himselfe that he could not grant him what he desired saying That he had already appointed the Cardinall de Ioyeuse to accomplish the Treaty begun by his Ambassadors So the Duke had recourse only to the Imperiall Authority When this was signified vnto the Pope it was to him very welcome newes as well because all those which intermâ—â—ed in this Treaty did him an acceptable courtesie as also because the greatnesse of this Duke would giue great Reputation vnto the Businesse The Pope was resolued to come to a Concord and to doe all he could to that purpose neuerthelesse he desired to obtain the best Conditions that he might possibly and hoped that each one of these Mediators would get something to his aduantage and further if he should be constrained to yeeld hee should seeme to doe it with lesse indignitie when hâ— was swayed therein at the instance of so many great Princes With these Treaties the yeare 1606. passed year 1607 But in Ianuary of the yeare following although the Treaties were not intermitted yeâ— seemed to approach to a Conclusion notwithstanding in the Duchy of Milan and in the State of Venice were made great preparations of Was which gaue iealousie to all Italy And the Pope though he desired not to make any greater prouisions than formerly contenting himselfe to rest his Reputation vpon the Spanish Armes yet to shew that he would not haue Warre without his cost he obtained of the Genuöis to make a leuie of foure thousand Corses vpon condition that they should name the Captaines which yet tooke not effect Moreouer he sent by Fabricius Verallus Bishop of Saint Souero his Nuntie a Breue vnto the Catholique Suisses Wherein he gaue them notice of his Differences with the Senate of Venice and the purpose he had to vse temporall Armes against the Republique sineâ— the Spirituall were not sufficient requiring 〈◊〉 this effect a Regiment of three thousand footmen of their Nation and appointing fifteene thousand crownes to be answered at Milan by the Merchants to begin the leuie But this money was not sent to the Suisses nor any mention made afterwards of the Leuie The Spaniards to make it appeare vnto the Pope that they did not onely giue words vnto the World saw it necessary to shew themselues at least prepared to effects although as they testified and as the euent declared they abhorred to see any Warre in Italy Yet the opinion of Men was that the Count de Fuentes desired it but could not alone bring it to passe especially
whereof he named the Captaines That 〈◊〉 would further prouide himselfe but that it would not be good to passe too speedily That by his presence at Nancy he had rather increased than diminished the difficulties caused by the euill offices of the Iesuites This difficultie found Padauin in the successe of his iourney But at Basil he receiued a very fauourable answer from the Counsell as touching the Leuie but for the passage it was told him that it was meet to expect the returne of the Deputies from Soloturn because Basil being the gate of Heluetia they ought to haue the consent of their Allies before they suffered any forreine Souldiers to enter At Soloturn a Gentleman appeared in the Name of the Archduke Maximilian who said that his Master vnderstanding of the Iourney of the Secretary of Venice to obtaine a Leuie and a passage demanded that both might be denied which demand he made for his zeale to Religion and for the quiet of Heluetia and their neighbours principally for his Estates of Alsatia by which they of Lorraine must passe This instance was fauoured by the Catholique Cantons and especially with great heat by the Sonne of the Colonell Lusi of Vnder walden who had beene dismissed by the Republique for the small contentment they found in him But the Protestant Cantons opposed themselues saying that it was not the Custome of that Nation to deny passage to those who would not any way endamage the Countrey or bring preiudice to their Neighbours or Friends On the contrary that without danger or trouble the Lorraines might passe orderly without insolence and without Harquebuzes being no way reasonable to forbid them passage seeing it had beene yeelded two yeares before vnto the Spaniards going into Flanders To returne to the Secretary Padauin Verdeut seeing him resolued to speake with the Count de Vaudemont to diuert him from Nancy he conducted him to Badonuille a place in the County of Salma where not finding the Count he was welcomed and defrayed by Therel his Secretary and Treasurer but he discontentedly made his plaint to Verdelli saying That it would seeme very strange to the Republique that their Minister should be thus hindered in the Affaires of the Signiory by one who was obliged to doe them Seruice especially being further to Treat with the Duke and his other Children and thereupon complained also of the Duke Verdelli excused the Duke as knowing nothing hereof and that the Count was very well disposed but his Seruants had found meanes to stop him to auoid many euill accidents and especially the Cardinall was the cause who for his Interests was a Partisan of Rome All these discourses did not satisfie Padauin wherefore Verdelli resolued himselfe to go in post to Nancy from whence he would write for him to come and that he would come to meet him as he did in the Caâ—â—ach of the Duke and told him that he should be very welcome to all and that the Cardinall would euen embrace him without scruple offring himselfe to interpose for a peace because the Pope desired it Verdelli further declared to Padauin how the Pope had writ a Breue vnto the Cardinal wherein he charged him to command Frier Verdellia Knight of Saint Iohn of Hierusalem that he should not make any leuie of men for the Republique of Venice who were refractarie to his commandements which the Cardinall had intimated vnto him setting before his eyes his owne interests and those of his Fraternity And that Mounsieur de Maliana father to a Chamberlaine of the Popes offered him the first vacant Commendam to make him desist from his enterprises But that he answered that seeing he leuied not men for to command them nor at his owne expence he might doe it without scruple Padauin also had aduice at Nancy that the Canton of Zurich had granted the passage and the Leuie absolutely declaring the Cause of the Republique to be as iust as that of the Pope vniust and violent Likewise that Basil and Berne had freely granted the passage without condition and for the Leuie they had done the same only reseruing to speake with him by word of mouth to consult about securitie for the payment of stipends and touching the conditions according to the custome of that Nation who will not admit of Captaines but onely such as are Natiues of their Countrey Padauin had Audience of the Count de Vaudemont and declared his Commission reporting vnto him what he had Treated with them of Zurich and the other Suisses and gaue him to vnderstand that the money was ready for the Leuies and that now nothing wanted but to come to execution The Count answerd coldly that he would doe his duty and take care to Treat the other particulars but he praied him to consider that he was onely a Sonne in the Family and that he depended vpon his Father with whom it was necessarie first to speake The Secretary replied that he had order so to doe and two daies after hee had Audience of the Duke and said vnto him in the first place that the Republique did well accept the sending of Marinuille and the zeale which he had shewed to publique Tranquillity from which the Republique was neuer auerse but that the Preparations of the Pope and of others in his fauour constrained them to doe the same for their conseruation The Duke answered that he had sent Marinnille with good intention and that it pleased him well that he was accepted He exhorted them to Peace and said That he was busied about the Assembly of the States of Lorraine to be holden at Nancy in such sort that he had not leasure to thinke vpon any other particular Affaires Padauin did also his complements to the Duke of Bar and requiring the Cardinall to giue him Audience he answered That he would willingly heare him if he would Treat how to end these Controuersies but for simple Complements he could not admit them because of the Dignity of Cardinall which he had and lest it might giue occasion of Discourse The Cardinall vpon this occasion dispatched a Currier to Rome giuing aduice of the comming of Secretary Padauin and of the quantitie of siluer which he brought together with the preparatiues which were made in diuers places as also the answer which Verdelli had giuen him Padauin knew well the great instances which the Count had from diuers Persons to hinder him from seruing the Republique in this particular The Pope also had renewed his Instances by other Breues complaining that a Sonne of the House of Lorraine would take Armes against the Church to maintaine Rebels in their obstinacie especially hauing no obligation to this Seruice the seuen yeeres being now expired during which he had obliged himselfe He offered him further to make him Confalonier that is chiefe Standard-bearer of the Church beyond the Mounts a new title which cost the Pope nothing The great Duchesse his Sister writ vnto him that he should not by seruing in fauour of the
wherefore if he had no feare to promise it he ought not to feare the execution of it And he adioyned that the Duke hauing demanded so much respite as they might write and receiue answer he knew not how they could come to a refusall without breach of word The Duke answered that he held the Peace for assured and euery houre expected to heare of the Conclusion After two houres audience where passed many answers and replies on the one part and the other the Duke continuing still to say that he expected the Conclusion Padauin told him that if they resolued to say nothing else they should declare themselues that he might immediately depart to prouide else where for the seruice of his Prince since he could obtaine nothing frō Them that were obliged Vpon this the Duke praied him to wait three or foure daies The next morning Padauin had audience of the Count who at the first fight told him that he desired death rather then to be in this estate which hee neuer beleeued would haue hapned That hee could not dissemble his griefe for that he saw on the one side his owne engagement and on the other the will of his Father whom he durst not contradict That the Breues of the Pope the pursuits of many especially of the Iesuites had put scruples into the Dukes mind w th he could not abolish being aged subject torecciue impressions of terror That he cōfesse of the Republique had iust cause to complaine of him for the money which he had receiued seeing he failed them in time of need but he protested that it was not his fault and praied Padauin to condale with him and spake with such affection that teares fell from him Padauin comforted him and said That in aduersitie it was needfull to vse prudence and that he must complaine of the Pope who sold away his reputation by meanes of his Father Hee repeated vnto him the same things which he had said to the Duke with greater vehomence and confidence exhorting him to make a new tryall with his Father to take away all impediment to the send that such an action which would blemish his honour might not come to the knowledge of men Vpon these words the Count promised to vse all his power with the Duke his Father but withall remembred him that his Father by I enson of his yeares was feeble in body and mind and oppressed with the suggestions of diuers Padauin saw well that all this was nought but artifices wherefore hauing waited the foure daies he demanded Audience to take his leaue which they prolonged to serue themselues of time But in the end being constrained to dilcourer themselues the Count proposed this motion That a Leuie should be made vpon promise that the men should not serue against the Pope and this onely to take away the scruple of the Duke his Father obliging himselfe that when once the souldiers were in Italy they should obey the commandements of the Republique without reseruation This Padauin would not accept that he might not violate the Capitulation which was to serue Contra quoscunque So he resolued to passe into Suitzerland presently after he was aduised where he might finde the Deputies of the Cantons The Pope in the meane while during these Differences neglected not any thing which might susteine his Dignity For hauing learned out of the writings of the Venetians that at Genoa was a Law altogether conformable to that of Venice which forbade Ecclesiastiques to purchase he made instance that it might be reuoked Which the Republique readily obeyed to doe a thing gratefull to his Holinesse and to shew that the reuocation of their Edicts made the yeare before as we haue formerly said had proceeded from a free disposition beleeuing also hereby to render the cause of the Venetian Republique more odious And vpon the like instance of the Pope they gaue aduice of this reuocation in Spaine by their Ambassador which was esteemed in that Court for an extreme affectation whereby it appeared manifestly that herein they would giue example not onely to Venice but to Portugall also to Arragon and to the King himselfe The Duke of Sauoy signified vnto the Catholique King by Iames Antony de la Tour his Ambassador Extraordinary arriued a little before in Spaine to giue aduice of a Mariage concluded betweene his Daughter and the Duke of Mantua that he had accepted the Instructions of the Emperour to be Mediator of the Differences betweene the Pope and the Republique of Venice To which the King answered in generall terms but the Duke of Lerma commended him for that he obeyed the Emperour that the King had so great a desire of the Agreement that he praied God to grant him good successe that so good an effect might be produced by his meanes The Duke without expecting any further published his voyage and gaue order to his Court to make ready Whereupon at Venice the bruit of his comming euery day more and more increased and the Duke sent to Venice Iohn Baptista Soluro with Letters of credence of 27. of February to giue notice vnto the Senate how the Emperour had sent to Turin the Marquis of Castillon to sollicite him to passe to Venice for the accommodating of these Differences which being willing to vndertake as well to obey the Emperour as to serue the Republique he was determined to defer no longer but immediatly to begin his iourney hoping that the Republique would well accept his comming and his interposing That he had sent his Ambassador to this end to certifie the Republique of his good will and of the diligence which he would vse Audience was giuen to this Ambassadar on the 11. of March with a courteous answer that the Senate tooke in good part the comming of his Highnesse For this cause the Cardinall de Ioyeuse resolued to send a Gentleman to Rome to aducrtise the Pope what had beene deliberated and by the meanes of Alincourt to pursue the businesse to a Conclusion But whilest he was on dispatching hee changed his minde and resolued to goe himselfe in person and accordingly departed the day following which was the 17. of the same Moneth of March. After the Cardinall was parted from Venice the Marquis of Castillon Ambassador for the Emperour arriued there and without any publique and solemne entry presented himselfe vnto the Duke Where hauing put him in minde of the good offices which he had done him in Rome vpon the beginning of these troubles to the end that the Pope might suspend his Monitory howsoeuer he did not preuaile as he desired for the euill disposition of the Affaires He said further that he had alwaies done the same in the Court of the Emperour and that the Emperour vehemently desiring to see an end of these controuersies had designed the Duke of Sauoy to bring this good worke to effect with whom he was willing to ioyne himselfe for his great affection to the Republique as well for his proper
Lorraines Padauin perceiued very well that the Designe of the Count in making the Leuie was to couer the losse of his reputation and to obtaine of the Republique to be continued in the charge of Generall of their Armies Wherof He was further assured when Monfieur de Vadiot told him that the Spaniards had offred the Count 15000. Crownes by the yeare to draw him to the feruice of their King to which he said the Count would not giue care for the inclination which he had to serue the Republique And that in the former passage of matters he had reserued himselfe lest his Father should disaduantage him in his Testament but it was not meet to thinke the like of his Brother who had his Estate proper and seuerall which might haue sufficed for the Leuie which was desired Vadiot added that although the Leuy had not beene made intirely before the conclusion of Peace notwithstanding that which was done already had giuen reputation to the Republique He said further in particular that the Duke had neuer consented to ratifie the Leuie vnlesse that clause were taken away Contra quoscunque But Padauin being well certified of the conclusion of Peace by certaine aduice which he had from the Court of the Most Christian King deferred to deliuer the siluer appointed for the Leuy vntill he were first assured of the passage of the Grisons In this meane while neither Padauin nor any of his House were admitted to Confession by any Confessor at Nancy by the cunning sleights of the Iesuites but this Newes of the Accord being come the Rector of the Iesuites sent to him to excuse himselfe offering to receiue him to Confession if he would promise to doe nothing against the Pope To whom he answered that hauing hitherto learned nothing in their Schoole he would not now begin in this Case Likewise in Spaine the certaine Newes of the Agreement being arriued before Easter the Popes Nuntio aduised the Ambassador of Venice that he should abstaine from the Communion at Easter considering that shortly after he might be present with the Popes permission But the Ambassador would not receiue this counsell on the contrary he was confessed and communicated vpon holy Thursday by Francis Spinosa a Dominican Prior of our Lady de Zocchia hauing carried the Canopy ouer the Holy Sacrament and being admitted to all the Ecclesiasticall Ceremonies of that day and euen to dinner with the Friars And it is likely that that Father did not this without the iudgement and consent of other Doctors not onely Theologues which taught him this but also of other professions without whom in the Court of so great a King none dare vndertake such enterprises The Cardinall desirous to bring his Treaty to an end and hoping more easily to obtaine somewhat more for the Popes aduantage during those Festiuall daies then at other times made his iourney wth such haste that in his passage by Sea from Ancona to Venice he exposed his life to hazard He arriued on Munday in the Holy Weeke with great desire to finish the Concord before the Feast But the Affaire would not admit so speedy expedition and the Senate who knew well their owne innocence did not esteeme it meet to hasten matters being assured they were as able and fit to participate in Diuine Seruices before the Conclusion as after it The day following which was the 10. of Aprill the Cardinall went to the Senate and declared to them his charge not making mention of any Breue which he had from the Pope and already men knew that he had nothing else but an Instruction subscribed with the hand of his Holinesse The Senate gaue credit to the power which he said he had from the Pope as being one of the prime Cardinals of the Court of Rome and a Minister of the Most Christian King without shewing any writings from the Pope at all He certified first the Repub. of the Popes good will and his right intentions carried vnto the publique good of Christendome excusing the stiffnesse which he had shewed in the Treaty as proceeding from a zeale to sustaine the Papall dignity But that for all the good inclination of his Holinesse the Affaire had beene very difficult to conclude not without danger of a breach by reason of the euill offices done by diuers persons That in the end the difficulties were restrained to two the one to send an Ambassador to Rome before the Censures were remoued the other to reestablish the Iesuites That the former was easily ended the Pope being contented that the Censures should first be taken away but the second was not in such sort accorded but that he must speake more thereof with his Serenity Then he passed to explane the Conditions and the forme how the Censures were to be taken away The Conditions were That the Religious gone forth of the State by reason of the Interdict should be restored and their goods redeliuered That the Prisoners should bee consigned without protesting That the Protestation of the Republique should be reuoked with al that had followed as also the Letter writtē vnto the Cities of the State which was dispersed He made vehemēt instāce for the reestablishmēt of the Iesuites assuring them not withstanding that he could take away the Censures without this cōdition but vsing words very perswasiue ful of affectiō he said that this would make an entire Agreement as a thing desired by the Pope for his reputation by the Most Christian King for the satisfaction of his Holinesse and to him who spake more deare than the gaine of a Kingdome for the same Reasons That he would counsell the Republique to doe it that they might settle a firme and durable Peace The Duke and the Colledge immediatly answered that the resolution to giue the Prisoners to the King to gratifie him without preiudice of the Authority of the Republique had beene accepted by his Maiesty and therefore could not now be called into doubt also that he should not hope in any manner to obtaine from the Senate the omitting of the Protestation as also the restitution of the Iesuites was a thing meerely impossible because of the great iniuries at all times receiued from them and for the strait conditions with which their Banishment had beene decreed After this the Cardinall passed to speake of the forme of taking away the Censures wherein there was some difficulty For the Cardinall assuring himselfe that the Republique would remaine most constant in the confession of their innocence and affirmatiuely maintaine that they had not in any sort whatsoeuer incurred the Censures accordingly that they were resolued to refuse Absolution because they had no need of it would yet at least doe some action by which he might make the World beleeue that the Duke had receiued it And to this effect he proposed to goe to the Church of S. Marke with the Duke and Senators and there to celebrate or assist at a Masse solemne or priuate and in fine to giue