the Turkes shal be necessarily inforced to imploy the vttermost droppe of their blood to keepe them off next whensoever the matter growes to the Election one of another new Emperour they shall alwaies have the casting voice with them or rather in them having entangled the States of Bohemia in such bondes and promises Besids there is no other whom they may make choyce of that they may make no other accompt of it then as being halfe hereditarie And lastly their late pollicie now strengthened by vsage of declaring a King of Romans in the Emperours life time whilest his presence and power may governe the action doe assure them it shal alwaies passe with them roundly and quietly The other ground of their hope is the division of the Protestants into their factions of Lutherans and Calvenistâ— as they stile them wherein the Ministers of each side have so bestirred themselves that a coale which a wise man with a little moysture of his mouth would soone have quenâ—hed they with the winde of others have contrariwise so enflamed that it threatneth a great ruine and calamitie on both sides And though the Princes and heades of the weaker sides in those parts both Palgrave and Lansgrave have with great wisedome and iudgement to asslake those flames imposed silence in that point to the Ministers of the one partie hoping the charitie and discretion of the other sort would have done the like yet it falleth out otherwise the Lutherane Preachers rage hitherto in their Pulpets against the other as much as ever and their Princes and people have them in as great detestation not forbearing to professe openly they will returne to the Papacy rather then ever admitte that Sacramentarie and Predestinarie pestilence For these two pointes are the ground of the quarrell and the latter more scandalous at this day then the former And some one of their Princes namely the Administratour of Saxonie is strongly misdoubted to practise with the Emperour for the ioyning of the Catholike and Lutherane sect in one and by war to roote out extinguish the Calvinists the most plausible motion of the Emperor that ever could happen Neither is there any great doubt but if any stay and agreement could bee taken with the Turk all Germany were in danger to bee in vproare within it selfe by intestine discention howbeit all the Lutherans are not caried with this sterne humor but they only which are called Lutherani rigidi the greater part which are perhaps the Molles Lutherani are quiet enough Neither account they otherwise of the Calvinists then as of erring bretheren whom the Rigidi haue as is saide threatned to excommunicate as Schismatiques and Heretiques To this lamentable extremitie hath the headinesse of their Ministers on both sides brought it whilst in the peremptorinesse of their poore learning they cannot indure any supposed errour in their bretheren whereof themselves even the best of them perhaps if they were well sifted would be found to be full enough such take I to bee the condition of all men of this world that in their ignorance of all actions save of their Schooles and books make more account of some ill shaped Sillogisme then of the peace of the Church and happinesse of the worlde the end whereof will bee that their enemies shall laugh when themselves shall have cause to weepe vnlesse the gratiousnesse of God stirre vp some worthy Princes of renowne and reputation with both sides to enterpose their wisedome industry and authoritie for the vniting of these factions or at leastwise for reconciling and composing those differences in some tollerable sort A worke of immortall fame and desert and worthy of none but them of whome this wicked base worlde is not worthy But heereof I shall have occasion to speake in his due place for this place it suffiseth that these intrinsicall quarrels are the hopes which make their enemies hold vp their heads and quickneth their expectations to see the blades of these reformers drawne one against another that themselves being called to the beating downe of the one partie may afterwards in good time assaile the other In the meane season planting in all places their Colledges of Iesuites as the onely corrasive medicine to fret out their adversaries Now on the other part the hopes are also not fewe besides their over-topping of them so much in multitude and power First the Germaines bearing a naturall stiffe hate to the Hopes of the Protestants Italians for his winding and subtill wit which dispiseth and would ransacke him but that hee opposeth a proude stoutnesse and intractable obstinacie which serveth alwaies as a wall of defence to simplicitie will hardly what tempering soever the Princes make bee brought ever to reaffect the Papacie whose sleights and devises they are throughly acquainted with and have in more detestation than any Nation whatsoever And for their owne inwarde dissentions it is to bee hoped that though no courses were taken to compound them yet never will they bee so madde as to decide them by a generall open warre having on both sides the Turke Pope and Emperour to ioyne them in friendshippe For although the contention of brethren bee bitterest yet a common strong enemie alwaies maketh them friends againe And as for the Administrator so much suspected who prowles as some say in the practises for his owne greatnesse his authority is but short and expireth within three yeares Then for having an Emperor of some more indifferent familie though their desire bee in that point of all other greatest yet their hope is as I suppose least that which is seemeth to be grounded vpon Electors of Collen either if the old Elector Gerarduâ— Thrachesius should live so long whom in that case they might by force restore to his place from which he standeth now by force reiected yet retaineth his claime still and stile of Elector Or if some other of that See might be induced to follow the steps of two of their auncestors who have turned Protestants of which cause that place wil be alwaies in danger by reason of such vicinitie and intermixing of their state with Protestant Princes Besides in Collen it selfe the religion hath already sooting or at the leastwise might be drawen to that civill indifferencie as in preserving their freedome of election to change once in an age that familie of Austria wherein the Empyre having continued these seven discents may in time be established by prescription And lastly for the Iesuites their great Patron and planter the olde Duke of Bavaria having now retyred himselfe into their College and resigned his state to his Sonne Maximilià n who it is thought doth disfavour them as much as his father doted on them These and other such chaunges may give stay to their proceedings But to leaue these hopefull speculations on both sides and to take matters in termes they stand now and may so continue The benefit which the Papacie may expect from the Empire is rather to keepe matters in
them For though it were perhaps not vntruely saide of a great man of their owne that the Popes not erring was but an opinion of Pollicie not of Theologie to give stay to the Laâ—tie not stoppe to the Divines of whome in such infinite controversies and iarrings about interpretations of Texts and conclusions of Science wherein manie have spent a large part of their lives Never any yet went to bee resolved by the Popes as knowing it to bee true which their owne Law delivereth that in holinesse many an old woman in knowledge many a Friar might out-goe the Pope but in power and authoritie the whole world was vnder him yet at this day they doe so generally all cling vnto him and drawe by his line as having no hope eyther of standing against their opposites but onely by him or of vnity amongst themselves but onely in him that touch him and touch them yea they thinke some of them the name of Paptist to bee as good and a more necessarie name at this day then of Catholiques the one shewing only their vnity with their body the other with the head of the Church which is now more needefull It remaineth that Princes take the matter in hand and constraine the Pope and other to yeeld to such accord as they should thinke reasonable Indeed this were an only way to effect it for Reason is a good Orator when it hath force to back it But where are those Princes they dreame of an old world and of the heroicall times who imagine that Princes will breake their sleepes for such purposes If there were at this day a DAVID in Spaine a IOSIAS in France or Ezechias in Italie a Coustantine in Germanie the matter were ended in a very short time But take men as they are and as they are like to bee beeing brought vppe in the middest of their factions and flatterers where they seldome heare truth and if a good motion by chance bee set on foote by one part it is sure to bee straight crossed through the watchfull industrious envie of the other the world may hold it selfe reasonable happie and content if the civill State bee vphelde in any tollerable manner and not thinke that they should care greatly for reforming the Church and much lesse for the vniting of the State Ecclesiasticall the dissentions whereof have and daily serve so many mens turnes And though it is to bee acknowledged and thankefully commemorated that this age hath not beene so vtterly baâ—â—en of good Princes But some have deserved to have beene enrolled amongst these Worthies yet the ambition and incroaching humours of certaine and want of corespondencie requisite in others have stopped perhaps those honorable thoughts and designes which had else beene employed for the vniversall good of Christendome In summe there is small hope remaining in this part the world having extinguished the care of the publique good by an over-care of their private and each proiecting to passe their owne time smoothly over in pleasure and recommending posteritie to the Starres and Destinies these reasons together with the long continuance of this division whereby both parts are formalized and setled in their opinions insomuch that at this day there are but very fewe in comparison of former times that are gained either way doe make mee dispaire greatly of any successe by that course and so esteeme of that plot as an honest heartie desire but no probable designe and as a cabinet discourse of speculative consideration which practise in the world and experience doth neede to certifie The next point is whether necessitie which over-rules all frowardnesse and sturdinesse of humors and passions may not presse them to some vnitie if the Turke grow still great vpon them as hitherto he hath done hee shall leave no hope for Christendome to resist But in their inward concorde True it is that a forreine enemie is a reconciler of bretheren and that common daunger holdes them together as long as it lasteth which else should flie asunder vppon everie light occasion But herein me thinketh it commeth first to be considered whether the Turke be so fearfull a Monarch as is commonly conceived especially since his late so huge inlargement towards the East that which most men esteeme in him the grand cause ofterrour seemeth to mee a chiefe argument of the contrarie at this present and that is the hugenesse of his Empire For Empires are then at the strongest when they are at their biggest there being a certain due proportion in all things which they breaking the that exceed as wel as they that comeshort may be accoÌ„un ted huge add vaste but not great since that is great properly which is great in the actions which one as often impeacheth by vnwildinesse in the bigge as by weaknesse in the little But if to this be adioyned as it sometimes fall out that there be but a little soule to moove this vaste bodie which maketh some of the biggest men to be neither wisest nor valiantest and that the government which is the soule of the state is scant feeble not able to embrace nor order so huge affaires then is their no greater presage of ruine theÌ„ the verie massinesse it selfe which every stroÌ„g push or iustle maketh reele and totter for want of that inward strength which were requisite to hold it steddie And this take I to be the state of the Turkish Empire at this day which being a meere tyrannie as ayming only at the migh tinesse and securitie of their great Lord the sole absolute commander without any respect to the benesite of the people vnder him save only so far-forth as may serve vpoÌ„ his greatnesse and for that cause in his iealousie distrust of his owne keeping territories halfe desolate waste and vn-inhabited his subiectes without heades of Nobilitie to lead them without harts to encorage them to seek their liberty or deliverie abusing them by all kinde of bestiall education and oppressing them by all sortes of extortion and outrage giving the land where he conquereth to his Souldiers Timarri which scattered over all parts of his ample Empire are the onely contented people strength in effect he hath as being bouÌ„d by their tenures to serve whither soever hee cals them without his charge This beeing his state it is cleare that the wildnes lying waste of his Countrey is to the great diminishing of his owne wealth and revenue which is lesse than some one of our christian princes be at this day though his Empire be larger then all theirs togither The vnpopulousnesse togither with the basenesse feeblenesse of such as are weake that no one Country is a defence for himselfe but must have the concourse of very many of the rest to assist it And lastly the huge circuite of his soyle and confines embracing as is esteemed eight thousand miles of land and of sea as many is the cause that his Timarri cannot assemble togither but in very long time wherein
great facility and without which there is no possibilitie of salvation 2 That divine prerogative is granted vnto them abve all the people in the world which doth preserve them everlastingly from erring in matters of faith and from falling from GOD. 3 That the Pope being Christes deputie hath the keyes of heaven in custodie to admit in by Indulgence shut out by excommunication as he shall see cause 4 That the charge of all soules being committed to him he is thereby made soveraigne prince of this world exceeding in power and maiestie all other princes as far as the soule in dignitie doth exceed the bodie eternall things surmount things temporall and seeing the end is the ruler and commander of whatsoever doe tend vnto it and all things in this world are to serve but as instruments and the world it self but as a passage to our everlasting habitation 5 That therfore he that hath the managing of this high honour to be the supream conductor vnto it hath also power to dispose of all things subordinate as may best serve to it to plant to roote out to establish to depose to bind to loose to alter to dispence as may serve most fitte for the advancement of the church and for the atcheving of the soules felicitie wherein whosoever oppose against him whether by Heresie or Schisme they are no other then verie Rebels or seditious persoÌ„s against whom he hath vnlimited endlesse power to proceede to the suppressing ruining and extinguishing of them by all meanes that the Common-welth of God may florish in prosperitie and the high way to heaven bee kept safe and open for all Gods loyall and obedient people In these poynts no doubtes or questions are tolerable And whoso with them ioyne in these shall find great connivence in what other defect or difference soever this being the very touchstone by which all men are to be tried whether they be in the Church or out of the Church whether with them or against them and by this plott have their wits erected in this worlde a Monarchie more potent then ever any that have bene before it A Monarchye which intitling them de iure to all the world layeth a strong foundation thereof in all mens conciences the onelie firme ground of obedience in the worlde and such a foundation as not onely holdeth fast vnto them whatsoever it feazeth on but worketh outwardly also by engines to weaken and vndermine the states of all other Princes howe great so ever and that in such sort as by possessing themselves of the principall places the hearts of their subiects as being those from whome they have their principall good even the happinesse of their soules to incite vppon everie conscience a gaynest their naturall Soveraigne at pleasure and by a writte of Excommunication to svbdue or at leastwise greatly to shake whom they list without fighting a blow without leavying a Souldier lastly a Monarchie which as it was founded by meere witte needeth not anie thing but meere witte to mainetaine it which enricheth it self without labouring warreth without endangering rewardeth without spending vsing Colledges to a great purpose as others can fortresses working greater matters partly by Schollers partly by swarmes of Friars than else they could ever doe by great garrisons armies And all these maintained at other mens charges for to that rare poynt have they also proceeded as not onely to have huge rents themselves out of other mens states but to maintaine also their instruments out of other mens devotions and to advance their favorites vnder the faire pretence of providing for Religion to the verie principall preferments in forraine Princes Dominions That no man need find it strange if finding the revenew of skill and cunning to be great and their force mightie especially what they worke vpon simplicitie and ignorance They inclosed in times past all learning within the wals of their Cleargie setting forth Ladie Ignorance for a great Saint to the Laitie and shewing her vnto them for the true mother of Devotion And assuredly but for one great defect in their pollicy which was hard in regard of their owne particular ambition but otherwise not impossible to be avoided That they choose their Pope lightly verie old and withall without any restraint of all Families and Nations whereby they are continually subiect to double change of government The Successor seldome prosecuting his Antecessors devices but eyther crossing them through envie or abandoning them vpon new humour it could not have been but they must have long since beene absolute Lords of all which defects notwithstanding so strong was their pollicy by reason of the force of their Cardinall fonndation That no Prince or Potentate ever opposed against them but in fine even by his owne Subiects they eyther maistered him or vtterly brought him to good conformitie by great losse and extreamitie tâ—ll such time as in his latter age the bottom of the foundation it selfe being stoutly discovered hath given them a sore blow hath changed in great part the state of the question and hath driven them to a re-inforcement of new inventions and practises 12 Howbeit those positions being the ground of their state and the hope of their owne glory in them they admit no shadow of alteration but indevour still per fas nefas euen by all the meanes in the world to strengthen them and amongst their manifold adversaries hate them most of all other who have laboured most in stopping of that foundation And seeing that by reason of this bookish age they have not that helpe of ignorance which in times past they had they cast about greatly to soake and settle them in mens perswasions and consciences by another way They tell men that the very gound whereon we build our perswasion of the truth of Christianity it self are no other then credible That the proofes of the Scripture to be the word of God can be no other at this day than probable onely being impossible for any wit in the world to produce exact necessary and infallible demonstrations Eyther that the holy Apostle Saint Paule had his calling from above or that those Epistles were of his writing so likewise in the rest and that the chiefe proofe that we have therof is the testimony of the church a thing which their very adversaries are forced to confesse Now that this probable perswasion of the truth of Christianity doth afterward grow to an assurednesse therof this issueth from an inward operation of Gods divine spirit the gift whereof is faith and that faith being a knowledge not of bare science but of beleefe which searcheth not the particular necessitie of the veritie of things delivered but relieth in generall vpon the approoved wisedome truth and vertue of him that doth deliver it Then surely whosoever will have necessarie proofe of the severall Articles of Religion doth but wittily deceive himselfe and by over-curious indevour to chaunge his faith into science doth loose that which
he seeketh to perfect If then without faith there is no possibly of Salvation this surely must needes be the hie way to perdition Now seeing christianitie to be a doctrine of faith a doctrine whereof all men even children are capable as being grosse and to be beleeved in generall The high vertue wherof â—s in the humility of vnderstanding and the merite in the readinesse of obedience to imbrace it for these have beene alwaies the true owners of faith And seeing the outward proofes are no other than probable and of all probable proofes the Church testimonie is most probable what madnesse were it for any man to tire out his soule and to waste away his spirites in tracing out all the thorhy paths of the controversies of these daies wherein to erre is no lesse easie than dangerous what through forgery abusing him through Sophistrie transporting him and not rather to betake himselfe to the right path of trueth whereunto God and Nature Reason and Experience doe all give witnesse and that is to associate himselfe to that Church whereunto the custody of this heavenly and supernaturall trueth hath beene from heaven it selfe committed to weigh discretely which is the true Church and that beeing once found to receive faithfully and obediently without doubt or discussion whatsoever it delivereth Nowe concerning the first point some doubt might be made if there were any Church Christian in the world to be shewed which had continued from Christs time downe to this age without change or interruption this only excepted But if all other have had their end or decay long since or their beginning but of late if theirs bee founded by the Prince of the Apostles with promise by him That hel gates should not prevaile against it but that himselfe would be assisting to it vntill the consummation of the world which hath continued on now to the end of a thousand sixe hundred and foure yeares with an honourable and certaine line of two hundred and fortie Popes all beeing Successours of Saint Peter both Tyrants and Traitors both Pagans and Heretiques in vaine wrestling raging barking and vndermining if all the lawfull Councels that ever were in the world being the general Senates of Gods officers and Ministers have from time to time approved obeyed and honored it if God have so miraculousâ—y blessed it from above as that so many sage Doctors should inâ—ich it with their writings such armies yea millions of Saints with their holines of Martires with their blood of Virgins with their puritie should sanctifie and seale it if their Church have beene a ruine alwaies to them that opposed against her a stay repose and advancement to all her followers if even at this day in such difficulties of rebellions and revolts of her neerest children yet she stretcheth out her armes to the vttermost corners the world embracing whole Nations into her bosome If lastly in all other opposite Churches whatsoever ther be nothing to be found but inward dissention and contrarietie chaÌ„ge of opinions vncertaintie of resolutions robbing of churches robellion against Governors confusion of orders nothing to be attended but mischefe subversion and destruction which they have well deserved and shall assuredly have whereas contrary in their Churches the vnitie vndivided the obedience vnforced the resolvtions vnalterable the most heavenly order reaching from the height of all power to the very lowest of all subiection with admirable harmonie and vndefective correspondeÌ„cie al tending to the same way to the effecting of the same worke did promise no other than continuance increase and victorie Let no man dâ—â—bt to submit himselfe to this glorious spouse of God â—â— whose head is the blessing of God in whose hand is the power of God vnder whose feet are the enemies of God to whom round about do service all the creatures of God This then being accorded to be the true Church of God it followeth that shee be reverently obeyed in all things without further inquifition having this warrant That whoso heareth her heaeth Christ and whosoever heareth her not hath no better place then a Publican or a Pagan And what folly were it to receive the Scripture vpon the credit of her authority and not to receive the interpretation also vpon her authority and credite And if GOD should not protect his Church alwaies from error and peremptorily command all men to obey her then had hee made but slender provision for the Salvation of mankinde to whome errour in matter of faith is certaine damnation which conceipt of God whose care of vs even in all thinges touching this transitorie life is so plaine and evident were vngratefull and impious And hard were the case and meane had beene his regard of the vulgar people whose wants and difficulties in this life will not permit whose capacities will not suffice to sound the deepe and hidden mysteries of divinity to search out intricate controversies if there were not other whose authority they might rely on Blessed therfore are they which beleeve and have not seen the â—â—erite of whose religious humilitie and obedience doth exceede perhaps in honour and acceptation before God the subtill and profound knowledge of many other And lastly if any man either in regard of his vocation or reason of his leasure list to studie the controversies let him take heede he come not with a doubtfull minde vnto theÌ„ for diffidence is as the sinne of rebellion let him be stedfast in faith let him submitt his owne reason to the Churches authoritie being the house of God the pillar and ground of truth let him be fast and immoveably built vppon that foundation and let his end onely bee this to furnish and arme himselfe in such sort as to bee able to withstand and overthrow those heretiques when they shall at any time chose or chance to encounter This is the maine course of of their perswading at this day whereby they seeke to re-establish that former foundation In the vnfolding whereof I have beene the longer because triall hath taught mee that not by some mens private election but as it should seeme by common order direction or consent they have relinquished all other courses and doe hold them to this as the most effectuall meanes by the way of perswasion to worke this designe In considering whereof there commeth to my minde that diversity which a wise Philosopher hath intimated in the wits of men That some are of so sharpe deepe and strange discourse that they yeelde not their assent vnto any thing vntill they have found out either some proper demonstration for it or some other certaine proofe whereon to ground it â—suredly Others are so shallow and weake in that faculty that they feare alwaies errour and therefore doe more willingly accord to whatsoeuer some of account for wisdome doe barely affirme then to any thing which this reason alone which they suspect inferreth Now these latter exceeding the other as farre in number as in worthynesse and honour of nature they
legittimating vnlawfull and accursed issue and thereby advancing into Thrones of regalitie oftentimes base sundrie times adulterous yea sometimes incestuous and perhaps vnnaturall of springs dooth not Reason foretell and hath not experience thought that both the parties in such mariages and much more their whole issue are bound in as strong a bond to the vp-holding of the Popes infinite authoritie and power as the honour of their birth and the title of their Crowne are worth It was a sâ—ely conceit in them which hoped that Queene Mary would not vphold the Popes authoritie in England by reason of her promise when a greater bond to her then her promise did presse her to it What man ever in the world stucke faster to his chosen friend then the late King of Spayne Philip did to the Papacie notwithstanding with the Popes themselves his often ielousies and quarrels who ordained moreover that all his heires and successours in the estate of the Low-countries by vertue of his late transport shall for ever vpon their entrie into those Seigniories take an oth for the maintaining of the Papacie and that Religion Is not the reason apparant that if the Papacy should quaile his only sonne whosoever descend of him is dishonured and made vncapable of those great Estates and Kingdomes which now he holdeth yea and a fire kindled in his owne house about the title to them neither is it to be admitted into any conceit of reason but that this young King will be as sure to the Papacy as his father being borne of a marriage prohibited by God abhorred happily by Nature disaproved by the world and onely by papall authority made alowable For for my part I hold not that opinion vnprobable that the marriage of Vncle and Neâ—ce as it was in this case was contrarie to the law of Nature and not to Gods positive lawonely seeing the Vncle hath a second right and place of a father But howsoever that point stand wherin I dare not affirme ought it is creerely contrary to such a positive lawe of God as the reason and cause thereof must needes continue vnto the dissolution of the world or overthrow of mankinde And therefore in reason and law no way agreeable or dispensable with but by the same or higher authority then that which first did make it that the Pope neede not thinke that they do him so apparant wrong who invest him with the title of that man of power who sitting in the temple of God exalteth himselfe above God For what may it seeme else bearing himselfe head of the Church to take vpon him to councell or authentically to alow of the breach of Gods law without having his expresse precise commission for so doing Though I am not ignoraÌ„t that they have distinctions for all this which were a merry matter if Sophistry were a proper scieÌ„ce of sal vatioÌ„ But by this some other mariages those strainge relations of aliance have growne that K. Philip were he alive might call the Archd. Albert both brother cosen nephew son for all this were he vnto him either by blood or affinitie being vnkle to himselfe cosen germain to his father husbaÌ„d to his sister father to his wife to come a step neerer home the same rule of Pollicy made me greatly feare til now that god by death hath prevented the mischeife howsoever hitherto what for feare of scaÌ„dalizing what for other respects the Pope made shew not to be forward to coÌ„seÌ„t to a intended mariage betweÌ„ a married K. his Mistris much lesse to legittimate the childre adulterously begotteÌ„ by finding nullities on both sides in the former mariages things made of purpose as he knoweth to cloke a falshoode that yet notwithstanding himselfe or his successours would yeelde to it in the end if any colour in the world could be laid vpp on the matter to salve the credite of his not erring Sea And hee might see good hope for that race to prevaile deriving the sucession also of his other greate Kingdome vppon issue whose tytle must holde vppon his legittimation hee might be better assured of it then he hath beene hitherto and have them ever firme and irreconcileable adversaries to all those whither subiects or neighbours or whosoever as should oppose against his Soveraigntie and vnstinted power So searching and penetrant is that Sea to strengthen it selfe more by the vnlawfull marriages of other men that ever Prince yet coulde doe by any lawfull marriage of his owne 15 The dispencing with oathes and discharging from them especially in matters of treatie betweene Princes and Estates is a thing so repugnant to all morall honestie Dispensation with oathes so iniurious to the quiet and peace of the world so odious in it selfe so scandalous to all men that it may be they adventure not to play vpon that string in this curious age so often as heretofore for feare of discording all the rest of their harmony Cleare it is that heretofore this made them a necessarie helpe for all such Princes as either vpon extreamity were driven to enter into hard conditions or vpon falshood and dishonesty desired to take their advantage against their neighbours when it was offered In which Princes having no meanes to salve their credite with the world but onely by iustifying the vnholinesse of the Art by the Popes holy authoritie interposed in it were afterwards tied firmely to adhere vnto them And this was the cause that Francis the first of France with whom immediately vpon his oath given to Charles the fift for performance of the articles accorded at his delivery Clement the 7. dispenced and by probable coniecture had promised to dispence with his oath before he had made it vpon hope whereof also he tooke it the effect was for the Popes behoofe that ever after there was strict love and amity betwen them testified finally to the world by that famous marriage betweene the sonne of the one and the kinswoman of the other And verily though I hold in generall too much suspitiousnesse as great a fault and as great an enimie to vvisedom as too much Incredulitie it doing oftentimes as great a vvrong to friends as the other doth receive vvrongfull hurt from dissemblers yet vievving the short continuance of svvorne leagues at this day the small reckoning that Princes make of oathes solemnly taken vvhether to neighbours or subiectes not faith but profit being the bond of aliance and amitie which altering once the other have no longer during it maketh me think it not possible that Popes vnlimited fingers may bee stirring even at this day more often in secret in vntying those knots of the bonds of conscience then the world is ware of at leastwise that by authority and imitation of his example Princes assume vnto themselves a like faculty of dispencing with their own oaths whensoever they can perswade themselves it is behooveful to their kingdome as he when to his Church But howsoever that standeth this is
verie apparant that by this Doctrine and policy the Popes opposices and enemies especially the states and Princes of the reformed Religion are inestimably preiudiced being reduced hereby to a continuall vncertaintie and confusion in all their weightiest actions counsels and resolutions there beeing a warrant for all men to breake league and oath with them and no neede of particular dispensation from his holines Their Church long since by her rules and some of great reckoning amongst them more lately by their writings have published preached to al the world that faith given to heretikes is not to be kept that leagues with them are more honourable in their breaking then in their making denying that right vnto Princes of Christian profession which Christians vnto Heathens Heathens one to another of how different religion soever yea al honorable princes vnto very traitors rebels have alwaies kept vnviolable And finally if father Parsons at his last coÌ„ming to Rome pretending to make peace betwixt the Eâ—glish scholers the Iesuits who were charged with too much indirect dealing large imblessing setâ—ing downe certaine indifferent Articles betweene them to that purpose whereby each part should be bound to desist impugning of the other did by handling the matter with such conveiance and cunning imitating therein a rule of fast on the one side loose on the other in the grouÌ„d of their order as first to sweare the Scholers to observe that which was their part after to leave the Iesuites vnsworne to theirs to effect his secret ambitious intent to the great grief of the Scholers made the Iesuites their governours what other account can be made of these leagues peaces betwixt those of the Romane of the reformed religion but that the one side being tyed by oath the other left free for so are they taught they shall so far-forth have performance continuance as shal be to the advancement and profit of that party which esteemeth it selfe at liberty the sacred the soveraigne instrumeÌ„t of all iustice amongst meÌ„ what is it what can it be in the world but an oath beeing the strongest bound of coÌ„science This is the end of strifes particular this is the sodder of publike peace the sole assurance of amity betweene divers nations which being made here below is inrolled in his high Court whose glorious name doth signe it who hath made no graunt of accesse to his celestial pallace but to such as have sworn true though it redound to their owne damage yet swarve not from it that nothing but mischiefe can be presaged to the world in this age most wretched wherin Peâ—iuty hath vndermined the tribunals of iudgement which hath chased out true iustice out of the world left no place for a iust man where to stand against the craftie But what may bee said when he that sitteth in the Temple of God shall so far advance himselfe above God as to dispence with oathes made sacred by the most holy high name of God when he that professeth himselfe sole vmpire peace-maker of the world shal cut in sunder those onely finewes that hold peace together when the father of Princes shall cary himself with so wicked partiality and cast by dissolving of oaths affliction on the partie he hateth and making the other perpetually obnoxious to him to worke his owne certaine advantage from both and lastly by making of that ancient bridle of the vniust to be now an onely snare to intrap the innocent and impose that blemish vpon Christianitie which the Pagans in their naturall morality have abhorred I will not here omit one other great helpe which casualty rather then cunning may seeme to have wrought it falling out often in the affairs of men that where wisdome hath furnished out sundry aids instruments there some also do frame themselves as it were by chance resulting out of the concurreÌ„ce of diverse accidents with the former as at this day the greatnesse of the house of Austia extending it selfe well nigh to all quarters of Europe and confining with many of the Popes principall adversaries who having long since vpon the rich purchase which they had of the Indies devoured in assured hope and conceit the Monarchy of our Westerne world and finding no fitter meanes to enlarge their temporall Dominions than by concurring with the Pope in restoring his spirituall have linked themselves most fast with his Sea and investing themselves voluntarily with an Office of their owne direction have taken vpon them to be the executioners of his Excommunications that having title from the Pope who giveth his enemies the foyle by distracting their owne Subiects from them vpon feare of his curse the rest they may supply out of their owne force and opportunities having erected for this purpose that superpolitique and irrefragable order as they count it of the Iesuites who couple in their perswasions as one God and one Faith so one Pope also and one King bearing the world in hand and there is no other meanes in the world for the Church to stand but by resting vpon this pillar and by vniting in this sort all the forces of the Christians this the onely meanes to vanquish the Arch-enemy of Christianitie that the Italians may not brag to have beene the onely men who have subdued the world vnto them by their wit the Spaniards having prooved so good Schollers in their Schooles that though they follow them in their grounds of pretending the advancement of Religion and in their instruments of religious Orders to practise mens minds with yet in this they out-goe them that they vse the Popes weapons lightnings and thunderings and terrors for instruments of their owne greatnes his hope of reestablishing his spirituall reputation by them to the immoderate increase of their secular power by him that the Pope also himselfe must in the end be constrained to cast himselfe into their armes and to remaine at their devotion acknowledging him henceforward for his good Lord Patron whoÌ„ he hath heretofore governed commanded as his Son a point which as some of the ministers of Spaine in the height of their pride have not beene able to hold in but have braved the assembly of Cardinals to their beards that they hope ere long to see the day that their master should tender halfe a dozen to the Pope to be made Cardinals at once wherof he should not dare to refuse to choose any one And the Cardinals themselves should as little daâ—e to choose any other Pope then whom he named so their too important pressing of the Pope in these latter times to serve all their ambitious and raging turnes in the long preiudicing the libertie of the Conclave in their elections have given them good assurance that they speak as they meane that their brags are hopes purposes and these threatnings being the naturall fruits of the Spanish hautines insolency who in the pride of their Monarchie are
and other benefices as is vsed in Fraunce What as in Italy and Spaine by assignations of yearely pensions out of their revenewes which beeing so great as they are they may easily and having hope of aspiring they may willingly beare and most of this out of the dominions and territories of other Princes and without any charging or impoverishing of his owne A choyce and refined peece of high Quintessence of wit which yet never State coulde distill out of their braines to aspire vnto besides the Papacie To let passe the infinite number of Honours and Lyvings what Ecclesiasticall what subordinate and ministeriall to them and what also in part temporall as belonging to the Knights of the holy Orders which are many All which although not directly in his owne donation yet in that they have their right either grounded or greatly favoured and continued by his religion And in decay of that as experience hath shewed were likelie to quaile are strong proppes to the vpholding of the Papacie arming so many tongues and hands in the defence therof as either are or have hope to be advanced by it each drawing his friends and followers with him A sweete enchanter and deceiver of men is the hope of honour and worldly profite which lulling oft even in the better sort the conscience asleepe doth awaken withall and sharpen the wit to find out arguments for the prooving of that coÌ„clusion which affection before hath framed and by custome continueth ingendreth in them a perswasion that they have done well in that which at the first their own knowledge could say otherwise how powerfully them may it sway with that other sort of men whose belly being their god make their appetite their sole Religion which if the experience of former times hath not sufficiently affirmed it were to bee wished perhaps that more fresh proofe might have beene given thereof once againe in this kingdome of France where some of the wisest and chiefe have thought that if the King hath accorded to the Cleargies late supplication to bestowe Church-livings vpon fit men and only of Ecclesiasticall calling Those Princes Peeres which nâ—w in regard of that particular commoditie which they reape from the Church in termes as it standeth would have vnsheathed their swords in defence thereof would soone have turned themselves another way to the vtter razing of it that they might satisfie their greedinesse with the spoile of that state whose pay they could no longer have 20 But for the Cleargie themselves who are in al places vnder the Papacie great in number and power they are most firmely assured to that Sea what by the multitude of exemptions and prerogatives above the temporalty which vnder the Popes protection they securely inioy vvhat vvith expecting no other then vtter sacking â—uine if the opposites of the Popes should happen to prevaile so discreet violent have bin their carâ—iage in most places vvhere they have bin able eitheir to bring or to pull in their reformation yea herein also it hath beâ—alne as in some other things that not only casual bâ—â— eveÌ„ more crosse accidents have redounded to the Popes great advantage benefit The part vvhich in this age hath â—â—â— raised against having wrought this affect to â—â—â—â— the rest more firme more serviceable more zealous towards him insomuch whereas in France he was smally regarded of any but stomaked at by the Princes impeached abridged appealed from by the Prelates and lastly either despised or neglected by the people the hatred and rancor conceived against his enemies with eagrenesse of oppositioÌ„ kindling and having long continuance therein hath strongly settled and produced effects of cleane contrarie nature the Princes have ioyned in holie league for the vpholding of him the people with all furie have raged have fought against have murdered and massacred his opposites in all places and the cleargie of Fraunce which heretofore withstoode him in many Councels doth now call maynly for his CouÌ„cell of Trent to bee admitted A Councell of all other most partiall vnto him carried by him with such infinit guile and craft without any sinceritie vpright dealing or truth as that theÌ„selves will even smile in the triumphes of their owne wittes when they heare it but mentioned as at a master Stratageme Yea so strongly hath this opposition fastened his Cleargie vnto him that the name of a Generall Councel is now the most plausible which in former time was the most fearefull thing to him in the world and wherevnto hee was never brought with any better good will then an olde bitten Beare is drawne to the stake to be bayted by his enemies who dare tugge him in company at whom in single they scarce durst barke so powerfull is the nature of all opposition to increase despight and hatred against the enemie and to make friends especially those that are interessed in the same cause to cleave more close together Yea rather so wise is the ever admirable Creator even in all his workes of what nature so ever as to temper the very accidents in the life of man with such proportion and counterpoise that no prosperity without his inconvenience no adversitie without his comfort to chase out of mans life security and dispaire the only enimies of all vertuous honest courses To each thing hath the goodnesse of that Architect imparted a peculiar badge of honour that nothing should be dispiseable in the eies of other the prince in maiesty soveraignty of power the nobility in wisdome dominative vertue togither with the instruments therof as riches reputation allies and followers the people in their multitude are respectable and honorable which multitude being of so great consequence in matter of state the policy of the papacy hath not neglected but provided both reasonable intertainment for them and fit means also to practise and work vpon them here commeth in those heaps of their religious orders and that multitude of Friars which abound in all places but wherwith Italy above all doth swarme A race of people in former times honorable in their holines now for the most part contemptible in their wickednes and misery alwaies praying but seldome with signe of devotion vowing obedience but stil contentious chastity yet most luxurious poverty yet every where scraping and covetous which I speak not of theÌ„ all there being many among them of singular piety devotion in their way but a very smal part as they generally reported where ever I have come But to returne to the aid which the Papacy do reape from them the onely contentfull care that the ordinary sort of men have in this world is for the providing for their childreÌ„ to leave them in good estate not inferior but rather above their ancestors which those that have many not being able to performe for all it is a great ease to them and such an ease as even Princes great Peeres themselves sometimes disdaine not but are rather glad of to
illustrating all parts thereof with ample Comments in addressing Institutions of Christian religion in deducing large histories of the Church from the foundation to their present times in furnishing all common places of divinity with abundaÌ„ce of matter in exact discussing of all controversed questions and lastly in speedy reply to all contrarie writings the greatest part of these labours tending to the iustifying of their owne doctrine to the discoverie of the corruption and rottennes of the other that they might overbeare these with the streames of the evidence of Reason by the strength of whose power they complained to bee overborne There is scarce any one of these kindes of writings save the translating of the Bible into vulgar language wherein the Romanists have not already or are not like very shortly either to equall or to exceede their adversaries in multitude of workes as being more of them that apply those studies in diligence as having much more oportunity and leasure in exactnesse as comming after them and reaping the fruits of their travels though in truth they come short and in ingeniositie being Truths companion But as for the controversies themselves the maine matter of all other therein their industry is at this day incomparable having so altered the tenures of them refined the states subtilized the distinctions sharpened their owne proofes deviâ—ed certaine either answers or evasions alreadie resolved on for all their adversaries arguments allegations and replies yea they have differences to divert their strongest oppositions interpretations to elude the plainest text in the worlde circumstances and considerations to inforce their owne seeliest coniectures yea reasons to put life into their deadest absurdities as in particular a verie faire case in schoole-learning they have to iustifie their Popes grants of many score thousand yeeres pardon that in affiance of this furniture of their promptnesse of speech and wit which by continuall exercise they aspire to perfect they dare enter into combate even with the best of their oppugners and will not doubt eyther to intangle them so in the snares of their own quirks or at leastwise so put off his blowes with the wardes of their distinctions that an ordinarie Auditor shall never perceive them to be vanquished and a favourable Auditorie shall report them vanquishers Wherevpon now to bee quitte with their adveisaries and by the very same Arte to drawe away the multitude they cry mainely in all places for tryall by disputations This Campion did many yeeres since with vs. This as I passed through Turricke did the Cardinall Andrea of Constance and his Iesuites with their Ministers being by auntient right within his Dioces not long before the same was done to them of Geneva And verie lately the Capuchins renued the chaâ—enge in which partes I observe this discreete valour on both sides that as the Romanists offer to dispute in the adversaâ—ies owne Cities which they know their Magistrates will never accord so the Ministers in supplie thereof offer to goe to them to their Cities and that is now as much disliked on the other side each part being conteâ—ted that the fire should bee kindled rather in his enemies house then in his owne yea there are not wanting some â—â—â—peters amongest them that have beene talking a long while whether out of their owne dreames or out of the desires of greater persons which I halfe coniecture of a generall solemne conference to be sought and procured of the choyce and chiefe every way of both the sides vnder pretence of drawing matters to some tollerable composition But in truth as I conceived rather to over-beare and disgrace the contrarie cause with their varietie of engins and strength of wit to weâ—ld them at all afâ—aies at pleasure than vpon sinceritie of affection or probabilitie of any vnitie or peace to ensue so great is their hope of having cure by the weapons from whence heretofore they have had their wounds 30 A fourth way that mightily afflictes the Papacy consequently advaunceth the reformation her proceedings was a course in my opinion surely more excusable A discovering â—he blots of their opposites where it cannot that commendable where it can bee spared and that is the discoverie of the private bloâ—es of an enimie further then the question in hand doth constraine howsoever the Protestants at leastwise some of them by example of those ancient and reverent Orators ripped vp to the quicke the lives of their adversaries in their particular actions especially of their Popes and of their Prelates as also of their Votaries of all sorts and sexes wherein the store of matter was huge the qualitie of it so enormous loathsome vgly and matchable in all kind of villanie to the veriest monsters of the Heathen the persons defiled with it of so imminent place in the steering and vpholding of their Church and lastly the trueth thereof so vndoubted and certaine being drawne in times past out of their owne stories and Authors printed and approved amongst themselves to be true for that present being of things done ordinarily for the most part and openly in the sight of all men in Rome and in Italie even as they continue perhappes not much better in many thinges at this day that publishing and presenting it to the prepared mindes of the worlde besides an extreame horrour and detestation which it brought did work in them this perswasion also that it could not be but Hell gates had prevailed against that Sea whose Governours whose Prelates whose Priestes whose Virgines had lived most of them so long time in the â—awes of the Prince of Hell Neyther that it was probable they had beene carefull in preserving the doctrine of Christianitie who had beene carelesse of all partes of Christian life and honestie And as in their lives so in their writings also of doctrine and devotion and in the actions concerning them their deifying of the Pope with most impious flatterie their abusing of the Scriptures with all irreverence and prophanenesse their iugling with their Images to make them sweate weepe and bleede to raâ—e in the people a devotion towards them of Heathenish Idolatrie their forging of Miracles in exorcismes in cures in apparition of soules for their lucre and advauntage their graunting of Pardons for some prayers before Images for many thousand yeares their Pardon for sinnes to come before they bee committed their shamelesse ridiculous tales of our Saviour and the holy and blessed Saintes making marriages heere vpon earth betweene him and some of our women Saintes with infinite store of childish vanitie and sottâ—sh absurditie as to their adversaries though themselves seemed I must confesse to conceive otherwise of them some of their graver Doctors both preaching them in Pulpit and publishing them newâ—ly in elaborate and ample Histories their promising to the vse of certaine devotions to our Ladie to have a sight of her sometime before their dying dayes and much more their falsifying and forgeries in all matters of antiquities thrusting
to take a view of the present state of the Papacie or rather of some points therein more requisite to be knowne First to consider it in his owne proper and peculiar Dominions namely in the Seigniories and Territories which the Pope holds in Italy for as for Avignon with his Countie Uenassive in France by reason of the ill neighborhood of the Protestants of Grange it hath yeelded him I weene in these latter times no great matter yea rather it hath beene an overcharge vnto him for which cause they like well to be vnder the Pope as bringing more vnto them then he taketh from them I take it at this day of the foure great States of Italy by reason of the accesse of the Dukedome of Ferrara escheated to him of late to be clearely the third at least and to surmount the great Dukes which it hath well-nie surrounded also yea question might be made concerning the second place For although the Venetians in amplitude of Territories farre and in greatnesse of revenewes not alittle exceed it yet besides other difficulties and charges of necessity to which they are more subiect in militarie force they greatly come short the popes men retaining still the brave hearts of their ancestors and breeding among them plentie of able leaders whereof at this present both the great Duke and Venetians doe serve themselves whereas the Lumbards wherein is the scumme of the states of Uenice are as heavy and vnwarlike as their soile is deepe and fat inso much that the Venetians are driven to seeke abroad and especially to the Grecians from whom they are to have at all times ten thousand at call But on the contrarie side being to be alleaged that the Uenetians are by sea puissant where the Pope can doe nothing I suppose they may still hold the second place of greatnesse The first even in Italy without other respectes being incomparable due to the Spanish mightinesse and this in possession Besides which all Italy holding partly of the Pope partly of the Empyre save the Citie of Uenice who acknowledge no Lord of the Pope the Kingdome of Naples and Cicile with their dependants the Dukedomes of Parma Valencia Vrbin besides other lesse quillets of these The Dutchy of Urbin no great thing but full of goodly men and of some 100000. crownes revenewes is in great probability to devolve to the church ere long the Duke being in years and without heire though as now vnmarried by his olde wiues decease of late But the Iesuites labour hard that he so remaine perswading him that Bigamy is not so acceptable an estate to God Heere is also possibilities of the cheating of Parma and Placentia there being but the young Duke who remaineth still vnmarried being withstood as it is thought in his long love to Florence both by Spaine of old and now by the Pope also besides the great Duke is not hastie to forgoe his Neeces portion and the Cardinall Furnesy his brother who in that case I beleeve should finde as difficult a suit at Rome for dispensation to marrie as the Duke of Farara did before him for a transport of his tenure Of Naples I can say nothing eyther for probabilitie or possibility as things now stand onely it is apparant that the Popes have a verie great desire vnto it and opinion of good title also even in present but the vnfortunate successe and fearefull example of Pope Sixtus Quintus doth feare them who of a simple Friar being aduanced to the Papacy by the favour of Spayne whom of long he had served fore-seeing very plainly the inevitable bondage which together with all Italy the very Apostolique Sea and Ladie Church did grow into perceiving their irreligion in encroachmentes vppon their Church-rights their tirannous importuning him to serve their turne and humours their bravadoes threats insolencies and lording over him When his eies did see this daily and could not remedie it otherwise being constrained by these iminent dangers and present indignities hee durst harbour in his minde the afflicted forsaken thoughts of Paulus Quartus his predecessor and imbrace a designe of chasing the Spaniards out of Italy and especially of recovering the Realme of Naples to the Church which hath now but a quit-rent of foure thousand crownes out of it being one of the richest places that is in the world For the effecting of which purpose by enhaunsing his impostes vpon all commodities after the example of the other Princes and states his neighbours and by other devises together with good managing in short time he raised five millions of treasure a good ground of warre And moreover after the example of the same Paulus Quartus who brought into Rome it selfe two thousand Almanes Lutherans to oppose against the Duke of Alva King Philips Generall in Italy yea and was content to indure quietly those abuses and despites which they daily offered to his Images and Sacraments and sundry other devotions as remaineth in a report of credit not to be excepted against So this Sixtus began covertly to seeke strength from the Protestants propounding to favour this French Kingslabours yea and desiring to entertaine good correspondency with England conunending her Maiestics government above all Princes in the world by which neglect â—ee drew vpon him so great offence of the Spanish partie and especially of the Iesuites from whom also as being too rich for vowes of povertie he tooke at one clappe above 20000. crownes rent and bestowed vpon Saint Peter as I have heard reported as they have stiled him an Avarist that the divell with whom hee had intelligence came and fetched him away being in truth one of the worthiest Popes this age haâ—h seene The vnpropsperous events of these high indevours and his precipitated ruine who dared to advance them having beene poisoned by Spanish practise as the wisest there say and whilst my selfe was in Italy a Priest one of the Popes subiects reported in secret that there was lately a supplication pute vp to his Holinesse by a person vnknowne craving absolution at his handes for making away of a Pope which was thought could bee no other then this Sixtus dooth terrifie them that come after from venturing themselves in the like and for imitating his actions whose end they have cause to tremble at So Naples remaineth not in his view that hath most right to it but in his hands and armes that iâ— strongest to hold it And this for the Popes temporall state which may perhappes yeeld him now neere two millions of yearely revenewes by reason of the great increase Ferrara hath brought and be able to make at home for their owne defence some hundred thousand fighting men or thereabouts if neede were Besides which rent arising at home at his owne state that which he sucketh out of forraigne partes is not small even at this day though nothing perhappes in comparison of those former rich times when mony came in daily so flush from all quarters that there temporality which now
they make their principall was then but an accessary addition to their greatnesse For among other blowes which Luther hath given that See it hath compelled them besides the intire losse in Countries revolted even out of those which sticke to them to draw more moderately then before for feare of offending yea they have beene also in these latter times forced to share or yeelde vppe into the hands of great Princes of Fraunce namely and Spaine for the better assuring them a great part of those fleeces which themselves were wont to share from the Clergy heretofore without any partners howbeit in Italy and some other places their annuities and tenths doe still runne currant besides the Spogly as they terme them or strippings which they have of Clergy men at their deaths vnlesse in their life-time by some yerely pension they list to redeeme and amount no doubt to a good round summe His gaine out of Spaine is thought matchable very neere to that of Italy which the Kings thereof doe and will more contentedly endure for the better assuring of the Papacy vnto them which otherwise were likely to run mainly with France I would not report it but that I have it froÌ„ meÌ„ good of place that Pius Quintus vnder pretences after the Councell of Trente of reforming their Clergy and such like affaires was complained on to the Counsell of Spaine to have drawne fourteene millions from them out of the Kingdome what gaines their pardons bring I cannot estimate they being not solde now to particular persons after their former vsage saving in Spaine and the appurtenances to them whereof also the late King himselfe was said to have the greater share and in regard thereof to have pressed it mightily vpon his people It is to be presumed that such a multitude of generall perpetuall and plenary indulgences for all persons times and offences as are granted to the religious houses and to some other Churches of Italy and to sundry in France also yeld somwhat to the holy father in way of thankful acknowledgment considering that their gaine by them is nothing The Cordeliers at Orleance at the publishing of one indulgence picked vppe as they say there foure thousand at a blow But howsoever the mistrie of that secret standes this is plaine and apparant that the Popes are contented to vse their religious houses as verie spunges to drinke what iuyce they can from the people that afterwardes hee may wring them out one by one into his own cesterne The Covents have from him these indulgences of grace to remitte sinnes and free soules from Purgatory at the yerely publishing whereof in their Churches there stands in some convenient place the boxe of devotion with some poore begging crucifixe likely before it and two tapers of each side to see the chinke to put mony in What man can be so vnthankefull so stony and dry-harted as to give nothing to them who have forgiven him so much especially there never being wanting some holy pretence to incourage nor many an eye open to see their good doing Besides this the Pilgramages to their miraculous imager which drew great commodities to their Cities also states wherein the people not ignorant thereof helpe to set them a working a consideration that brings contentment therewith no lesse to the Princes So sweete is the taste of gaine from whatsoever the visiting of their holy reliques both which have their offerings the purchasiing of masses both auxiliatory expiatory their rewards for praying their collections for preachings besides sundâ—y other duties amongst which their obiâ—â—s which are so beneficiall that their account is from a rich man to draw viis modis some hundred at his funerall or else it goeth hard yea this is so certaine and so good a rent vnto them that if any man should be buried without their solemnitie and some of their odors to accoÌ„pany his coarse he should be thought a very heriticke and to be sure to have some bad bruite set abroach concerning him as fell out not long since to a welthie Citizen of Lucca who willed by his testament to be buried in the night without their ringing tapering censing attending or singing hadde a rumour soone spread on him by the belly devote Friers whom hunger and losse of hope haue made wickedly irefull that he was haunted and molested with rattes on his death bedde these meanes extraordinarie be sides these ordinarie revenewes increasing often by inheritance discending vpon them which happen to any of their brotherhoods goeth to the convent for ever such is the law of Italy being granted or permitted by the Pope to the Friars and all to enrich them The lawe requires reason and equitie allowes and their vowes of povertie adviseth that when they grow too rich his Holinesse should let them blood in their over-full veines for his necessarie sustenance as did Sixtus who pared away the superfluities of sundry rich Covents as fitter for his high estate and honourable designes then for them who had poverty in their vowed recommendations This Pope dealeth more gently by way of loanes which may perhaps in the end come all to one reckoning Besides the which when warre against the Turkes or Heretiques or other enemies of the Church or any other great affaires requires imployment of the Church treasure then are taxes and subsidies imposed or requested to a certaine proportion vppon the revenewes of all Abbeyes and other religious Covents in Italy besides the rest of the Cleargie which can be no small matter as was done these last yeares for the service of Hungarie I might adde hereunto the toll of his forreine commodities the fees of dispensations chiefly in prohibited degrees for mariage and infinite other expeditions wherin his Papal authority doth accommodate is accommodated reciprocall of all Nations but this is sufficient to verifie that assertion that eveÌ„ at this day those out-incoms are good helps for an extraordinary odd share when need is And yet all this notwithstanding the treasure of the Church is smal Sixtus Quintus left five millions by his great reckonings husbandry his successor Gregory the 14 wasted foure of theÌ„ iâ—ten months lesse above his ordinary revenews in pompe riot This man is very chary over that one remaining disstilleth all other devices rather then set finger to that string which yet his late Prowesses have caused him to assay But were the Church rent and gaine how huge soever two assiduall Horseleaches which never leave sucking it will never suffer it to swell over-great in treasure The first is the high place of honour which hee taketh farre above all other Princes and Monarchs in the worlde which draweth him to inestimable charge in all places to carrie it wiâ—h countenance and comelinesse requisite being forced thereby in his owne traine in the intertainment he giveth Princes in the allowance he giveth his Legates Nuncioes and other Ministers which according to his owne greatnesse are sent into other Countries
fiunt Pontifices Romanis There with all so soone as the Conclave was broken vp he retired to his country and neuer saw Rome againe But the matter of greatest marke herein at this day is the power of the K. of Spaine in swaying those Elections who by pensions by perferments by hopes of the highest hath assured a great third part of the Cardinalls to him And to be alwaies at his devotions in all Elections whereby having the exclusiue as they terme it no Pope can be made but with his liking He prodeeds on by his Ambassadors to name also some five or six vnto them whereof please they but to choose any he shall rest wel satisfied which course though it mightily distaste the rest of the Cardinalls who are hereby for ever debased from their chiefe desire yea and inwardly much afflict the great states of Italie who are loth to have their Pope of a Spanish Edition yet there is no remedie one of these in fine they must needs choose the discretion they can have is onely this to choose such of them as is like to prove least to his purpose A memorable example heereof in the election of the saide Gregorie where the greatest parte of the Cardinalles enflamed against the King and banding against him yet in conclusion after twoo moneths imprisonment in the Conclave were forced to relent and to choose one of his nomination or otherwise a cleere case no Election at all which whether there were or no made no mater to Spaine who stands vpon a sure ground in his exclusive obstinatenesse The nessesitie of the Church the state of the Papacie their owne present condition the disorders of the cittie of Rome and of all their territories which in want of a Pope and this locking vppe of the Cardinalles in a cellar doe swarve exceedingly did maynly cry out to have some Pope or other which at the last they yeelded to by consenting vpon a favorite yea a subiect of Spaine also for such was that Gregorie howbeit the maine matter runneth not with him so cleerely they being not the same men that are chosen and that are Popes But changing with their estates both name and nature also yea sometimes not easier to finde two divers men of humours more different than is the same man in his Cardinalship and in his Papalitie whereof no better witnesse than Sixtus Quintus the most crooching humble Cardinall that ever was lodged in an oven and the most stowt resolute Pope that ever ware Crowne in his Cardinalshipe a meere vassall and slave of Spaine in his Papasie the most dangerous enimie that Spaine ever had in the world in summe who in his Cardinalship was scorned as a base Friar in his Papacie was reverenced as a Prince of great worth and spirite neither is there any marvell to be made of this difference seeing the meanes of obtaining and maintaining the Papall honour are so cleane contrarie seeing in the one state they fashion themselves to all other mens humors in the other they looke all men should accommodate themselves to their honors And lastly seeing these Princes whose favors are the only hopes to compasse this place and their power quelling downe the estate For this cause as in general the Cardinals doe in their hearts favor France above Spaine both as being the weaker part and the further neighbours the only hope to maintaine counterpose against the others greatnes So let the king of Spaine make what choice among them of a Pope he can he shall finde that as long as these reasons continue whosoever sits in the seate will more respect his owne safetie than the service of his preferrors even as doth this very Pope who for that cause is conceived to have made some alteration of inward friendshippes though holding good termes of love and loyaltie with both But this vncertainty mutability of the newe Popes affections doth cause both the K. of Spaine other princes of Italy above all other things to aime at a man of calme nature not of stirring mettall that if they cannot make any great account of his friendship yet his naturall disposition and temper may assure them that he shall not be a raiser of new stirs in Italy and diverse of them to scamble somewhat for ther own have bin as on the other side a speciall good inducement to the Cardinalles in his age and sicknesse that the place may bee soone void again for the gaining whereof there is alwaies practising and plotting immediately vpon the Election 41 Thus is the Pope made who hath his councel of cardinals to attend and advise him he chosen by them they created by him whose nuÌ„ber may amount they say to 72 but many places are kept void still to serve for desperate pushes for these there are some 20. being lightly the yoÌ„ger sonnes of Dukes and Princes who in case their Ancestors states should descend vp on them with dispensation from the Pope may resigne vp their hats among the Cardinalls for their owne honor and for the gratifying of the world are sorted out and divided al the orders of religions all the nations of christendome wherof they are appointed the particular protectors in the Court of Rome As the Protectour of England now is Cardinall Caietane a verie stout man of Spanish faction who hath beene Legate into Fraunce and more lately into Poland but now returned 42 Now for this Pope who is by countrey birth a Florentine was chased from thence with his father vpon a conspiracie against Don Cosmito I have little more to say than what I have before touched hee is reputed to bee a man of a good calme disposition and not too crafty yet close and one that can hold his owne well enough kind to his friends devout in his waâ—es thinks without doubt that he is in the right he wil weepe very often some conceive vpon a weaknesse tendernes of minde habituated therin by custom others say vpon pietie and godly compassion At his mafles at his processions at the fixing vp of his iubilies his eyes are still watering sometimes streaming with teares insomuch that for weeping he seemeth an other Heraclitus to ballance with the last Gregorie another Democritus for laughing Touching his secret life the Italians speake somewhat diversly especially for his younger yeares But mens tongues are alwaies prone to taint their governours and the worse men speake worse in hope to lurke themselves vnder the blemish of their betters For my part hearing no extraordinarie badde matter against him but only by suspition I iudge the best and howsoever I had rather preserve the credit of a bad man than staine or impaire it in a good For his yeeres hee doth not much exceed three score but is troubled with the dropsie and that caused some say accompanied with a thirstie infirmitie for a Prelate he hath good comendations an enemie to the licentious lives of the Friars yea to the pompe also
savourers in them as of foure thousand sure Catholicks in England with foure hundred English Roman Priests to maintaine that militia who vpon quarrel with the Iesuites affectors of superiority disgracers of all that refuse to depend vpon them have instantly demaunded of late a Bishop of the Pope to be cosen by them and to be resident among them yet this is so small a portion being compared with the whole as not to bee estemed especially seeing in Italy counted wholy theirs there are full foure thousand professed Protestantes that have exercise of their Religion also in the valleies of Pimont and Salusto besides sundrie Gentlemen who live abroad and resort to them In Lucca also a great part are thought favorites of the reformation some of that sort there are scattered in all places especially in Venice But their pâ—ucity and obscurity shall enclose them in a Cipher so that Italy wee will account it to stand wholly for the Papacie though the Princes and other free States thereof little like the Popes enlarging his temperall Dominion at home being alreadie of a large sise in proportion with theirs and especially for those pretences which his Sea neuer wants and those extraordinarie advantages with concurrence of his spirituall supremacy doe giue him by interdictions excommunications discharging othes of obedience which above all other they have greatest cause to feare both in regard of their huge company of Priests Prelates and Friars wherewith hee hath fortified himselfe mightily in their States As also for that discontent which their cruell impositions extortions and oppressions have bred in their owne subiects who wish rather that all Italy were reduced into the hands of some one naturall potentate whose greedinesse how great soever they were able to satisfie And of the Popes above all men who promiseth much lenitie by his late example at Ferrara where he remitted many imposts which their late Dukes had raised than to be thus daily racked and devoured by so many pettie Tyrants as it were with their prowling Gabilâ—ieres whose ambitions and emulations whose prides and pleasures thirteene millions of yeerely revenew vvhich Italy now yeeldeth them is not able to satisfie though I say for these causes the Princes and States of Italy no way favour the Popes strength in his temporality at home considering vvithall vvhat swelling and turbulent spirits mount sometimes into that Chaire have purposely set Italy on a flaming for that in the sacking of many themselves might get somewhat for the advancing of such as nature and bloud did cause them to love best yet on the contrarie side for his spirituall power and soveraigntie abroad they vvish it vpheld and restored if it vvere possible both for the honour of their nation which is thereby their triumphant Queene of the world and much more for the commoditie which by vicinitie they and theirs reape thence in more aboundance than all other together vvhat by sharings as occasion serveth in his booties abroad vvhat by being alwaies in sight to receiue favours at home what by that vvhich sticketh to them in very passing thorow their Territories Then to exclude any innovation the care of their owne safetie and not quiet alone perswades them it being dangerous in a body so full of diseases and discontented humors to change or stir any thing seeing all alteration sets humors on working one humor on foot quickneth vp all other what allured by Sympathie what by Antipathie provoked the end thereof is eyther the dissolving of Nature by length of conflictes or the disburthening of Nature by expelling that which before did oppresse it For this cause no audience to be given to the reformation as enemie to their peace which is the Nurse of their riches and sole Anchor to their safetie For it were but simplicity to thinke that conscience and love of truth did sway the deliberation the World having in most places done Religion this honour as to remoove it out of those secret darke Cabinets of the heart where the iealousie of some devout dreames of the Gardens of Paradise had imprisoned it and advaunced it vnto the fairest sight and shew of the whole world even for to make a maske of it or rather a very vizar with mouth eyes and nose very fairely painted and proportioned to all pretenses and purposes And others yet of more gallant and free spirit have given it generall passage to goe whither it selfe listeth so that it come not neere them It doth much grieve mee to speake yea the very thought of it must needs bring horrour and detestation what a huge multitude of Atheistes doe brave it in all places and there most where the Papacie is most in his prime What renouncers of God blasphemers of his onely begotten Sonne vilanisers of his Saints and scorners of his service who doe thinke it a glorious grace to adore a King of a Countrey But to name or to thinke reverently of the Creator of the World to proceede from a timorous base-mindednesse and abiectnesse Of so deepe reach and iudgement are these pedlers in their proportions who doe know no other Magistrates but those of their parishes These men are favourable alike to all Religions but can best endure that wherein they are least checkt and may range with most impunity But for the Souldiarie of this age a profession and an exercise reputed in olde time for an onely Schoole of Vertue but now defamed with all manner of vice and villanie in olde time such That the wisest Philosophers thought it reason sufficient why the Lacedemonians were more vertuous than other Nations because they followed the warres at this day a cause of cleane contrarie effect those desperate Atheismes those Spanish renouncings and Italian blasphemings have now so prevayled in our Christian Cuâ—pes that if any restraine them hee shall bee vpbraided as no souldiour nor gallant-minded man that the verie Turkes have the Christians blaspheaming of Christ in execration and will punish their prisoners sorely whenas through impatience or desperatenesse they burst into them Yea the Iewes in their speculations of the causes of the strange successes of the affaires of the worlde assigne the reason of the Turkes prevailing so against the Christians to bee their blasphemies and blaspheamous oaths which wound the eares of the verie heavens ann cry vnto the high Throane of Iustice for speedie vengeance As for Princes and great persons it is a rare thing and surelie an happie wheresoever it falleth out of them that any of them hath any extraordinarie store of religiousnesse of any sort Their example I doe speake of many of them which might bee the soveraigne restorers of vertue reestablishers of a happy world with the endles blissâ— of many millions now perishing through their default is at this day the only ruine and despaire of goodnesse having forgoâ—ten whose Lievetenants they are in the world for what end they are placed for what cause they are honoured and most of all what great account they
such peremptorinesse as is the guise of some men of over-weening conceits and all this to bee done by some generall counsell assembled and composed indifferently out of both sides mâ—ns minds being before hand prepared and directed to this issue and conclusion But now if eyther the obstinacie of the Popes ambition or the wilfulnes or scrupulositie of any opinionative Ministers should oppose against and impeach the vnitie of Charitie then the vnitie of authoritie to be interposed to assist it That is the Princes of Christendome to presse this agreement to constrain the Pope to content himselfe with that temporall state which the skill of his ancestors have got and left him And for his spirituall to be such as the ancient Councels had limited And for all other gainsayers to censure or punish them Now for the Princes with ioint assent to do this how many haue mightie motives to enduce them The service of Christ the honour of Christian Religion the peace of Christendome the strengthening of Christians the repulsing and overthrow of all Turkes and Infidels and these in generall In particular the assuring of their owne lives and persons which so many vnder pretence of Religion daily conspire against the quiet and secure enioying of their rich states and kingdomes the transmitting of them to their posteritie without question or opposition And lastly the deliverie of their miserable subiects which should be deare vnto them as children from those extreame vexations of spirit and bodie and those inestimable calamities in their states and conditions wherewith these dissentions in Religions and effects thereof do now afflict them And this is in generall the summe of the discourse of that kinde of people which doe shew them and they are for the most part Protestantes though perhaps not running iump with their side in everie thing also many of the other part are caried with the same good zeale and affection to the like desire and intention But these are of the moderate sort of the Catholiques and not of their Cleargie And such lightly as have but an indifferent conceit of the Popes claime and proceedings of which sort amongst the wise sort of the layity are very many But now in exacter consideration of this motion there appears for the effecting of it sundry difficulties so great that they draw to be next neighbors to so many impossibilities whereof I will mention onely two of the chiefe For as for the thing it selfe I must confesse for my owne part the greatest desire I have in this world is to see Christendome reconciled in the badge of their profession and that without the ruine or subversion of eyther part which cannot be done but to the vnexpressable mischiefe and misery on both sides and with the vtter inhazarding both of Christendome and Christianitie and that any peace were better then those strifes which did not preiudice that higher peace betwene God and mens consciences then for the way they purpose it seemeth for the generality of it ther is no other now lefâ— seeing the opposition of extreames is no way peaceable but by extinguishing the one or drawing both to some more temperate and milde estate But in this cause two things doe cleane shorten this hope The first is the vntractablenesse of Papacy to it who in so many conferences as they have made in this age have alwaies ere they parted plainely discovered they came not with any such intent as to yeeld any thing for peace much lesse for truths sake but onely to assay eyther by manifold perswasion and intreatie to reduce or otherwise to intrap and disgrace their adversaries And if some one of them have shewed himselfe more flexible at any time it hath beene his vtter discredit with his owne partie for ever after a very sterne proceeding of theirs admitting the fundamentall positions whereon the Papacy is built as good as necessary For if divine authoritie doe concurre with them in all their ordinances if Gods spirit assist them in all their decisions and all possibilitie of erring be exempted from their Pope and Church what temaines there but only that they teach we beleeve they commaund and the world obey Indeed in humane governments where reason is shut out there tyrannie is thrust in but where God commandeth to a â—e reason is presumption to oppose reason flat teâ—ellion To this miserable necessitie have their assertions tied them which they have laid for their foundation miserable to themselves miserable to the whole world What can be more miserable to an ingenious good minde then to have intangled himselfe in such a Laborinth of perplexitie and mischiefe as to have left no place for the acknowledging of his errors without ruining his estate when as error is onely purged by acknowledging and doubled by denyiing it And to what a miserable push have they driven the world eyther in their pleadings against them with such force of evidence or in their ioyning with them as to stop the mouth of the one and to hang the faith of the other on this vnnaturall paradox I and my Church cannot possibly erre And this you must take on our words to bee true For as for their coniecturall evidence out of the Scriptures there seeme to be as much or more for the King of Spaines not erring as there is for the Popes it being said That the heart of the King is in the hand of God a divine sentence is in his lips and his mouth shall not transgresse in iudgement But now as by these meanes they have debarred themselues from acknowledging and consequently from being controlled of error in matters of doctrine so on the other side to reforme any great matter in their practise were to open the eies mouthes of all men against them who now in the obedience of their blindnesse sticke fast vnto them Let them suspend from hence forwards the worshipping of Images the flecing to Angels and Saints by vowes and praiers for pattonage besides the great losse it would bring vnto their traine in their offerings What a iealosie would it breed in the heads of their owne that they had led the world all this while on the blinde side and that other things perhaps were introduced for gaine and corruptly continued as well as these Then for their adversaries their owne maner of saying is yeeld one thing vnto them and yeeld all sith all hang vpon the same Prince and by the same string that any one doth So that it seemeth not to have beene vnwisely conceived by him who said that to perswade the Pope to any such reformation was to perswade him to yeelde vp his keyes and Crowne and to returne to the order of his predecessours and other Patriarches which to do as yet he sheweth no intention Than to hope that though himsefe and his Sea should withstand it yet the learned of his side might be enduced in other places to some treaty of accord they know them not which would have that conceipt of