affectation censures their Actions but this is a common Artifice to seem ingenuous in lesser matters that upon greater occasions one may cozen others with a witness yet those that read him will find that he is very cautious in his censures and takes great care not to blame any of the former Popes for the faults that were too apparent in his Patron P. Alexander the 7th About this one that lived in Rome at that time has published a very pleasant thing Pope Alexander did the first years of his Reign declare loudly against a Nipotismo and had solemnly sworn that he would never admit his Kindred into the Government nor so much as bring them to Rome but when Flesh and Blood grew too strong for these Resolutions he made a shift to satisfie his Conscience about his Oaths and brought them to Rome and put the Government in their hands which they managed with as many scandalous excesses as any had done who had gone before them in that nearness to the infallible Chair But before this was done the first Volume of the Cardinal's History was finished and in it he had laid most of the faults of former Popes on their raising their Families and Kindred and putting the Affairs of the Church in their hands and all this tended to raise the esteem of his Patron who had resolved to root out that Abuse from whence all the rest seem'd to be derived yet the Volume was not publish'd when the Pope had brought his Family to Rome therefore Palavicini finding that what he had intended to set out for the Pope's Honour would tend to his Disgrace and would also draw the Indignation of his Family upon himself suppressed that whole Impression and printed that Volume over again leaving out all the severe reflections he had made on a Pope's raising his Family He vouches his Relations from the Memorials of many of the Prelates and Friars that were at the Council of Trent which he says are to this day preserved and tells in what Libraries they are to be found and offers very fairly full satisfaction to all persons who desire a further information about them If these were lying in Paris or Venice or any other indifferent place some would perhaps adventure to examine these Vouchers but few will hazard on it at Rome Besides there is untoward Jealousie got into the minds of people that they are not over-ingenuous at Rome The forging of the Decretal Epistles and the Donation of Constantine the Great with many other things has given the World such prejudices against what they bring forth of that nature that few will give credit to things that tend much to the advantage of that See and are discovered at Rome when men think they both lie for God and his Vicar and for Preferment too it will be hard to restrain them especially if they be of an Italian temper and of Jesuits principles which to say no worse are not very severe in the matter of Candor and Sincerity We know what a Trade the Monks and Friars drove many Ages by Lies and Forgeries If any thing might either raise the honour of their Order or of the House wherein they lived a miraculous Story was first contrived and either a Writing or some Relick was laid under ground and then another dreams a Dream that such a Saint appeared to him and told him to dig in such a place for such a thing This being published with great ceremony they made a solemn Search and the credulous Rabble were thus cheated It is said of Thieves and Robbers who have driven the Trade long that even after they are discovered and in the Jayl they cannot give it over but must be still practising their old Arts. So Rome has been so long used to Forgeries that after all the Discoveries that are made they cannot hold their hands and this in a great part lessens the Authority of those Journals and other Memorials that have been hid and unknown about a hundred years and at length have appeared to serve a turn But there are two things in the Cardinal's Work which have given great advantages to those who are not much disposed to any high esteem for that Council The one is That though in some circumstances and less material things he has said much to shew that Father Paul's Informations were not just nor exact yet upon the matter he represents the transactions as full of Intrigues Artifices and Faction as the other did only with this Difference That Father Paul laid the heaviest load upon the Legates and the Court-Party and the Cardinal lays it sometimes on the one sometimes on the other Faction but generally on the Party that was for Reformation In a word no man that is not quite blinded with prejudice can think after he has read the Cardinal's History that the Holy Ghost had any special influence on the prevailing Vote in that Council and it is as easie for a man to believe that the Success of a Session of Parliament and those Acts that are carried by the Authority of the Prince the policy and dexterity of the Ministers and the zeal and industry of some Patriots flow from the special direction of the Holy Ghost as that the Council of Trent according to Palavicini's Relation was conducted by the Infallible Spirit of God in making their Canons and Decisions for we plainly see the same Intrigues and Practices the same Arts either to take off or satisfie the opposite party and the same Conduct and Method in the one that is in the other The Resolving the House in a Grand Committee was the ordinary practice of that Council for a General Congregation was the Council in a Grand Committee and this was an excellent Demonstration of the Legates great Distrust of the Holy Ghost For they would never put any thing to the hazard of a Vote in a Session till they were sure of it by putting it to the Vote in a Congregation and if it went not there as they had a mind it should be then they were to practise a little longer till they had made the major Vote sure and then when it passed in a Congregation the Legates held a Session He would be looked on as a man of great extravagance who would study to impose on any body that is acquainted with the Methods of holding Parliaments That there is any other Direction of God's Spirit than that Universal Providence that watcheth over and orders all humane Actions accompanying or governing their Proceedings Men are not so tame as to suffer such Mistakes to pass and he that would make use of his Wit or Eloquence to perswade any to such an Opinion would be so generally cried down that people would not hear him in patience What must we then judge of those who would make us believe that the Council of Trent was infallibly directed when we plainly see by the Historian of their own Court that it was managed with the same secret motions
Trent were framed these instructions were composed of four and thirty Articles all opposite to that which makes for the Popes Royalty in the Church and his absolute Empire over the whole Universe and which in conclusion tended to throw down the Roman Court both splendour and Empire thereof l. 16. c. 10. tutte contrarie al Pontefice ò puì tosto al Pontificato e contenute nella sua istruzione i quali tutti si riducevano à levar lo splendore e l'imperio della Corte Romana What specifick remedy for such a disease doubtless there could not be a better then for all Bishops yea even for Parish Priests to be educated and refined in the excellent school of the Court of Rome But that is not done in default thereof it could be wished that at least all the Heads of Houses in Universities had studyed there but that 's against their Statutes In fine what then is the last Expedient but that all not being able to goe to Rome to take in the Politick spirit there Means should be found out to make it come from Rome and disperse it over the world 'T was said 100 years agoe that the Holy Ghost was brought from Rome to the Council of Trent in a Clokebag l. 16. c. 10. la Spirito Sancto veniva portato nella valigia This proposition appeared injurious to the Holy Ghost to the Pope and to the Council yet our Cardinal Historian expounds it learnedly and makes it out how it is conformable even to the Doctrine of S. Augustin and that Pope Innocent X in effect to condemn Jansenius thought it not unfit to order the exteriour light of the Holy Ghost to be brought in a Clokebag to Rome from all Quarters of the Church which he consulted Leo X did the same when he condemned the heresy of Luther Ibid. non hanno s'degnato di procaciar l'esterna luce dello Spirito Sancto à se stessi per le vaglie de' corrieri avauci di condannar le opinioni è di Lutero e di Jansenio Now the exteriour light is alwaies accompanied with the interiour which is the Soul thereof and which is that wich is called sufficient Grace to know the Truth and to follow it which is not wanting to any one So that which is called sufficient grace to condemn Jansenius was brought in some sort in a Clokebag to Pope Innocent X as one may say that the Horse that carries the Body of a living man carries also his Soul otherwise sufficient grace might fail those which doe all their endeavour to know the Truth and condemn Heresy and they would condemn it blindfold Ibid. alla cieca as our Cardinal speaks There be none then but Ideots which will let themselves be scared with this Vizard of a Proverb that the Holy Ghost was carried in a Clokebag for there 's nothing more exactly true according to School Divinity and look you now the Vizard is for ever taking off which Scared Ideots l. 16. c. 10. Ecco dilegnate quelle vanissime larve discoucia apparenza che agli occhi degli Idioti potea recar una cal forma di proverbiare lo Spirito Sancto veniva portato nella valigia It being thus may not one say that the most puissant and yet the most sweet and gentle means to uphold the Universal Monarchy the Royalty and absolute Empire of the Pope over all the World which is the Fundamental Point of all the Christian Policy is to make come from Rome in a Cloak-bag the spirit of this Policy into all Quarters of the World There remains onely the nameing and chusing of the Couriers to goe along with the Males or Clokebags 1. The Religious whose Generals reside not at Rome are not fit for it 2. The Religious which doe not teach youth are unfit for it too for this Spirit must begin to be administred in tender years 3. There 's none but the Jesuites to whom this Employ can reasonably be given For 1. If to this end there need no more but to be Masters in this Policy by our Cardinal Historians Example who is of their Society it appears that they talk as if they were the Authors thereof 2. If for it there needs zeal for the Holy See there 's no body able to dispute with them that their advantage for all this Father Jesuite and Cardinal's book is full of protestations upon that Subject 3. If there onely needs testimonials of Nuncio's and Ambassadours see those of the Nuncio Commendon and of the Comte of Lune related by this our Cardinal l. 20. c. 4. 11. io per certo non hò ritrovato nelle chiese di Germania più fermo ne maggior presidio della religione che ì Collegii dì costoro l. 15. c. 7. così piacesse à Dio che se ne fossero molti l. 20. c. 4. Onde non è dubio che quando si facessero molti collegii se ne caverebbe fructo incredibile But above all the Testimony of Pope Pius IV and that of S. Charles Borromeo are of extreme advantage for them They are related by this Cardinal in his XXIV Book chapter 6 where their Society is called Religion it self and their institution Pious Religione e l'istituto pio Now their institution is particularly destinated by their founder St. Ignatius to serve in the Missions istituita per sine speciale delle Missioni l. 4. c. 11. and 't is for this same subject that they have shunned giving to themselves any of the names which the other Monastick orders take as Father Guardians Correctours Wardens Discrets and even shunning the names of Covents Dortoirs Chapters yea and even the habits themselves though venerable elsewhere because those other sorts of habits were not very commodious to carry the Cloakbag in the Missions l. 4 c. 11. hebbesi risguardo d'astenersi dalle appellazioni e delle vesti di frate benche per altro venerabili e Sacrosante So that t is manifest that there 's nothing more important for the felicity of the Pope and the Roman Court according to the flesh secundo la carne then the establishment of Jesuites the World throughout giving them power to set up every where the Sacred Tribunal of the Inquisition for setting up whereof Pope Pius IV hath merited quoth our Cardinal a Praise which will be Eternal d'eterna lode lo fà degno l. 14. c. 9. il tribunal dell ' inquisizione che dal zelo di lui riconosce il presente suo vigor nel l'Italia e dal quale l' Italia riconosce la conservata Integrità della sua fede Because it is to the Inquisition according to our Cardinal that Italy and Spain are indebted for retaining the Faith among them as to those Articles thereof which have no nearer nor immediater certainty then onely the Popes authority l. 3. c 15. quella religione i cui articoli unitamente considerati non hanno
honour a Queen which took off the Crown from her Head to lay it at Jesus Christ's Vicar's feet were not they Triumphs of Religion rather then Pomps and Vanities Thus then adorable Holy Father 't is with these praises of your Holiness that I mean to conclude my work which is a defence of the Faith and of the Holy See whereof your Holiness is the infallible Master and Supreme President essendo questa una diffesa di quella fede e di quella sede di cui elle è infallibil Maestro e supremo Precidente 'T is to uphold this Infallibility that the later Popes causing from all parts of the World the Holy Ghost to be brought to them in a Clokebag as formerly from Rome to the Council of Trent to the end nothing might be pronounced as it were blindly or in the dark l. 16. c. 10. per non sentenziare alla cieca have pronounced judgment against Jansenius and against Luther non hanno Sdegnato di procacciar l'esterna luce dello Spirito Sancto à se stessi per le valigie de' corrieri And for upholding this prerogative of infallibility I doe also pray God that after the Example of your Holinesses life He would make an extension and widening of this Spirit of religious and carnal Policy in the Soul of your Successours who may keep up perpetually upon the Holy See in their persons as in yours a living Book and a living Apology of the Soveraign Pontificat and of its rights such as this same Policy that 's the Queen of vertues hath fixed and so to be able if not to convert yet at least to confound all those who would be Rebells l. 24. c. ult Non cessero di pregar la divina bonia che nella simigliante distesa dal suo esempio ne ' successori tenga sempre nel Vaticano un libro vivo e una viva apologia del Pontificato la quale vaglia se non à convertire al meno à confondere i suoi ribelli These are the last words of our Cardinal's book which make it appear that he believed even unto the last that the Spirit of Saint Peter reigned in all the Conduct and Policy of Pope Alexander VII preghino Iddio che faccia vivere stabilmente com' oggi vive lo Spirito di san ' Pietro ne successori He hath assever'd it so strongly that he would not lye that he is by no means to be suspected not so much as of the least wilfull flattery From whence it remains then to be concluded that for to comprehend well according to him what was the Council of Trents Policy in all its orders made for reformation of manners and which Policy ought to be the Churches to be in her perfection Those which have seen with their eyes the Reign of Pope Alexander VII and the carriage of Cardinal Chigi his principal Nephew Legat à Latere in France have no more to doe but to call them to mind there they will see as in a living book all the rules of the carnal and religious Policy writ in letters of Gold that is to say in the characters of works and practice which are as saith the Cardinal moralities gold in comparison whereof words are but chaff l. 6. c. 7. le parole esser paglia i fetti esser oro In the life of this same Pope a man shall see a King all-puissant in his shop or office of Dispensations sopra la bottega dalle dispensazioni granting them as he pleased and even derogating from the Canons and it will be plain that in not observing or obeying the Council of Trent it was the more perfectly observed because that the all-puissantness of the Soveraign Pontife is set forth the better thereby which the Council allwaies adored A man sees that this way the Gospel of the flesh receives every day more and more propagation and growth by telling aloud abroad to the most imperfect this good news That they have an easy and certain means to be happy according to the flesh in this World and in t'other and that through the benefit of this new Gospel the Council of Trent hath done the Church more good then the Heresy of Luther hath diminished it or done it Mischief maggior accrescimento di bontà per mezzo del Concilio che non fù scemato dall ' istessa eresia This shall serve henceforward as the Cardinal promises for an invincible defence of the Catholick Religion against Hereticks Infidels or Atheists which shall be so rash as to write against it This will be henceforward an Apology without reply for the Council of Trent it self since the French and the Hereticks having first said that the Holy Ghost was carried thither from Rome in a Cloke-bag they have confessed by jeering that he presided there For after the subtility wherewith our Cardinal explains seriously this wicked raillery and makes a Scholastick interpretation thereof proving the assistance of the Holy Ghost at the Council one needs not be an Eagle to stare out the truth of it even a mole it self either may see it or smell it out non si richiede esser Aquila basta non esser talpa Herein also most manifestly appears the infinite usefulness of School divinity the incomparable fruit that our Cardinal hath gathered having been a Master so long therein as well as in Philosophy according to Aristotle's principles that the Heriticks cannot frame any conceit how ridiculous soever it be but that this Cardinal's Subtility meditating a little profoundly thereupon can give as serious and as surprising an interpretation thereof by force of his good sence and reasons far fetch 't as the hereticks thought to make use of to surprise simple folk with by their wicked raillerie So after two Tomes of his History of the Council of Trent in folio and the vast labour wherewith he composed the whole Body of carnal and religious Policy he concludes gravely in a confident tone that he which is not content with the government of the Church such as he hath told you it is and hath made it appear to be in the Carnal and Religious Policy of Alexander VII and his Nephew Cardinal Chigi and that is not content with the Spirit of St. Peter as it appeared in our days living in that Pope and in that his principal Nephew can be no other but a Fool or a Cheat chi per approvare una forma di Republica non si contenta di questo governo presente ò è insano ò è seductore FINIS