Sf- fWh*** JLtte,^ Mors est COLLECTION OF PURITAN AND ENGLISH THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY ■ » ■A / THE LETTERS Of the Renowned FATHER VAVL, Counfellor of State To the molt Serene Republick of Venice , And Author of the Excellent Hiftory of the Council of Trent. WRITTEN To Monfieur Del l/le Grojlot, a Noble Prote- ftant of France: The Learned Moniieur Gillot, and others -7 inji Correfpondence of divers Years ers j in a Correfpondence Tranflated out of Italian By Edward Brown, Rector of Sundridge in Kent. A good Boo^ mey comes out too lati. Fa. Paul, Let. LXXVIf. JU moft pncere and faithful Flijlory of Things, is to be learrCd from the Epijlles of the Writers oj every Age. Id.Ifr.CXXII. LONDON Printed for Richard ChAfwmpktthe Rofe and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, M. DC. X CI It ( v ) To the Right Honourable DANIEL. Earl of Nottingham, Principal Secretary of State to their Majefties. My mofi Honoured. Lord ; IN the humbleft Senfe of Duty and Gra- titude to your Lordfhip, I beg leave to . dedicate to you my Tranflation of a Book, which I judg may be ufeful to the World at this time, for more Reafons than one : and I was the moredefìrousof prefixing your Illuftrious Name to it ; be- cauiè whatever Good it doth in this Nati- on, it is all of it owing to your LordfhipV former Kindneis and Favour to me, when you were pleaied to recommend me to your Incomparable Father (as I had been before recommended to jour Lcrdihip by my Lord's Grace of Tork>. and my Lord Bifbofv A 5 of vi Tlie Epijlle Dedicatory. of Norwich, that now are, and by two* ex- cellent Perfons more of your Lordfhip's Ac- quaintance) as a Man fome ways fit to wait upon his excellent Brother, my Lord Am- baflador at Constantinople, as his Chaplain, upoa the Approbation and Acceptance of the Honourable Levant-Company., who im- mediately gratified my Lord Chancellor's Requeft. My Lord, f quickly found the Advantage and Blefling of my Voyage thi- ther, in a moft kind and indulgent Patron and Mafter, whofè fweet and admirable Conversion was one of the greateft Hap- pinefles of my whole Life, as he was a moft accomplifhed Scholar himfelf, in all manner of good Learning, and took a An- gular Pleafure, when pubiick Bufinefs would give him leave, to convetTe with Men of Learning, and help thofe, by his wife Coun- fels, who had any Love and Inclination to it. And whilft I am fpeaking fo publickly to your torddjip, I cannot forbear theie Memorials of my conftant Reverence and very great Obligations to your Noble Fa- mily, whom the Providence of God railed up to be my Friends and Benefaftors. And here, my Lord, I muft declare further, that amongft the reft of the Satisfactions which * Mr* Tbo. Dcth, and Mr. Ephr. Skinner, M'rthxnn, The Epijìle Dedicatory. vii which I had in my Attendance upon your Noble Uncle, it was a great Comfort to me, that He, that knew fo much of the World as he did, and had fearclyd into the very Depths and Myfteries of Philofòphy, had ftill the bed of his Thoughts fecurcd to t he Service of God, and was a very great Lover of the Holy Scriptures, and ofevery good thing. He had a particular Concern lor preferving and defending the Reforma- tion of the Church againft all thoiè fly, and crafty, and powerful ways that he knew full well were ufed to weaken and fupplant it. He charged me, my Lord, to read over Orthuinm Grattili % Fafcìcnlus rerum ex- pctendarum, (as I have taken publick No- tice ellewfaere) and I did not only obey him therein, but, I think, have brought many others acquainted with that Book. Another Book he commanded me tó read over and confider, which is this, which I now prefent to your Lordfhip's View in our own Language; a Book that his Ex- cellence had a very great Value for, as he was a great Admirer of all Father PauFs Works, from that convincing Strength of Reafbn, that curious way of arguing, and all the other Vertues and Ornaments which have fo mightily indeared this wife and good VenctuH to all confidering and impar- A 4 tial vili 7 he Epifite Dedicatory. tial Chriftians, that know what Peace and Truth truly arc. My Lord, I am fenfible how little time your Lordfbiphasto fpare for reading fuch Letters as this forry one of mine is; or in- deed thofe brave ones that follow : but if your Lordfbip fhould get an Hour of Reft and Freedom from the toilfom Cares of Pub- lick Jffairsy which create you Co many wea- riiòrn Days and reftleis Nights; it may be, there may be fomething in the Book that may divert and refrefh You ; at leaft I hope there will be io. And with the fame Hopes that Father Paul may do Good here in this Book, as he has done in other of his Works ; I muft interrupt your Lord Chip no longer, but refolveto make up in my heartieft Pray- ers to Almighty God, to direct, affili and profper You in Your weighty Bufinefs, what I cannot fay any further, than that I am, My Lord, Your Lordfhip's moft humble, and thankful Servant, EDWJRD. BROWN, ( ix ) THE PREFACE TO THE READER Courteous Reader -, IT may be, upon the great Credit and Refute thai Father Paul his moft defervedly with religious, wife and learned Men, that know how to value his Worth and Excellence, you will be fo eager to know what there is in thefe Letters of his, which 1 have 7nade ready for your Per uf al, that you will skip over Prefaces, and every thing elfe that flands in your way, between this and them. And truly upon that Account, I could have been as well contented to fay what I have to fay about thefe things, at the further End of the Book, and to wait upon you there, but that a Preface mufl be what it is called, and cannot change its Place wtthout changing its Name ; though a very excellent * Per fan, and a very good Friend of Father Paul'j, was once of the Mind, that a Man could not well *Dr. Doni, in his Advertifrmem to the Reader, before his P(uub-mrt)r, x The Preface of the well be called a Reader, till he had read a Book over ; and did therefore defign, he fays, to have met his Reader at the End of his Book, and there tell him what he had to fay about it. And ifyoufhould really do thus ; you are welcome to begin where you pit rafe y only be fo kind, as to call in here as you come back, and let me tell you afep things about this ixceUent per fon and the fe Letters, and others, which you ought to know, fooner or later for your better Acquaintance with them. But if this Conceit of mine fhould chance to flop you a little here, and tempt you to ft ay till you some fairly to the Letters j I hope that beftdes the Conqueft of your Impatience, you will find fomewhat that may help you to read them with better Judgment, and a more fettled and poised Expectation. Moft Men that love reading, are much. delighted with the Letters of wife, and learned, and ingenious Men, becaufe there are oftentimes fuch things in them, as are not to be. expecled in Writings of another Nature -, occafional Dtfcoveries of the freeft, and choice (I, and trueft, of their Thoughts, about things extraordinary ; befides the common Exchanges of Friendfhip, Re f peel and mutual. Civility, varioufly, delightfully and emuloufly ■exprclfed : and we love to hear News from foreign Paris, efpecially from Per- fonsof good Vnderftanding andKnowledg .; and there is a pie af ant Variety of Matter in fuch Papers that is very inftruUive , and Akn that have , any RelifJj of ufeful Knowledg, are glad to correel or meafure their ownfudgmentiand.Vnderfianding.ly thofe of others. . Some Itfen have' thought it- a piece \ of Pride and Self-conceit, toleep Copies of then Letters, and there- fore tookjheirJdJik&'fJiL them, wbenfheyjent them to the Poft'Jiwfe.; but others that knew thet. worth of thofe Englifh Tranfhtor. xi Perfons that penned them, have made amends for that Neglecl, and have carefully preferred what they made no Account of. Moft of the bufine fs of the World hat ever been done by Letters, as the only way that Men have to manage it by, when they cannot difpatch it Face to Face. So Religion likewife, and Learnings havt- been greatly advanced and improved by the fame Way and Mcthcd ; and we /hould have been at an til pafs, if we had not had the Letters or Epiilles of holy and good ALn, to a/ft ft m m both. \i was the way, we fee, that the /My Spirit of God was pie afe d to make uft oj\ for the Benefit and Furtherance o) the Churches of Ch/ift, a great part of the New-Teftament con- flftmg oj the Letters or Epiilles of the Holy Apoftles and A\>oftolical Men, as they were foon collctied by the Church, that declared them to be what we believe them to be, and what they were, without that Decla- ration, f acred and divinely infpired Writings. Nay the whole Biute vs called by St. Augurine *, God's Letters of Advice fent from the Holy City above, to /how us how to live : And what is the holy Scrip- ture, fays St. Gregory -(-, but an Epiftle of Al- mighty God to his Creature ? How glad have all learned and good Men been to meet with St. Polycarp s Collection of St. Ignatius his Epiilles, and St. Clemente, which had lain hid fo many Ages before tht6, or been f polled and corrupted by all that riff-raff* Stuff which the Folly, and Negli* :ce, and Depravity of elder times m both Churches had thrift into them, and given out to be theirs ? Thirds m Eufebius (lib. i. cap. 13.) the Copy of a Letter fai d to be written by our blejjcd Saviour him- * In Condone 11. de fecunda parte Ffulmi XC. f Epift. lib. 4. Epirtola.^. xii The Preface of the himfelfto Agbarus King of EdéiTa, in Anfwer tò one of h'vs, and to be carefully preferved amongst the Re- cords of that City of his Rejidence, where this Author fays he found it, and translated it out of Syriac into Greek. Any Chrifiian would highly value fuch a thing, if it could be proved genuine -, but Eufebius might be impofed upon in the thing : and Erafmus be* flows an angry Word upon tt in his Preface to thofe fpurious Pieces in the fourth Tome of St. Jerom. See Crakanthorp of. the 5th General Council, p. 34*5. The Spirit of Error and Delufion took up that way ta hurt and corrupt the Church, which God himfelf and his true Saints had ufed for the planting and confirm* ing it. Hence came thofe Letters that were faid to be written by St. Paul to Seneca, and by Seneca to him ; that Letter which paffes for the bleffed Virgin Mary'j to St. Ignatius, and St. Ignatius'* to her, in moft Editions of that holy Martyr* s. Letters -, and that which the fame bleffed Virgin is faid to have written to the Citizens 0/ Medina, wherein (he is made to promife them to be their ProtecJrefs upon their im- kracing the Faith of her Son : a Copy of which was pafted over every Door of the City in a large Print, when I firft knew that Place : and it is publickly con- tended for, as true and genuine, by divers Authors of the Roman Church. What a fine Parcel of Decretal Letters of old Popes have we fobbed upon us by the crafty Men of that Church, to juftify all the Errors, and Innovations, and Tricks, and Pretences, that they now fiickle for ? Nay they are taught in the * Body of their Canon- Law, that thefe Decretal Epiftles are as authentick as the Holy Scriptures thernfelwes, and as good as any o£ * Decree. Gratiani Diftind, XIX, Englidi Tnnflatoi. d/ St. Paul or St. John -, and theft have not been minting fuch lewd and nicked and llafpbcnwiis Alert d- mongttxhcm, that have flrangely cenfured the Perjbn and Writings of the holy Apjile St. Paul, the chofen Veifel of God, and the ApolHe of the Nations j for fo Sir Edwyn Sandys * in his Travels abroad, tells us he found : Some parts of Scripture, fays he, as St. PauPs Epiilles, they are fo jealous of, and think fo dangerous, that by Report of divers (for my felf did not hear it) fome of their Je- fuits of late in Italy, in afolemn Sermon, and other their Favourites elfewhere in private Com- munication, commending between them St. Pe- ter for a worthy Spirit, have cenfured St. Paul fora hot-headed Perfon, who was tranfportcd fo with his Pangs of Zeal and Eagernefs, beyond all Compafs, in fundry of his Difputes, that there was no great Reckoning to be made of his Ailertions : yea he was dangerous to read, as favouring of Herefy in fome Places, and better he had not written of thofe Matters at all. A- greeable to which I have heard other of their Gatholicks deliver, that it hath been heretofore very ferioufly confulted among them, to have cenfured by fome means, and reformed the Writings of St. Paul \ though for my own part Imuftconfefs I can hardly believe this, as being an Attempt too too abominable and blafphe- rnous, and for thefe times alfo too defperate a Scandal. But howfoever, he of all other is lealt beholden to them \ whom of my own Know- ledg and Hearing, fome of them teach in Pul- pits, not to have been fecure of his Preaching, but ' ' ■ ■ ■ ■ — * Europ£ Sftculurpy p. 165, 1 56. Edir. Lovd. \5^. xi v The Preface of the but by Conference with St. Peter, and other of the Apoftles ; nor that hedurft publifh his Epi- itles till they had allowed them -.Al this is modeftly expreffed by that very learned and worthy Gentleman *, but they know nothing of the Spirit of Popery, as it has been improved fine e by the Jefuits, that (befides all this abominable Vfage of that incom- parable Apoftle, for leaving fomething behind him concerning St. PeterV irregular walking, in the fe- cond Chapter of his Epiftle to the Galatians, which proves a great Rub to their Dottrine of Infalli- bility, and Supremacy^ and concerning Anti- chrift, in the fecond Chapter of the fecond Epi- flle to the Theffalonians -, which makes them afraid that their Religion is no better than it fbould be) do not know how vilely and coarfly they fpeak of the whole facred Word of God, when it is brought to witnefs againft the Trumpery of their idle Traditions \- They call it a * Nofe of Wax, and the old Canary- bird * Cenfura Catechismi Job. Mmhmiip, ColonUnfes^ p. 112. Edit. Col. 1582. Which was done by che lefuits in 1560. and then firft publifh'd •• and it occafioned one of the beft Books againft Popery, that is extant, i. e. Chemn'Jii exjmen Condi Trid. for as foon as ever the Jefuits had fhewed their Deftgns m Germi- ny by that very Cenfuri Cniowyifis ; Ch<.m>iitm wrote a fmarc Book againft it in 1^62. preprinted at StrMOargb in iooi/) with the Title of Theolo^i* je\uitarnm precipui rafta -, which giving great Conzent in Geym-m, the Council oj Trent, took no- tice of it, and ordered Mà*a&>s toanfvver it ; which he d\d as well as he could, in his E\^licuti,vies Oxtbodox* ; which was followed by Chemnitimh Examev, which has been a Bone [ci- thern to pick ever fince : and the Jefuks found theinfekes fa mawl'dbychat Iittie Book written againft their Ctnjm'a Culti* rhacone would think that in the Edition of it, which I quote, they have mended fevcral things from what they were in the Edition of 1 $do, and left them out in this, as is plain by corn- paring this Edition with what Cbemitius lays to their Charge in his Tbsoiogia Jefuitarit'^ &c. Englifli Tranfktor. xv li/d f Melchior Canus has a pretty Note tuthe Jam* rune. There is nothing commoner amongft thtm, than when they are pinched with a plain Scriptural Ar- gument, to Jay, that the Scripture is a leaden Rule, a dead Letter, a Book that has received all its Authority from the Church v ^ if God mujl U beholden to the Fope for making of his Word Law. The meaning of all this 'vs Jo very plain, and fo diretf- ly contrary to the Dottrine of the Primitive Church, that was ever prejfwg People to the Study of the Holy Scriptures, and a Dependance upon them alone fo* all Matters of Faith and good Life -, that no body Jhall need to wonder at fuch a flrange Word of Pop* Paul the 5th, which this Book acquaints m with (in Epift.25,26.) that that Preaching of the Scrip- tures (which Father Fulgeritio was reported to do fo conjlamly m Venice) was a fufpicious thing ; and that he that will needs keep fo clofe to the Scrip- Cures, will quite ruine the Catholick Faith. Ana J think he never fpohe a truer Word in all hvs Life. But for thefe Decretal Epiltles, which have occafi- oned this Digrejfion -, J'omc honejl Men of that Com- munion own them for an old Reverend Cheat: Ca- iirnir Oudin, for one, in his Preface to his Supple- mentum de Scriptoribus a Bellarmino omiflls, printed at Paris, i68<5. where he fays that David Blondel did detctt the Impofture of thefe Epiflks to \ arid -, and that all learned Men are now of his And the Cardinal of Cambray *, Peter de A Iliaco, did long ago complain of the Canon- Lawyers magnifying the Decretal Epiflles for as a Book as the Divine Scripture ; and accuft fomc fLib. 9. cap. 2. Locor. Commini. * In Appendice ad F^fciculum rerum, &c. p 51$. xvi The Preface of the fome of them offuch a lewd feneration to that old Fardel of Lies, that they could not forbear to blaf- pheme the Word of Godj when it came in Competition with it. The Letters of the Holy and Ancient Chriftians, when we can have them uncorrupted, and fuch as they really did write, are of very great Vfe in all Pur- pofes of Religion. The Church has a Treafure in thofe of St. Cyprian, St. Ambrofe, St. Auguftine, St. Jerom, and thofe of all Ages, till Monkery and SuperfHtion came in, with their whining Nonfenfe and fupercilious Clamour, to domineer over true fub- ftantial Piety, and place Religion chiefly in humane Inventions and idle Ceremonies. We blefs our f elves in the Epiftles of Athanafras, Gregory Nazian- Zen, St. Balli-, Sir. Chryfofrom, and all thofe holy Fathers of the pure and Orthodox Churches of the Eaft, that imployed their Parts and Talents in op- posing thofe wicked Here/ks of the addle-headed Greeks, and the licentious Lives óf thofe cruel and debauched Nations, which did then fo defperately de- fame Chriftianity, dnd help at that Diftance to bring thofe Judgments upon them, which hung over their- Heads at the fir ft Appearance of that vile lm- poftor of Arabia *, under the Scourge of whofe Bla ft phemy their Nation doth ft ill fmart. Nay there is hardly any ancient Chriftian Letter that has been yet publifhd, but I believe fome good Vfe may be made óf it. There is abundance of them to be heard of, in all Ages ; and we learn fomewhat or other from them, either about Se Cuftoms of ancient Times, or the way how the Church was governed, or the Tricks which were ufed to' opprefs it, or the Counfels and Re- medies which were pvopofed to pre ferve it ; or fome other thing that one Chriftian wrote to another, about tte Englifh Tiunflator. xvij State yf Jiff airs in bis time. And juft as things been among ft Chriftians, fo they were amongft- thofe that either lived before ChrijPs time, and could not he Cbrijlians ; or thofe that lived fince, and would not be fo : learned and wife Men among ft the Gentiles, have ft ill kept up the Commerce ot Let- ters for the Advancement of what they accounted fa- tted; or fur the Propagation of their Sells and Opini- ons in Phiiofophy -, or the Maintenance of common Friend/hip and Civility \ or fending Requefts, Chi- dings, Congratulations^ News, Compliments, or the like, according to the Variety of Subjelis, which ali Nations at ali times, ever fince tht way of commit' nieating une Mari*s Thoughts to another at a Di ft ance (which the poor Indian thought to be an Art of the Devil) by Letters and Mijfives, has been made ufe of, have pratiifed, according as they have had occa- sion ; by which means publick and private Bufinefs, Matters of Trade, Ingenuity and Learning, all hn- rovements of Language and Arts, and whatever as ban tilhcr necefjary or ornamental to the common Good of Men, have been carried on hitherto', and fu are likely to proceed to the End of the World, unlefs Mm can find out (what has been formerly talk [4 of, and is now on foot again) a new way of under ft find- ing the Minds of their abjent Friends I know not how nor to what End, unlefs it le to mortify the Sale of Pen, Ink, Paper, and Wax or Wafers, which 1 ex- peti to hear of compie at ed, when all Pofthoufes arc ved ufelefs, and all Carritrs throw up their trade. I do not que ft ion but that the Lofs of many curious ters of brave and worthy Men inali Ages, has been a great Hindrance to all pious and commendable Studies ; any more than I do, that many thousands of a thofe bevili The Preface of the thofe we have, in all Languages, 'btid better have itiet with their Fate (this of mine, it 'may be, for one, fome wtll fay). But His weÙ' we b^veihofe good ones that tie have. It was a good péce òf Strike to 'Learning, that old 'Aldus did in collecting iUfe Let- ters of fix and"' twenty ancient Greek Philòfophèrr and Orators, and 'printing them 'tilmoft 200 Years -ago'dt Venice \, which have fmce been inferted m 'the IVvffa of their fever al authors, òr mended and commented :upon, in oiher -Editions óf learnerd Men fmce his time. %nd fir the Latin <7 entiles, we bave- reaf oil io efleèm thofe Letters of Tully, Sejieca, Tliny, Symmachus^ not _ for getting thofe of Horace that we might know how things went at Paris as well as we do how they went at Venice, R.ome atid other Places, during this Intercourfi. However it has happened well that Monfieur Grofiot did. not ferve the .Father'' s Letters as the -Father fervd his, but pre fervid them carefully for the Good of Fqfttrity 0 when he fkould have no need to fear the Skmcls of the Court, nor the Father the Stilletto's of Rogues and Murderers. ' A Man writes to his Friend what he is not willing all the World Jhould fee } but if he be a gallant Man, he * SeeSr. Henry Wotton's Remains, p. 330. Edit. 1672. and Sir The Fope-Blunt\ Tefii monies of the Fatheis, isrtrnftm Scrtpttfs and divers Places of this Book. F.nnliOi Tranfl/itor. xri be writes no more than what confifts with Truth, Juflice and Integrity; and then tU not a farthing matter who fees it, when he is dead and gone: nay ■ arc fomc f ecure Parts of Truth that are be (I di- vulged that xody \ and Jo many Men have done to /hi w it. TIjc Father fays it more than once in theft Letters, that however God might permit thofe bafe Aden that thirflcd for \m Blood, to di f patch him or injure himy He ftiould do them that fet them on work, more Mi (chief after he was dead/ than ever he did, w hi lft he was living -, and who hwws but that A/on- liev.r Groilot bad a mind to make him as good as his 1 i ' rd, by fecuring the fe gallant Letters? There is oftentimes a higher Reafon to be given for bringing fuel) things as thefe to li^ht, than a mere Rtfpetl of Friend/hip, or a humane Care of faving the Papers and Writings of valued and worthy Friends, though written under the fecretefl Confidence and clofefl Privacy. In all thefe Letters and the Free- dom that is ufed in them, there is not a Syllable that touches the Secrets of the Rcpublick. The Father was a down-right honefl, as well as a wife and learned Man \ and be was no freer of his Thoughts^ than what confijled with hvs Place and Dignity, As for his Freedom about things of Religion, wt will talk of that by and by, when we come to fe what hvs Enemies fay of him, out of Envy and Partiality. But for other things, there is as little offenfive in them, I fkould think, as can well be, confidering thofe times, the Pt - figns that wtre then en foot, the Perfons who carried them on, the worthy Gentleman that he eorrcfpor.dtd with, the manner he did it in, and his own fevtrcvtng inquifitive Temper, and his great Wifhes for the Peace of the World, and tic Happinefs of all N-:ions. a 3j %m The Preface of the And if we are told fonie things in tbpftJtjttt&SL which the Father never expelled would be made pub- lick -, and others, that we can karn no where elf e but bere -, and others ft il} that wiU openmr Eyes to te&cl) us' to .take heed of our felves ; 7tit paft my Skill and Cuming to find out a Reafon why theft rare Thoughts of fo extraordinary a Manfhould be loft and unknown to the World', as many other things of hvs will be, through the high Value of thofe that hep them private to themf elves. Andfurely the Gentleman that fix ft puklifbed them in Italian^ was no more than even wtb ih Jefutis^ and others of the Roman Clergy ', that made M huge Clutter and Noife in the World at the taking of ihéfe Letters by the Imperialifts at the jBatiel before Prague, JVovemb. §, 162c. when they lighted qpon the IPriqcc of ArrhaltV Cabinet &nong$J the reft of the 'Booty, and publtfhed Pieces of the Letters of his Friends and Confederates with moft odious RefteQions and Aggravations, under the Title of Secreta Pr-iid- cij&s Ànhaltini Canceftaria, witiwut -putting tbetr Names to it, ,or the Place where it was prmtefì in M DC XX I, which we ,of this Nation have parti- cular Reafon fo thmk of, for the Intrigue -fàke, tìy$ looks as if it was firft laid to make the Prince Éle&or King of Bohemia, and then give the Emperor 4 gp* lour of invading him ard hfe Territories for :hvs jic- cepting .of th$ Crow.fi:, which was A-plotting &yw lìnee* Francis Broccard knew -the jrojeffs of'tb Roman Court. 'The furpriùng of thofe Letters made the %efuif Qverjoytdj and they got them t9be printed^ out of an ill D/figu to all the Reformed Churches ; as the Pre- teftants * Appendix ad Fafcicv p. «87 1 • ■ ■ . , - ■ • . • ?^&c. Englifli Translator, xxiii teftOMfs of Germany make it appear in their fever at * Anfwersto that Book, and another that was. writ ten at the fame time by one of thofe Politiconi, that difguifed himfelfwith the Name o/Thconeltus Cog- mandolus : and Aubert Mineus -f at the fir fi News ot thefe Letters being taken, could not forbear to mite a Gazette upon it, (for the Difcourfe T5 no mori J ajid fhew h'v> great Joy at it, and commend that Non-nemo (as he calls him) that publifhed the Can- celleria in fiuh a difgraccful manner. Though they had all of them better have held their Tongues ; be- eaufc the ill Vfagc of fo many Pr-otcfrant Ponces and PeopU made the nolle Dr. Camera rius (for\\Gro- t ins fays he was AuÙor of the Book) return them as good as they brought in hU Cancellarla Hifpanica, publifhed at Freiicadt, in 1622. /hewing all the fi- cret Tmnf anions of thofe times, as they were managed by the Pop^s Nuncio and his Allies, in their own Let- ters and Negotiations j in winch you wiU find divers Perfo:is iniployed for the Opprejfwn of the Prince £- lector, and the Overthrow, of the Proteflant Religion in thofe Countries, which are moitioned ten Tears be- fore in thefe Letters of Father Paul, to do the fame. Work in other Places. And indeed who fhould be filter, for fuch Work, than they that are ufed to it, and know the Trick of it ? T)tre has been fomething owing to thefe Men for l"v An- drew Colvius, fati. W46 4 www Colleftor of the pent Papers: and * Letter sof Learned Mm \ an4 thfc Man publifhed FnéevfauYs Hiftory of the In- quifltion, and the Articles of his Faith, m.Ljxtiney at Rotterdam , in the Tear 1^51. BmwbaitQfdktìm? This y you will fay, doth nop. pmm that he wm the Man that, either, had $ny of the Father* Letter iy or publifh'd any: 'Tit,, true i,t doth not \ but thcM-we muft feeh a littk further , and fie tf Books mill affovd w any other Evidence, or Prqkabi* lity for it. Jbid fa I mufl de fire, you to tu$n to Mon- fieur ColomiesV Qpifcula, printed at Utveckk in the Tear 1669. where in \w Reeueil de particul&T ritez fail FanMDCLXV.|4g. nq. hehtytkis: «* -.—Being gem to fee Mr. Colvius at Dqrt, a tc very learned Divine r he main me gq up. ftqjrs in? u to his Library, which WA% curious enough, where u he fhewed me a Quantity of Letters in MS. of tl Father Paul, Father Fulgentio, Scaliger, Ca- u faubon, Marnix, Junius, and others : the/e alfa dc I Jaw Hadriaa Junius^ Aaimadyerfa, witk\he ^ Additions of bis own Hwi- fit to}4 me h?. ha$. i# vc his keeping, a Work of Father PauPs, intituled, 44 Arcana Y2$2Lm,whkhwcis not finifhed.- — Well! but * Sec Andra» /titers ttTftfa y and had often a band in it) without telling the World where he had them: orn ù may be, Father fujgentio him* ft If \j#d retrieved thefe Letters from France tn thvft dangerous times , and might give than to Dr. Col~ yius. Now that Father Fulgenti*) and he faw each other, and were together at Venice m the Tear 1625. is plain, by a Letter of that excellent Perfov^ very mil known among Scholars, * George Rataller Doublet, to Geivird John Voflius, wherein hefjps^ That though he could wver getto the Specb of the moSt illujhiou* Dominico Malina, (who was the Perftmfooftenmtn* Honed in thefe Letters, and cried up for one of tht woft deferring 4nd accampH/hhl Gentlemen 0) the. Age, by \ Gretiu* cfpecially, who made a Copy of V-erfes upon las Tkath^ in Latine and Greek, Èfben -, -— ^ 'w i — « * ' 1 ■ ■ ■ mm • ■ ■ ■ ■» ' * In ^«Jidiptrvfipifto^riiraVoflb, fcc. £*#.}«. rtpiftolar. p-£. 8s?. xxviii The Preface of the he was the Sweedi/h Ambaffador at Paris) by reafm that no Senator of the Republick can have any Con- v&rfation with the Families of Ambaffador s of other Nations, (and this George Doublet lived at that time with the Dutch Ambaffador at Venice.) Tèt he fays, he had free Accefs to Father Fulgentio (though he was acquainted with moft of the RepubiicVs private Managements) feveral times, and had Liberty to talk what hewouldwith him : and in the Poftfcript of that Letter, he tells VofTras that JO. Colvius^- fented his mod humble Service to him. Now it is but fair and reafonable to imagine, that this Colvius, being fo curious a Per fon, and fo defirous of the Ac- quaint ance of fuch Men as Father Fulgentio was', might be with Mijn heer Doublet, when he waited on the Father, and be prefented with fome things more than ordinary, upon the Knowledgof who they were, and the lvalue they expreffed for the Memory of Fa- therFaul, as divers Englifh Gentlemen, that 1 /hall tell you of hereafter, were, upon the fame Reafon and Obligation. All this, you will fay, is butConjeclure : true-, I offer it for no more, and do achnowledg that what might bc^ might as well not be : and becaufe I know the World is very large and wide, and a Man may much eafier mifs the Place and Per fon from whence thefe Letters firfi came to us, than hit either of them within 500 Mites ; ^tis befi at prefent to quit that Point, and leave it to further Search and inquiry, and Men of other Nations, who, it may be, will in time /hew us the Certainty of all thefe things. ■Anonymous Writers, when they hide themj elves J out of pure Modefly and Humility, or a Senfe of Danger, are to be excufed : but if their Books be good, nay very bad, they do but create a greater Curiofity in Englifh TnnflcUór. \xix in Readers, of in/owfitg who they arc, as is fon in rs Places of theft Letters. There js a gttaV deal of piddling Work in ft arching after the Knowledg of them ; and after all0 ?tis as good looking tor a Nee- dle in a Bottle of Hay, as looking to p.ndthtm out. The Jefuits of Paris were cxtrcam bufy m tipe Inqucft the Author of Anti-Coton \ but Petri; du Mou- lin, who mas * the Man, had more IVi: licitoteli them, or kt them know it at that time : and lie (ien- tleman that put that Book tnto.EngliJh, and only jig- mfies. his Name by G. H. (perhaps meaning Geo. Hakewell, a famous and worthy Alan) was hugely mifiaken in thinking .that this Book v>as written by a 4 Roman CatholUk; though many of that Religion did not only 'very honeftly write upon the fame Snbjec?7 but turned Prot eft ants alfo upon the Horror of that ex- ecrable Parricide committed upon that great King, Henry the IVth j Bochell/or one, that collettedtiw Decrees of the Gallic an Church ; and divers Noble - men and Pnefts for others, that abjured that Religi- on, whofe Recantations were tranjlatcd into Enghjh, and publifJjed here at divers times. So the Purea, mentioned in Letter Vili, was | Innocent Gentilet'j Book : Pafquier'j- Gatecljifin was that which we call the Jefuits Catechiim, mtitéd in Englijh not long fince. The Review [of the Council] was Monfieur Ranchine'*, tran/lated by learned Dr. Langbain. The Acis [of the Coun- cil! might well be thofe publifJjed at Antwerp, in 1547. containing the Decrees and Speeches of the Coun- ■* See Vx.BittsWit* Silici 'emm, pag. 705. and Eifhop Bar- lows Brut um Fulmen^ pag. 156. in the Margin; and/\ 202. f Sec G. H. his Advcrtifemcm rothe Header, at the End of Axti-Cotm. |j Bibliuch. Thuana, p, 182. Part I xxx The Preface of tèe Cernàl of Treaty to the $tfr Stflim, or prowtkat thefi Letters -are Father Paul5* , «md no ether A'iatfs eljc whatever. And here yminuft'mt 'demand of mc fitch Demvn- tftrarion to prove the Point, -a* gv all have 4 hat thty *wcrc fir fi printed in Italian, and now in Englifh : No, this -t5 not fair : Is tvidtnt m all Fa- 'thtr'VshVvWritmgSitG difìrngwfh hmt*as much from WbcrMcn, tf^iJeHarmine and hrwtrenmijké m their Faces xxxii The Preface of the Faces and Tempers, which is fo plain and clear iti thefe Letters } let us turn to Cardinal Pallavicino^ Htjlory of the Council of Trent, (which is the Spight-Hiftory to that of the Father's) and fee what he fays of thefe Letters. The Cardinal therefore, in the long and tedious Introduction to his Hiftory of that Council, makes it his Bufine fs to weaken the authority and Credit of Fatlxr Paul'* Hiftory, by divers Artifices and Tricks, knowing well what a huge • Service it would be to the Roman Church, to get that Council (which has naiPdand fafined all the Abufes thereof, in Power, Dottrine^ Rites and Government, fo clofc to the Pope and h'vs Chair, that as long as that Council ftands firm and tight, there can be no A- mendmtnt of any thing amifs in it) freed from thofe Prejudices and Imputations of bafe and crafty Deal- ■ ings, which were v.fed to make it look like a Council, and aci like one. Father Paul had a very religious Soul, and was a mighty Lover of the Holy Scriptures, (as you will fee in h'vs Life) and was a Man of great Reading, and very large Ccnverfatwn with all feri- ous, wife and judicious Alen, that either came to Venice from other Parts, or were born there, ^fhefe things did naturally breed in him a greater Freedom of M'md^ and a more ingenuous Senfe about things of Religion than is commonly found in a Friar, that has nothing but his Mafs to fay, his Miflal to read, and his Money to take, and to damn all other Cbrtftians under the reproachful Notion of Hereticks and Infi- dels. The Father being thus divinely qualified and fitted to befriend the Truth and Juftice of Religion^ and knowing how much the Interefts of both were wronged by the Corruptions and Tyranny of theprefent Church of Rome, eftablifiied into Law by the Coun- cil of Trent, faw he might do a great Piece of Ser- Engirfh TranfUtòr. xJcxiii Vice to the Church of God, by looking narrowly into the Intrigues of that Carnal, and difcovtring all the Managements of the Ro.nan Court, that influenced it according to their particular Diftgns and Humours* And lighting upon many anions and authentick Re~ cords and Evidtnccs of the Traafatlions of that Council, fets himfelf cloftiy and heartily about the Work of writing the Hifioty of it ; which with inde~ fatigable Pains and Induftry, and with all the Accom* plifhmcnts of an impartial and faithful Writer, after many Tears Study and Deliberation he finifhed, and fnt over hither to his Friends to be publifhcd in Lon- don, in his own Language; which*) when it was printed under the Name of Pietro Soave Polano* the Anagram cf his right Name, gave incredible Sa» tifaci ion to a World of Men, Protetta nts and Ro- man-Catholicks ; who Jbvn perceived what a Tool the Goitncil of Trent had been, how unworthy the facred Name x>f a Council ', and what Tricks and Shifts thofe three Popes had ufed, in whofe time it fat, to impofe upon the World, and in/lave Ma>\kmd into a Submijfwn to it. This incomparable Book of his, fiill keeping its Credit in Dcfpight of all thatcla- inoured agAinfi it, and being a particular Antidote, againjl all the poifonous Defigns and Endeavours óf the Jcfuits, met with one of their Oi'der above thirty Tears after the Publication of it, that had a Mind to try his Skill in coping with it^ and defame the Au- thority of it, by writing two huge Volumes agamff it. This Jefuit was Slorza Pallavicino, a Man of an honourable Family, and all Accomphfhmcnts of a Scholar, but a true fcfuit, that had a Mind to get a Name by Writing againf} a moft admired Perfony and a moil valued Book y and ab&ve all, a red Hat : and if he had got no more by his Hat, than he has b done xxxiv The Preface of the done by Ins two Tomes of Counter-Hi ftory, he tnufi have been fref&d with a lefs Grave-fime than that which covers his Reliquesi wlxch is the large ft and moft fumptuoas \ that ever I faw. The Tricks that this Man has ufedto lejfen and defeat the Credit t>f Father Paul'* Hifiory, (that ftands like a Rock in the Sea, againfi ali the Foam and Froth tlxit is thrown upon it) are managed by divulging Scraps of Let- ters, which Ubaldini, the Pope^s Nuncio in France, intercept ed j as they were going from Father Paul to Monftewr Cafhine, (which you will hear of in thefc Letters) and fent to Rome. to Pope Paul the Fifth >, to txafperate him againfi the Father, for correfpond- ing with a Protefiant^ and faying fuch things to him, as any.honefi Catlwlkk would fay, that wnfbed for a Reformation of the Church. This Pallavicino does in his Introdu&um to his Hifiory, in the fir fi Tome -, building hereupon malicious Judgments of Father Paul, and making bafe Reflections and Infinuations, as if he were a Heretick and an Jbheifi, for writing to a Proteftant, and /hewing fame good Will to the Reformed Religion in fome things, and at the fame urne prof effing to be a Prieft of the Roman Church ; not remembring that much greater Men,than Pallavi- cino was at that time, have openly written a hundred times more than ever Father Paul did privately, in Favour of the Reformed Churches, and yet died in the Communion of the Roman Church. Then wfan Father Sforza has Jhewcd his Teeth this way, bcwi- dertakes to lay to Father faxiVs Charge juft three hun- dred and fixty Miftakes (Hwasyityhe could not pick up five more to make tin Almanack-futt of timo) aUut Dates of Times, and Mens Names, and little Vircumftances, and other Pretences, which he *g- iargesttpon, in the following Parts of the fkfiTwx^ ts Englirti Tranflator. xxxv to to much Purpofe for the obtaining of bis Ends, as that Per fon did that in the * Life of Cardinal Bcl- larmine, ]uft before bis curious Pitture, pretends to make an exatt Anagram upon h'vs Name, and the Feats be did', which paffes cleverly a good while, as if there were fomething more than ordinary in it, till A Man comes to try it, and then hemijjes the very firft Letter of Bellarmine'f Name ; which vsjuft like all the refi of thefe Mens Tricks, that look fair and fpecious, till they come to be examined clofely and di- ligently. Hut when the firft Tome of Father Sforza Sum done its worft, out comes the fecond, with a Preface of John Cafoni the Bookfeller in Rome, making tipo- logie s for the long time that the Work had been inter- rupted ; and be fpeaks juft a* Father Sforza puts Words into hvs Mouth, and tells us, that there had been a great Plague at Rome -, but by the Mercy of God, and the Care of hvs Vicar, it did not do any great Harm, but by bindring this curious Work. And after fome high and lofty Commendations of Rome, and the Power that prefides there, and of the firft Tome of this Work, that notwithft anding all Obfta- cler, flew into many Places abroad^ he comes to brag ef the Succefs of that Tome over Father PauP* Hi- ftory, winch he gives very hard Words to, and doubts not but this fegond Tome would compleat the Vitto- ry, and do Father Paul'* Bufmcfs cffctfually. So that a BcYÀfeller, or rather a Jefuit at Rome, makes nothing to conquer (in Conceit) ail the learned Mm in she World that are again ft them -, and like a Cock, upon his own Dunghil} awows over every thing that b 2 com<.s i ■ »—. >,, ,,, , , sm , , ,„ *f rimedio Latin at ii^r An. D«m. 162$ xxxvi The Preface of the comes near him, with the bighe fi Pride imaginable 5 though if he will but fttr abroad, and hear what the World fays of him^ he will be mightily creft-fallen, And fee himfelf dtfpifcd. And now I mufi give you the Tranflatim of a Piece of this doughty Freface of Pallavicino-Cafoni, becaufe we are jufi come to what concerns us. Thus therefore he u But the fame Mortality, as it hindred the free u Sale of the firft Part, fo it hindred the Imprejfwn u of the MS. Copy of the fecond. Time however, which always produces fome Good, and efpecially u in. the Manifefiation of Truth, has done us fome u Service in this Delay. A Per fon of Honour^ who ? had the luck to get the firit Tome in France, cc difcovering and loathing the Wickednefs of Soave, u and efpecially the facrilegious Fancies which he 'lc wrote in his familiar Corre fpondence with the Ht* Ci retick Càflrine^ hats given Father Sforza to un* Ct derfiand, how fucb a Fellow at he was worthy to be 6 acquainted with Soave, becaufe he died at the GaU H lows : He hot moreover found out and got copied tc other Original Letters, written by Soave himfelf Copy that I have followed, being there July 22. and chercis a plain Ditferencc in the Words, through the F-^'t of foflic Tranfcriber. I think this the trucft. %xx viii The Preface of the a ning way than that which was attempted if* u the laft i fof the Endeavour that was ufed to tc remove the Foundation, inifsM its due Eflfefr " by the Mifcarriage of the Mine. Who knows 41 but that, beginning à-top, as is now a-doing, " there may be better Succefs in the Work ? If " God gives a Blefling to it, We may be in Hope* ct óf it. In another Place [April 27. i5io.3 he " has thefi Words \ If there be War Ml Italy y it ct will be well for the Religion j and this Rome tc dreads } the Inquifition will go down* and thè a Gofpei will have its free Courfe. — And a little u after he fays, that he wifhes fof War Ìli ltdly \ cc becàufe he hopes to dò fdmething for the H ii$z. xl The Preface of the well : But then Iogw come the Jefuits to fend over A£n hither that pretend to be difcontented Protefiants, when at the fame time they are inwardly and really Jefuits or Papifts ?■ What is Sawce for a Goofe, we fay, is Sawce for a Gander ; and if it be Hypocrtfy or Here- fy, or Athe ij m for- Father Paul to wear a Monk's 'Habit, and ajfift at Mafs, or fay Mafs himfelf the next Hour after he had told this brave Gentleman, God blefs the Protefiants, and God blefs their Deiigns, and the Tyranny of Rome I hope will go {low. If this be Herefy, Atheifm or Hypocrify, for God?s fake tell me a Name for that thing, when the Mililonarics come hither difguifed, afta they have fiudied to talk and argue fanatically at Rome, Do- wày or Rhemes, and pretend to be Anabaptijls, Quakers, Ranters, Atbeifls, and the Devil knows what all ; and yd are true Roman Priefls as any in the World, and fay Mafs m a Clofet as cleverly as they can cant -and blafpheme in other Company. All the Anfwer to this Quefiion must be old Plowden^ (one of their own) —Here the Cafe is altered , and His one thing when a Priefl only, pretends to be a Pro-* teftant, but is really no fitch thing, for the Service of the Chunk ; and 'tis another thing when a Priest does really and heartily (hew himfelf a Friend tofomcPro-r teflant D> Jìgnifiedly a Mara importing- , tit fame thing ^ 4nd either wight be through fix Difficulty tit Tran- fcrilpr met in fume Words which hi uuldncf<(.ad\ civili The Preface òf the or elfefome things that he could read well enough, but thought inconvenient to publifh-, the SufpicioH of which, I cohfefs, did make me alfo draw a Line where I had plain Words before me concerning R. James the Fir ft, in two or three Places, òr dtlcaft foften the Father's Ward about him ; which, becaufe uponfecond Thoughts, 1 am of the Opinion that the Father might have mòre Reafon for, than I firs! J aw, I will here plainly fhew : For as ÌC. Janies was a very Wife Marty and a great Example and Encourager of Learning } fo Father Paul was a very wife Counfellor, and f aw where he was juftly blameable, as he under flood the Roman Priéft-eraft, much better than K. James did King-craft ; and knew how the World went as well as any Man whàtfùever, and was as able io judg of the ljfue and Confequences of things, as the gre at eft Men were to give the Occafions and Reafons of them. What I therefore did think of with fame doubt, in its Place, I f hall now give yoii freely out of it, Hot only becaufe it is an horteft and impartial: thing for Tran- flato? s, as well as Hiftorians, to leave out nothing for Favour or AffecJion on one fide, or Fear or Prudence on the other, that concerns publick Affairs, (efpeciaUy where fuch a brave Man as Father Paul is to be tran- fcribedj but becaufe fuch Paffages as thefe will help us to under fl and a fever e Word of this gallant Man, that an Enemy òf this Church hath formerly made ufe of, for the blackning and reproaching of fame very good Prelats of it, quite contrary to the Father s De- ftgn and Intention. The Father knew well what a gtedt Figure K.jimts made in the World, and what d gnat Stroke he hdd in fetting the Affairs of Chriftendonl to rights^ if he had had a Mind to it, and efpeciaUy in curbing the Infolence of thejefuits and Romifh Priefts in his own King* Englifh Tranflatoi. xlix kingdom: and therefore in Letter LX XI. he tells you openly how inexcufable the King then was 7 and what he fays there is exaclly tranflated in its Place ; where you find alfo an Account of a Match going on between Prince Henry and the Infanta of Spain, vhu b a lefs wife Man than either King James, or Fa- f/?erPaul, mig).t eaftly have fmelt out the meaning oj on the Spanifl) fide, unlefs he had had a very great Stuffing in his Head to Weaken his Smelling : but Fa- ther Paul however knev: what was at the bottom of that Projetf, or any ether that was like it, and would be fn ft ntly telling his Frieyid the Bailiff, that there was a Smell o/Diacatholicon tn it -, as you will fee over and ever again, and cannot but under ft and, if you do but know what QCatholickf] is infome Mens Conftruclion. In Letter LXXXI. p.301 . inftead of the Line that is drawn at the Top of the Page, after £of ] read it thus *-Tbe K.cf England, who vs more a DocJor than a King: In Letter LXXXII. pag. 304. inftead of the Line that is after £if] it is thus in the Fathers Book — If the King of England had more IVifdom. And this the Father touches upon again in p. Jo5i where he fpeaks of the Art of Spain, and the Simple- nefs of England ; and the Diacatholicon is : too, to make both plain. In Letter LXXXVIII. pag. 322. I foftned to: Fathers Word about the King, by making it — -If his Afajefty c/England would mind Books lefs.— Bui his own Words are thefe If the King of England were not a DocJor, fome Good might be looked for, 6c c. And if thefe Paffages fhould be thought Slight ings of K. James, it will be found to be a great Miftake 7 the Father was only d little vex'd at the King at that Xwne, becaufe he did not (hew himfelf a King ; tut that Father Paul knew him to be a great and a wife c A'/^t, 1 The Preface of the King, ts plain by his Character of him in Page 3 30. where be gives a. fhremd lnftanc& of his own ÌVif- dom^ as well as confa jjes the Wifdvm of -King James: The fame he teftifies again at Page 3 3^ and aft e wards in divers Places., 1 wonder thau the father faiidno more about the two Jsfuits- that were de- fignsd to read Popijh Divinity in Chelfey-College,. (jn Letter CXV1II.)» but he tells us more than every Body knew before, in telling us even xhat. Itfeems it- wfts-a Secret even then j but that was not the only Secret of Courts that he got the Know le dg of \ and where-ever he found any Intrigue on foot that had but any Tendency to the Prejudice and Mi f chief of pro- tt ft ant sy he did7 like a true Friend to Chriftianityy difcover it to Monfieur Groiigt j and he ha* told it us for our Warning and Awakenir-g. Thefe are other - guefs things than Osborn, WÙfon, or VJtlòonfay of King • Jiimctf, who doubtlcfs had great Faults, as ma^ great Men haver and might by his over-Wif- dom comrtbute a great de al' to the Mifentes that hap* ned in this Nation afterwa-ds ; nay even to this very Time , (aó there is a^Depndance of Mi f chiefs and a Succcjjlon of it, that uf 5 to break out mafaer-times upon the Mifaamage of former ones) but he was a greater Man than to bt left to the Reproach and Cen- of thi- great eft fykjef/k m the World : and as he loved Father Paul, ana wnnil have had him over here in England, &s he had Ifaac Cafaubon, and divers other eminent Men of his time \ fo I would have Fa- ther Paul tkougk to be a Lover of him, notwithstand- ing feme angry Words m .private -that he [aid of him, 'Ti$ a thoufand to one but fomething or other, fome- body or other, might at one time tempt the Father to imnh that K. James was Popijhly md'medy( 'and indeed hi aid-many things that might mahbim lo&kfo0 ifhe were Englifh Tranflator. li were rìó\) uy at left not Jo watchful again ft the tnt) . of the M n of that Religion, as he ought to have been. Letter XXH.pag. 94, 95. there is a Pal of the lathes th.it J hews he did not vtry mil like tue Proceeding of thofc times, nor the King's Forgetful- nefs of him] elf \ (and why may hot d wife Man at Venice write to his Friend at Orleans his Refentment of the f e things, as they were both Friends to the Good and Peace of Nations, and the Advancement of ChriJJianity ?) And I find a Piece òf a Letter nr it- ten but nine Days bejorc thir-, to his dear Frit h'd Mon- ficur Lefchaffier, that may hazard many gov { meni kind Opinion of the Father, if I fr.ould nut give f mi Account of it : Toe I Fords are the f e — -Angli* ego tinieo. Fpifcopon.m mà^rìa ilia Poteftas, licet (lib Rcge, prorir.s rrVini fr.ipedta eft ; ubi vel Re- racilèiri nacti fiierint, vel magni (piritOs Ar- diiVpifcopum nafeénnt ; Règia aiuhcriiias pef- :ibitur, ex Fpifcopi ad abfoHìtam dominano- nem afpirabunt. Ego equum EpBippiatam in Anglia videro videor, oc aicenfurumpropedic n equi tern antiquum divino. Vcrùm omnia divi- na Providential fubfunt. I will not be bound for the Trait) and Sincerity of this Allegation ; but for ought I know, they might be Father ?:iuVs [Verdi : the Clofe of them is his confi ant way of conch s-and Aptrehenfions\; but there \ to be about the Per fon that thè fé Word* to', the Time that they were mitt that is f aid to write them, in rcfpett thi count ti,.. rind of bit Ecdcjja:- • I nefhyio Èptfcò'fàc) C I lii The Preface of the how the Church has all along been governed, can well and wifely oppofe that Order, efpecially as it is regu- lated hy the Laws of this Nation. Then, Second- ly, as for that time (Feb. 3. 1609.) they that know the Tranfaclions of it, and that Archbifhop Ban- croft was then alive, and very dclive for the Inter efts of the Chut'ch-, that the High-Commiffton-Court wa% then up, and very powerful ; that there had been abundance of Men turned out of their Livings for Non-fubfcription ; that the Archbifhop was clamour* à at in a grievous manner by thofe who were then called Puritans, as one that was not found in the Protefiant Religion, becaufe he made fome fecular Priefts wel- come at Lambeth for oppofing thejefuits andtheit t)cfigns, and had a great Hand in prejjing thatftrift Conformity , which fo many Minifiers either could not or would not comply with, and were therefore deprived of their Benefices ; that thefe things bred a great deal of ill Blood, and occafioned thofe Heats which in time ripen* d into d DiJJblution of that Court -, that the Do- rheftick Di f contents of that Time flew abroad, (as all fuch things ever do) and might be fomented by fo- reign Enemies of this Church (Us fuch things ever are j) thdt the Noife òf all this might eafily get to Ve- nice with Advantage, and be worfe reprefented to Fa- ther Paul than really it was ', that he hated all things that looked like Tyranny, Perfecution and Opprejfion^ in Churchmen efpecially \ and that thefe Attions might eafily be reprefented to him as fuch ; that King James himfelf had been, but the Tear before, defcribed by Cardinal Bellarmine as a Well-wilier to Popery, in that Book which he publifhed at Rome, under the Name of Matthaeus Tortus, in anfwer to the King's Book, TTriplici riodo, triplex Cùnéus] pag* 47* of mat Roman Edition, (for fo it wo6f though Englifli Tranflator. liii though the Place of Printing was not exprcfjed) where the Car din al doth unhand fomly tell the World of the Kings Letters to the PofCj to Card! rial A Idol) ran- ci ino, and himfelf\ importing^ that when be was only King of Scotland, be defired to have a Cardinal made of that Nation, to negotiate im Bujinefs for him in the Court of Rome. Al which when the King came to look narrowly into, he found (tin Tears af- ter the thing was done) that he had been bdfely be- trayed by hh Secretary Balmcrinoch, who bad forged thofe Letters of bit own Head, and fent them to Rome in the King's Name, and without his Know* ledg, 06 he afterwards declared before the King an I Council \ whojc "very Declaration is punctually fet down by our excellent Bifiop Andrews in his Tortu- ra Torti (written againft that Book of Bellarmino'* J at pag. 191. of the London Edition, in 1609, They that know thefe things of that time., will the lefs wonder that fuch a PaJJ'age as this might drop from Father Paul7* Pen, if it really did jo. Bui then, Thirdly, We are to confider, that this Paifage (fuppoftng it to come from the Father) is not in the le aft againft Efijbopacy, but was -no more at the . worft than a [mart and biting Word againft a filpi pofed Exorbitancy, Excefs and Ahufe of F.pij covai Power here in England, as if the Father had been jealous that the B if bops of that time (when be had heard juft before from fo eminent a Man as Cardinal Bcllarmine nvrr, that King James was not averfe to the Roman Religion) were creeping back to the Roman Magnificence, and were nothing hut State- Prore- ftantS, as moft of their Suecejjors fi ne e have been unjuftly cenfured to do and be, by fuch as long po the World turned topiy-turvy. But all ibis while I have not told you where I had this Pievt of F c ; PauP I li v The Preface of the Paul' j Letter, that I have given you this account of. Now therefore I /hall tell you that, and fomcthing elf e that belongs to it. It is in a Book that has ave- ry my furious Title, and was written in a very trqu- blefom time, upon a very troublefom JJefign, and by as troublefom a Man: the Title is tlm 'Irensei Philadelphi Epillola ad Renatura Veridsìum ; E- leutheropoli Ivi DC XLI. as it was written at liiing- t.on a little before that : on the next Page to that of the Tttle, thofe Words of Father Paul (land, with this gaudy Infcription over them— — Pra^didio Palili Sarpii Venetorum Theologi, &x. Grotius in the Volume of his Letters, at pag. 689, fays the Book was written by old Peter du Moulin and his Son '■) he doth not tell us which Son ; hut it. was b% Son Lewis who owns it in his Jugulum Caufae (thirty Tears after he wrote it) pag. 258. fo that. there Gro- tius 'is out ; and indeed it was not, a likely thing that his worthy Father, who was at that time Prebendary of Canterbury, and received his yearly Dividend with the refi of h'vs Brethren, (as \s_ plain in _ Voiììus'* Letters, pag.^~i-) would be fo unwife as to help- on the Diftratiions of thofe times, by writing flub a Utter Book againft the Archbifhop, Bifhop Hall, and the whole Stare of the Clergy, to the Lofs of his Income, unlcfs he valued, the Peace of the Kingdom^ and fucb a noble Society of Men infucha Cathedral, md a hundred Pound a Tear to-boot, tefs than he va~ lued fame little Nicety of his Education, But this Lewis du Moulin was the Man that ptclid up tins piece of Father Paul** Letter fomewhers or other, and ahufes that and the Author of it to a very ill Pur- Vofe 5 nay he quotes Father Paul near twenty times in that Book, as if he were his Tutor in all his Politicks and PYojecls^ as if the Father had been a very great Pres~ Englifh Translator. lv Presbyterian^ in Point of Cburcb-Cuv x and bimfelf nothing l ut bis Difciplt in all bis iVhmifty^ j though you will quickly he able to fvftpcLl bis Integrity m the third Leaf of bis Admoaitio, xvhirc be faysy that though Father Paul did firmly hdievethe Pqpi to be Antichrift , and (ay it amongst his Friends^ yet be died a Roman-Catholiek ; this Lift is true, but the fir ft is not. This Man did certainly do very rafhly in publi/hing a Letter of bis Father to Bifhup James Montague, to the Difcreditof Ifaac Caiaubon, tn pag. 101. of his Jugulum Cu life, ojs if Monjici-r Caiaubon irtrt nd$ a tborow-pac\l Proteftant, buia Uippery fort of Man, that would certainly turn Pa- if war he got lack again into France. And Man fi tur Columies would have defer ved to he chid •inn^ihat fur-vy Letter again ui Page 280 of fcwEpijlofe iingulares, quoted k fore ; ij L not ma.ie \h\ Wod ! amend* by finwing (hi pag. of thai Book) bow ft (df aft a Friend Qiiaubon was to this Churchy out of ftrmc manv.fr ipt Aroics of bis flirti Journal, written that -very Tear :•■. :ou- Ym wrote his cenforums Letta' i,i, . after that. His Soni whtr.nh a very odd Stories of A An muih above his Pitch , a Salraaiius, inthe fame jugukiin Caufe, J and a little before. Toe (i entity,. to anfwer this A4anrs >Z\)iilo\a ad VeriAci}^ ( n VcridxiiS was Dr. Andrew Rivet ) in K ttiw? or Btjhop Hail, under the Name of Tlu MS, m a Book intituled, Philadelphia w was hugtly put to it, to anfwer that Pit. • Vz\\\\ Letter to Monfieur Lefchafììer, did not know which way to turn bimfelf, for want of coniidcring the Hue of thofeTimes^ and y what the FatUr and his Corre fpondent were ; c 4 Ivi The Preface of the who were both incomparable Scholars, and true Friends, to the Primitive Government of the Church, a* will appear by James Lefchaflier'j' Works coUecled by Goldaftus, (in the third Volume of his Monarchia, where there are abundance of thofe curious French Books which are mentioned in thefe Letters) and printed all together at Paris, in 1652. and by the Fa- ther's Tra&s. But it was a rude and unthankful thing in this Du -Moulin to bcfpaiter ibis Church , but what will find then Thoughts wanned and enlivened into divers ufeful ulcrqtiow, by the wading of them, livtry Rody may fee thereby, by what little Thread* of Intere]! the government of the World bangs, and Ìjow eafily Nations might be perpetually embroiled a- gainft each other, if that sill-wife and All-mighty Power that created it, avid upholds it, and keeps thofc m Order that dwell upon it, were not more careful of : t\xm they are of themf-clves. Here we fee bow mircifd God hath been to the People of this Nation, in defcathig aUtbcfultile, and open, and violent At- tempts that h:uvi\ time after time, hen made for the Ruine of the blefled Religion that is eftabljJJfd a- nutygs% u:, by th'jfe vuy Men that have over -run France, and many other Kingdoms and States, with Corruptions^, Tricks and Wickcdneffcs, andean do no otlicrwifc but make uft of all Diflempers of times for ùc promoting of their intereft, and will ftrike in with any Party whatfotver, to break the Peace and Irofpmty of a Proteftant Nation, rather than lofe the Credit of being Ignatius'* true Difciples, and forgo the Char all er they ufe to give of themfelves, when they fay, Jefuita eft omnis homo. Father Pani fays, in Letter XCIII. that he knew, that Henry the Fourth did ufe all bis Skill and Art to fow Diftrujls among si the Protcfiants, and believed that many things turned to their Difadvantage there- upon ; and he Jays that Spain gained a great Point in making Divijions amongsl the Hugonots, (wlx> were Ix The Preface of the were fo called upon the Occafion of a Fancy of a Night-Spirit that walked, they thought , in the City of Tours, ( where abundance of Proteftants lived) which they called King Hugon, and gave this filly Name to a Gate of the City, through which the Pro- teftants paffed, when they went to their own Churches. Concerning which, fee a good Book, called, The Catholick Moderator, printed at London, 1623, which gives you this account of the Nick-name, out o/PafquierV Refearches, lib. 7. cap. 52. And Grotius (as little as he had of a Hugonot, any more than in his Chrifiian Name) fays a great Truth for us all, when once he jaw the mighty * Increafe of the Pope's Power in France f, Precipua Proteftan- tibus falutis fuse fiducia, ex mutua confenfioneòr fidis inter fe auxiliis petenda eft. And as great a Trimmer as that gallant Man once was Rome- ward, yet he was a fever e Enemy to the proud and cruel Vfage of Proteftants in France under Riche- lieu'j Miniftry, when he was Ambaffador there, as is flam by many of hvs Letters -, and though he \\ faid and wrote divers things like a Papiftj yet he had more Grace and Wit than to (a) die one. Every Body fees what Divifions in a Church or State tend to, with- out being told it by others-, and he that hath told us what is to be expelled of a (b) Kingdom divided againft it felf, gives the People of this Land the Grace *Epift. pig. 232: col. 2. f Epift. pag.\B$. II VitzSek&orum, pag.0%4. 00 Vide Quiftorpii Epiftolam inter Epiftolas fingulares Colomefii, p. 374. or Dr. Pierced Anfwsr to Mr, Baxter^ Grò- dan Religion, p* 26. (W) Sf.Macth. 12. 25. Englifh Translator. lxi (jrace to lay that Word to Heart in time, that their Children hereafter may never feel the dtfmal Effecls vf their Folly and Improvidence. And now, Reader, it is high time to have done. If you find any Good or Profit m this little Pains of mine, as I hope in God you will, I have my Aim, and jhall be heartily glad at it ; and fo much the more pleafed, kcauft I think I have done fo my ftlf. karewel. Skrdrulgt, Feb, 20, rift THE ha The freface «/ the i il ini . T H E PREFACE Of the Author That fublifhed the LETtERS in Italian. THE Name of Father Paul is fo renown- ed all the World over, that there needs no more than jult mentioning of him, to acquaint any Body with the Summa- ry of his Excellent Qualities and Vertues. He was none of that fort of Men that have but one Eye in their Heads, to look at what is to come, without coniidering what is prefent \ or that which is prefent, without confidering what is to follow. He was an Jkrgw> in Knowledge and a Briar eus in the common Service of his Country. The Republick of Venice never had a Man more affectionate to it than he ; nor any more able to ftand up for the Defence of it than he was -7 becaufe, it may be, none had ever fo difinte- retted a Soul ( I mean of Church-men ) as he had. He never meddled with any thing of State, without taking advice of Divinity along with him, Italian Tublijhr. lxiii ium, becaufe he was a Divine : nor ever handled Matters of Divinity, without a futable regard pj thofe of State, bccaufe he was a Statefmanai v, cii as a ] )ivine. He was a Man that knew very well, that next to Almighty God, his Obedience and Life were to be at his natural Prince's Service r and there- fore would never part with this Admirable Doctrine. Thofe Church-men that think when they come into Fneltly Functions, they aie bound to fhake Hands with Allegiance to their Prince, are icrangely miftaken -, lince that Debt ci Nature is indelible and jne\\tirngiiifhable in 5 and no Obligation whatsoever tan free ln;n from that Duty. if all Church-men were bound to obey the Cou :t of Rome, contrary to the Obedience and Goo( of thofe Princes and Principalities under which j hey are born, there would be no Sove- raignt, v where but in the Pope, nor any Prince i" World, but what were his Sub- ject: e Cloifter would be a Cittadel for Rome, evu riar, a Souldier of that Cittadel*, and every inch Cittadel would be able to hold out a gai nil molt grin AU Sovereign Rulers ought without doubt to fecure themfelves irom fuel- imminent ran- gers as thefe are j excepting thofe who have no need of fuch Security, by having Church-men of thofe Principles which lather Paul was of. 1 know the Court of kofnt looks upon all thole Men as Heroticks, who don't immediately re- nounce Obedience to tliofe Princes, from whom that Court, tor its particular Ends, and often- times upon i articular }ut,ereits ot mortal Ha- tred, Ixiv 7 he Preface of the tred, ufes to féparate it felf : juft as it fared irl this Cafe with Father Paul, who was declared an Heretick, and perfecuted as fuch by the Flatter- ers of Pope Paul the Fifth: And why was this? It was for nò other Reafon in the World, but becaufe he, as a true and faithful Subject to the State of Venice, was tefolv'd to defend the Rights of his Prince, who was moleited and em- broiPd by the Interdi&s of the Court of Rome. The laft Throbs and Groans of his Life, which may bé called thè true Accents of his Heart, (his Thoughts arid Sentiments of Soul being never fo livelily declared as then* when he was juft going to give Account of his Actions to God) are evident Proofs bf the Sincerity of his Mind, and the Purity of his Confcience. He breathed out his Soul in all thofe Sentiments which are agreeable to a good Chriftiarf, and necefTary for a very good Catholick to declare. He avowed that never any thing that he writj troubled the Eafe and Quiet of his Mind 5 that he had nevrer penn'd any thing that was contra- ry to the Rules Of Catholick Religion $ that no Paflion had mifguided him in his Thoughts òr Conceptions j that he had ever been an Ene- my to Difguife and Hypocrify^ that he had Itili written according to the Dictates of his Confcience ; that he had never trulted to the Reports of Men of Ill-will and Difaffection to Rome, as he had been accufed *, and in fiiort, he teftified his Zéal to the Church, his Refpedt to the Pope, his Obfervance of Rule and Order ; and above all, his Love to his Countrey, and his Obligation of Duty to his Prince, But becaute the Court of Rome addite rio 0- ther Italian Publijher* lxv ther Orators into their Theater, but thofe that can dawb and flattery and no other Flatterers, but thofe that can bellow their Holy -water upon the Vatican ^ they were never able to indure with patience, much lefs caft a kind Eye upon, the Perfon of Father Paul, who aim'd at nothing elfe but the Service of God, and the Reformation of Corruptions in the Church : and this is moll apparent in all his Works j but efpecially in the Hiitory of the Council of Trent ; which is fo much efleemed by Prelates of found Judgment, and fo hated by thofe that, to humour the Court of Rome, do proflitute their Tongues, and fell their Breath in Lies and Calumnies. The fame of his Worth and Merit, of his in- comparable Vertue and Integrity in his Proceed- ings, was fo great and fpreading, that People came to him for Counfel from all parts of the World : and he never declined to communicate freely and plainly to every Body, the Gift that God had bellowed on him for the fame pur- pofe : And I may well fay to every Body ; becaufe thofe which had known him but once, did af- terwards acknowledg, that they could not for- bear further Converfation with him, either by Letters or Word of Mouth : fo frank and libe- ral was he in his dealings with them. The Court-Prelates ufed to fpeak of him with Ambadadors and others, as of the wicked- ell Man in the World : yetheflill RniPd at it, when his Friends told him of it*, and made no more of it but jufl thus I muft needs be rvb.1t they reprcfent me , becaufe I am fo vaftly different from them in all things : and if they are the per feti Men, and the gre at eft Saints that ever the Sun d Pined lxvi The f reface of the fbined m *, to te fwe Ì tnuft be a great desi ftòrfe Man than they make trie to be. Yet he Ml would intreai his Friends, that tliey would humbly ask thofe Prelates to declare for once, whjtt that Bug-bear ibrt of Wickednefs was, that they maclt him fo infamous for : but they could never get any other fpecial Accufation of him put of them, but this \ that he was an Hypocrite \ vailing over their own IVickednefs, by calumni^ a|;ing the Father's innocent Life and good Afiiom with a fcandalous imputation of Hypocrjfy. Though the Fathers Name, as has been fàid, was fo celebrated every-where, yet the Prote^ Hants in France were never very forward to have any Correfprondence with him, till they under flood the favage Perfections that Rome harrafs'd him with % and then they had the cui> olity of getting acquainted with this brave Per<- fon, that was fi jch an Eye-fore to that Court, which hated and curs'd Them as much. And here Father Paul, who knew very well that Ver- tue is not to be defpifed in any Perfon whatfo- ever \ and that no Religion in the World doth forbid human Society, becaufe it is the very firft eftablifhment of our Nature, did willingly imbrace the opportunity of correfponding with them-, pofiibly, that fo he might the better learn the Proceedings of thofe Men that make the defiruéhon of the Popc^s Authority^ one of their Fundamental Maxims : pretending hereby to be able to get a view of the very Quinteflence of all thofe Differences and Queitions which daily flart up in the Schools, aod in private Difcour- fes, about the Impeccability or Infallibility, the: Supremacy, Authority and Jurifdi&ion of the Italian Tubliper. lxvii the Pope > knowing well that the Protectants are Men that underftand all thefe things better than they that do defend them. Not that he need- ed their Dottrine, as they were Enemies and Opponents \ but only that he might not incur, upon his knovvledg of the whole between one and t'other, any ill-grounded Cenfure of tha Court of Rome ; he thought it belt to forbear thofe Opinions imbraced by the Proteitants, Whiift he fixed upon the Reformation of Man- ners of the Clergy of Rome. Monfieur (**&*, Counfellor in the Parliament of Parts, Meffieurs de Uifle, V Efcbajfìsr, Ser- vine, Rtehkr, Bocbel and Cafaulon, were the Men of the Proteftant Party that had the greateft delire of correfpondmg with Father Paul. Monfieur de L'ifle was the fir it that began a Friendihip and Acquaintance with him '-, and he being abundantly fatisficd of the Goodnefs, Ver- me and Sincerity of this good Fathers thought himfelf bound to let other Friends of his par- take of the benefit of his Acquaintance \ and open'd the way to a good part of thofe foremen- tioned Gentlemen, to correfpond with him : ani then every Body was ambitious of making uie of the opportunity for each others Good \ not knowing where to find a greater Advantage at that time, than by acquainting themfelves with a Perfon of that Worth and Value, that had no private Intercltto look after, and was a rriend to Truth, and a very underftandin^; Man in all Matters of Sacred and Prophane Hiftory. At this time Maffeo Barbarico (who was af- terwards Pope, by the Name of Vrbjn the Eighth) was Nuncio it Fèria. He having dif- d a covered lxviii The Preface of the covered this Secret of their Cor refpond enee, as a Prelate that was us'd to the Intrigues of the Court of Rome, and one that knew how to employ Spies in other Folks Matters, did all he could that way to learn the Myltery of it : but finding that he could not compafs his Ends, nor attain to any knowledg'of the Particulars which they kept private to themfelves, he wrote to the Pope in general Terms, and allured him, that Father Paul wrote to, and received Letters from fome Members of Parliament of the Pro- teftant Religion, and many Doctors of the Sor- bon of good Note \ that is, fuch as defended the lawful fecular Power, and oppofed the Ufurpati- ons of Rome, and flood up for the Liberties of the Gallican Church, to the prejudice of Rome. In fhort, not being contented to cry him down every-where by poetical and fictitious Inlarge- ments, and rail againfl him as an Heretick, nay as an Arch-Heretick ; faying that Father Raul was a greater Wretch than either Luther or Cai- 0f Monfieur Vieta'* Cypher: Of the Corfairs of Sicily : Of t he Stirs in Ireland, and certain Matters of Religion. Letter IX". Ofapleafant Book' again ft the jcfu~ its : Qf fame Bufineffes of the Grand Signor , and lAs. particular JD&figns : Of the good Vnderftandiytg between the. Pope and the State of Venice. Letter X. Of the ' Maxims 'of fome Govcrnours t Of the Arts and Tricks of the Spaniards, and of Don Pedro di Toledo in particular : Of the War in Hungary and Bohemia ; and of the Maiiceof Hypocrites, and who and what they are. Letter XI. Of the Reprefentatim of Rome un- der the Figure of a Tower, and who they are that tmjt icmolifh it : Of the great Secrecy of the Jefitits t Of fónte Papifts turning Prete ft ant*: Of the King* Presmffons upon Spain cmd Rome. Letter XII. Of .the Bafenefs and Pittemes cf the Jefuits : Of the State of Germany : Of tèe Ar- ti^ces of .the Spaniards: Of the Rcqtfefo of the Co- mnipstpthe-CJergy.- . Letter , of the Letters. Ixxv Letter XIII. Of fome Propofals made to the French by tht Spaniards : Of the Departure of Father Fill- gcntio the Francifcan, from Venice foRome: Of hmbajjics to divers Tarts of Chriftendom. Letter XIV. Concerning fome curious Difcourfes in Latin, and other Languages : Of the great Care of the Jefuits in fupprejjing Books which are written againft them, and their bnleavours to get into Ve- nice again. 1 .etter XV. Of Father PauVs great Dtftrctokarn the Secrecies of the Jefuits r Qf Fatlxr Fulgentio'j Atfions at Rome: Of the Revenge of that Court : Of the Peace of the Spaniards, as prejudicial to Ve- nice : Of tlx new College of Jefuits ere tied at Calli- glione : Of the Pretentions to Avignon. Letter XVI. Of fome Books of Controverfy, printed in France : Of the Copies of fome certain Writings: Of an Affault made by fome Catch- poles upon Colonna** Houfc : Of Cardinal Baroni- us'j Works, and the Eleclion of the Kmg of Hun- gary. Letter XVII. Of a Francifcan Friar baniftfd from Venice : Of fome Churchmen put in Prifon for writing and f peaking againft the Rtpublick in the time of the Interdict : Of the Intére ft s and Affairs of Lngland : Of the Bible tranflated and pruned by Pope Sixtus Qnintus, his Order in Italian, and w\ya% is fud of it. [Concerning which Tranflatron there is a good Account given by Gregorio Letiy in his Relations of the Life of that Pope, printed at Amftcrdam in the Year i6$6. Parti, pag. 399, &c.~] Letter XVIII. Of the imaginary Car d'malfhip of Toct Menino : Of a Perfon burnt in Paris, and di- vers other Cunofities. Letter lxxvi The Contents Letter XIX. Further Difcourfe of that Francif- can that was baniflPd from Venice, with the Rea- fons thereof: Of the Archdeacon that turned Cat in Pan, and ran away to Rome after fome Defence of the Venetian Caufe : Of fome new Attempts made againft Father Paul1* Life by fome Churchmen. Letter XX. Of a Book intituled, De modo a- gendi, againft the Jefuits : Of the Laws of the Je- fuits concerning Bifhopricks : Of the Cardinal Pe- ron : Of the Roman Jealoufy : Of fome Prifoners at Rome, that had been imployed by the great Men there to kill Father Paul, and Father PauPj Senfe about their imprifonment : Of new Quarrels and Conte ft s arifmg between the Republick and the Pope : Of Matthias King of Hungary.. Letter XXI. Of the f evere Juftice /hewed to a Per fon at Paris : Of the Troubles of Germany, and other Particulars. Letter XXII. Of the Proteftants Confefllon of Faith, liked by Father Paul : Of the Rewards and Chaftifements given by the Pope and the Venetians to their Friends and Foes : Of the publick Penance in- joined the Archdeacon ; Of fome Differences amongft the Swiffers : Of the Jefuits Workings in England. Letter XXIII. Of fome Briefs of the Jefuits, and the Agreement between the Spaniards and them ; Of the Pope^s Inclination to Spain: Of Parafius brought Prifoner from Ancona to Rome : Of Fa- ther Bitonto'j Death : Of a Law renewed by the Council of Trent : Of fome Squabbles between the See Apoftolick and the Republick, upon the Account of fome Preferments : Of fome lying Accujations faftned upon Father Fulgentio, as if he were an He- yetick. Letter of the Letters. lxxvii letter XXIV. Of the great Duke of Tufcany'i Death : Of fomc Priefts and Friars tljrown into Pri- fon at Rome : Of anew French Amlaffador s coming to Venice : Of fome Bickerings between the Emptror and his Brother : Of Vignici* '5 Propofttions concern- ing Anti-Chrift : Of the [jabout which, I think, there is fomething pertinent to this Queftion in Gajfcndufs Life oj' Peiresl : and it may be that gallant Man, who knew Father Paul, and advifed with him aboui Scholar-Uke Queitions, (as is feen in that Life) wasalfocou fulted by him for Refolution to this Matter, though we hear nothing of any fuel) thing fur- ther in that Life, becaufc Qamndm and Peiresk knew how obnoxious :he Father was at Romt\ where they were refolved to keep their Interefl ; and 'tis a Sign that Peiresk did fo, by the Cele- bration of his Praifes there in 40 feveral Lan- guages, after he was dead, as is told us by Gaf- fendu4y at the End of his Life, and by Grotim in his Epift. p. 885. which a Man would wonder at, if he did not know where there is nioft of the Confulion of BabelJ Letter Ixxx The Contents Letter XXXII. Of the Jefuits getting behind the Curtain, and the Father's Opinion of their Quietnefs : Of the affairs in Bohemia, and the Turks^Advan- tage by the Diviftons o/Chriftendom : King James V Book refufed in Spain and Savoy : Of the Pope's chief -Care in getting Money ; Of the Roman Court s gaping after the Death of the Doge, and their Envy at hvs Life : Of the Succefs of the Jefuits through the keeping clofe their Laws -, their giving out a little bit of them, but fecuring the worft Part: The Spani/h Advances in Italy, and the Italian Princes courting the Favour of that King. Letter XXXIII. Of the Mode fty and Gravity of the Spaniards, and the Ends of both : Of the way of fending Books and Letters to the Father : Of a great Fire at Conftantinople : Of the Perfian Ambaffa- ~dor going to Rome for the Pope's BleJJing, and (which he valued much more) his AJJiftance a- gainft the Grand Signor. Letter XXXIV. Of the Jefuits eftablifhing an Vniverfal Debauchery in the World -, their Sermons find Pedantries againft the Republick : The poor Monks of Ca ma Idoli glad that they were alive , and giving up their Title to the Ahby at hvs Holinefs^s De- m'and, without the leaft Word of Refiftance, as be- came obedient Sons of the Church. Cardinal Bor- ghefe makes a fhift to get 5000 Ducats out of it, though another Man, in Right of the Republick, has the Pofjejfion of it. Men that will be Slaves, muft be fo. Stiria and Carinthia ft ill indifpofed and out of Order, which makes the Romans thoughtful: A general Peace likely to infue, and the Fathers Opini- on* of the Advantage the Jefuits would make of it, efpe daily if they could but get Ignatius Sainted. Letter of the Letters. lxxxi Letter XXXV. Abbot Cornaro condemned by the Council of Ten for affiaulting a Merchant, and taking away his Wife from htm: Some Account of the father's Hiitory of the Council of Trent. Letter XXXVI. Of Bellarnoine'i Book againSt King James, and the Weaknefs of it : Of his own- ing that oj Tortus, and Refieclions thereupon : Of the Jefuits in Bohemia forbid to make Purchafes^ and yet required to contribute to the Publick Nccejfi- ties^ and the Arguments ufed by them to get off : The Abbot of St. Vittori filly Booh in Defence of the Jefuits : A good Word concerning Badover : The Ambajfador of the States of Holland treated like thofe of Crowned Heads : The League of Mentz, and Indeavour to get the Pope, Emperor, and Spani- ard into it. Letter XXXVII. The Jefuits Indeavour for the Divinity-Chair, and the Sorbona Oppofition -, then Philofo\hical Offices of applying Adiva paiiivis ; who they are that are their great e fi Friends : The Spaniards Defign upon Cleves : The Prince of Con- deV withdrawing : A Turkifi) Ambajfador highly abufed at Vienna : The fending the Captive King of Fez to Milan. ThuanusV iiijlory prohibit tei at Rome. Letter XXXVIII. The Duke of Savoy's In- trigues: The Death of the Pope's youngest Brother 3 which did greatly affitti him : Of the Uncertainties of the State of Germany. Letter XXXIX. The Jefuits private Doings iti France, and their old Craft in that Kingdom : Why they make no Attempt to get into Venice again : The Father's fi)rewd Judgment about that Point : Aro more Defer tcrs at Venice/ The French Ambajja- tors Difficulty about the way of treating the Ditta q toe. fetxxii The C e n ? e n r s on», tfttd «fww irfctff Nicety % the Englifh Courte fy to him : Charles Perkinibrf j Book, De modo agen- di, not printed : The States of Chriftendom : A Jefuifs Demands of fafe Conduce into England : A 'Catalogue of good Books fent the Father \ bit Me- moirs of the Council of Trent, andDefign offend' ing them into France. : Letter XL. The Importunity of the Jefuitsfor the Prof efforts Chair of Divinity : Father Gontier only rattled a Utile for a Mifcarriage [oi whom fee Anti-cotony p. 45,&cc3 Marfhal Domane Deaths bvs Commendation :■ France embroiled by the Jefu- its : Thuanus'i Works the more fought fory the more they arc prohibited ; The Arrefi again ft Chaitel therein concerned : The State of Holland : Much Money fent to Germany : Of the Turks and Hunga- rians.: Fulgcntio the Francifcan, that ran away from Venice to the Pope, clapped up by the Pope s Order. Letter XLI. Of the Father" s Cypher, and the Necejfity of i$j by reafon of his back-Friends \ his Thoughts about the Affairs of Germany and Savoy : The- Jefuits Dangers in Conflantinople : Thanks for Monjìeur del Ifle'i Difcourfes and News : Receipt of a Book upon the Apocalyps Qwhich feems to be Brightman\ of Francfort Edition, 1 6o$r\ Letter XLI I. God?s counter -or dering of things ti) Mens. Defigns : The Difpofition of the Princes o/' Germany : Cardinal Delphino come to Venice, and why.' No Talk of new Laws of keeping out the Jefuits from Venice, becaufe they weaken the old ones : Their Attempt to get into the State of Urbin : The Fathers Opinion of the Prince of Conde : The Condition of Fulgenti© ani Marc-Antony, two Tl$rn.*cmts> ■ ; . *• .. Letter of the Letters. lxxxiu Letter XLIII. The. frequent IJfui of great Prepa- rations : The Spaniards Skilt in Govunment : Toe. ])nke of Savoys Inclinations : 'The French K- Wifdom in making Bouillon General againfi the Germans: The Diets of Hall and Menu : Pope's Concernment therein : The Duke of Saxony'r> Interefl, to which Party inclined uncertain : The jc- futts Negligence ; their Forbearance to offer for a Ri- tieni to Venice, and why: How they would cc.rry themfelves in a War between France and Spain: The Death of Monfieur di Frefnes. Letter X LI V. The Venetian Ambaff adores Jow '- my to Loretto : Of the Father" s Cypher : The State- of Germany : A Meeting of Princes at Prague : The Duke of Saxony V Abfentefironi it, and the Iffi.t thereof: y iff airs »f Italy, from whence the War is left off by divers Slights and Arts : The Papijis pte* vailing in Venice, and the Rtafon of it : Rome and Spain all one : The way to keep in with the Venetians : The Effe els of a Letter int&Cepitfà: This mahts ibs Father wary, at touching hi* Hitfory of die Coun- cil : Menino plays the Rafai: What the Ft could do, if there mere but War in Italy : The i wrges Poland to difquiet Erandcnbnrgh. Letter XLV. Of the Pr Goaded and Atlions : The Jefuits Affi The Pope's Legates to France and Spain \ bis Money fent to Naples to buy Estates : Defdiguicrs'i kei a Wench, and yet not going to Mafe: Toe mn Ufopcs, and the Difcoveries by ti: Letter XLVI. The (.."■ ..'urn Jmbafjador that gees to France: li firated by the Death of Henry the iVth : H prmces have dhjK bra •; e things : tkt. D'tfgufk be* ■n the Emperor and h':s grot I . Ixxxiv The Contents diet of Antichrift : De modo agendi, brought by Sir Henry Wotton : The Fathers Thoughts who had a Hand in the French King^s Marriage : News of Friar Fulgentio. Letter XLVII. The Vnion of the French Nobility after the Death of. Henry the IVth : Toe Dangers of their falling out, efpecially if the Jefuits can get in- to their Counfels : The Good of France and Rome, two fiver al things: The Queen s Super flition : The Dulnefs of the Spaniards, and the Srishncfs of the French : What the Father thinks of the Pope's kind Promifis to France in this Conjuncture : The Prince o/Conde in Flanders : Ravailiac jwt to Death, with- out fujfeient fifting of him who fit him a-work : The Count of Fuente'* Bufile, after the French King's Death : Conjectures why : Stirs in the Cantons : The Father' s Care how to keep on the Correfpondencc : Mi fi chiefs of the intercepted- Letter, which made the Fa- ther watchful Letter XLVIII. Care of f afe Conveyance of Let- ters : Signor Barba rigo^ Character : De modo agendi not compleatcd ', 'tis a curious Piece : Advice about Caitrine, that nothing be communicated to him that concerns Monfieur Groflot : Father Ful- gentio the Deferter, how ufid at PvOine for his Love to the Pope: An Account how the Inquifttion dealt with him \ their Charges, and his Anfwers -, he was delivered over to the Govemour of Rome, and then hang' d and burnt : The Affair sofie i ance: The Ef- fects of the Kings Minority : The Defign of Spain with France: The French Queen fond of Friars and Jefuits: The Jefuits lofi nothing by their Ab fence from Venice: The Hugonots and their Vefigns commended. Letter XL1X. 'The Riddle of Agreement between Cones and Guifc : Lurrains Condition, andVa\\~ demont'i of the Letters. lxxxv tlemontJ Example : The great A fens Ambition and Quarrels in France : Qusetnefs makes for the Peo- ple, and Difturbances fur great A fen : TlwanuVi mty : Conciline* Dejlgns [of whom fee Ri- gait ins in the Life of Petrus Puteanus, in Dr. Bates^s Vita Sekli or um, pag.tftfi/] and bis Cha- racter : The Siege of Gulick : Toe Out fide of the Affairs of Italy : The Spanifh Forces in the Dutchy of Milan: tends and Duels: Who to fucceed upon Fucntc^j Death in the. Government of Milan: The Duke of Savoy.V Son going into Spain upon Bo- villon^ Advice : The Pope afraid oflVar in Italy : Pope not pie a fed at the Birth of the JÙuke of Par- ma 5 Son, and why : Thoughts about the War that Henry the IV th intended : Military Preparatimi* in Italy: Venetian Courage abated. Letter L. Ambaffador Bar bari go1* Commenda- tion reinforced: The ill Will of Rome, to Venice: What would come of it, if there fJjould be a War be- tween them : Cardinal Bel lar mine'* Book of the Pope^s Power over Princes ; the Pretence of it, and the real Aim of it : The frange things that the Car- dinal fays in it, and the Confidence he ufes therein : Hem he came to think of Writing that Book : The Je- p.uts Pranks with the Bailiffs of Rome, and the Chowfe put upon them by the Chamber of Rome, a- bout a great Eft ate of a Bifhop left in Legacy to them: Their Sawcinefs in France: The Harlot* s Tricks with the Rcpublick : Tue My fi erics of the Je- fuits : The reft of de modo agendi fought for : A Copy of Richeomc'j Apology for the Jefuits, de- fired not in Lathi but French: [Tart of the mean* ing of which Rcqucfl appears to be this : The Divines at V( nice had quoted a Paflàge out of the Latin rranflation of that Apo\ogyy by Andrew e ; Ixmcvi The Contents yalaàcvo, a Jefok, as it was printed at Lyms.t i <5o<5. fhewing that Chut ch-men ought to be obe- dient to fecular Powers, not only quoad vim di- reclivam^ butalfo quoad vim coaclivam, &c. the Words J>eing thus, Chap. 34. Noftra Difciplina, Ffenrice, baud eft hie alia, quant quod ego f^efe mo- nu.i, and foon to — > Franco-runt Ecckfia vi demits *, proving by this ConcefTion of the Jefuit, that Churchmen were liable to the Puniihment of fe- cular Laws in cafe of Crimes cognizable there- by, as much as other Men. When the Divines had made Ufe of this Allegation in their Trea- tife about the interdici: -, out comes the angry Cardinal Beilarmine with his Anfwer to them, and charges them, that they had abufed good Father Richeome by a falfe Citation of him, and cunningly fhifts off* the Strefs of the Allegation, by recurring to another Place, where fome lika things were faid, which they tell him of after- wards handfomly and genteely. This PafTage made the Father (who had a Hand in that Trea-- tife) very loth to truft a Jefuit -s Tranflation of a Jefuitfs Book 5 and therefore he had a Mind to fee tht true Original as it was writ in French, All this is largely fet down in Father Fulgentws Book, with this Title, Confirmaùone delle Confi- aw anioni di Maeftro Paolo, Fen. 1606. $4g. 50%. See Richier Hift. Concil. lib. 4. p. 84. Edit. 1 6*8 1 .1 Concerning the Chamber of Meditations, full of horrible and frightful Devils painted., to bring up young Men io, de f per ate Attempts, by the Sight and Con- tempt of all thofe hideous shapes : The Italians not fit for fuch Contemplations and Refolutions : Who are the Jefuit she ft Cuftomers : The Duke of Feria-, the Germans ? the Hugonot$3 bound to take heed of them- f elyes* of the Letters. ixxxvii fdvesy becaufe the Jefuits watch for their Dcftrucii- on: Their Ali'twbly wiflicd for, anil the C ment of it: Of Fulgentio'i Atyuratwn: BeUar- mineV Book forbid rigoroufty, and the I Letter LI. Not yet dud's ùnte nd f° did learned Ifaac Cafaubon too, who in his Letters, at pag. 801, of the Hague Edition, An.Dom. 1538. has thefe Words about it ; Ego cade magni Me- cenati* mei itafum irritatus in illud uvc^iov oc^ijuctc, ut Partem maximam Pietatvs putem, Feritaxem in hoc Articulo profiteri. Si vis fcire caufam cadis Regia, lege Direclorium htcjuifitionvs, qua parte agi- tur de Suppliciìs Regum. Ab ilio Fonte ea cadet certo fcio. So did Richerius in his Apology for 'JoIjh Gerfon, printed at Ley den, An. Dom.1676. pag. 1 5, & 187. And as to the Age wherein the Author of that DirecJorium lived, who was Nic. Eymericus', there is a grofs Miftake in Filefacusy 3 Sorbon-Doàov, who fays, that he lived in 1 508,/ (for of the Letters. xcvii (io. fo we mull conclude from what lie tells us, fag. 780 of his Optra varia, printed at Parisy An.Dom. \6i\. in his Difcourfe De ihlulatrta magica, which he fays he wrote in ióo3. at pageq6o.) whereas they that give an Account of him, place the time of his Death about 1 393.. according to the Note in this Epiftle. See Ondi- ni Supplementum, pag. 666, &c. And therefore the time that he wrote this pernicious Book in, (which Oudin was fo filly as to call a ufeful Vo- lume for the Church) was when Popes took the whole Church for no more than a great School, and Kings for no more than the uppermoii Scho- lars of every Form, and the Emperor to be Cap- tain of the School, and thcmfelves to be Matters of that School, with a fwinging Rod at Com- mand, to chaftife either the Captain of the School, or any of the Heads of Forms, for not minding their Lellbns that the Matter hid fee them : Till Emperors and Kings made thefe Ma- tters know, th;-tt they were not what they took Chemfelves to be? but mere Pedants and Whip- tters that abufed their Power into down-right Tyranny and Umrpation.] What Nations have fufftred by that Rook : The Cafe cf the French Pro- t ejl ants, by 'having fo many Heads : Thoughts of the Englt/h and Spanifh Match, and the End that Spain purfued in k : Father Paul'* Thovghts about *be Hijiory of Pope Joan : The Sucecjfibn of popts frcved to be inUrrnpted by other Infiances. Letter LXXXllI. The Ftfetts of the Tumjil- a- faut Richiers'f Book : MonHeur Servine^ Freedom: fgainft the Jefwts likely to coft him his Place a: ^ouH : f&f Queen's "J f age of . the Proteflants-, and she Qvarr elt of ^reat Mtn. < • f Let xcviii The Contents Letter LXXXIV* Some fine Writing fent from Venice, that vs worth knowing : A Quarrel between Cardinal Cajetano and a Gentleman of the Houfeof Rangone, about providing againsl a Scarcity of Bread. Letter LXXXV. Direclions about a new Corre- fpondence ; The Characler of GufToni. Letter LXXXVI. Some Plotting at Cardinal Ft- ton's Houfe : The Notfe about Richiers'j Book, and the Good of it, if the Parliament would but interpofe : No Jefuits talked of in the Affairs of Germany : The Re a fon of which to be expelled afterward : What a fine thing it would be to fee the Emperor and the Pope parted. The PopeJs Incroachments upon the Em- peror : SoliersV Apology about to be fupprejfed for the Foolijhnefs of it : Monfteur Servine'* Speech : The Pope^s Indeavours of uniting the Houfe of Au- ilria : H'vs requiring the Court-Bifhops to go and re* fide upon their Seats : H'vs Nephew fhews him a Trick for that, but he fhews a worfe Trick to him that took his Bifhoprick off Us Hands : Cardinal Borromeo'* Editi againft Commerce withGrifons andSwiffers $ but the Magiflrates command the contrary. Letter LXXXVII. The Jefuits remember the Ve- netians (not in their Prayers, but) in their Ser- mons, and in ill Offices at Conftantinople : The fweetning Proceedings at Paris, a Sign of what : Of an Appeal about Richiers'* Book ; and if that fhould he hindred, he ought to defend it [_ which he did in his Demonilration of it.] The Divifions amongsl ProUftants in France : The befi way to heal them : Ca- of the Letters. xcix Càfaubon writing againjl Baronius : Du-V all'i Book againjl Richiers, a very idle one. What Ger- many wants to get it an beat : King James'* Powtr therein. The Judgment of Father Paul concerning Cafaubon'* Book againjl Pcron. Letter LXXXVIII. Some things concerning Eng- land, and a Proclamation of Pardon of Popijh Pr icfts : The Atls of Richiers^ Appeal feat the t- a- ther by Monfieur L'EfchafTier, Qthefe are not yet publilhed with his other Pieces:"] Sir Henry Wot- ton'j Embafty to Turin*, his Entertainment there : Conjeclures about his Bujinefs. King James might do fome Good abroad if he would. Good, if the League between Venice and the Grifons go on ; and thefe Jhould demand Liberty of Religion there. Letter LXXXIX. CujaciusV Book upon the Ca- non-Law received: Sir Henry Wotton'j Bujinefs at Turin : The Tricks of Rome : The Danger of the Di j cord among ft Prot eft ants in France : bather Paul faw what thefe things would come to, and what woo contriving in Holland upon the fame Difputc^ [and how finely the Papifts improved thofe Dif- putes in England, and to what purpofe, appears* by a Book with this Title, An Apology of Englijh Arminianifm, by O. M once of Oxford, Per- miffu Superiorum, 1634. and it was not for no- thing that the French King, who found the Swectnefs of thofe Quarrels in his own Country, had a Mind to let Holland have fome Part of the Diverfion, as appears by the 1 96th Letter in Camden's Epiftles.] The gredteft of the Spaivjh Intrigues in France, was to gst the Hugonots divi- ded. The Spanijh Ambajfador coinmanded in Poft- i 2 hale c The Contents baft* to Rome, to ajfift at the Choice of two Generals , {neither of Horfe nor Foot, but other Sorts of Souldi* m*3 Sir Henry Wotton'* Bufmefs again. The Jthtke of Parma makes work with h'vs Confpirators^ whofe Eftates were likely to fail to the Jefuits, who find out a rare way of fulfilling the Will of a Sicilian lately dead, and leaving them his Executors, tiU the Duke of Ofluna, upon the Complaint of the next Heir, looks into the Bufinefs, and fets a fmali Mif* take to rights. Letter XC The King of England'* Declaraiim again ft Priefts, a joyful thing to Father Paul j mdfa was the Mopes of uniting the French Proteftants. The Death of the Doge -, h'vs CharacJer : the manner bow he died : The Jefuits be flowing of his Sml : His Sue- ce (for. The Cafe of Venice by reafon of Priefts and Spaniards getting Grmnd by Inches at a time. The fefmts bufy drConftantiaople to prejudice the Vent* Uitfts. Letter XCI. A Scuffle between Tttfomy andSz* voj, which fbould get Prince Henry ; the firil for his Sifter**, and the Second for his Dauglntfs Huf- band: Intrigues at Rome about it: Father Paul'* wife Thought concerning it : 'The Duke of Parma'* Fears and Provifion for Danger : Spaniards glad if they could but fet the Turk and the Venetian together ky the Ears. A Venetian Sea-C 'aptain txcomtm- nira&d) and the Bijhap that did it called to account for it. Letter aCII. Things of Italy at the rtdr&e: The Folks very bufy at Rome to get Prince Henry #nd the great Dukes Sifter Pog^tkr^ m if K. Janie* had of the Letters* ci had nothing to do in that Motto: The Pope and the Rtpublick make a bard fhift to live quietly together '-, but both are wifer than to fall out : The new Emperor is for War with the Grand Signor ; The French Nun- cio takes good Care of the Paris- Printers. Letter XCIII. Mon/ieurDcLiSlcftudies toohard to be well : Cìreat Pains to ferve the Publicity when a Man hat not Strength fufficicnt for it, fruftrates the Defign. Henry the W/th of France did all he could to make the Proteflants diftruftful of each other, which made many good Deftgns mi J carry. The Vmon of Prote/lants promoted ; The French Kmg^s Declara- tion about them. A cunning Lie conveyed to Rome about King James V Inclination to Popery, and the Kingdom's longing to turn Roman-C atholiek : Some Trick at the Bottom of it. Some Officers of the Arch* Duke furprizj the Count of Veggia in the Venetian Territories. The Venetian Gallies commit Hofiilities thereupon : The Count rejlored. A new Plot againfl Father Paul. An Inquiry about the young King of France'* Capacity. The meaning of the Jefuits Qui* etnefs, and the Father's Wifh about their Dejigns. Letter XCIV. An Account of tk Politick Di- fpnte: The Confsdcrablcntfs of the Tranfaclions of the Council of Pifa [>vhich are in Richierfs IV th Hook of General Coioicils, printed Colon. itfSi, in 4°. See IValfh'i Letters, p. 268.] John Bur- clay9/ Book againft Bellarmino [the fame which he recanted/] The Jefuits Endeavours to be Ma- kers tf Europe, Richicrs'j Troubles. K. James'* Dcdaratton commended. Another Plot agatnsl Fa- ther Paul, which vexes the Republick : Hints of Fa* tber FauLj Relation of the Venetian Qnarrcl, f* rfc- £ii The Contents de-figned to be fent to Thuanus Qbut delivered to Sir : Henry Wotton, of whom Thuanus defires it, as the Father ordered him, who compofed that Re- lation by Thuanus's Advice : Concerning which fee Letter XCIX. amongft Camden's Epifiles, and Cafaubon's three hundredth Letter, pag. 355. of the 'Hague Edition -, and Colomefe\ Key to tbofe Letters, in pag. 166, of his Opufcula, printed at Utrecht, 1 66$r\ That Relation took up a Quire of Paper, [[and fo the other fore-mentioned Wri- tings of the Father's could not be that, but his Hifiory of the Council of Trent. "] The League be- tween Holland and Venice : The way to effe ft it : The Father in a Quondary about fomewhat or other, fit may be it was about his coming hither } of which fee Sir Thomas Pope-Blunfs Cenfura Scrip- torum, pag. 610.] The Ufcoques Incur/ton into the Venetian Territories : The Venetians Requital of them for it. Letter XCV. The Reunion of the Proteftants in France, and the Father's Fear of fome Trick to- wards, from their worldly Wifdom who hate them : The Opportunities of doing them ill turns , and by whom : King James'* Wifdom : LeidrefTer'* commended Piece : The Pifan Council kept from the Knowledg of Italians, though printed : John Barclay'* Preface commended £which was fpoiled by ano- ther Preface mentioned before.] Who wrote againfi Cafaubon'* Epifite *• The League with the States of Holland : The Pope's Char after : The Bu- finefs of Mulheim, and the Conferences of it : The Spaniards, how ferved in the Molucca Iflands : Of the Death of Doge Donato -, His Char after and Power :. His Succejfor, why not fo hmh againB Rome : of the Letters. ciii Rome. Falfe News about Defdigiiieres and the Duke of Rohan. The States of Holland, their Am- bajfador's Propofals to the Grand Signor about a War with the Pope, not liked in Italy. Pity that the Pia e againjl Cafaubon had not the Author's Name put t# fr, for the Stuff that 15 m it. Letter XCVI. An Account of John Barclay1* Book, De temporali poteitate Papae, [the Pretace of which the Father fpeaks of before] which is thorowly examined and cenfured, as alfo is that of the Politick Difpute. Abdar Chan a great Ara- bian Prince, brought Prifoner to Stambole. Letter XCVII. The Quarrels between the Subjecls of the Arch-Duke and the Venetians not yet quieted : The Dtfauiet given to the French Protectants. The Death of Monfieur Bongars. Why there was no Correfpondence yet with the States of Holland. The Death of Soiflons. Letter XCVIII. The Death of divers great Men in France, a Furtherance of the Spanifh Defigns : The League with Holland, and how to bring it about : The Death of the Prince of Wales, and the Father's Concernment for it : Why the Father did not diflike the Intrigues that were on foot, to get that fweet Prince married to a Popifh Lady ; His Death made for Spain again. Of the Demonftration of Richi- ers'-f Book. The Pope angry with the Republick, but durfi not come to open War with them, and why. Letter XCIX. The Arrival of the Spanifh Ga- leons with a vaft deal of Money, fome of which re- mitted into Flanders by the Genoefe Ships Qor f 4 Mer- CIV The CoNtENÌS Merchants.] The Fort of Mulheira, The Dif* cords of German Frinm. The Vtàe-rfiaxùAf^ not wry tight as to Matters of Religion, ffo Si* /hop of Bamberg, AnbAfpudor topmal> expellee inRome. ; Letter C. The Duke of Mantua's Death, and a Child of h'vsi leaving only a Daughter that might tàcafìóìi Difputes between the Ftdufes of. Savoy tond Mantua -, the formtY pretending U the Matquifat of Motìtferrat, upon for Account : The Difpmsfiated on father Side. Thè Empehr's fttobtoffador fret -end- ing to the ti$eS- Handof aH m Italy., met-Qpfofitim ftiil as he went, and therefore would not fo much as pafs through Florence y ¥ui Àt Róitìé wan- fain to take what CmtfVefies ike Ca^dmais they* Would allot» him, -who knew bem? things than to give up thwt Èvare. The Fallxr\ Defìre of kntmkglbwht mat* tè "with M P'ope in ttoe Émfèr&'s Nanfe if whttber m terms of Obedience and Fidelity, W vtberéifa. Thè means ufed of making up the Quarrel between the VmfiWs aftd the Jérch^kk^s StSSfèto. letter Gì. Signor Barbarigo goes Jmbaffadof toYi^tfr&mtbè&èfrtM. '■ ■ • Letter ai. IheBifbopof Bamberg gives mtthm ike Buffai fs he went toR&tòtàfooM, wmt^betòtìSe mghtiy 'of ifoe Empire -, but for all that^ wfetb term more tJ^fcvn$n\ ifewr ihofe vfeé *n Radtolph'* time i fffc Bufwtfs àbmt diffofmng the Ltngv* tf Hall.' The Jefuits get the Patriarch of Stambole to 'a!$fii)^ttMerefise Ttie'GHeks at tifo get lem de- pfed-, ànd épwiìtilHM^ tyace >,: they *mffiyth0\Viti to gdlth* &ctySe*> ' pukhre of the Letters. cv pulchrè from the Cordeliers. Wbat abundance of 'fine Preterices m it may be* was that about the Marks of Antichrift"] to be put up : King James' j Favour /hewn to the Duke of Savoy> and hi* Letter to hi* Daugijterthe Prince fs Maria, that u>a* talk? d of for a Wife for Print* Henry : Thai Duhe^s Embaffy t* King James, not at all liked at Rome. A Friar of Su Francis of Paula fmt by the Arch-Duke^s Anéajfador in England, to Rome* mho ha* cloft Dealings fit* the Jefuits then* When the Jefiuts are /ItH and hufhy it is for a grertter Noife after- wards. Letter GIV. T\x Pope confirms the Eleùn»* of :/tf uvw EmpevBK Sonte purl of the Tranfafihote he* t&en tin Pope and Ban] berg about this Matter made pub- evi The CofiTENts publick, the reft kept private. The Perfian Ambafa* dor's Departure from Conftantinople, with one of the Grand Signor9 s Mtnifters0 to fee the Confines of their Empires adjufted. The Grand Signer's fending Soul-- diers to the Frontiers of Perfia and Media, and his Declaration to go that way in Per fon, and Command to his Army to be. ready to attend him. Fear of hi* parching towards Moldavia, Walachia, &c.' Thoughts about the Emperor's War with him. [This Bifnop of Bamberg fpoken of in this Letter, was finely tamper'd with, to the Difhonour of his Imperial Mailer, by Michael Lonigus, Digeftcr of the Archives and Records of the Vatican Libra- ry, and thofe of St. Angela's Caftle -, as is plain by what this Perfon fays himfelf, in the Advice he gave to Pope Gregory XV. to get Maximilian the Duke of Bavaria, (that had juft before been put into the Palatinate) to make it his humble and moft dutiful Requeft to the Pope, to con- firm him in the Elcàoral Dignity -, for in that Advice (which was publifhed at Leyden, M DC XXIIL with Gerard John Vojfins's excellent Notes and Obfervations upon it) at pag. 26. we find how cunningly this Lonigus made ufe of fome old mufty Writings in St. Angelo\ Caftle, to wheedle in Bamberg with a Precedent of three hundred thirty four Years Handing, or there- abouts, into an Opinion that the Ele&ors had their Power of chufing the Emperor from the Pope and his See. Confuk the Quotation, and you will find more.] Letter CV. The Proteftant Differences compofedt And thofe of the Duke of Rohan. Becanus'j Book, '[which by thf Date of this Letter feems to he his Con- of the Letters* cvii Controvcrfia Anglicana, again ft Btfhop Andrews ? or his Diifidium Anglicanum , again ft Dean Tooker, Thompfon and Burnii] and Scioppius'* Ecclefiafticus, arc Stuff not fh for Sale at Venice. A crafty Lie fpread abroad, that tbofe Books were to be prohibited at Rome. ^However welcome this Sctoppius was to the Jefuits, for drawing in the fame Yoke with them, yet no body ought to be ignorant of the Account that he gives of them in his Infamia Famiani, printed at Sor a in Den- mark, MPCLVIII. beginning at page 1 37. not forgetting the Account of Ignatius Loyola, p. 76, &c3 The Accommodation of the Mantua Bufmefs : Quarrels about Jome Eftates in the Dio~ cefs of Afti. The Duke of Savoy'* Mmifltr Gallea- ni excommunicated thereupon by the Nuncio : Brisk Words about it from the Duke's Minifters. Talk about the Duke of Bovillon'j turning Papift. Of the Grand Signor, and the JanizMr-Aga, he at A- drianople, thvs at Philippopole. tears upon their Approach towards Christendom: What Provifton making againjl them. Letter CVI. He that would make uft of his Mind to any purpofe, mujl take Care of the Health of his Body. Talk of Difcmtents in England. The Em* peror demands AJfiflanc: of the Pope againft the Turks ; fo does the King of Poland : This frightens Rome } confidertng efpecially the Debts of the Polijh King. Rumours that the Great Turk favours the Protcjlant Religion in Hungary Qas he does all Re- ligions elfe, where he can but get to be Lord and Mailer-, for Religion is none of hisBufinefs, any more than it is fomc others.] Letter cviii The C onte nt t s i Letter CVII. Some Mifunderftanding between Monfieur Groiìot and Father Paul, indangcr'd by a Miftake of Dr. AflèHneau'j Cautions to that Gentle- man about correfyonding with feme Perfons not fit to be correfponded with : The true Rule in Correfpm- dence is the Affurance of the Petfon written to. The Father very tender in giving any Trouble to Monfieur Groflot £whofe Age and Infirmities, and great BufTnefs, made him peevifh and apt to be angry.] The Father glad at theVnity and Peace of the Pro- teftant Clmrches in France. The Cardinal of Man- tua made Duke. The Prince of Savoy gone in baft e M fetch his Sifter the Dutchefs Dowager of Mantua to Turin, from her Caftle of Goito. The Imperial Ambaffador, Bamberg, was treating at Rome about st League againft the Proteftants of Germany : but the Grand Signora March fpoils that Bufine ft far the prefent. No Fear yet of Candia, the Turkifh Fleet being inconfiderable y hut their Land-Forces exceffi :ue- fy great. Tilenus troublefonie* amongfh the Prote~ ft ants. The Fathers Advice to let him alone, repeat- ed, as every Innovation dies of it felf, where there is no Contraditlion or Oppofttion'made againsl it [I wifh old HMs had been ferved fa] The Buji- nefsof Richiers of more Moment than the Difpu* tacities of Tilenus : Richiers'f Defence of bis Book% prohibited. The Council of Bafd not efteemed at Ve- nice upon tke Account of old Inferefts. The little account t* be made of the Spanifl) Armado, upon the &wfe of tbèTurkifb Army, and the Power of Eng- land to defend it felf in Ireland and Virginia; Con* mwmce at the JefuH* in Engìall State of France : The Influence thereof on ei- ther States of Italy. The Auftnans furround the Dominions of Venice, and all other adjacent Parts but the Val-Teline : By whofc Fault all this was. The Diftreffes of Venice. The Duke of Savoy 'j Aj]i- ftance of that Republick. The Intrigues of Spain in all this. The Fault of England and Germany. lurhnotfo bad at the Spaniards. The Father loth to for et el the Iffuc of thefe Matters, upon the com- mon Vncertainty of Events. Letter CXV. The Char acler ofthoft Times : Who moft likely to proffer or be difcouraged m them. A- bout the Fathers Relation of the Venetian Contro- verfy with the Pope, committed to Bijhop Bedel. War makes as well as deflroys Souldiers. Count Dn Avergn'i Condefcenfion. The Pride of Italian Offi- cers, and the Evil of it. The Neck of Italy fafl in the Toke. Super 'ft it ions Oi\d debauched Men in Italy, and how they came to abound fo there. The War in Piedmont and Friuli, not the right one, to bring in the Reformation. God's time and way for that is beft. The two Monarchies that were then fetting up in Rome and Spain *, and how that Deftgn was to be daftid in Pieces. Letter CXVI. Difturbances in France : The means ufed to quell them. Reports of the Duke of Savoy. The Spanijh Deftgn in Italy : The Popi fa- vours it. Ihe Carriage of the Italian Princes to the King of Spain. Mutation of State7 and Mutation of Religion. Letter CXVII. Signor Angelo Contarini Am- laffador to France,* prudent and excellent Per] on, and a cxii The Conti^ts * Friend to Goodne fi and Vcrtue in Men of all Prof ejji- ens. the Father's Defire of a Corn fpondenee between him and Monfteur Groflot. Letter CXVIIf . Of Matters of Books and Let- ters: OfBzrcUj'sBook: OfCheifey-College, and the Deftgn of it \ and the Father's Wifh about it : two Jefuits defigned to read Popifh Divinity in it : Such a Deftgn at Rome, thought to be promoted ty Bellarmine, but prefently over-ruled by the wife Men there. Of Fronto Ductus, and the meaning of his declining the ufual Road of the Jefuits. Belfermine buzzing his Brains about K. James'* Pooh The true meaning of prohibiting PrMeftant Books at Rome» Tr asportation of Moors into Africa» Spanifhln- curfions into Beam, the Father's Thoughts of the compofing Affairs in Bohemia. The Duke of Wk- tembiirghV Marriage , and what the Merry-meeting at it might 'turn to. ijetter CXIX. The Oration at éeDukeof'HU wersV Funeral : Old Paiqtii»n'^ Toy about it. The Jefuits Tricks inoppofing the King of SpaifiV making feme of their. Society Bijnops, and the Fathers fmefting out their Deftgn therein. A Jefuit ami a Spaniard M one in Deftgn [however better the Spaniards are than Jefuits, and Turks than Spaniards, ,]] the RefcAution ■tf $x French Parliament in Matters Ecc'lpfiafticd. Something : Man- fteur RichiersV Confederations \ his Diftinclion : The Examination of hit Dottrine about Ecclcfiaft'nk and Civil Government : The Father's Ob] celi on s a- gainft it : The Corruptions of the Romifh Church about it : Bellarmine'j Fancy of a fecret Oath made to the Pope by all Kings, at the time of their Bap- tifm: another plainer Oath that quite fpoils that Fancy : The Church beft governed in Jnftinian7; time, when Popes were no more than what they ought to be now : The Father's learned Difcourfe about Power, and the Necejfity of having but one Head in any State : Hit Notion about the Kingdom of Heaven, and the Kings and Pricjls of it: The Church is always beft under the Crofs : Of Chrift's true Minifters : The Father minds Things mere than Words or Names : hit Submijfion of wi)at he writes to his Friend, and Defjre of knowing his Thoughts about thefe things. Toe Hiftory of the Pope's being called Vice-Dens [concerning which fee Bifhop Bedel V Letters to Waddcfworth, in the old and trueft Edition, at pag. 77. Dr. Donne in his Pfcudo-Martyr, and Mr. How el m his Letters^ do take great Notice cf the filthy and blaf- phemous "titles ufed formerly by fome Princes, and given to them by abominable Flattery: So doth Fi- lcfacus, a Sorbo n -DocJ or, in his Idololatria Poli- tica, amongsì his Opnfcula j but this laft Man doth bafily pafs by the wicked Titles they give the Pope } fuch as thefe that the Father cxpofes : Bof- quier in the Preface to his Philippics ufes a mode ft Word for the Pope, and calls him only Pfb^Pctrus, which is infinitely better (how falfe foever) than this Vice-Dens, or the Dominns Dens nofter, Pa- g ? pa, cxvi The Contents pa, in the old Editions of the Canon-Law in Folio.] Cottone Queftions [This Man vows Pimp, Con- jurer and Confeflbr to Henry the Fourth, as i% plain in Lucius'x Hiftoria Jefuitica, in divers ln^ fiances that the Index of that Book, under the Name of Petrus Gottonus, dir efts us to : and thatfhrèwd Man that penned the Myfterium Iniqukatis, in Anfwer to Cogmandolus, quoted in the Preface^ relates a firange Pajfage of bint, pag. 49. to this Purpofe, that be had once a very grave and feriows Difcourfe with the Devil, and astfd him abundance of Queftions -, as about Canonization, and which was the be ft Proof of Scripture for the Dottrine of Purgatory and Invocation of Saints ? Who thofe $ons of God were, that fell in love with the Daugh- ters of Men ? Who were the feven Spirits before the Tlorone of God? Which was the be ft way to convert Heretich ? When Calvin'* Herefy fhould be ex* tinguifhed? How the King and Queen of England might eafilieft be converted to thè Pope's Religion ? and how the whole Nation alfo, with theni, might be converted too ? The Author quotes no lefs a Man than Thuanus for this, to whom I muft refer the Rea* der, and leave him to the Freedom of his Judgment about thefe Matters. 2 The Hiftory of the Or der of the Servites: Barclay'* Commendation: Of the Vfc of the Word [Tower] in the Church, and the thing : Wloereabouts the Men of Rome had painted Father Paul and placed him, and for what Reafon : Offence of Men for oppofing their Opinions^ though never fo foolij?^ not to be regarded. This laji Letter does really contain many curi- ous things \ and therefore it made a great Naif e aitfongft the Papifis in Rome, becaufe then were of the Letters. cxvii ,i vajl Number of Copies of it fpread up and down the World ; and it was the fir ft that was ever pub- lished after the Death of Father Paul. Pope Ur- ban the Vlllth, who had no great Opinion of the Father for the Reafons above, having fome Notice of the Letters that were extant of his Writing ; and thai they were copied out by divers Hands, gdve Order to get a Copy of them for himfelf, which was foon done by the Means of a Venetian Prelate, that bore no great good Will to the Fathers Memory : As foon as ever they came to his Hands, and hi had read theni, anaobferved them, he tote this lofi Letter to Pieces with his own HandsJ and bnrm the Pieces of it by the Candle thai flood upon his Table , telling his M after of his Houfe, Difpofe of the reft as you plcafe. From whence * Ma* may gather , whether the Romanijìs believed Father Paul to be interefled with the Prottjlant Religion, or no, by all tfc other Letters, and particularly by this lajl. For my part, I meddle not with the Mat- ter. He that will underfland it foy let him jndg as he pkafes. [This is the Conclufion of the Italian Contenti; of the Letters, which were very imperftttly col- lecled, till I mended them ; and it may be, this Paf- fage will go near to make the Conjeclnre eafter, who it was that publif bed them."} id- ADVERTISEMENT THE Second Volume will confili of the Life of Father Paul, written by Father Fulgentio, with Notes upon many PafTages of it ; and a Treatife of the Interditt, written by Father Paul, and the other Dirines of Venice, in the time of the Controverfy between Pope Paul V, and the moft ferene Republick of Venice, never publifh- cd in Englifh before : Together with the Anfwer of John Mar [ilio, Father Paul, and Father Ful- genzio, to the Sentence of Excommunication, Ci- tation and Admonition, iflued out againft them. ADDENDA & EMENDANDA. REader, be pleafed to mend with your Pen thefe following Miftakes of the Printer, with fome others of theTranfla- tor, which he fufpecìs to be fo; and to take notice of fome few Additions necctfary to be obferved. Where you find Carrier or Carriers, make it Courier or CourU trs ; Mr. Alcaume is to be Mr. Aleaume j Mr. Craftint is put for Mr. Caftrine. In the firft Preface, Page 1 9. line 27. for ode read odes. P. 20. in Quotation, f. Fathers r. Father. P. 21. 1. 4 f.fecurer.fevfrr. P. 23. 1. ic. after manner put a Colon. P. 26. 1. 22. r. fait. P. 29. !. 21. r. Bureau. P. 31. I. 30. f. dedicated r. diclated. P. 37.1a Quotat. r. long after M.A. P. 41 . 1. ult. r. biftmtk. P. 48. J. 1 3. r. *x -rrftf <* K. James. P. $0. 1. ult. f. if r. though. P. 60. 1. ulc. r. give. P. 72. 1. 1. f. theitry r. every, In the Contents, thofe of the firft Letter belong to the fecond, and thofe of the fecond to the fh ft. P. 84. 1. 3. f. Marriage r. Murder. In the Book, P. 25. 1. antepenult, r. lingent. P. 28. 1. an- tcpenult. after as acid it P. 20. 1. 24. after wr add only. P. 32. I. 18. r. infinite. P. 33. 1. 29. t~. he being 0] their Order, it may be read for ought I know, How tHs comes to be. P. 44. 1. penult, r. the Capuane Father. P. 4 0. 1. 27. f. Courjellor r. Conjejfor. P. 7c. I. 26. r. Council of lex. P. 77. 1/3. r. jjta^t rh"- ther. P. 80. 1.8. f. Spectacles r. 7»*w. Ibid, in Quota c. r. wanted another fortoj Glafs. P. 93. 1. 26. f. and r. orft P. 103. 1. 4. f. eat r. bite at. P. 137. 1.9. r. Agreement. P.138. 1.2. r. \eepup. P.143. !. 1 8. make no Break. P. 147. 1. 2 2. r. imprudent. P. 1 $2. 1, ulc. r. brin^tbem, P. 162. on ti e laft three Lines take this Note: This ftjtws us that thofe Words in Page 159. If there mould be any War between us and their friends, and how v\c, &c. [which is exaclly agreeable to the Italian Copy] ought to be thus : — If there fhoitld be any War between you and their Fiiends, and how you would carry your [dies : noi being put jor voi. P. 166. L 2. f. be r.they. P. 176. 1. 19. r. we way maltf. Ibid. I. 22. r. condole with. P. 182. I. 19. r.witb a BnlTs Pi\\le: the Italian Word is Preftiere, it may be for Pefliere. P. 1 88. 1. 21. r. livre. P. 19c. 1. 8. r. Re- filution, they. P. 204. 1.2. r. Daupbiny, p. 21c. 1. 6. r. Defence, but not to help i im in the wronging of others. P. 2 1 8. 1. 1 3. r. Chap. IV. Jbid. 1. 28. r. I 508. P. 220. 1. 29. r. that was held. P. 226. J. antepenult, r. ;*>*Cafa Profeti* [_or that Coll tge of thtiis, wlidsi called the Giesù, where the oldtfied Jejuits Ihe, that haze pafitd the far Vowstj the Society.'] P. 237.!. 13. r.Cikntry. P. 238. 1. 28. I ADDENDA & EMEND AND A. I.a$.r.,i$«.& f.tip.l.y.f.wiibr.ivclt. Ibid. 1. i9, r. of Trent» P. 248.I. i.f.ontr.mc. r. 353.1. 15. uGonher. Ibid. 1. 24! f. 7W#tfr.7Ww» P..^!.2i^,*^rr.^w>r. P. 2?a. 1. „, ?tcpr thitià4?CQlmr F,*77-I. ;6 delc^Vfe. P. 289.]. 24. r..p(vfrs, P.292.}.|$.r. G/#w". P. jio. 1. 12.. r. k>r/, 4& P. 3 1 2. 1. 22. r. Jtotwfcy, f jf. P. 320. J. 25. r. Umibolkon. I *«. Jbid.l. j5»,r. Vu-VaWh. P. 339. I. 27. r. *>;*#. P. 350. li$.{.ii}jwr.in(lkri. P. 2,51. J. ig. r.Soifloiu. P.371. J. 31, r, Pbilippopoli. P. 373.I. 23. f. Argument r. Agreement. P. 37,5. add ax the bottom theie Words:—//** wdfiing deeply with the Points CQnttjbdbi Armings -, jte Considerations 0/ thfm coming 'nJ£i* 1612. P. 37?.}. in rhcTkJe, f.Canigar. Zmigt. P.379. . H, f. tor* r. few. P. 2,83,. I. 2 $. f. /w^ r. lowering. J>. 3 90. I. j 1 . f. Pr^l« r. p^'w^. P. 40 1 . the Date of Letter CX VI IL fhoujd be 1609, or 16 ic. but fo it is in the Italian Copy* P. 402. 1. 14- r. "Òkfiquw • pit P. 4°4-1- 13- f- *to r. Elogy. p.^)§.l. 21. fhe new AmVafadtr^ &c. By this Claufe it j$ plain that this Letter CX5£. was oneofrhofe the Fatfier wrote to Cdftrine b though it is not fo ipecified here ; for the eight following Lines are Quoted by Cardinal PalUiicino, as part of the Fathei's Letter to him, in his Introducilo* to the firft Tome $ the Date is exactly the fame in both ■> Caflrine being mentioned next to Cafaubon. This was one of the Lttttrs that Vbaldm intercepted, however it got here : it may be a Copy of it wa* procured afterwards by him that publifhed all the reft 3 and it may be it is the very Letter that the Father was fo vex'd at? as he Signifies in divers Letters here before this, relating to that very Perfon ; and the Conclufion of it fhews why. P.407. 1. 6. f. hflfcr r. luftily. Ibid. 1. 23. f. Notions r. Nations. P. 408, L 17. f. difplacing r. difp laying. P. 410. 1. 25. r. made them tbtm- i'l-jts. P. 415.1. 28. r. il I'm. ~— THE ( I ) T H E LETT JTI S O | Father PAUL of Venice. LETTER I. Honour abte 5 u i P*"~"g~^\Hf S Letter (hall begin with a piec€ of Advice to you } that you tÀkegopd had what you promife the fc Gentle- men concerning me, left you yoiii fclf be liable to fee it discharged ■ fui here, when you look upon me through the magni- fying Glafs of Love and Kindnefs \ I am afraid the Effects will not anfvver the Oj// wow that you have entertained of me, nor the Characler you have given of me to others. I have lately feen that you have made very great Promifes to this purpófe to M VEfchojjier, and luvc madeifcrt t tlcman write to me ; and I ftaf that by the Anfvrei I return him, lie will be dsfappoiyited of tin fetitatiom sfn tfhi< h He 1 2 The Letters of about me, upon your Report and account of me. And let this fuffice for the Advice. And now I come to anfwer your curious and bandfom Letter of the 6th of Auguft. My Condition and yours are much alike. There are frequent and earneft Endeavours nfed to rettore that Greatnefs to the place where it was before j nay rather, to fet it higher than ever it was *, and alfo there are means ufed from thence to effecì it. But neverthelefs, the Waters, which have been ruffled by a Tempeft, do Itili tumble and roul when the Storm is over. Between both Parties there pafs fome complimen- tai /hews of Friend/hip -, but now and then Qwhen the Nuncio is upon his Punttili■ Palli of Venice. L E T f E K It. Honourable Sir ; WE ufo to Pay in Italy , that be that com- mends a Mdn, is lomid t-> make goad that Character which he has 'given of him, as having igeii himfclf as Surety for him, in what he undertakes to fay of him, and to perform what he promifes for him. When I faw by Monfieur I? I Jlha/Jler^ Letters, that yon were pleafed to ipeak of me favourably ",and according to the great Good-Will wherewith yon honour me -, I told you, that you were concerned to look well to what you promife on my account \ that vs, to what you undertook to fay about my Ability Awà Knowledge that your Affcclion might not tranfport you far- ther in my Commendations than I delire it fhould. This was my truefenfe of the thing, and not any purpofc of inferring, that ) I promifed any- thing in my Name. I intreat you to think fo, to pcrfwadc Manficur VtfcViffier to think fo I added alio, that in c.!e you fhould ii.i ;. promiicd any thing in my 'Name, ( as I own your Authority and Command over me ) that I would look upon my felf as bound to keep you harmhfs for thvs only rcafon, and would do my bell to difthargi you without any more ado. which I do not write by way of Compliment \ but in meer and Reality. I humbly beg your f ardori, if my writing gaVcj'OH any trouble^ ór auv fiew VFfehaJfier. B s And 6 Th Letters of ^t •* And 11 rice I am fpeaking of Promifcs, it puts me in mind, that I am bound to give you fome account of the happy Efcape I had on the %tb of Oclober, when three BravcPs fet upon me behind and before in fuch a manner, that neither my Servant nor my Self were aware of them \ they gave me three Stabs, two in my Neck, and one in my Temples, all of them above four Fingers deep, with a StiUetto or Dagger, which they thought was poifotfd. It pleafed GW that all thtlVounds went flaming, fo that the Daggers run in all that way but little w*tò/w the Flefh, and I am how in no great danger \ which is a Blejfmg that I acknovv'ledg due only to the Mercy of God, who was pleafed to fliew me fuch a ftrange and fignal Deliverance. I make no doubt but they might have murdered me a thoufand times upon the place, if GocPs Proteclion had not prevented them -, He be for ever praifed for it. I ihould not be againfl dying for that Caufe, which thefe Men undertook to do me Mifchief for j nor am I much concerned that I was not hlPd, excepting that it hath pleafed the Divine Ma]efiy to let mzftill live and do further Service to that very Caufe. Signor Fof carini is gone, who,* I believe, will be arrived there before this Let- ter comes to hand, tho the Seafon doth but little favour his Journey. I am of the mind, that he will do much good amongft. you : yet ail my Confidence in him, is upon this Suppofition, that 6W will pieafe to awake the drowfy by his means, and to open the Eyes of the Blind, and to overthrow the bold Attempts of wicked Men } without which all Endeavours will fignify no- thing. .", . ; •<■ . « *> ■ There I Father Paul of Venice. 7 There was a talk here, that the Peace in the Low -Countries will be concluded, tho there is n^ News of any other thing in Agitation there to this prcfent time, but of a Confirmation of the Truce made by the King of Spain : a thing, which tho it looks like all m all, yet in the Manage- ment of the refi of the bufmefs, there may fo many crofs things fall in between, that it may be faid to be no more than a Cipher. Methinks there is nothing to be foreseen by Re j fon -, and upon the Plew that I have had of matters here, I am at a ft and, and become a meer Skeptick in Hu- rttan affairs. It did not look likely that things would be eaftly accommodated m7 but when they were once made up, who would not have ex- pected a perfect Agreement} And yet it may be we are in a worfe Condition now than we were when you were here \ and wife Men can make no Judgment where and bow thofe things will end, which we have before us. There is not a day partes but new Difgufts arife, and not one of the old ones heaPd. You would be amazed at things, if you were here. The Spaniards had never fewer Souldiers in Italy than now *, the other Princes are altogether difarmM. From Hungary there is Advice, that the Arch- Dukes have made a King there -, and that they are very bufy to get him fworn, and it is to be feared that this matter is of more Confequence than can be read in the out-fide of it: Yet I do not think that He which hath it in his Power to afliit that Kingdom, will be diverted from his other purpofes by his aflifting of it. But thefe arc things which are in Cod's hands to difpofe of. B 4 Con* S *fU Letters of I l unreining Matters of L>. : i,.-.; Ifyws here, except that ve are told that a Jeffli hath written a Piece to prove, that it & lawftjK nay, meritorious, for any one to kill, ty any way: he can, one who (lands ex communi rated by the J So that SyUa^s Profcription will come into fafhvm again. I heartily thank yon for the many 'curious Papers which you are providing for me \ as io the way of fending them hither, the little ones may be ealiiy inclofed in a Packet of Letters ; and about the reft there muff be fome other care taken, hecaufe at Trent, and fome ether Places of Stiria, they are very diligent to peep into all Boohs that are fent that vp'ay. By the next JDifpatch I will give you fome Advice of the way you ought to take m the conveyance of them : but for your Letters and [mailer Papers, you may pleafe to fend ihtui to my 'Lord Ambaffador Fofcarini, and then they are fafe. I have fpared to write to him this time, becaufe 1 do not know yet whether he be arrived :or no, to whom I intend for the furare to fendwhat I write to you. The rcafon for -'which' Monfit ur Cafaubon broke off from fi - niilìinii his Book, I believe, is no other but that which you fpeak or, . Thus things pafs through divers hands, and aie managed with divers, nay oppofite Defigns and purpofes. My delation about our own Affairs is « [ready done :, and I have nothing to hinder me from putting it cut, but communicating of it to Monfieur dc Frefnes, who, I believe,a will, do all he can to fyrtad' it abroad. ' But poliibly you may think that we are now at an end of our Controverfy ; I may fay that we are gotten a good way off from the beginning of Either Paul of Venice. p of it j tho Tome would be apt to fay othciwifa from the outward appearance of things j and iu may be, Report tells yon fo. I thank you fol- lile PragmAtick, and the lnfirucJi'#/ of each other, putting every one of them up- on the Difcov£vy of what is its own peculiar In- terefi, and little Regard of the Interefts of all the other fix: Whereupon, partly by the Seeds of Difcord that are fown amongft them \ and partly by the Points gained upon them, (not t,o fayjwr- chafed with Money of them) they are in a Condi- tion of being run down and overcome. The League made with them by the most Chriftian King, is a roint of Politicks that hath a great deal of authori- ty in it. H'vs Majefty of Great Britain^ Dellgns (he be- ing a very wife King) are not fo eaflly feen, There is a Book here, that comes out of h'vs Realm, which is commended for its too much Modefty. Laft Tuefday (I tell you tlm, becaufe we are now talking of England) the Earl of Tirone entred into Milfln with his Musketeers -, being met and entertained with a fingular Favour, becaufe (contrary to the Cufiom of that City) he was permitted to go in with Piftols and Muskets ready charged. 'Tis thought that he is for Rome out of hand^ and then we {hall have a fine Bufmefs Qwhen the Pope and he lay their Heads together. 2 We have no Advice here of any fuch huge Pre- parations of the Spaniards, as is talkM of yonder -, and truly I am of the mind, that they think themfelves loft, whenever they think of it -, and inthe.mean time turn their Defigns fomewhither clfe. And to tell you. what. I think of thvs World of ours-, it has been ftck a long time : .the Difeafe was lookM upon incurable ; then there followed fomething of a Cy$s, which made Men think it might Father Paul of Venice, i !| might a;,u,h\ t ho pbyficlam thought to cure it With good Kitthin-Pbyfick, and no dffe^ nor minding the Ride oi' Htypdctyfesj thai infimrBo- dies are the more bur't: the mart they are mutifhed. It thc^ood old Rule hdd been followed àtifcfc time, xdtlmdrtèm^ that daHg&otts Dtfèìijes tnufi dangerous Remedies , it may be it had been iwB before now. Qccafions are precipitous and fill! of Difficulties : we toltili not f j-':c wo- Jlfeafures from rf^ which are fdft'aiidgone. In the Parts which have been fo iong infirm, theDifeafe has got fuch footing, that it is be- come a mere Nature to them : The Neuters are ikk, and the good ones weakned 5 and a Man may fay, as the Poet in the Play, Health it felf can do no good upon tbvs Body. Yet I do not mean any thing of what may be in the fecret Counfel-; of God \ bui in the Eye of Reafon there is no Hopes. The Jefuits have had a general Congrega- tion in Rome, which kept them many Days \ and. there were vait Companies of them at it. I can not yet learn any of their Matters there debated : fo fecret ly did they manage them : To be furo there was fome Mifchief agitated In it, becaufc the lad Congregation they had before this, in the Year 1593, coil Iolanda great deal of Trou- ble, and Tranfilvania more:, and France it felf had a good luily fhare of it. I ihall think that one of their Points here, how to get among us again, which I have fomc Reafon to fear they will. My Relation is d but the times will not bear the publilhing of it, is 1 wnh they would, and fo it mull flay for a bcttei Opportunity. I have had many very •Oil! - 14 The Litters of courteous and very learned Letters from Mm* Jieur VEfchajfier. I am much obliged to you for bringing me ac- quainted with fo learned a Gentleman. I am forry lam no younger for his fake; for certainly if I were, I ihould not be able to keep from paffing the Alpes, that I might fee fo many brave Men as you have in France, face to face, and once in my Life behold a free Kingdom. Signor Malipiero and Sign. Molino do thankfully remember you, and take your Salutes to them as great Favours, returning their moll humble Ser- vice to you j fo does Father Fulgentto, and I my lelf above them all. LETTER IV. Concerning the Affairs of the World, though it may be you know them better than I can tell yotu In Germany, upon the Account of Do- nawert, there is the cloieft Intelligence poflible between the Princes of that State, and a good many of the Hans-towns. Arch- Duke Matthias is made Mafter of Hunga- ry, but he has nothing to fhew that he is King there, but the mere Title that he is fo : He is arming, and fo is the Emperor -, fo that 'tis to be fearM, that if the Commotion is not quickly quieted, there will foon enfile a Civil War, and a Breach in that Family. And now we which had our Eyes upon the Low -Countries, have turn- ed them upon Germany, as there is there Bulinefs of more Moment to look upon. I will tell you : this Father Paul of Venice. 15 this ette Particular : A PciTon (wlum you may eafily guefs at) being told that we muft leave (mall things and mind greater ones, as thofc of Hungary and Germany are, made Anfwer, * Thtre hfo little to lofv there. — We have nothing more to do, but to be of one Mind about Impiety and Cru- elty j and of thofc 1 will give you an Example that is not inferiour to the Gencrofity of the An- cients. Giampolat Bajja of Aleppo, who has for three Years been in Rebellion againit the Grand Signor, was routed by his Army a few Months fincej but not fo ruined, but he eafily recovered himfelf, and made head againfl the Emperor more than he had done before. Yet for all this, leaving Soria all on a fulden, he is gone in great halle to Constantinople ;, and without making any terms , has renar ed himfclf to the Grand Signor. Here's another Example like that of Croeola. I fhould be loth to end yet, but that I am fenfible, I have been too trouble fun to you already : And therefore here I conclude, befeeching the Lvrd God to fill yea with his Graces. Vtnict, April I, i6oS, LETTER V. *\ 'Here are Orders from Rome, to their A ftHi- -* fttrs inali Cities, that they take great Care to let no Both get out that is written againfl a.j- ronius : which is an Argument, that there they in- tend Tins tvjs tin lyo?t. 1 6 . The Letters of tend to lay the Foundation of their temporal Mo- narchy. I cannot yet free my felf of the Trouble and Grief I found at the firft hearing of your Iridif- pofltion, which being contracted through the ex- ceffive Cold of the laft Winter, fhould have been correciedby Nature the following Summer. If you fhould have come this way, as it was re- ported you would, I fhould have tried to per- fwade you to let Nature alone, and not meddle with Phyiick : and 1 fhould have had an unfpeaka- ble Satisfaction to have had an occailon of fee- ing and waiting on you, if it might have been for your good. I hope you will have no fuch Occafion to make life of thefe Baths, but that you will recover your Health without them 5 not forbearing to add this further, that whatever comes of it, "you rnuft not build much upon the Virtue of thefe Waters, which, it may be, are more valued there than here, as People ufe to magnify things that are a great way off from them. If you fhould, after all, come hither, I be- lieve you would pity our Miferies^ and this, lnore upon the Account that we have not ob- tained the End of our Hopes, than becaufe we are in any worfe Cafe than before : for things ire juft as you left them, without being worfe, but far from the Hopes of being better. Hers lies our Complaint, that humane Affairs can nei- ther flop nor get any Hopes of amending. There is, I may fay, a certain Fear of Evil j yet things which are yet to come, are in the Hand arid Difpo- fition of God j and the tenth part . of what is feared, doth not ufe to happerf* The Brag* of Father Paul of Venice. \y the Jefuits have as yet no other Foundation, but in the Scheme of their own Defigns. There hath been nothing as yet done in it -7 and according to the way of managing things here, it mull be a full Year before any thing can be. I dare not beftow the term of Impojfihk up- on any thing ? but if there be any tiling in reafo- nable Conjetiures, as I may fay, I mould be of your Mind in this Point, that there is no great matter to be feared from thence, and I mould be apt to give a little more Scope to my Credulity. But I cannot deny, that from this Place I am afraid of fomething elfe, and that they will not imitate the Fox in the Fable, that loir, his Tail. I imagine that thofe Fathers [of Loyola\ Gang] like wife Men, have their Heads at prefcnt more bufied about keeping what they have in Germany , than in n covering what they have lofi here. What they did conclude in their Congregati- on, is not poffible as yet to be learned, except one thing, which is not a good one by any means j and that is, that they have augmented their Ge- neral's Power, which is nothing elfe but a clofer Union of themfclves with the Court of Rome, and with one another. Thefe hit Months we have been troubled with fome offenfive Propofitions -, but at this time all is hftfh'd up, as if there had been never a Word fpoken. As for Matters which pals in other Places, which were little regarded when Men thought they would never go beyofid Hungary i, now they begin to make fonie more Account of them, feeing them get out of the Bounds of that Nation, and threaten far and wide; and ■ makes us deep more quietly. Thcn^h I are Q l 8 Tl:e Letters of this time fain to Hand idle, yet it is not through any Negligence : but becaufe unftafonabk Atting might deprive me of the means of atting upon a good Occafton *, and nothing would more expofc me to thofe Dangers, which make you fo kindly concerned for me, than doing any thing of my own Head, and without the Advice of others ? and fo giving a Colour to thofe that feek it, for perpetual Inventions and Plottings againft my Life. This I am fure they do, and I am parti- cularly advifed of it from many Hands :, and I do not altogether negleft my felf, but it never troubles the Eafe and Quiet of my Mind, leaving the reit to God. PofTibly there is nothing more needful, than to let the World know the plain Truth of things as theyhave.gone :, fince our Enemies, following the Cuftonj and Example of thofe which have been before them, have forged and printed falfe Accounts of them, but kept by them todifperfe in fitch Places as they think fit, and by little and little. Yet I mull adì here with Caution} and yet I believe the End will be, that it muft come out at laft. But hereof I mail give you a larger Ac- count hereafter. Monlieur Gillot hath done me the Favour of beftowing on me a Copy of his Collections concerning the Acls of the Council £of Trent S} which was very welcome to me; and I find therein many remarkable things. I thank'd him in a Letter of mine to him \ wherein I aifofent him a Copy of fome things which I my feif collected, as a.Tafte of many things more which I have about that Bufmefs, I pray, Sir, when you fee that Gentleman, be pkafed to fa- ' • lute Father Paul of Venice. 19 lute him with my humble Service, and tell him, that I am very mindful of him, and am at his Devotion. 1 have received the Rights of Precedence -, I have not yet read them, but I thank you for them -7 and fo I am greatly obliged to you further, for the Advice you give me of Monlieur L'ÉfcbaJJter, who appears to me the Learned'ir. Man in the Knowledg of the Church-Canons , that ever I knew. He hath written to me very learnedly and folidly -, and now he fends me a Difcourfe of his upon an Afoerfion cad upon him, which is a very learned and well-grounded Piece. 'Tis true, I have written to him with fome Freedom, and i'uch as I durit not trull an Italian with. For the future, I fhall make ufe of your Counfef, which 1 know by Experience to bed ifcreet and friendly. Signor Malipir, Sign. Fnlgentio} and Sign. Molino, fend you infinite Salutations : Sig- nor Molino is in great Expectation to fee Mon- iieurCafaubonh Polybius 5 and till he can do that, he isdeiirous to know what there will be in the Book-, whether i: will be (imply with Notes, lervingtoopen the Senfe of the Author, as thofe of Liffiui upon Tacitus -, or whether there will be bolides, any Military or Politick Difcourfcs in it : and he intreats you to inquire for him about thefe things, and write a Word or two about it. as written hither that Monlieur Cafaubon was upon adding the Piece that is wanting to his 1 • : ; Ut Liberiate BcckfiafiicL 1 cannot think fo, because it would occatioi Ùit frobibiting the Book ^ though on t'other iide, it may be, it would be opening a Paflàge to thole Coaiidcratioas, with fonie Per fons, which C 1 >VOv.ki io The Letter s of would never read them under their own proper Title. I am highly obliged to the Favour of the Preft- dent Tbuanus, for remembring me. I beg of you, Sir, to give him my hearty Thanks, and to intreat him to continue his Kindnefs, and ac- cept my Service. And then I muft fay, that 1 have a great Defire to do your felf fome Service, whofe Hands I humbly kifs. I gave the Letter to Monfieur Afclineau } if he pleafe to fend any by me, his Anfwer lhall be $ut up with this. Viviee, May 27, 1608. LETTER VI. SOrnc Days fince I had the little Book of the three Remonfi ranees, which Monfieur VEf chapt- er fent me, which fhews an extraordinary Elo- quence of the Author \ having by me two Co- pics of it : You your felf prefenting me now with another, I have given that which I had be- fore to Signor Molino. Some Days fmce I wrote you word, that I had found out a way of fend- ing hither any Book of bulk , and I have made, ail Appointments ready for fuch a Purpofe, which are neceiTary for fuch a Conveyance \ but this is no time to make ufe of them j consider- ing that upon a Sufpicion that the Plague is in fome Places, all Packs of Merchandife are fent to the Lazaretto, and there opened *, and if there be found any Books amongfc them, there is no petting them away without a Piece of Money, At this time thefe Paj>icoli0 or Pope- Adorers, are grown Father Paul of Venice^ 1 1 grown fo infoient, that one can hardly live a- mongft them. When there is any Occafion to make further life of the way I tell you, I will write to you, and be ready to receive your Favour. I have not feen any Man of this Age that hath written any thing which he could properly call his on-;/, except Vieta in France, and Gilbert [de magneti} in England. I have a great Value for Vieta\ things, as they do richly deferve it. I fee by the Catalogue that he gives us in fame of his Books which are printed, that he wrote many other cu- rious Speculations, whereof one there is (and it is a very good one) that is come to my Hands, inti- tuled, De cognizione t/Equationuxi j and I make great Account of it. If it mould lie in your Power to procure me any thing elfc of his, I mould take it as a very lingular Favour. I under/land that this great Wit was very expert at the way of writing by Cyphers : He mult needs have left fomething or other about it \ and if it mould prove fo, it mult needs be a very good thing. But why don't his Heirs publifh all that he left Ì In my Opinion they are bound to do fo upon two Accounts, i.e. the Honour of him that is dead, and the Benefit of thofe that are alive. Now at lad, after many Thoughts and Pur- poles that 1 have had about it, I am refolved to lend my Relation of thofe things which happened in our ( ;V [with the Pope'}, but it filili be put iato the Hands of my Lord Fofcifròtì, as 1 have undertaken to frniih the things long ago bc.i.n by me \ and ì intend to lend them quickly. We have News from all Parts of Stirs and "Troul ' : only is nil it i at home C :. % i The Letters of Tis thought here, that there is fome Catholt* con, gilded over, fpread in Holland. The Affairs of Germany , according to moll Mens Opinion, will be compofed. Yeti do not fee that their Quiet will lalt long. I am afraid, their Peace will be upon very ticklifh ttrmsy through the Diflrufr, and Jealoufy there is a* mongft themfelves \ and that it will turn to a greater Diforder than they are now in. We (unlefs it pleafe God that things go bet- ter with us) are not likely to get out of Expence and Trouble ; the Report being, that the Spani- ards have a Defign upon Albania. We ftill fee fome great Stirs in Ireland and Scotland, which foretel the great Mind and vaft Deftgns of him that is not afraid to venture upon all Proje&s at once. God grant that all may tend to the Increafe of his Church, and the Glory of his Divine Name. I pray write me fomewhat concerning Mon- fieur Dollot -, and remember me heartily to Mefil- eurs, Gillc/t, L'Efchaffier, and Cafaubon. And thus; I conclude, killing your and their Hands very humbly. Father Fulgcntio fends you infinite Sa~ lutes. Vt ice, June is, 160Z. LETTER VII. Iliad two Letters of yours in one Day : one da- ted on the 6th, and the other on the i qth ; the firft was given me by Monfieiir Affelineau, the 1 1 ir came under the Cover of my Lord AmbaJJador ÈofiarinPs Letters 1 often wrote to you theie laft Father Paul of Venice. 25 laft Months: but becauie I was not fo particular, as to tell you I expected your Aniwcrs, I dare not mi limit the Arrival of my 1 setters to you. And lince that, I have not forborn writing to you out of any Neglect, but for want of matter, without which I am fo dry and barren as to Writing, that I am often forced to be wanting indue Offices to my Friends and Patrons -, and at prefent I am forry that I am deprived of the Pleafure which I mould have in writing to you with my own Hand, as I life to do. I feel fome Pain again in my Jaw-bone, where I was hurt, which is very troublefom to me, and affects my Eye fo grievoufly, that I cannot fix it fo ffedfaiily upon any thing as I could before. The Conlideration you had with my LordAm- baffador, and the Difcourfe you gave me in your laft, are extreamly well grounded ^ and without doubtfucha Union would produce abundance of Reputation and Safety. But as I confefs the Ground and Reafon of the Difcourfe to be good, fo I look upon the putting of it into Practice, as impoflible, feeing it is lookM upon here for an undoubted Maxim} That Mm bad need take heed of all tbofe Actions, which are apt to make other Ml n jealous, who are more powerful than they. We arc rather rcfolved to die fuddenly, than be expofed to the Hazards of a Difeafe. Here goes an Opinion alio up and down thefc Countries, that the Peace of the States will cer- tainly be made; and that either before it, or after it, they will bcoutrdoae by the Tricks ot : irds', fo that they (hall have the Domi- nion onl in fhew ^ n;n/, tint their Foi es fh : 1 : 1 init their Enemies, bui 3- C 4 liiUl 24 7/;e LETtERS of gainfl their Neighbours \ which I look upon as, 4no very unlikely thing, feeing the ill Seeds that have been fown amongft them this Year fpring up already j and as I value the Strength of that People, as it deferves to be, fo I take their Go- vernment to be full of Imperfections. At the Beginning of the Auftriart Stirs, many had a Suspicion, that there might be a fecret Corre- fpondence amongft them, to opprefs fomebody elfe : it was believed afterwards that it would turn to a Change of the Emperor into an Abbot. And then again it was judged to be a Confpiracy of the whole Houfe of Auftria, and one Stranger* Prince more, againft his Imperial Majefty. Now certain Advice being come that things are com- pofed, I know not what to fay more but this, that we do now injoy fo peaceable a time, that there is nothing big enough to fet us together by the Ears : Whereupon the Pope knew very well what he faid, when he laid, There is nothing there to lofe. Concerning the great Preparations for Sea, which are making in Spain and at Naples, there are various Opinions. Some will have it, that it is for a Defcent upon Albania *, others in fotne Place of Africa j others in Greece. Certain it is, that the Fleet carries Arms for 20000 Men, and all manner of Materials for Forts : A Man would think, upon the Reafon of the aforefaid Refolution, to make no War upon any Account whatfoever, that all this huge Bufile will come to jufl nothing after all. You advife metobe- fHr my feif, for the great Opinion that fome have of me . by the Management of Matters, which are pafi, which makes them over-value Father Paul of Venice. 15 me, and think a poor ftjort Dram as ponderous as a Vaknt : but J mule delire you to think well of it, and mark it chfcly, that there are many things which arc called good by us, as they are under Confident ton, but when they conic to Fratiice and Execution, are really evil for want of Opportunity, which is the only thing that makes Actions good. It would be a very good thing to beftir one's {elf in the Service of God, without any other Refpeci, if all Circumftanccs fhould agree fork: but if this mould be done unfeafonably, it would not deferve the Title of Good -, but rather might be a Prejudice to that, which being acted feafonably in future times, might produce fome goodEffdi. I am apt to think that rivtas Har- momcon Ccelefie, is fome Doctrine about the Signs and Conftellations ', in which fort of Learning I know that Gentleman was exceedingly well versM, and upon that Account I long to fee it ; and it it fhould not exceed the Bignefs of fuch Packets as the Carriers carry, my Lord Ambailà- dor will do me the Favour to fend it to me. If it fhould be too big to fend fo, it may be fent any other way, becaufc it can meet with no Hin- drance : but for the fending ether forts of Books, I think Monfieur Dollot\ way is be/1 ; becaufe in Zurich or Coir, or in fome other Place of the Fal-Ttlme, there may be fomebody to keep them ly him, till an Opportunity of further Convey- ance} conlidering, that if they fhould get to Bergamo, you would not think how watchful they are there (as they have been for about a Year) that m good Book come thither. Firft, there are Spies in all Places from w hence they can come ; then in l(\rv.g and frmt the Searchers ore as fly as can . Ar.(! aó The Letters of And then in the Country of the Grifons, the Spier are as bufy at their Trade, as it is polfible for fuch Sharks to be \ and in all the Cities of this State they are doubly diligent- I am afraid that by little and little we fhall lofe that Entrance into Liberty, which God opened for us. I have heard, with great Regret, how it came to pafsthat we had not Monfieur Cafaubotfs Book compleat, and with greater , that he has been no more looked upon than he is, which is a thing I did not know till now. Concerning this, I have fpoken of him to Him who ought to know it, and I believe he will have fome Recompence made him. In the mean time, I befeech you to give that Gentleman notice, in as hàndfome a way as you can, that as things are in other Republicks, fo they are here -, Men have various Affedtions and Interefls } and upon the account of their Liberty, there is a Boldnefs alio in their Minifters, of executing Publick Orders but juft as they pleafe -, and this is the reafon of that Unthankfulnefs and Incivility which has been fhewed him, for ftaiiding up in the Defence of their Caufe. I muft tell you a piece of News withal ; A Friar of the Order of St. Dominic, which you call Jacobites in France, by Name Friar Thomas Caraffa, undertook lately in Rome to defend 500 Tbe/es, dedicated to the Pope, and that's enough to tell you what kind of Thefes they were. But in the Front of his Book he has put the Pope's Picture finely engraven, with divers Imprefles and Motto's taken out of the holy Scripture \ as in particular thefe, Inimici ejus t err am tin*, gent. Regnum ejus Regnum omnium Seculorum. On the fides of this Picture there are two Trophies \ oa Father Paul of Venice. 27 on the right-hand the Trophy hath an Imperial Crown, and underneath two Regal Crowns, and under them two Coronets, and then the Cornet of the Duke of Venice, with many Scepters cut in divers parts of the Trophy. On the left fide another Trophy hath thcTurbantsof the Sultan and Sophi, and fonie other Eaikrn-faf]. ion Caps, and the Czar's Cap of State after all, with Se- mitcrs and other Arms of thofe Princes, with an Infcription at the bottom of the Picture, made up of thefc Numerical Words } P AV LO QVlNTO VlCE-DEO, REI - PV B L IC*A: CHRISTIANS MONARCHY IN- VITISSIMO, PONTIFICIA OMNI- POTENT^ CONSERVATORI ACERRIMO. Which I was the willinger to tell you, upon a belief that you will be pleafed with it, when you fee by it how mightily the Church is thriven in Grcatnefs. And fo 1 fhall conclude, begging of you that I may frill have the lame place in your Favour, which you have given me, and be •thought worthy of your Commands. If Monfieur Bellot be in Paris , I defire you would give him my belt Refpecis, and tell him that I have received his Letter, and anfvver'd it by the fame way it came. Signor Malizerò and Father Fulgentio do humbly kits your Hands, The inclofcd Letter is Sigriwr Mol'nvPs. /'t//v, July 8, 1608, LETTER il 7 be Letters of LETTER VIII. I Find fo much plea&re in reading your Letters5 that they ever feem fhort to me } and I beg of you the continuance of your Favour in writing often to me j efpecially when it may be with your Convenience. You would not imagine hov* narrowly we are watched by thofe that are fo deeply in love with our Liberty, not only by their Spies at home, but by open Guards and Watches in the Countries round about us. In In f {rug and Trent they are as vigilant and careful that no Books be brought hither, as Art and Money can make them. In Bergamo, Verona and Venice it felf, they have the rarefi Spies to obferve and watch to whom Packets are fent that ever were. Thefe things don't difpleafe me, knowing that a jealous Lover always gets himfelf Hatred, and at lalt makes his Miftrefs fhake him off. I have read already .Pafquttrh Catechifm, I have perufed the Review of the Council £of Treni] and the Bureau, and the Atts [ of the Council. ] If there be any other Book about this Subject amongft ye, I fliould bs glad to fee it; for I have written lbmething of it my felf, more than all this, as 1 have made Collections from other Memoirs, which I have met with in thefe parts. Tho it fhould be fome time before I can fee the Harmonicon Ccelefte ; yet, as is a thing that I great- ly value, it (hall be never the lefs welcome, come wh^n. it will *, and I fhall be much obliged to you for Father Paul of Venice. 29 tor your care in fending it \ but upon this con- dition, that you do not give your felf nor any body elfe any Trouble or Inconvenience about it. \i there (hould be any other Book that you have a mind I fhould fee, tho it be a great one, I fhould defire you to look it over, and fee whe- ther it would countervail the Charges of fending it, and then it may be fent by ten Sheets at a time in a Packet of Letters-, and it will be the belt way Hill to fend me word before-hand of the Name of it, that we may not be at all this Trou- ble and Charge for a Book that I may have feen and read before. I can fcarce believe but that Monfieur Vieta hath left fomething about writing by Cyphers ; and if any fuch thing come to your hands, I fhould be very glad to fee it. Monilcur Akaume was recommended to me by Marmo Gbetaldi^ a Gentleman of Ragufa, and a judicious Man :, and ever fince that, I have had a good Eltecm and Value for him, as your good Friend } and therefore I defire you to take fome occafion to let him know how much I honour him, and to offa him my humble Service, and to acquaint him that 1 fhould take it as an Honour to receive his Commands. Sometime before the Affairs and Occurrences of the World invited me to thofe Confidcrations ( as Matters of ferious Study, and not meer Pafs- times ) which you few me ingaged in, all my Fleafure lay in the ftudy of Philofophy and Ma- thematicks -, and 1 took a particular fancy to ft Books, who, amongft his other curious Difcor.rfes, has written one De Cogmtioiic ^£qua- thmtm^ whiib ^ not vet printed ^ it came to me by 3 o The L e i t e r s 0/ by the means of Signor Ghctaldi, fpoken of be- fore } and it gave me occafion at that time to ex^ ercife my felf in that part of Mathematicks, and in my mind I have found out fomething concern- ing that Subjedt. At prefent I have laid it all afide, not only becaufe I have fomewhat elfe to employ my felf with, which is of more moment, but becaufe I have not Ghetaldi\ Company, which made me a clofe Student of it. Now it is determined that my Relation mould get abroad, I am now reviewing it in order to get it copied, and I will write to my Lord Am- baifador about it *, fo that you will foon have what you delire. As for what concerns the Affairs of the World, 1 fee great Troubles, which ncverthelefs, through the Mercy of God* will all end in Peace. We have feen (and we mull confefs it ) fuch ftrange Controverfies and Wrangles compofed, as at other times have em- broiPd the whole World. This laft about the Emperor makes me amazed, if it do not prove in Conference like a Pile of Barricades. This Republick is not at great Expence and Wafte by arming every Year, but receives ano- ther Damage, and it may be a greater, by the Corfairs of Sicily, and other parts, which ply about us for thefame purpofe -, and yet there are thofe that are not at all troubled at this to fee us thus exhauited ^ and if they can but fleep in a whole Shin at prefent, let the future Jhift for it fiff- I make no Queilion but what you fay is true, Thar all Fear brings the Evils which we feared. I know that any Paflkxn when it is immoderate, rims Father Paul of Venice. 3 1 runs after that which fhuns it, and fecks to get at a diftance from that which it ought to purfuc , but I hold this for truth, that ours is not Feary but as jours is, a Complacency in each others Wills. " The Sum that Toledo mull pay is great, pro- vided he fpend nothing of Savoy there, and break to pieces a good part of France. It has been believed here for fome time, that the Stirs in Ireland will turn to a general Rebel- lion -, but I have ever fmiled at it, to think that the Head being gone, the Members mould ever venture upon fuch a Matter. The Affairs of the World are not fo eafily untwilled. I am greatly pleafed at the Undertaking of Monfieur Gillot, to (hew the Liberty of the Church, I will not fay the Gallican, but the Universal Church , and it may be God intends in th'vs Age, by a fweeter method than that which was tried the laft Age, to put down Ty- ranny. There was then an endeavour to lay a Foundation for this, but the Work was not finifhed: Who knows but th3t the beginning now to cover that, as is at pre lent a doing, there may be fome- thing made of it ? If God blefles the Work, there- is hopes of it. Signor Biondi brought me a Letter without any Name to it, which I am apt to think came from Monfieur Cafaubon, to whom I write about it by this very Carrier. I think I wrote to you by my laft, an account of the proud Inferi pt ion, which fhews the fulfilling of Prophecies, Menino of this place made fi r It an * Epigram upon it, which you lhall bave here- * Which, ic may be, was one of tliofc ac che end of chefe Later*. 3 1 77* Letters of herewith in his own words. At my Requeft he altered the manner of it, and made it as yon fee in the fecond Copy : I fend you both of them. But he would have things taken as he means them, and that they fnould go no further. He is very earneft that Monfieur Cafaubon would finifh his Book concerning Liberty -, but I will fay withal, that when he has done fo, he muft be fure to make room for it that People may read it, which is all in all. It has been told me, and written to me too, that Monfiur Pithou lias writ- ten a very pretty Traci: upon the occafion of our Controverfies ; if you could but get a fight of it, and let me know the Argument he proceeds upon, and give me fome general Idea of the Difcourfe, I fhould take it for a great Favour. Signor Malipero and Father Fulgent io fend you infinites Salutes *, and I kifs your Hands, praying God that I may do fomething to ferve you. Vmay July 22, 1608. LETTER IX. I Am often afraid that I am troublefome to you with my long Letters ; and if you did not incourage me in. your Anfwers to go on, I jhould not adventure to do it. That I may have fomething to write thisboutr I herewith fend you Signor Alen\no\ Ode, which I thought worth feeing. As for News, I will tell you th'vs, That John Franci* Sagredo, a Noble- man of this State, hath made a f leaf ant Book upon the Jefimr, having counterfeited the Name Father Paul of Venice. 3 5 Of a Gentlewoman, a rich Widow; and making u 3 it he had taken abundance of thofc wife Fathers i MtXttlyteffonfivt to her, full of their Dottrine and Tricks, fometimes upon apretence of her (belting from them a Refolution of her Doubts and Scruples \ fometimes asking their Counfei how to make bet laft Will and Teflament, and divers other Devices : and the Intrigue is made to laft four Months to- gether with Letters to and fro twice a week; for fo often they go from hence to Ferrara. The Gentleman at rirft makes uie of one of thofe Women, whom we call here Chietina , that is, Votareffes of the Jefuits, but one that was really un-Chietincd {J. e. a Woman that trpon the difcovery of their Tricks, was refolved Jo fhew them one] by the means of whom he betrayed fomeof thofe good Fathers Friends here, that did them the Office of fending their Letters. This Gentleman laft Saturday being to go away, ( as he went for Sorta to be Con fui there ) we met, a few of «3, the day before, to dine with him at ins Houfc, where Signor Menino made this Ode to barcad. As for things abroad, they make me aftonifhed more and more, and thofe that relate to Mat-- tìnse e facially. J make no doubt but the Pope and he know each others Minds well -, and that the King of Spain and the Jefuits know all their Minds as well as they do themflvts, he being of their Order: the thing that makes me fay this is, becaufe Matthtas hath granted LiUrty of Re* Ugkn in sluflria and Moravia , where the Emfet \t had taken ir away. This is paft my cunning to apprehend; lam not able to Tee to the bottom of this A f\ fiery. But there i* with Mattbia 1 D j } 4 T/:e Letters 0/ young Hungarian Nobleman that is well known, vvhofe Name is Setfchj wlio was the Setter-on of JiotskPs Rebellion, and afterwards he Jlruck in with the Emperor, and now is alfo one of Mat- thia&H Court* I am not without fome thoughts that the Foxes are at prefent in the wrong road for Prey. That Toledo comes to cozen and trapan, is like him \ and at this time, it may be, he will cozen thofe that have a mind to be fo ferved. Concerning the Affairs of the States of Hol~ land, I am not Diviner good enough to make any good and fure Prcgnoftication, when I confider that they have entred into League with England, purfuant to the Peace of made to the contrary. It would be convenient, one would think, to debate what was fit to be done, by a courfe of War, and not a courfe of Peace. Nor do we know what to think will become of the Spanifh Fleet, they fpread divers forts of News and Advices to amufe the World: hi- therto they have made a fine pece of work of ity by occaiioning the Bifiop of Coron to be impaled for have a Stake driven through his Body] by the Turks in the Mcrca, and fome others with him, for being fufpe&ed to keep /km Correfpon- dence with the Spaniards. I am of the mind that all their Enterprises will be no better. Mon~ fieur AffelhuaiCì Indifpoiition mult needs have been inconilderable, becaufe I have Hill feen him, and never knew but that he was well ^ he lias now told ine, that for three days he has found himfcif out of order. I am extreamlv delighted that \ oil arc in iuch Uria Friendfhip with Monfieu*. ^ Akoume, Enher Paul of Venice." jj Akaume, hoping that by your means I may alio get acquainted with him, as I heartily vvifli yotf would bring me. We undcrfland here that the Princes of Gi rma- ny are met in divers places :, but we can't learn the bottom of it 5 for here we make no ghat ac- count of the affairs of that Empire : but I fot my own part, do think them of very great Confe- quence : I wifh I could have fomc account of them. I know that you by Monjieur Bongar*s means, may get to the Quintejfence of them : I beg of you fonie Information about them. We have no other News from Rome, but of the Im- prisonment of two principal Barons there -, which, 'tis thought, will end more in the Chaftifcment of their Purfes, than of their Perfons. The Republick at this time has no Quarrel with that Court. Things are in great Quictnefs, God grant they may be as much forgotten \ but this 1 doubt of. We don't yet know how welcome Monjieur de Breves is at that Court -, but thte we know, that the Spaniards are more in favour there than they have been, and, ^0 far as we can ima- gine, they are to be lliil in more. I am (till defirous to do fomething that may be acceptable to von, whofe Hands I ki& I mult teil you (which I had almoft forgot) (TOH fliall haw: ray Rt I at ion quickly, which is t thin I thought it would have been. Pray jive my Imrabkft Service to Prciident Timanus^ tell him, th.it my Deliberation about fending it, makes no alteration of me. And if yen chance to light upon AfcJficurs,Gillot, UEfi Sajfief anil Cafaubjit, remember me rrioft refpc&fully to fchflni va • 1; . ?. \j ■ LET T E 11 $6 The Letters of LETTER X. I Don't think that any of your Letters have mifcarried, or any of mine : Yet however» for divers good Reafons I fhall do for the future as Merchants do, yi ft ill mention my loft, as I write more, and alfo fpecify the Date of Yours, as they come to hand. My laft was by the Carrier^ who parted hence on the fifth initant -, and yours which I had laft, and which I now anfwer^ was dated July 28. from which I perceive that you think us to be juit as we were when you came hither; but 'tis a miftake, we are changed, like the Moon : thofe which were then awake, arc now afleep -, and dreaming that there is nothing to hurt them, lay afide all manner of Care for their Security. No body minds what Effects the prefent Maxims, by which things are managed, may have hereafter, fo as they do but ferve to keep them idle and quiet at prefent. There is no doubt but we fliould be glad of a greater Security than we have at prefent, pro- vided it would be unattended with Fears and Jealoulies \ but I am not fore, but that if it ihould come eafily^ it might be rejecled goder the Name of Novelty. In fhort, we live here by llxamfks, not by Reafon. The Spaniard hath now been quiet in Italy ma- ny Years -, if he can but bold it for the time to come, there's the Queftion \ and 'tis very like- ly that he will ad as he has a&ed, and then 'tis alfa Father Paul of Venice. 37 alfo probable that he may fee another State of things: Everybody v/ill believe as their Fain v leads them : wc, as we are tdightity addicted to Thoughts of Peace, flop our Belief here. I have a very honourable Opinion of the States [of Holland'} and of our own Worth: but I am nevcrthelefs afraid, that the Tricks and the U- nity of their Enemies may bring them into an ill Condition: and I cannot place fo much Confi- dence in their Neighbours, as is fufticicnt to conn- terballance thefe Fears : yet all are not of this Mind, becaufe things at a Diilance look fmallcr than they are. The Advices you fend to Signor Molino, and thofe you write to me about Don Pedro dì Toledo, avQjuilfuch as come from thence to others -, and they all make it plain, that their Tricks arc very well underftood. Yet for all this, I believe he hath other Bud- nefs writh the King, and much more with other Men : nor can I think, but that where they have fuch expert Maflers of their Art, as the Jefuits are, they will get fomethingby itatlail. 'Tis true, God makes the Wifdom of this World Foolifhnefs fometimes^ but we do not know whether this be the time ofbiiCounfeltó Ihew it fo or no. The Spanifh Fleet, which is indeed llrong, hath kept us, and Hill keeps us fufpicious : thcic was a Report here about a Month ago, that it was to fail to Arrachia, as you fay, and there WefC fiwnc Vellels, to give a Colour to this Re- port, that were lent Welhvard : But on t orhcr fjde, thofe Ships which have the Ammaniti ti aboard, the Weapons and fnftrtirhents forfo* - tifuation, arcgoiicEailerly. i) 3 < 3 8 Tte Letijers 0/ I dare not pofitively affirm any thing -, but I am apt to believe, that they are not bound for Arachia^ but another Place that is worfe for us, if their Defign mould take : but therefore I believe it will all come to nothing. From Bohe- mia and Hungary we are told, that things there are not fo quiet as they lookM : They are cer- tainly railing Horfe and Foot for the Emperor. Matthias in Hungary is not quite fo very happy as it was thought he would be. Every body fuf- pecls, but I do certainly believe, that all this Stir is not without fome Jefuits at the bottom of it -, and becaufe they do not yet appear openly upon the Stage, I am of the Mind that we are not yet near the latt Acl, but only at the beginning of the Play. The EmbafTador Molino is at Prague, and there he will flay, though the Emperor doth not like this very mil. The German Princes are often to- gether, but p heir main Bufinefs is not yet difco- vered. The World at this time is fo very peace- able, that if I mould fee mo Armies in Battalia, jufl going to ingage, with their Pikes in Pojlure, and their Guns cock'd, 1 fhould think they would both retreat for all this, and march home again* ^vithout linking a Stroke. We have fee 11 fo great Occafions of War pafl over, and ending in Peace, that we are forced to believe there can be no Breach made, but upon a mere Surfeit of Peace. I have fhey/ed Monfieur AjTclineauthe Copy of my Relation, that he may a'tfure you in what Condition it is. Signor Mali- pier, and Father Fulgentio do return you their hearty Service. I mufl tell you once more, that pother Fulgentio, the Cordelier, who fparcd not Father Paul of Venice. 39 to rebuke the Vices of the Roman Court, as you know, and hath been peiTecutcd by them for two Years together, is at lalt wheedled by them, and gone away from hence privily the 8*0 Inftant, to- wards Rome, where he will quickly be j and I will foon lay Hands on the fir ay d Sheep, a:; 1 make a Beaft of him quickly. Infhort^ he was wrought upon by Doxblom of Spain, which he fingerti abundance of: jndg you then what Temptation thof: Pcrfonsarc able to reliit, which have broke through the Pover-y, the Nakednefs and the Contempt of the Wurld. Believe it, Sir, there are a World of Hypocrites in Italy : and never wonder, as you do in your Letter, that they fhut their Eyes againlt the Light, who fhut them againft Truth, and open them again at their worldly Intereits-, and when they teemed to fee lead, had an Eye Itili at the Roman Project, and thought to catch us all, one after another : they think to get me too alive or dead -, but they mult ask God leave before they can make away with me-, audit may be, I mall do them more Mifchief when I am dead, than I can dowhilit lam alive. I underitand that thofe of the Order [_oi Loyo- la'] will have a Congregation, when they fee it time. I mould be glad to know their Bulinefs. So concluding here, but continuing my belt Re- fj>c:ts to you, I kifs your Hands, intreating yon to preient my humblclt Services to my good Is, V\'t\Az\\tThuanus,Mtj[ienr$,Cnliot, and D + LETTER £3 40 7 be Let Te r s of LETTER XL Since you intend to fend me fome of thofe fine Tracts which are come out amongft you, I fhould think it bell to fend me notice beforehand, what you defign for me, that it may not prove fomething that I have already -, nor you be put to a new and great Trouble to no purpofe. I make no quellion but that the clofe Siege that our Friends lay to all PafTages, that nothing may get hither, is a fort of Slavery to m, and Imperiouf- nefs in them : but we are blind, nay, we will not fee, though it be for our good io to do. If our Friends can but tell what ufe to make of this Pa- tience of ours, they will conquer us with a witnefs. Their Work is, to do things flowly and gently, by a little at a time, that we may be rid upon without feeling any great Weight or Pain, They are wifely aware of their former untoward Pro- ceeding, having laid the Blame of it upon the People. They have been thefe ten Months ma- naging their Matters dexteroufly} and here's rfe Mifchicf of it. Ever fince it was underitood, that the Spanifh Fleet was faflPd to the Weil- ward, we have been fofecure, that we fhall take a good Nap now for a long time. God grant that fome great Danger or other do not catch us napping. The Tower which you fay you hope to fee fall, is not in my opinion bat- tered rightly ; it is (hot at, at too great a Di- Iiance, and the Bullets are weakned before they come at it. There father Paul of Veaice, 4 1 There fhoukl be another Tower baile by it, toannoy it the ealilicr, which would be no dim- cult Matter to raifc, if the Workmen, which take fo much ineffectual Pains at a Di fiance, would but make their Approaches nearer it : but thefc things mult be left to God, without vviiofc Afliltanccall our Endeavours are infignificant. I have ever wondred at the Politicks of the Jefuits, and their Maxims in keeping their Se- crets: 'tis a ftrange thing that they have their Conftitutions printed \ and yet 'tis not poilible to get a Copy of them: I do not mean their Rules, which were printed in Lyons [in the Year 1607] for thofc are childifh things; but the Laws of their Government, which they keep fo clofe to themfelves. There are fan cut, and there go out of their So;iety, many àmofigft them daily, with great Difguft \ and yet for all this, there is no getting any Knovviedg of their Tricks *TÀ Artifices. 1 have fecn, and have now by me, in Pafqutcr\ Rcfearches, the Speeches made by him lìnee the Year 1564. but thoie arc too near the founding of the Order \ they have otberguefs Myfte- ries, &nd greater ones nw-a-days than they had then. There are not Co many Men again in the whole World, which do fo unanimoufly agree in one and the fame Defign, and manage their Buimeis fo cxaclly, and fhew more Boldntfs and /^/ for the accomplifning of it, as they arc. I fnonld think it a great Point gained, to JeaTIi the Secret of their Government, and discover their Tricks and Politick Devices, to be aWc to r>; ;■'•/;. them. The Attempt that von intend to make for getting the in 4i The Letters of in the Year 1 594, would be fome Advantage ; but it would be more, if you could any ways learn from fome caft-off Difciple of theirs, lomething of their Secrets. We believe the fame tiling here that you do there , concerning the Embafly of Don Fedro, that it is managed by them \ and for a long time together we have fmelt out the true Delign of it. Although the Peace of the Low-Countries feerm to be their chief Aim, yet i believe it is not -, it may be it may be made ufe of for a flatting Horfe ; but there mult needs be fomewhat more in it than No body doubts but that the Commotions in Bo- hemia are managed by them, though they do not yet play above-board -, nor is their main Bufinefs found out. 1 look for it, that time will quickly fhow fome huge Defign a-foot ', and whether this be to break their own Necks or other Folks, God only can tell. 1 have feen a Letter that came from thence, wherein 'tis faid, that Father Cotton fhall have the chief Care in the bringing up of the Dauphin : I can hardly believe it, yet fometimes God doth really blind thofe who will not open their Eyes. 1 have underitood lately that a certain Englifh Jefuit, who left the Society, and went home to live in his own Country, wrote a Book with this Title, De modo agendi Jefuit arum : again! c which thofe of the Society wrote an Apology, which I have feen -, but 1 could never yet lay Eye on the Book againfl which this Apology was pennM. I am alfo informed, that one Elias HafenmuU lef, which was before a Jefuit, is gotten into Zu- rich, and J'.as written a Bock concerning their Arts Father P 44 1be Letters of To tell you fomething that runs- in my Mind about Toledo's Embafly : His Protefts made to the King feem to me to be very important. I do not know how \m moft Chriftian Majefty may be in- clined j but he muft be very patient to bear them. But if he offered to treat of the Marri- age u^ovl thofe Conditions which the King would have j they appear to me jujl like their Terms of Peace with the Hollanders, which were upon the Conditions that they themf elves would have ; the whole Negotiation ending in a Resolution to have all things done after their own way. I am greatly in love with D^AngePs little Book, for the Anti- quity of it, I thought that Father Maffonwzs dead : I fhould be glad to know from whence he has all thofe Books that he puts out -, and to have a little Account of the true Qualities of this gal- lant Man, for I do not ufe to give much Credit to a Report that comes a great way off : thofe Letters and Baroniush Friend/hip are to me a Prejudice of fonie Weight and Moment againft him. I would gladly know whether the Parliament of Provence hath any Jurifdi&ion over Avignon and the County of Vannes \ and whether the King hath any Acknowledgment or Superiority in thofe Places. I cannot underftand how the Contrail between the Pope and the Queen of Naples was made, fo as to exclude the King. I know that the People of Anjou got Provence by a Marriage with Spain ; but I think (and I do not know that I am out in fo thinking) that the Spaniards alfò held Provence with Subjection to the Crown of France. Father Capuccino of Joiofa keeps here \ whe^ ther for Good or Hurt I cannot iay ; and he is to return Father Paul of Venice. 45 return yonder, as far as 1 underttand. rhe Churchmen are fo often up with the Council, that I tear they will one time or other get it \_in liere.3 The Clergy have fpoken of it : I expect the Nuncio will fpeak of it, and then Toledo. I hear that thofe of the Order [of Jcfuits'} will have a Congregation fliortly at Orleans , which will be near you : where you will have a fair Op - fortunity of learning what their Bufinefs is. The German Princes are entring into Leagues together as hard as they can drive j and this is a» thing that doth mightily difgruntle the Pope. 'Tis thought here that the Affairs of the Em- pire go fo, that the Emperor will neither fub- mit, nor (hall be acknowledged as Emperor \ that Matthias ihall not be crowned King j and that every one will do what he lifts. I have gi- ven Moniicur Afielineau his Letter, and imparted to him what you write tome. Here's Advice come from Genoa, and 'tis be- lieved to be true, that all the State's Ships are arretted in S$ain, which is a thing that I can't tell what to make of, that King having agreed with them to give them fix Months Notice, and Warning before-hand, in cafe lie fhould have no Mind to let them trade in his Dominions : God grant that the Affairs of thofe States do not tum- ble down and break to Pieces, as I fear they will, unlefs hitmofl Cbriftian MajeJIy do fupport their, for from England there is not much to be ex- pected. But I mutt be no longer troublefom to yoo; and fo 1 conclude here, humbly killing your Hands. rW.7, Srpr. 2. i&f LI 1 IT. R 4 to you, he will be the: e \ and there- fore 48 The Letters of fore I fend back the Letter to you. I am un- fpeakably obliged to Monlleur Alcaume^ for offer- ing me fo great a Favour : I beg of you to thank him heartily in my Name -, and to tell him, that he may be fureof me whenever 1 can do him any Service. At the End of your Letter you enter upon Excufes of your felf to me, which I ought to make rather of my felf to you, becaufe I itili write my Mind to you, without taking any great notice what it is I write j jufl as if 1 were fpeaking to you by word of Mouth : but this is my way, becaufe familiar Letters of one Friend to another, are immediate Dictates of one's Mind, without any manner of Affectati- on. You have already heard of the Father FuU gentio, the Francifcan, his Departure hence \ and how he has been courted at Rome. I confefs I underftand not their Politicks : It may be they may have Reafon for what they do, but I cannot fee whereabouts it lies. Signor Maliper, and Signor Molino and Father Mailer Fulgentio, re- turn you their humbleil Services \ and I with them kifs your Hands. Ver.ice3 Sept. 1 5, 1608. LETTER XIII. MY laft to you was on the \6tb inftant *, and now I have one of yours of the gth. The News about the Propoials made by thofe Spani fh Minifrefs, (in the number of whom 1 put the Nuncio) tho it looks ridiculous at thefirft fight, as YOU Father Paul of Venice. 49 you arc pleafed to hint to me 5 yet when the thing is well thought upon, it is not ib> becaufc it fhows whereabouts they intend to be. Thcfe Men never [peak at firft what they think ; but, as ia making of a Pope, they never put up him firft, that they would have to be the Man, but fotne- body elfe to be a Stale ; fo in thefe Propofals of State, 1 fee very well what the fecond \vi\\ be, and what they will try to bring the King to agree to at lafl. Things are in that condition, that 'tis not pofjible they mould Hold fo long, but there mull necelfarily follow, either a great and manifell Breach, or a good and lincere Underffonding be- tween the Parties. God grant it may be this laft. If there be fuch infolent Words fpoken to the King, and fo little Modeily ufed to him in treat- ing with him, the ifliie of it mult needs be fuch as isufual, viz* either to own them for Mailers, and hearken to them as Governours, (for that's *he thing they pretend to ) or elfe to make them know what they are Q and keep their dillance:] I am full of fufpicion, becaufe (unlefs I am greatly millakcn) the greatnefsof the Danger is not fufficicntly look d into, as it delervès to be, A Fortnight ago, a Couniellor was lent pack- ing out of this State, for denying to admit a Gentleman to the Sacrament who had Quii Book in his keeping ^written in the'Vind tion of the Rights of the Reppblick.] Here- upon the Nuncio hath made Complaint- and 1 l.i cats, whii h yon may eaiily guefs at. Di\ èn fuch things as thefe happen, as Humour' lit- rrcafe 7 yet nobod\ 1 as. he ought to Fff, th*t 5 o The Letters of that they will at laft ripen into a dangerous Impofthume. As for the going off" of Friar Fulgenti^ I do not look upon it with refpect to the Qualities of the Man, ( for fo we have no reafon to be troubled at it ) but becaufe upon conllderation of Parti- culars I am afraid there is fornething in it of more Confequence than we can eafily fee. He went hence with the Nuncio's fafe Conduct, he went through the Patrimony of the Church, and was met and congratulated by the way -, and when he got to Rome, the Pope afTigned him publick Main- tenance for himfelf and. three Servants. He has had kind and long Audiences from His Holinefs \ and particularly about a Fortnight fmce, he was two full hours with the Pope, the General of the Jefuits being fain to dance Attendance without Doors with great Impatience, that fuch a Friar as he fhould be caWd in before him, and that ht fhould be made to wait fo long, that ufed to be heard before the greateft Prelate of Court. Friar Fulgentio writes word to his Friends here, that he fhall quickly come back to Venice. All thofe Men that flood up fo ftoutly for the Pope in the late Quarrel, are very uneafy and down in the Mouth, and grumble fearfully to fee themfeives neglecied and flighted, and an Enemy made much of. Wife Men cannot but think that this will be a Provocation to every body to be fparing in their Services of the Pope, lince the Man (that was otherwife a Perfon of r.o Account in the World ) hath got fo much Favour only for being a Sinner againft the Pope. 1 Hand in admiration of this great Novelty, that in former times the great 'Prelates, and the greater Father Paul of Venice. 5 1 greater Princes and Emperors thcmfelves have not had the Honour of coming into the Pope's Prcfence, without flrange, nay, moil bafe and abject hnmblings of thcmfelves, and that this Friar has been introduced to it with Bravery and Triumph. What will come of this, Time will mew j but it may pojjibly be feen hereafter, that be that is believed infallible by fomc, may be miftaken in thw particular alfo. Monfieur Pithous Alteration of his Mind car- ries a more decent Proposal in it, yet there is fometbing in it that looks like the fame purpofe he had before j for without all doubt, he that mould be deCrcd to have his Book, mult think of returning imre than nicer Verbal Thanks for requital of it. And 1 doubt that in fuch an oc- calion, it would be a greater matter to get fuch a Reqmjl made, than to get 500 Ducats paid him :, and therefore it will be fo much the harder to bring that Requeit about, as it will be neceflàry after all to fee him paid the Money \ and io a down-right Bargain, without any other Engage- fmnt, would be the belt way for him. I have •fo great a mind to fee that excellent Piece of \m, that 1 will do all I can fa* him, tho there be but little hopes of it. Th'j you fhould not be at Paris, yet in cafe it be no trouble to you, and there be any fafe from thence to your Habitation ; I dull i writing to you, for the Fkafcre fake 1 hare in talking at this dill nice with you. D) me only this favour, to advife me who ( m 1 , I .etters to at Paris, which 1 ihail to you. [ imderftand that rh:re | :'.■■. 1 idi . i vv#jiid ■ £ 2 1/ 5 1 7he L E T T ekso/ ly know what kind of thing it is, and whether it be worth one's fight, becaufe if it defends him in matter of Rights and goes about to fhow, that he did well £ in his bloody Attempt upon the King], the very Wickednefs of the Book would make it worth feeing, efpecially if it come from the Jefuits -? if it only defends him in matter of Fad , that is, goes about to mow that he is not to be blamed for the thing imputed to him, I do not value it a farthing. You may be always ve- ry fure, that all the Advices you fend me fhali be kept fecref, and whatever it be that you write to me about, and when the thing is to be imparted to any one, it ihall certainly be done j but I will never mention your Name upon any account whatfoever. And thus I have this very day thought it fea- fonable to acquaint a great Perfon with that Pro- pofal, which you call ridiculous, and I crafty, but I have done it without telling from whence I had it. Concerning the Low -Countries, I hold the Opi- nion ftifiy, that there v/ill be no Peace -, and I fee that you did precifely fore-tell the iflue of Things juil as they have happen'd : and fo I delire too that there may be as little Truce as there is likelihood of Peace -, but this I doubt much of, by reafon of the earneft Endeavours that pannino ufes. This would not be the firfb time that an Ora- tor in a feigned Speech mould really perfwade thofe that hear him, tho he mould not like it when he has done. We have Intelligence alfo, that the Legate will quickly be in Italy, and leave Germany. This, it Father Paul of Venice. 5} it maybe, will be the firfl Roman Legat/hip that this Age hath feen to be to no purfofe. The Stirs in Auftria are very great ; thole of the Augufbm ConfeJJion refolving to have their Chunks free. It feems that the Barons of Nether Auftrta are united together clofely ; and thofe of the Higher Aujlria have made themfelves Mafurs of ZJntz.. Some arc afraid that Arch- Duke jifatthiafs Pro- jedt will be juft fitch another as that he had in Brabant. In Italy things are very /?///, except that 'tis laid, that the Pope is proceeding againll many of the Roman Barons, one of the chiefeii of them being in Pnfon, and in no finali danger of his Life. The rvith-drarving alfo of Cardinal Aldobrandi- no y which Hill continues, gives the Court fo.nc thoughts, which is not fo well fatUficd that things have gone on at this rate. There arc Troubles every where. and//// at this time as is pollible, they make no manner of motion yet to get in hither again ; but fa much the more likelihood there is that they are at work yrivily , and will all at once try to thriiit themfelves into Venice again. For this rcafon 'tis good to be provided for them, and to fee that our Defence may be ltronger than their attack. I milt in none but God: If it pleafe hvs Majcfly to keep vm Plague at a diilance from us, I do not care what ever elfe I have to fear. I gave yours to Monfieur Adeline '£u, who com- municated to me the Contents of it, which I hold for true and undoubted , it may be it may pleafe God that the evil intentions of our Ene- mies may come to nothing. Altho the Affairs of Germany arc kept yet in much Regularity, yet there is fuch diiturbancc in them as will give one great thoughts about them. The Truce with the States of Holland we look upon as out of doors \ they mult bring things ove:" again, which 1 have no reafon to be glad at as a piece of Service to us \ this being no Re- medy to our Evil, but only a l)cla\ of it, and a greater Advantage to our Enemies. is never good for us, a little I would do htttet \ yci: not fo much, of it 1 i^ «hpve our /toitfUjjrJ/, which is much impared, uid more for v. am c a 6\ I 1 V f6 7 be Letters of Ways to exercife our felves in. An Alami would do us good, but not the noife of a Carton^ that would deafen us : and I dare fay, that if we were but wakened and roufed up a little, we might hear the Culver ins without any Annoyance to our hearing. We honourably got out of the Snares that were once laid for us -, and I fhould hold it for a certain truth, that we fhould be better governed yet, if we were not faft afleep. One thing there is that troubles me, that I do not fee there has been any good ufe made of the Light that God hath (hewed us in any thing, which may be to his Glory -, and therefore I am afraid that we are provoking his Difpleafure and Anger. The Advice that the Stew Bongars fends of the Affairs of Germany, agrees with thofe which we have from other Parts -, they all fpeak of Motions, but irregular ones. Yet fuch is the Cuftom of every Nation, when it gets out of a long State of Idlenefs. I believe the prefent Summer will not be over before we (hall get this Good by it, to have the PafTages clear, and that we (hall not be fo (hut up by the Houfe of Auftria as we are now >, and fo we may have bigger Parfels brought hither than a Carrier can carry. Yet for all this there being fome difficulty in the way, I muft intreat you to fend me notice firft, that you may not trouble your felf about a thing that may as well be had here. My Relation is not fent by my Lord Ambaflàdor C ornar o in England, becaufe Signor Dom'mico Mo- lino, who is very accurate in thefe things, has fome Particulars to tell u<, which I had thrown by as of no moment, which he fays, do make ' ! * much Father Paul of Venice. 57 much for the Ornament of the Hiilory, and the Satisfaction of Readers. When it fhali be fent to Ambalfador Fofca- Ww, he (hall have notice to deliver it all to you j and there fhall be no fail of this, tho you (hould be at your Caftle,where,tho you will be free from a Multitude, yet you will be in bettei Company of your Thoughts and Books :, and then 1 know you will find fomewhat or other to tell us that is ufefui to us. 1 cannot get rid of my Fears, that the At- tempt formerly made by us, will end in our greater Bondage, as it happens to Slaves, which being once got away, and then lighting into their Patrons hands again, do but feel the grcatcr Severity. I have only this to ballance my Ap- prehenlions, the thought that all is to pafs through the Hands of God's Providence and Difpolition :, and that if kkeep us, in vain will all Endeavours be to overthrow us, by his Blcliing upon our own Endeavours. I have entertained you, you fee, with Impertinences, and fo 'tis high time to leave off further writing, without leaving offany thing of my Refpcc'h and Service : and befeeching God to increate his Graces upon you, I kifs your Hand. Vtmce, Oftob. 13, 1 5. 3. LETTER XV. YOur Letters of 1 lie 2%tb of September (raid in / er with all the oti . . and 5 8 The Letters of and publick, and arrived here not till the pf^in- ftant, to my great difliking, finding my felf thereby deprived of the Pleafure and Benefit which I have from all your Confederations. The Packet dire&ed to Monfieur Afjelineau hath been retarded by the fame means, but 'tis now come well-conditioned, and I have delivered it to him. My defire of penetrating a little in- to the Jefuits Secrets, is no Curiofity or Vanity in me, but the moft ufeful, nay, the moll ne- ceflary Defign which I can at this time go upon. I fore-fee, nay, I fee at hand, the Snares that they are laying *, and I am afraid that we ourfelves at lait fhall fight for them againft our felws -, and therefore 'tis no more than fitting,to provide for a Foreign and Civil War at once, with fome hopes that an early Diligence may befriend us. You do fairly and reafonably condemn our ( you call it Patience, but I ) Negligence, which is like to bring us into a State, which I doubt you would condemn much more, if you were nearer us to fee it. I don't value all our other Enemies a ftraw, in comparifon of thefe, be- caufe they are the moft united, the molt con- itant, the boldeft, the flyeft and mod inraged Enemies we have. The Court of Rome is not fo united, but that finds it felf bufinefs in things of Ambition and Pleafures j but thefe Men laying afide the thoughts of any thing that is little or good, do mind nothing but plotting of Mifchief. It would be happy for us, that they would but do things openly, to awaken us -, but they are wifer than fo, and know that this would be to do us a Kindnefs. The fafe Conduit that you fpeak of, was feen and confidered, and efteemed as it ought Fttthcr Paul of Venice. 59 ought to be, and divers Difcourfes there were upon it , thcCounfel taken about it, palled ac- cording to Cufrom in former times. The Mif- chicf is, that it will all be forgotten, and will never be added to the reft of the Infolences which that Man does daily. Father Fulgent ws marching off was indeed no publick Offence, becaufe he was no Servant of the Publick, had no Salary, no particular Pro- tection, but juft according to the Law made in general, that all Churchmen who did not obferve the Interdici Jhould have the Prince'' s Proteo! ion. Much lefs had he any Secret communicated to him } or was his Judgment asked about any : he preached, as he did, of his own free Will : and therefore 1 fee no reafon we have to complain of his going away. So that really it is no wrong to the Rcpublick, except that it was defigned to wrong it, and is Itili fo look'd upon. There was mighty doings at Rome at his firlt going thither \ but now things are grown cool, either becaufe the Men there do find him to be a filly Fellow, as indeed he is, or elfe becaufe they defigned from the very prfty that the Matter fhould go as it doth go. rf'is commonly thought, that he will have a Reward of his Service to them, by living not fo long as he might have done in PtHke. They have lately commanded, that Father Ali- chart y,:ti, who was Guide to thofe that ilabb'd ine, to be gone from Rome \ and at ancona they have clapp'd up in jail Parafio, another oi them, that ' Jail once before. I know not what to make of thev Myftertes, b v make roc look we felf, more to out of. ! 6o 7k Letters of make of my felf. Whereas * you make a Que- ftion whether I believe what you told me a while a-go } I do believe it, and think it too true. The Court of Rome, and the Head of it, do not forget that we would not acknowledg his Omnipotence, which is the highefl Sin that can be committed againit them -, and therefore they do fo long for Pvevenge, that they would fain be at the old Game again : and to bring this about, they will fpare no Pains or Trouble :, but for all that, if God be againft them, they labour in vain, and bufy their Heads to no purpofe. The Spaniards play their Parts well ; for it is not their Interefl to make any Stirs in Italy, where, by reafon of the Peace, they are continual- ly purchafing without any Danger -0 and if there fhould be War there, they would be in Danger of lofing all again. Since we know more cer- tainly how things have been carried, we know alfo what it is they would be at. I would to God they would do us no more Hurt by Peace than they can by War. We do not indeed know your Qounfels and Proje&s fo well, neither can we imagine what's the meaning of the great Favour that is fhewn the Jeiuits, or of the great Pains taken to bring about the Truce in Holland. 1 believe that no body ever drank fuch a luily Draught of the De- fign before : I am almofl of the Mind that 'tis all * There is fomething Ufi out in the Italian Copy here that di- ffurbs the Senfe of the Claufs. The Words are thus, Cmt vofifa Signori* dubita^ ctf Jo lafcì darmi da Ili poro tempo fa ; Jo li miiì et li Ungo pet certi. Out of which Words I can pick no ctha Senfe than what i have interpreted them in. Pktther Paul of Venice. 61 all drunk up , and that not through Ignorance of what they (wallowed, as many did, nor thrc Weakness of Brain, but by deliberate and fober good Will. God ftper -intends over all Coun- sels: I greatly truft in hisGoodncfs.. that lie that is in any Error, is merely abufed into it. As to my own Particular, I know that 'tis not plcaiing to God to makeufeof a time or occa- iionthatisunfeafcnable. 1 do not fhun fhewing my felf every Day more ready and more pre- pared, it 1 could but get a favourable and fair occallon of interpoline my Endeavours. 1 am like an Artificer, who going to work, in due time, finds his .Materials come fhort that he is to work upon \ and if he cannot get more, he muft make what he has to ferve fomewhat clic. In fonie things I can proceed on my own Head ; in other, where 1 have molt need, I am fain to go to Benefactors \ as it happens to you juft fo in th ! B finefs of the Jefbits -, wherein that Scottfh Gentleman that you write to me of, mult needs be very knowing, lìnee he has made it his Bufi- nefs to inquire narrowly into all their Intrigues. I mould be very thankful for fometriing of them, ii could procure me never fo little; asalfo for any thing of him who wrote, De modo agni- di, év. which I have a great fancy for, upon the •\ on p.t of the Anftm that the Jeftits have re- turned to it, as beii at which (hews the Beaft by his ( I J to you for bringing me ac- quainted : from whom 1 have had two 1 ette h fpeak hidi to ' compie I in fljoi I in 1 r for your ; I e fuch Qualiti would indeai a 6i Tl?e Letters of And now coming back again to the Jefuits, I hold it for very certain, as you fay, that they are the Engineers in the Difturbances of Germany ; but becaufe I don't fee them at work openly with their Swords by their fides, as they did in the Affairs of France, I am perfwaded that the Bu- jinefs is not yet got fo high as they thought to raife it -, but that 'tis no more yet than a bafe Praludium to the Trial of Skill that is to be be- tween brave old Gladiators. Thefe good Fathers are building a ftately Col- lege in a little ugly Place called Cafiiglione, in the Territory of Mantua, dillant equally from Brefcia and Verona 20 Miles. The whole Place has not fo many Inhabitants as they are making Chambers in it -, and they take the Confidence to give out, but under-hand, that it fhall be for the Seculars of Brefcia and Verona. The Fabrick goes on with fuch Speed, as if it were to be a Citadel that look'd for a Siege : the reii: 1 leave you to guefs at. What will become of things here, I cannot forefee \ I will only tell you, that a Difcovery being made, that fome of Trivigia were to go to their College at Parma, a Command hath been i filled out to all that have Eltates, that they ihould not go out of the Dominions erf the Republick, upon any Account of Study. We are getting out of Hypocrify. As for Avignon, that which I know of it is this, that the laft Earl of Provence, of the Spa- nifh Race, having no Children but Daughters, married the Eidefc to S. Lewis the Ninth, and others otherwife. At his Death the youngeft was fit to marry -, and to her he bequeathed the County Fatter Paul of Venice. 6j County of Provence. S. Lexvvs pretended the Nul- lity of his Will, and that the State belonged to his Lady, and lb made himfelf Mailer of it -7 but afterwards he married the Earl's youngeftDaugh- ter to Charles of Anjou his Brother, making over Provence to him. From this Match, after fun- dry Succefllons, came Joan that fold Naples. The Point therefore lies here, whether S. Lewis gave his Brother the Soveraignty of Provence^ approving the Will of his Father -in- Law, and confefiing that his Wife had no Right to it, and he himfelf was an Ufurper of it ; or whether he gave him the Profit of it out of Favour or Tranf- a&ion, referring the Soveraignty of it to him- felf. I have written this to you, becaufeitisa thing that mull be known not from Writers, but the Ads of that King, which I believe are pre- ferved in the Chamber of the Earls of Paris. As for the Aflembly that is to be held, I imagine that the liliie of it will be with fonie Diminution of what is good. Yet at this time there is that gotten which doth but little thrive. I fhallbe glad to know their Rcfolution, let it be what it will. I write a little News to Monfieur Craftinc, which he will fnew you. 1 have been too tedious already, to be any further troublefomto you j and fo here I (hut up all, killing your Hands hum- bly. Signor Malipiero, and Sign. Molino, and Mailer F«/£«tr io, fend you infinite Salutes. When you plcafe to fend any thing by the way of Bergamo, to make things the later, you . write upon the Packet, To themoft famous ... : : .. • in Vcnk I <$4 Tl?e Lettfrs of upon a Cover over that, this Superfcriptiòri, To the molt illuftrious, the Governour of Bergamo, at Bergamo. Venice, Decemb. u, ido8. LETTER XVI. I Have received two of yours together -, one of the 1 7th, and another of the $óth óf Oiiobery as you forefaw I mould. In Anfwer to which, according to the Particulars, I /hall tell you, firtt, as to the Book, De ftudivs Jefuitarum *, that they being the fubtileft Matters in Mifchief, it is very credible that they have divers Tricks and Ways where they meddle : whereupon though in re- fpeft of their Conversation in Italy, they cannot go much further in Mifchief} yet I look upon them as a fort of Men, that if need be, are fit to do worfe things ftill. But if the Author of this little Book will but prove what he fays by good Evidence, he will do a general Good. I have received the Pleas of Dole, Chcfnil and Arnauld, which I like very well, having never feen them before. The free arid true Difcourfe I have feen, and have it by ffie al- ready \ as alfo the Jefuits Supplications to the King, and RicbeonPs Apology, which looks like an Oracle for its Ambiguity -, and other Defences of theirs. I am much obliged to yon for fo much Pains as vou are at upon my Account ; -and letting me know the Charges you have been at, that I may rrtàke vou fome amends. I believe that Elias a nm xUePs Book is- a gre^t one, fo far as I feef Father Paul of Venice. 65 and therefore difficult to be fent hither : I would not have you be at too much Trouble for it. That Englifh-Man's Book I judg is worth fome Pains to get. The Apology for Cbaftett muft needs be an impertinent thing. I know there is no Good to be got from it. I did not ask whe- ther he defended the Fatf or the Right upon any other Account, but to know how far tjie Rafh- nefs of thefe new Saints doth go. lam pleafed to know the Author of it, though I make no Queftion but the firft Motion of it came from the Jefuits. I would not by any means have Monfieur AU caume try to do fo great a Favour for me, with fo much Trouble to himfelf, as to copy out with his own Hand the Aftrtmomicon Ccelefte. I know it would require much Pains, and a great deal of time, and be very troublefom to him, being a Work where there arc fo many Figures and Numbers to write out. He muft not think of undertaking it for my fake-, it is too great a Toil for him, and will take up too much of his time, which i know is precious to him upon the account of his own Bufinefs. I take his good Will as kindly as I flióuld the T)eed\ and I mould be impertinent to pt ludi an Offer with fo much inconvenience to a Per fon whom I ought to reverence, and for ■ ' e i a k e I w 0 u 1 d w illin g 1 y b :: ft o w {o i n e of m y time, which I amfure ] know howtoinftpioy in htier Matters; much lefs mùftlrobhimof his. 1 pray, Sir, thank him heartily from me, and intrcat him only to do me what Favour he : .. i, by gettin to copy out the Book for rac -, and pre ; Ins own time for his own greater Occafio F The 66 The Letters of The Jffembly held there hath done a great deal in keeping things from growing worfe : thefe are not times to make things better. The Choice cf two Deputies (hews, that of fix they have taken the beft -, provided this be not done on pur- pofe this bout, that things may be the eaiilier altered the next : but in the mean time they will have two Years time to confider , and it may be things will grow better before they are out. fi- ver lìnee your going away I have received Letters from Monfieur Craftme^ who feems by his Wri- ting to be a Perfon of exquifite Knowledg and Judgment: and I am greatly obliged to you, as for many other Favours, fo for this, of bring- ing me acquainted with fuch a Gentleman. Concerning our Affairs and yours, I will only fay this Word, that whatever fpeeds well in fa- vour of Impiety, ought not to make us wonder at it, becaufe it is no more than what is foretold by the Spirit of God -0 and is, as it is, for the ful- filling of that Holy Providence and Prophecy. We ought to have Companion upon one that is blind, unlefs he is wilfully fo. I have all along taken notice of it in all worldly Matters, that nothing doth 'more precipitate a Man into Danger, than too great a Dcfire of getting a great way off from it. I believe this is the Mifery of our Cafe j and I am afraid of fome ill Event of it. Too much Pru- dence concenters with Imprudence it felf. I hear you fay that this concerns us, and I confefs it : but I mull fay withal, that this Matter keeps us from a good thing \ but it doth not lead us to an evil one : it hath a more dangerous Effed amongft you j for it calls you upon the Ruine of your .*. felves Father Paul of Venice. 67 iclvcs and your Friends $ and it follows by Con- fcquence, that you arc doing your (elves as much Mifchicf this Year as you did for two Years be- fore : I muff e'en be altonifrVd at it ^ but 1 hope in God it will not be fo. Things here do not go very bad with us, be- caufeour Adversaries are a little awakned j and we fhall grow founder and ihonger, if we con- tinue to do as we do. For my part I am much bulled about a certain Vanity, which is, to take heed of my fc\f\ and there is little Blame of this to be laid on mc, for I mould ir/^//>' commit my fdf to God, without any more ado ; but that there is fo much Self- Pa fervati on preached to me by others, that they force me in fpight of my own Teeth to think of it. But ^tis a itrange thing that they can t yet leave off Plotting, but try to get mc, even in myown Chamber. lam amazed at their Dili- gence and Accuracy of Dclìgn. A fortnight ago at Rome the Court went into the Palace of the Colonna^ to apprehend Pent* £one of ray SttbbeiV] who Hood upon his own Defence * and one of the Serjeants \. is kilted outright, and others hurt \ and Pvnid himielt Was wounded in the Belly, and a Son of his in his Thigh : they arc now in Prifon, and talk at a Arrange rale. Thefc are Riddles that I cannot tell how to un- fold : there mult needs be fome fecret Art in them, but pphat I am no: able to fa As foi what yon tell mc about the bri n ing of the Dauphin by thofe four you mention j I : nothing to fay of the two midcUcmoft, ( hi • ring had no Information of them*,) but as for Bk Itffl of 1 hem, lbe]ie\e he know* httU , and l 2 rhe 6 8 The Letters of the fourth he knows too much: nor do I believe that the Jefuits (without whofe Advice they will never come to fuch a Refolution) will confent to it. Methinks they make little hafte in fuch a Matter, whilft time runs away ftrangely for a thing of fo much Confequence, as muli: mould and fafhion one that is to bear fuch a Burden [as the Heir apparent of France muft.] I do not know whether you have yet been told, that at Rome they have refolved and written to all Inquilitors about Italy, to be advifed if any thing come out againil Baronius ; and command- ed, that there be no fuch thing written in Italy. Nay they are fo zealous for the Support of this Writer s Reputation, that they forbid certain Difcourfes made in Spain, to prove that S. James did perfonally preach in thofe Countries, to be publifhed. That Author mail be defended Tooth and Nail ; and where Art can do him no Service, Power, nay Rage and Fury fhall be fet to guard him. I would not advife any Body to handle that Argument, but rather to fay the fame chings upon another Subject, for their Inftru&ion, who know how hopelefs and vain a thing it is to write for fuch as are feduced Qand will be fo.] :Tis much more convenient to fee how thefe things* may be brought to Peoples Reading and Perniai, than any thing elfe; for in all things Opportunity is the principal thing, and without this every thing is done not only unprofitably, but aKotolofs. When God gives us an Opportunity, we ought to believe that it is his Will that we mould make ùfè of it } and when he does not, that we ought to expect patiently his time. That Regifter of the Father Paul of Venice. 69 the Jcfuits [Letters'] has been fi) much cleared, that before it can return into its Mailer's Hands, it has palled through thofe of many others. As foon as he gets it, I (Jiall have it, and then you fhall not want a Copy of it. In the mean while, I pray, Sir, excule me that I makcyo 1 flay fo long for it. I have heard of the unfpeak 1- ble Lofs by your Inundation:, and that though you have been no grcit Sufferer by it, yet yb 1 have had ibmc (hare of Damage. 1 thank God for it, who if he fcourgeth us, yet doth not de- ftroy us. I hope he will beftow upon you \: Graces Itili, as 1 do continually pray him for you. The Advices we have out of H mg > . us News not much favouring MatthiatPs Great- nefs, who ihall have that Kingdom, u v. mote by Name of a King than any thing elfe. They are now refolved to chufe the Pal. itine \ but firlt they will have the Gariibns furniflied with Hungarian Officers and Souldiers, and that Churchmen mail not meddle widi fecular Go- vernment -, and that the Jefuits get out of the Kingdom^ and that (which is more than all this) they will be Protccforsof Auftria. A Man mult needs fay, that all hough fom thefe Broils raifed by thofe Furies, do turn to their Advantage, yet many of them do ret upon their own Heads. If the Bufinefs of Donawert prove true, ( 1 s we have no Certainty yet about it) that will breed another Inconvenience amongft them. 1 was not aware before, that 1 am already ten beyond the Bounds of Reafon in ti here 1 ftop, hum 7 o The Letters of killing your Hands j as Father Fulgonio alfo doth. Venice, Novemb. 25, i6cB. LETTER XVII. TH E Difcourfe you have in yours of the 1 $th of November y about the Jubilee, as it pro- ceeds from your good Will for the Happinefs of this Republick, fo it is very true. There is no doubt but their End was to con- firm their Adherent^ and fo increafe them -, and then to take care to get all the Writings and Books they could, which they did not like } and without doubt they have done fome of thefe things. Thofe Confeflors that confpired with the Je- fuits, have gotten from a certain trivial Perfon, the things which were penn'd in Favour of the Repubiickin the late Occurrences, fome Italian Bibles, and other Books, which they hate and perfecute : but the Hurt of all this is not fo great as prudent Perfons were afraid of. There is this Particular alfo amongflus: A Senator, a harmlefs Perfon, who was well ac- quainted with Antonio Ciurmo, was turned away by his ConfefTor, for refuting to burn Quirino' s Book. The Council of Trent commanded him hereupon to get him gone immediately out of Venice -, and within two Days out of the Domi- nions-, and away he went: and being got to Man- t'i*, he drew up a Supplication to have his Inno- cènte tried : fafe Conduci was granted him ta Prifon \ Father Paul of Venice, - i Prifon ; thither he went, and was felt back, after he had been heard, to the Prifon of his Monaitery, where he now is. Some fbchthi as thefe happen, but amonglt t tieni f.\ ones. Since the Agreement [with the POpel there have been above fix and thirty Ci ich clapt ii]) in Prifon, w hereof fomc are there in doleful Durance itili, others are put into the Gullies, ci- thers banifhed. All is not done that might be done and ought to be done \ but forali that, then&js much more done than is well coniiltcnt with the Weakncfs of our Body. You do not Gre what is come to die States [of Holland'} when they admit- ted the Treaty. With thofc who are Wife and Politick, a Man had need to go carefully and dextcroully to work, and not only look what Phy- ikk the Difeafc requires, but mudi more, what the weak Conflitution of the Man that is lick will bear. Mcthinks there arc Miracle, done a- mongll them. Of the Pope's evil Intention every one is aware \ but every body hath not the wit to fufpecr the things of SfÀm \ and ma- ny have their Brains bulied elfevvherc, As for any particular Affair of wine, I am not wanting to lend an Far to my Friends Counfels, and look to my fclf as much as I can, but without Anxiety and Superftition. That fecret Imprifonmcnt of Fama gives me fomc thoughts, that there may be ftill fomc pri- vate Delign in Agitation. Thefe Hades of Rome try all the Tricks that are pofiible, to el into their Clutches thofc Church-men that ferved their Prince [agamic the Pope "k I am m r them to be fm . 1 1 v 7 i 7 be Letters of I am gotten into fo good a place that they never expert to get we, but by St Mette? s. They have catctfd the Arch-Deacon, who was Pa- triarchal Vicar during the time of the Quarrel. He is now run away to Rome. As to his Perfon, their Purchafe is not over-great } but upon the account of the publick Reputation, we are vext at his Flight and Folly. At Friar Fulgentw^s going away, no body was much concerned, becaufe he was no publick Mi- nifter, nor allowed any Salary \ but t'other had fome publick Bufinefs committed to him in the late Controverfy, and he was employed in the Service of the Republick. Certain it is that both Threats and Promifes were ufed to pervert him, and more of thofe than thefe laft. The good old Man is a great lover of his Life, which they threaten him with the lofs of by my Example. He had in this City, partly by pub- lick Allowance, and partly by other Profits, (which fome Offices that he had brought him in ) 700 Ducats. We (hall fee what he will get at Rome. Hitherto our Fugitives have only got to be Friars in the Monafteries there : how he will fare, I know not : God fend him good luck, tho what he has done is very infamous and fcan- dalous. The report that the King of England will aìfift the States, will not hold good \ but rather on the contrary, he is refolved to abindon them. That King takes great Pains in things of Learn- ing. We underitaud that he has written an Anfwer to a Book which was written by Bellar- mint and other Jefuits, under the Name of one Mxtthccm Tortus with this Title as it came from England* father Paul of Venice. 7^ England, Triplici noci; pco And I believe his Majefty's firft book is well defended in it, in rhc fubitantial Matters of it, tho not in every rc- fpect, there being things in it which are not a- rable to the truth of Hiitory. Birt theft Je- fuits will have it Tliey \ ■ printed a Book intituled, Cataloga* iUuftrium Vi- rorum Societari* Jcfu, wherein they give; the Names of all their Houjes and Cotteges, and of thofe too which they had in the State oi lremce\ but thefe they have mark'd with an ,jjlcrjsky and written under the Afterisk, Notata^ nondum recuperata funt. If they fay this with a Vow that they will go thither again, they are very bold .Ai en 5 but it may be God will be on our fide, and 1 hope fo he ir/'/. 1 have received from the Hague the In- Yton, purpofely omitted to be printed by Ri- and, as I verily believe, that it was out for this rcafon, that they might publifh it, fo 1 could have wifhed that they had not done it. Every aft of an Enemy ought tc be fufj ed, tho there appear no rea fon of afting againlfc what he defigns. i received from Monfieur Craftine ( as, 1 tin I wrote you word before) the Picas, but not the frank and true Difcourft \ and I dare fay that Monfieur Craftine forbore to fend ir, becaufe, ibmc Difpntches lìnee, I wrote hum word upon a certain occahon, that 1 had it already. The Affairs between Bafil and Lucern arc sec Is of Mifchicf, and there may fprin£ up fome \ in that Nation troni them, which Qod foi The Subject 1 .' . ' to treat co me to onj r of . ad- 74 The Letters of expounding the holy Scripture, and Obfervation of Hiftory. I have feen good Books about this matter, and I don't think I know any thing re- lating to it, but what that Gentleman knows already. Particularly, I am of the mind that he has feen the Expoiition of the Apcalyp, done by an Englifh-man or Scotilh-man, and tranflated into French -, 'tis a very good Piece for a modem one. I mould put that Gentleman in mind to ufe the Correction of holy Scripture, which Sixtus Quwtus himfelf did ufually after Dinner- time } and he would do well to put this Pope's Picture to it, which Baron Dona had a Copy of. *Tis likely that Monftewc de Vigniers might want fome Information in fome Particulars. What I can ferve you in here in Italy, I mould gladly do, if you mould think fit to make ufe of me. If I mould have any thing which I were fure would not be troublefome to fend the Gentleman, I would immediately fend it j for our Affairs here are at that pafs, that we mult never think of writing about that Subject in our time. And I mould not know indeed what to fay about it, but common and ordinary things which he himfelf knows better already. I would there- fore advife him, in order to make his Book the more readily perufed by all forts of Perfons, to handle nothing but his Argument, without mixing any thing of Controverfy in it, as much as is poflible -7 that there mould not be fo much as a word put in, to difcourage any Man from reading, but what might be ferviceabte to his main Argument. And I fhould be glad that you i get acquainted with him, that if you mould Father P;ail of Venice. 7 5 fhould fee him want Information about anything that hath fallen out, or doth fall out here in Italy, or about any thing clic that we can ferve him in, he may freely command it. Methinks you are too follicitous on my behalf about the Jejfmts Books: I do indeed beg the continuance of your Favour in iuch occalions, "hut I would not have you give your felt all -this Care and Trouble, but to fend only thofe that you can conveniently procure. In my Relation, I only made fome fuperficial and flight mention of things as they happen d amongft the Grifo**, which is one of the Parti- culars of the greatelc Variety and Curwlìty that fell out. Signor Dominica had a mind that I fhould fpecify it -, and I was afraid to make it large, for fear it fhould make the Book like 1 monjbrous Body^ too much fwdhd with this parti- cular b ufi nefs, if n fhould have been exactly and particularly defcribed. rfis true, 'tis of great concern with the *fak,bcara£e the hindrance that attended that very Poffare, did f poi I many others -, and I take the whole of it together into Confi - deration, without PalTion or Partiality-, and 1 mult needs fay, that was the thing which occa- fioned the accommodation. Theft Church-men do fill Italy with their Li- bels and lying PamfhieU, helping on their lU>Ji- nefs as much as ever they can j i?h» h as it berth the Proof of Matter of hart again! t it, fo hath the ill lack to he ti» left credited, the mote itfacrkd up. I ought not to trouble v.m any farther ; am1 fo I conclude, killing your H :„ as alio doth h\v.: /•'■"/. {'<:';■:, Dccei;il). . U K i e 1 n r y6 7ke L eh t e r s of LETTER XVIII. T Hough I was refolv'd to "forbear troubling you with any Letters by this Difpatch, yet the Pleafure I have in difcourfmg with you, makes me alter my Mind, perfwading my felf, that as to the Bufinefs that you wrote lafl about, it is not amifs to tell you News of a Book which is newly come out. I fend you the Title of it Line for Line, together with the Licence and Approbation of it, and the beginning of the Epiftle Dedicatory }. upon all which I fhall make no Comment, there being noclaufe, nay, word in it to deferve it. I will only add, that the Book is nothing elfe but a meer hotch-potch of all manner of Calumnies and Lies which are poffible to be raisM againft Vat able, and fuch as agree with him , what there is befides, is no- thing but filly ItufF, that a Man of Senfe would laugh at. The Author is a poor forry Plebeian of this City -, he had the Ambition to have his doughty Piece printed here,but that being denied him, he has got it printed at Bologna. I will tell you another thing ^ Our Menino hath a Toy put into his Head, that he fhall be made a Cardinal, and he believes it as firmly as if he had his Red Hat already ^ and therefore I make no queilion but that in a few days he will be marching too to Rome [ to recant his Odes'} which, if he do, ( as I believe he will ) no body here will flop him ; for he was never the Man that had any Secret committed to him: and the' Allowance that Fathr Paul of Venice. 77 that the Prince makes him is a great thing for him. To fee what halle our Folks make hither Qat this time a-day], and not to fee the rcafon they have tor it, is a thing that amazes mc. They are refolved to have all the faithful -quondam- Pope-Haters by book or by crook, and me they will have with their Daggers. But for all that, things are never done without God's Permiflion ; and whatever pieafes him is good. I forgot to tell you, that if I had thought the Qwhole^ Book worth reading, you fliould have been fure to have it : but I have not fent it, becaufe there is laughing-ftufF enough in that, without any more of it. But if you think it well that your Friend fliould fee it, I pray, Sir, let me know fo much, and I will fpeedily fend it to my Lord AmbafTador j and altho it be not a very fmall one, yet it may go along with the Carrier. The News of that poor Wretch that has been burnt at Pam, convinces me that the ftrongeft are the makejt. Tis a Arrange thing that the Power of Imagination fliould be fo great with a Man. There is nothing elfeto be faid of it, but that God would have it fo. This cold Weather freezes up all News, we hear nothing, but that a King of Hungary, {o called, and not owned for fuch by all, hath gotten the Title of Majefty, which is very much, and 40000 Florins Revenue. If you know the Iflue of the Difference that is among the Swifttrs, upon the account of that Lace-maker's Death, I pray, Sir, acquaint me with it. Your Gallic being upon the Lwr, I fliould think you are not far 7 8 The Letters of far from La Flefche j and J would gladly learn what number of Gentlemen there are in that place under the jefuits Difcipline. I give you no further trouble, but hail en to conclude, killing your Hands. The fidarne of Chartres hath had a Conference at Rome with Cardinal BeUarmine, in order to be inftru&ed and fatisfied \ and 'tis underftood alfo that the Cardinal's Reafons are not Jlrong enough for him. My ft cries are not to be peefd into, but lookM upon with Reverence. The Title of the Book comes in a Paper by it fdf\ that Monfieur Caftrins may have the firit fight of it, Venice, Decemb. 23, i5o8. LETTER XIX. THis day I received two of yours together -7 one of the 28th of November , the other of the 9th of December ; and they came to me when I was fo o^re-wbelm'd in bufinefs, that I thought verily I fhould have no time to anfwer them by this Difpatch , but I have juft an hour** time left me to write to you in, and fo I fhall anfwer you ftep by ftep, according to the purport of yours. As for the Friar that was fent out of the Stmt, the thing is not fo bad } he took his Leave, and went away immediately, without being in- terrogated or call'd ? and fo he went to Mantua\ from whence he wrote a Petition that he might be heard what he had to fay for himfeif, and jiiilify himfeif to be innocent, before the Council of Ten that then. was, (not the prefent one) which Father Paul of Venice. 79 h ordered hun to the public k Prifon, there to mow his Reafons: there he was, and was heard ; and before that Council went out^ he was taken from the publick Pnfon, and clapt up in a Cham- bat of his Convent, where he itili remains clofc- )y confined fo far as we know \ nor has the pnjent Council meddled with his Caufe thefe three Months. It may be (aid that it was not will done to grant him that Hearings for a Report that was fpread, that the turning of him out of the Dominions was revoked : And it may be faid alfo, that it was well doney becaufe hereupon the Friar and his Alan aft cry agree to have the matter tried. I mail fufpend my Judgment herein, that I may not be of a different Opinion from^ow f but the Matter of Fati is juft as I tell you } but if you are fufpicious through the faults of our Wcaknefsy you mull: excufe us, becaufe we have ill Exam- pics every where. The Sacrifice of Bartholomew Borghefe, tho it was no more than what has been done to many others, and by one that had leaft rcafon to do it j yet I do not think the certain- ty of it came from us. Our Affairs have that defett which you and all the World know well, yet we manage them as well as we can \ and if we mould have daily fixations troni Rome, we fhould be watchful enough. I wrote to you before of the Flight of the Arch-Deacon -, he hath been re- ceived with a world of Joy, and is made one of the l'opta Family, and hath an Allowance of 5Ò0 Ducats yearly. And now he fays that be compelled to do what he did, and is grown Tei ; tavt/h of his Tongue: what this will come to, i am not /Vk r 0 fore-tell, but it may be there will be rovifioH agami! the evil c a So TJ?e Letters of As to the bufinefs of the States, fince the Truce is continued for three Months longer, I am perfvvaded that the Spaniards neither delire Peace, nor any long Truce, but flay as they are till they can obtain their Ends upon them, either as to the Regulation of their Traffici, or the Growth of the Difcord that is fown amongfl the States. I have heard of the new-invented Spcclacles for above a Month, and I believe the News of them is true, fo far as not to have any thing to fay againft them, and not to philosophize about them, which was Socrates^s Rule, never to ven- ture difcouriing about any thing of Experiment, which he had not feen. When I was young, I had fbme thoughts a- bout fbme fuch matter, and it run in my Mind, that a Glafs made in the figure of * » might do fuch a thing. I had demonftrative Reafons for if, but becaufe thefe are abjlraded Notions, and meddle not with the Contrariety of Matter, I found fome Oppofition in it, and therefore had no great mind to go on, and ir. would have been a troublefome matter : fo I neither went about to compie at nor rejett my Defign by any further Experiment. I don't know whether that Artiit hath lighted upon my Project, and the thing hath been im- prov'd or no, as Report lofes nothing by /pre ad- ing. And now I come to your fecond Letter ', by the reading of which, after I had written as before, * VitMa is che word in the Italian Copy, which is cer- tainly feifly rranfcribed, the Tranfcriber or Printer wanted tt'tet the father ii here fpeakiqg of, to help his Sight. Father Paul of Venice. 8 i ) liad that you rightly uiiderftaiid the ftiatter of that Perfon's being fent avo ay, and have made jult iiich a Judgment about it, as I fiippofed before. As to my own particular, I do not only believe, but I have daily proofs of the Shares they lay forme. 1 do all 1 can to take heed of my fell, but without any anxiety or cUrh no Delign takes unlefs God gives it leave -, and whatever he plcafes is left, and therein I am contented. They will get nothing by dij 'patching me, for they will find a greater Oppqfitim from me when I am dead, than ever they found in my Life-time. They have lately ufed all podiblc Endeavours with all the reft Qof our fide ~\ to bring them Over to theirs j by Promifes and Threats. I believe they have gotten all of us that ever they will do-, they never make any trial upon me\ they lay openly there is nohopes of me any otherwife but by Daggers, and there they fiv, becaufe I will make no body my Riilez but i&. according to my own €onfcience\ and if after this Ob! tion, there be fomethingof Honour to command me to the fame Duty, I look upon every thing clfe as idle and frivolous to tempt me from it. But my Concern for Holland curries me thither again. Tis a great Judgment of God., that the of the wiieir Man is lb much I ) think that the Reputation of an Ihould cn.\ age the Étateì to buckte under . again, to fo great a Lois and Damage t a : fives \ and that fuch a Fowl, as they lia\ e ihould prejudice their . i. God be mefcifuJ td us! But that the It or (hòuld be bi iui^hi into a thing chat I wouLi not liavé yòù beli 8 i The Letters of believe : but contrarily you may be fure, that the Italians are for Peace and not Difcord arnongft themfelves -, and they have their Defires. And yet Diitrufts and Quarrels do increafe here, and are cherifhed by prodigious Arts and Methods. They would do well to heal the old Di f put e ^ be- fore they begin another : in the mean time they will want Matter to work upon. We have only this to depend upon*, that God will fcatter the Counfels of the Wife, who do often intangle themfelves before they are aware. I would not have you be at any Trouble for thofe Books which 1 writeoff 'twill be time enough to ufe your Indeavours for them when you go toParit. In the mean time I am itili doing fomething, if any thing come of it at laft. I can detain you no longer : here I mult conclude, killing your Hands*, as alfo do our Fulgentio, Signor Molino , and the Gentleman of Muran, who hath you* Defigns. What you tell me of, concerning this Republic}? s having a (hare in the Defign of that unhappy Borgbefe, is no more than what I have from other Hands \ and it comes from the Shop where all Lies and Blafphemies are forged. I kifs you Hands again. Vtnkfa January d, 1609. LETTER XX. MOnfieur Craft me wrote me word by the laft Difpatcb, where the Book, De modo agen- ti, was j and I told him, that a Book with that Tit. le was printed in hgolftadtr the Author being * James I Father Paul of Venice. 85 ÙMtfit a Jefuit J and that it is the Anfwer to the Apology for that Book which I would h and that t'other is here already j and therefore he fhould give himfelf no Trouble about it, if that be the Book he means. So I would not have you be at fo much Pains to gratify me : if you can have any eafy Opportunity to fatisfy my Ca- riolity, you will do me a Pleafiire 7 but I would not have you incommode your felf for it, whom I lee fo diligent in getting me Books ^ and lìnee you have provided me with Élmi HaJfenmuBer st Paris and Bafil7 from whence they may both be brought hither without Difficulty \ which If you pleafe to take a little Care about, 1 fhail be dou- bly obliged to you ; and for all the hivours 1 re- ceive from you: aftd I look upon it as a great Kiirlncfs that you have brought me acquainted svilii Moniìcnr Caftrint7 who fends me many good and ufeful Accounts of what pa lies ili Pa ment 5 and other things of like Nature, which are fervir; .'al; ) .re 7 as how the good rs the 5 . I Kly do not know it ) d 0011 the Pope, to hie , tin frofti vio- btlngtbèLa hop- ricks to Men of tllQit S I and ftliaft theft! . >z be known in that Kingdom, and yet be believed? 1 fhould think the French licit People under the Sun, if they hat there • DifftiNftice be- : the Spaniard and the JefUk $ or that lie for any Divihon t*> •Ml theft arc only C f, to infuniate r ahd Ives Mfiftm ; and to 84 The Letters of of the Spaniard look better, concealing the ftridt Intelligence they hold with him } and ma- king as if they were difgufted at him, and very confident of the Flowers de Luce. I doubt not but they adì: by themfelves in the Manage of thefe fly Tricks and difguifed Sweet- neffes, which are ufed with Men of Honour : yet 1 cannot believe that their End, and the Nuncio's End, and the End of the Spaniard, is all one with the King's. I remember that twenty Months ago it was faid, that the Cardinal of Pe- rori was to go from Rome to France^ at the King's Call, under a Pretence of feeing the Church of Sens newly conferred upon him 5 but really to bring over Moniieur de Sully, that he was greatly acquainted with : but feeing the Cardinal come thither afterwards, 1 always look'd for this Change^ but never believed it to be a Work of the Spaniards, who at that time had not yet any good Vnderftanding with the King. I do not ima- gine that I understand things better than you do, who live there, and know the infide of them : but forali that, I am not eafily to be brought to believe that this was done to ferve the Pope, though it may be in Procefs of time it may do fo, and ferve to cover this Pretence : I rather am in- clined to think it was done to take away and weaken that Gentleman in his Friends and Fa- vourers :, for thofe Ends which thofe Men aim at continually, who are lóth to fee an understand- ing Man amonfl the others. The Example of fome body elfe fo changed, is a Proof, that 'tis the way to lofe Friends j and fo he will find it. I fee plainly that the Artifices now a-footare to create jealosies in everybody, and foto fe- 1 cure Father Paul of Venice.' 85 aire thetnfelvcs. God grant that if the Inten- tion of them be not good, the I Hue of them at leafb may not be of bad Confcquence : for as to Religion, this is the way, not to make Catho- licks but Atheifb \ and I do not know how good this will be at lait for Government, thou am of the Mind that the only making of Dif trull may at fi rft ferve to manage things well, but at iaft the Mifchief of it will be greater. I doubt that Zeal makes you more afraid than the thing deferves 5 but if it mould be as you forctel, we ought to believe that God has a Ha:. J. in it : and if he fhould permit it, we are not furethat a greater Good will come of it: Ictus therefore mind our Prayer^ to his Majeity \ and never trouble our (elves with the Fear of an L/il, that it may be will never come: as there are a thoufand things feared, whereof there doth not one happen ^ and if it fliould happen, it may not be fo great an Evil as we imagine \ and it it fliould be Evil, it will certainly turn to our Good ; as St. Paul allures us, That all things work together for Good to thofe that hve God: We ought to be lure of it, remitting every thing to bis holy WM\ lìnee we do not know what to ask or delire. But I am herein a fimpk M in to offer to carry Water to the Sea and think of being your Remem- brancer in things which you never forget. When thofe Friends of mine (for fo I will oill them, becaufe I never few any of them that I know of) were chpp'd up in Rome\ it came immediately into my Mind, that there was fo in e Craft at the bottom of it : and now Poma is lop. lined at ( Uf Vècchia, I am of the feme Mind I 86 The Le??ers of I filali not forbear to take Care of ray felf \ and they (hall never cozen me, if they would hang themfelves. I can do no more than I do. Sure I am that all their Arts and Tricks fignify nothing without God \ and to him I commit my felf. And here I fliall tell you again, that upon the occafion of the Arch-Deacon's March to Rome, (who was formerly cur lrkar Patriarchal) and for the bafe Words he has fpoken againit our Prince, and for the great Triumph they make there at their Purchafe of him, the Senate has refolded to proceed againft him according to his Defert \ and what this will be, will foon be known : and to thofe who would not fly from their Colours, the Senate has affigned the Allow- ance of 200 Ducats a Man, during their Lives \ befides what they have already: which being al- fò appointed for me, I have very it ifiyrefufed -, refolving that my Service [of my Country] fliall have no other Regard, but the very doing of iny Dirty 5 that my back-Friends may have no oc- cafion of interpreting my Service and .\ftions amifs. Every Day there are frefh Occafions of Wrangling and Difpieaiure: I cannot fore-fee where things will end: God grant they may be to his Glory. • Some times we are afieep here \ bin: m thpfefew intervals that we are not fo, we work with Generality enough. We have been now united \ an 1 our Adversaries do us this Good a^ainfl their Wills-, that we open our Eyes. God gjtot that whatever we do may pieafe him. You may be fu re, that if I do not it ir, the Reafon of it is, becaufe the Corn is- not yet rife, I would not hinder the ripmng of it by too. h hafining it. If I (hall not be there intime, others' Father Paul rf Venice. 87 others will be. I would do all that lies in m ; Power, if not to do good, yet at Icaft to do no harm. And now 'tis high time to think of con- cluding. I intreat you, Sir, to fay no more to Monfleur Aleaumc, till you get again to Paris, hecaufe indeed it would be an unfeafonable tfiirig to make any more Inftanccs to him, ti il he is certain of his own Convenience. I Ice that you value Matthias\ Affairs more than they are worth : I dare foretel, that they win be no bet- ter than his Defign in Flinders. Zipper Hungary never conferiteci to his Electi- on } and that is kept by Polentine Humanai, a Man of great Power and Courage. In Nt Hungary, where he is owned as King \ IH/Iia/chy, i Man of excellent Worth, is made Lieutenant Royalby the fame Diet, who governs altogether WkcaKing: So that Matthias has only the Title of King, and 40000 Florins. He is at prefent indeavouring to make Bohemia rebel again]! the Emperor:, and this Man will try to make A -fora- via and Auftria (that half of them Which he has) rebel aga inflow. Things are full of Con- fufion. Father Fulgent io and Signor Molino ferie their humble Service to you, and I kifs your Hands. ftlriàe, January 2€>, i LETI 88 Tfe Letters of LETTER XXI. BEfore the laft Courier went away, I could not fee the Anger he expreiTed at the unjuft Ju- ftice done at Paris: I faw him afterwards, and had my fhare of it with many worthy Perfons^ who made the fame Judgment of it that ! did ^ not from any Affection to the Author, t>ut from the Dignity of the Work. Signor Giacomo Badoueri, amongft others, a Man of lingular Judgment , doth equally commend his Opinions and Expreflions. How great is the Providence of God ! They thought, by putting a poor Wretch to Death, to flop a Rumour which was not otherwife like to get any further than to the Knowiedg of a few Perfons : but by that means they have made it fly all the World over. I do not doubt but if they had negle&ed thofe Words of his, whether true orfalfe (though I rather think they were falfe) they would not have come to the Ears of the thoufand part, and it may be thofe a thoufand times told over, of thofé that know them now ^ if one which they will go after he is dead. Tlrqs God chaftifet'h our over-Diligences. By this Difpatch I have had no Letters from you j I believe it is, becaufe they were not got to Pam when the Courier came away. I hear no- . thing fpokcn of the Duke oi Sully : I mould think that things are come to nothing, and that he is no further fciolelled \ especially lince I under - ftand that the King is not very well pleafed with jDon Pedro, Me Father Paul of Venice. 89 Mcthinks alio that the Bufinefsof the Truce dodi not go on with that Zeal ; and that the World is inclined rather to think it will not be. But in Germany things are Itili in Diforder. King Matthias hath printed a Declaration againft his Subjects of slujlria, which makes me believe he wants Power \ lince fuch a Prince as he, of fuch a Title, difputes by Writings of that kind, cfpecially lìnee the Emperor is above him \ and the Diet of the Empire pretends againft any Writing. We have Difgufts and Janglings here, but we mail not come to a Rupture, be- caufe both fides dread it \ and there is not Mat- ter enough for it. I wras loth to let this Courier go without my Letter to you -, in Teitimony that 1 own my ielf obliged to remember you continually, for the many Favours which I daily receive from you, amongft which this is a great one, that you have made me acquainted with Monlieur Caflrinc, who favours me very frequently with his Letters. This is a thing that I can return you no Equi- valent for, as well as the Care he (hews in fend- ing me Books. 1 intrcat you, Sir, to help me to difchargc fomething of this Debt of mine, by thanking him heartily. 1 have now received a good part of Hajfen~ wulhr. : he wrritcs me word, he will fend me De moda agendì^ and that he hopes to get the Orders [of the Jcfuits^l i am adiamed that 1 can do no- thing to ferve JiLtn him in:, but 1 hope vou will .1 [lift me in difcharging part of the Obligation. 1 wifh for your Com in :mU and kifs yotu I lands. Y\ 1 1 E R 9 o Tk Letters of LETTER XXII. THE Copy of the Confeflion which you fetid me, is welcome to me; and efpecially for the one and thirtieth Article of it. Whatever Diligence there may be ufed to fupprefs the Book, I doubt not but it will furvive : nay the .way they take is the way to bring it into Credit^ and will prove jufl like the Event of Bartholomew Borghefe (if it be no Herefy to call him by that Sur-name) whom, by condemning him to be burnt, they have given a greater Name and Cre- dit to, than he had before. In this Buimefs which you propofe to me, I have fometimes taken fome Pains; and Hill as I conlider St. John's Words, which you quote^ I have thought that that Name [of Antichriftj might be common to many ; and by the Figure Antommafta attri- buted to one : but whether that, one Man were really to be, or whether it be a vulgar Opinion' without any Ground, the Place did not appear to me fufficiently to clear, but capable of both Expofitions. That Place in the Epifite to the Thef- fohnians (though that Name be not there exprefs'd) feems to fhew, that fuch a particular Pèrfon is vplainly fpoken of; but for all this, it is not fuffi- cient to reiolve and fatisfy me, becaufe it is not clear, whether fuch an one be fome individual Man , or a Quality of Men. And I arnTtill in this Doubt ; nor have I met any Man who hath lighted upon my Thoughts but your felf, to whom I will fay, that the multi- flyim Father Paul of Venice. 9 1 v Articles of Faitb9 and fpectfying as tlx Sub- I a/, m thofe things which arc not fpccipcd, is to ftumbk upon old Abufcs -, becaufe it is a iort of intent, in not letting that reft m Ambiguity, which hatn ever done fo. I heard fay once (and I fay, 1 leave the Judgment of it to Men of Un- dcrftanding) that the Articles of Faith arc efta- blifhed and fit : he that doth not nnbracc them hath no Faith, but is an infidel : but he, that befidcs thefc Arttcles, believes my thing elfc for an Article, and iare feparatcs from Gthers, is a Scilary : and therefore 1 do not fee you in this Danger, be- caufe you leave the Matter in Sufpcnfc. They have more Rea fon to confidar of it, which make an Artici* of it ; va I do not think that they will therefore make any Separation for it from one that will not fo believe it Qlwc. thai the Pope i m is noe Anùchnft.~] Indeed the ola Abates do creep in 1H11 -, and [iich as drive away the rant from the Rcpublick \ though out of a good Zeal he is òffe c Convenience of getting in in. it will bea great Mercy of God, if we can but keep him within Bounds. I would write to you more about this Matter, if there were not many Accidents by the way which this Letter is to pafs, to keep me from it. Mininoh got to Padua, and there he frays, I think, with fome Shame ; not only becaufe the Brine e, who has fettled 200 Ducats a-piecc year- ly upon Gx Qof our friends] beiides what thev 1 Lfore, took no manner of notice of him:, but becaufe a Gentleman thai f h j in his Houfe, had rr.rnM him out of do€ awayto^rv/.. I 9 1 The Letters of has carried himfelf belt, becaufe he has ftoutly denied to have any publick Penance impofed on him, faying, that they have merely trapand him, and broke the Faith and A durance they gave him, wherein they promifed that they would ne- ver touch his Honour. But the Archdeacon hath accepted the Penance of rambling to the feven Churches, that is, all Rome over, barefoot, with a Taper in his Hand. There is no doubt but they mean this as a Proof that what has been done here, has been very wicked, and hath deferved Chaftifement. This is a very ill Man ; he has faid abundance of things againft the Publick Honour, and againft his Friends 5 and he does all that he can to ftir up the Pope and others againft the Republick : but this he need not do, for they want not the Will of hurting it -, and as for Power he can lend them none. Of the fix [bonefi Priefts~] which are left, befides my felf, they will never get one more -7 not only becaufe they are well provided for in all Refpech, but becaufe they have been ai* ways very bold and refolute : but with me they will have a Bout with their Stilletto's : I have fome Apprehenfion of it, but not fo as to trouble my felf much about it, becaufe I commit my felf to God's Care and Tuition -, and becaufe I find no great Reafon to be difpleafed at it, and do know foil well what all their former Plottings againft me have come to, and how much they have turn'd to their own Difadvantage. Yours of the %th of January, which mould have come by the Courier a fortnight ago, was nor arrived then, as I wrote you word, nor is it ;v n ccl yet, which I now tell you of. We know the Father Paul of Venice. 93 the Affairs of the Srviffers here -, not only thofe between Lucerti and Bafil, upon the Account of the Lace-maker, but thofe too between Luarn and Zurich, about a Butcher of that City clap d , (i Prilbn at Lucerti \ and other Differences which there are between Friburg and Bern, about fonie Baily wicks common to both. I am of your Mind, that they will never leave till there be fonie open War amongit that People \ for pri- vate Difcord there is too much amongffc them al- ready. I believe thefe things are the Effects of the huge Jefuttical Congregation that was held latit- at Rome. We fnall quickly have here the Duke of Nivcrs, audthenwe fhall fee how rarely the Fidarne oi Chartres has been edified by Bellarmino Initructi- on. There is now a Report that Moniicur de Sully* s Son-in-law, who is at Reme, will be con- verted: but when they fpeak fo in the future Ttnj't, I know not what to believe of the Matter. We don't hear that there is any further Talk of the Catholic ij m of the forefaid Duke, or of the Marquifs his Son. I am feared to hear that there are fo many Jefuits [at la Flefche'] as you tell me ; but herein again I comfort my felf, that the Brood of them here in Italy, and fome Friends of theirs, and fome again their mortal Enemies. I have received Haj[entmdler*s Jefuitiéaì Hiftory \ and 1 like it well, but I thought to have found more in it than 1 do. 1 be Dutch are not- but the In- ious$ and which in his old Age in the Book / >< modo agi udì . I doubt that Monlieur Caftrine hath gotten 1 : wrong Book th the Equivocation of the Name, 94 TI* Letters of Name, and that that which he hath found is no other but James Gretfe^s the Jefuit, who writes an Apology againit that which I look for \ but that I have already -, and I have written to Mon- fieur Caflnne not to fend it \ as alfo I write to him this Day to take heed that thofe Conftitu- tions which I am fo earnefl for, be not miftaken by him for the Rules of the Jefuits [which I value not.] I knew the whole Bufinefs of thofe Rafcals-in- gram *, and alfo what the moft Chriflian King rranfacied with the Pope : But let me tell you further, that 'tis thought here, that the Jefuits are agreed together, and have procured that Bifhoprick for the Father, and fo have found out this rare dm-crack, to put the King in Hopes that they may be got off from the Spani/h Interefl to him ; which is a thing that they think the King is ambitious of, and had in his Defigns, when he re-admitted them into that Kingdom : But the Jefuit is as feparable from the Spaniard, as the Accident is from the Subflance tor which they will have the Words of Confedera- tion. I may be miitaken, but I cannot be of the Mind that there mould continue any long Truce m the Low-Countries. I believe indeed that that Hectick Feaver will continue from Months to Months ', that there will neither be Peace nor War, nor Truce there, but fomething that is worfe than all. I know not where to find a Match for the King of England, but Henry the Third of France, who thought the Vermes of a private Perfori more excellent than thofe of a King -, and there- fore he defpifed thefe, and betook himfelf to thofe of the Monafteries. God Father Paul 0/ Venice. 95 ■ >d grant that the ifibc ot tlungs may be otherwife than I tear it will be, knowing thefe Men to be ib great Alajhrs of Mifdntf, that they will get fomething by this way, and God grant that thai fune JHacjiwett be not in the In- ue with them , I would not fwear for him. 1 underiland what is come to Monileur Bochdl for his Book of the Liberty [of the Gallican Church : ] Indeed they leave no Stone unturnM. And now it is time for me to knock off and for- bear troubling you any further : So I kifs your Hands. The Judgment which you are pleafcd to make about me, will be known belt by the Event, which will alfo fiiew you what 1 and thofe great Mailers, of Contradiction about Fidelity and Love to our Country, do molt meddle in. God having fhewn me the Favour of feeing their Abominations» 1 humbly kifs your Hands, and relfc, Your molt humble Servant, r. 12, 1 6 o £. Father Fulgent io. LETTER. XXIIF. T Hough I wrote to Monfieur Cajlrim, that that Book Dc mo. fi, was GtttferJSL and therefore I had no need of it, having abun- dance of them here, as we have of all imperti- nent Sciibles and Pamphlets \ yet for all this 96 Tlie Letters 0/ my Lord'Ambaflador hath fent it me by this Difpatcli. So I think that by your means, Sir, I fhall have two Copies of Haffenmulkr, becaufe Mon- fieur Caftrine has help'd me to one already, and the Sieur Bongars promifes me another. But we fhall know what to do with both of them, for here are a great many Gentlemen that defire to fee the Book. I have read it, and like it well • but confidering the plenty of Matter in that Subjed, the Author is not over-rich. I heartily thank you for writing into England for a [De modo agendi~\. I advife Monlieur Caftrine of it, who is getting me the Confthutions of the Jefuits copied out, in order to the fending them hither. I long to fee them \ for furely 'tis a flrange thing to think how clofe they keep them here in Italy. Tis not long lince Gregory the XWth made a Brief in favour of them, and yet I cannot for my Life get a Copy it -, they keep their Secrets fo unknown to the World, and you will excufe me if I make no difference' between a Spaniard and a Jefuit, except in this, (wherein I agree with you) that I take the greatest Spani/h Rogue in the whole World^ to be a better Man than the leaft-wicked Jeyj.it that is : for a Spaniard hath Guts in his Brains, and hath a Capacity of learning fome Good, if he be but taught if, but the Jefuits are all Flint, and their Confciences are darkned, and there is no fpeakingto them funlefsyou have a Kingdom to embroil, or a Parliament to tofs up into the Air. ] I believe there never was a race of Men that were fucfa fworn Enemies to Goodnefs and Truth Father Paul of Venice. 97 Truth C lince tne World Hood ] as they are j and the King of France hath let no more than one of them, and a Scholar of theirs, be in- trulled with the Education of the Dauphin -7 'tis ftrange if God hath not fuffer'd him to bs impofed upon. I never wonder'd that the Duke of Sully held out fo bravely againft their Batteries ^ for fo it was requiiite upon the account of his Ho- nour, and his Good too. I look upon it as a great matter that the King is fo fatisfìed ^ but his Majeicy is mif-inforirTd, if he thinks to get the Pope s Favour any way. Publick Rcfpccts have made fome Popes (hew themfelves Friends to the Spaniards, many of them being inwardly againfl that Faction. This prefent one is Spanilh all over, as he is Pope^ as he is a Borgbefe^ and as he is Camillo. Nor mult you trufi too much to the Warinefs of A/onfuur de Breves , tho he be fit to do any thing that is but feafible, becauie in this cafe Nature making head agaimft him, is above all Art -, and he that is lulPd afleep by vain hopes, is in the ready way to lofe many fair opportunities of doing good. So I am troubled to fee by the Effects, that the Treaty in the Low-Coimtrits looks at nothing but the fpoiling of that Republick -, the Birth of which, as God hath bleit it with invaluable Favours, fo, mcthinks, the Malice of the Devil oppoies with all his Wiles and Stratagems. To tell you foinething of our matters \ the Prieft [thut was Guide to my StabbersJ was packM away to Civita Pecchia along with FomA -7 and tis reported chit the reafon of tins was, £1 upoi ^8 Tk Letters of upon the Relation given in by Cardinal Melimi at his return out of Germany ? that thofe of that Nation were highly fcandalized at the Favours which were fhewn at Rome to fuch Scoundrels as they are Q that undertook to kill me.] Parafio was fent Prifoner from Ancona to Rome. I know not what is become of him, nor of Poma and the Prieft fince they went to Civita Pecchia : there is no more talk of them, and they are not to be feen there now f to fhow them what it is to do fuch a piece of Service fo bunglingly as they did.] Bitonto {_ another of them] was kilPd in his own Country by his Enemies. There is no further Refolution taken yet about the Arch- Deacon, becaufe new Difpleafures flarting up daily, they are refolving to put all together. The fix, who have had a Salary fettled upon them for their Conftancy, are no further temp- ted : concerning any fuch Reward to me, I will by no means hearken to it, becaufe I have no great need of it. I am only troubled that I can do no further Service. It was true, that the Heads of the Council of Ten revived an old Law, that the Churches ihould be Jhut up at the approach of the Evening, and that no Bell fhould go from an hour after Sun-fet till Morning *, and this was done upon the account of fonie LewdnefTes which were committed in the Churches, which in fome cer- tain Feftivals had their Day-offices done in the Night-time. The Pope at %\m was extraordina- rily imaged, and faid, That it belonged to him io make fuch Provifions againfi fuch Diforders, if then were any need, and that they ought to feck Rcdrep # firm Father Paul of Vertice* 5p from him at this time : that it is not in the Power of Lcty-men to make Laws over Churches, how good and favourable fcever thofe Laws might be j that he pro- tefls that Father Paul ought not to open h'vs Lipsy fmce he may as well filently (how his Conftnt and Ap- probation , that Matters went no further than Words But there is a greater Stir than all this, about an Abby that is vacant, that has a Revenue of * 12000 Ducats yearly, which the Pope has gnten to a Nephew of his -, and the Rcpublick, at the Requeit of thofe People, would fain have it belong to the Monks of Camaldoli, whofe it was before. God grant that this Squobble do not go further than either of the Parties would have it. Two days ago another Broil happened. Father FulgentivJ orar Friend, preaches at St. Lau- rence^ Church : Thefe Promani fb have ufed all manner of ways to rob him of his Auditory and Credit *, but feeing the more they tried to under- hinl, the lefsthey gained of their Point:, the Nuncio hath taken up the matter, and en- deavours to feduce fonie of his Hearers, by telling them that he preaches Herefy ^ and thc.i he went and complained of him to the Doge, not daring to tell him [o0 but only faying' this, tint Flemings and Creeks do frequent his Church, and that there fi fome fufpieion that the Preachcr is inwardly infected. This hath given great dilguit to a mighty number of the Nobility that H 2 ard * In the I )?\ (which is very fjntfff, eit'v r through the 7 uulc or the F it is io Ducats -, bu: rop(: ■ dQBOtttft! f hs futi* fifyjslfrtjsr pfTj therefore 1 have mie ic laooe, as it u (ccdjv\nt:u!.f: loo Tk Letters of are his Hearers, and hath been the occafion that a great many more of them go to hear him for |s[oveity-fake. God's holy Will be done for the right knowledg of Truth. Thofe which have been tempted [put of their Loyalty to the Republick], have divulged the Nuncio's Offices with them \ upon which I am afraid fomething will enfue. God do his holy Will. I mull intreatyou, Sir, to prefs nothing upon Monfieur Alcaume, but what doth perfect- ly confili with his Convenience ; and when you come to Pamy to preferve me in his Favour. Don PedrcPs going away, I believe, is, becaufe he has got what he came for of the King, and minds none of the Promifes which he made him. I look upon it as a likely thing, that he has done fomething which Time will difcover, to the loft of fome great Perfonage amongft you. Matters in Auftria are worfe and worfe : Matthias would be King at Chefs. In the Quarrel between Don Pedro and the Lord AmbaiTador Fofcarini, it may be he did not do according to the Laws of Chivalry , but I believe he omitted nothing that the Cuftoms of his Country require of him. The like Quarrel lias happened at the Imperial Court between the Spanifli AmbaiTador and the Venetian, for the felf-fame reafons. I believe the Government of Spain is mightily fwelledup, and grown purfy, tho it do not look fo. As for Menino, I can fay nothing elfe of him, but that he is in Padua, and comes fome- times to Fenice very much difcontented } but he may thank his own Folly for that. Friar FiUgcmh, the Francifcun, hath endeavoured to * Preach Father Paul of Venice.' i o t preach this Lent at Ferrara \ but thofc at Bpme would not give way to it, laying that he had a mind to get near the Confines, that fo he might run away to Venice again \ and they have no mind to part with him at Home. I have re- ceived a very genteel Letter from Monfteur Vig- nier, but I mall have no time to anfwer it this day. Monfteur Affelineau is well and ftrong, as heufestobej he had yours laft Sunday, and he tells me he will give yon an Anfwer. I have feen the Deduction, how the Pope is proved to be, nee Dens, nee Homo , 'tis a pretty kind of a thing, and very acute ^ it concludes very well, and (which is moft obfervable ) comes off as truly as handfomly. In the clofe of your Letter, you tell me of a certain miraculous Event, but do not explain it to me ^ and fo I cannot tell what you mean by it : but to my thinking Miracles are not ceas'd, fince there is one that pretends to be a kind of God upon Earth, whofe Omnipotence, though it reaches thither, yet the Execution of it flags by the way. Sigmr M-)lino kilies your Hands, and fo do I with all my Heart, befceching God to give you his Grace, and me ibme way of ferving you, as I would be glad to do. ', Mjrch 17, 1609. D 3 L ETT E R ioi The Letters 0/ LETTER XXIV. UPon the Duke of Tufcanfs Death there is no alteration in that State ; nor is there any matter for it. Some Men thought that fome Do- me/tick Jar might arife between the Mother and the Son \ but for all that, there is nofuch matter \ but let what will be happen there, you may be fare that no War will enfue in Italy, unlefs the Spaniards make it. They go on purchafing in many places, as you fay : and he that fees the things of future Troubles, is afraid he fhall but fut than frrivard, by trying to fit himfelf againjt them.. That fome have been cJapt up in Pri- fon upon the Arch-Deato>vs getting away, is no more than true : I believe alfo that the Pope is angry at it, yet he dees not let us know it. I did not write of this to you, becaufe it is a thing, that happens fo. frequently. Since things were made up here, I mull tell you that there have been above fifty Friars and Friefb put in Prifon for divers things, At firil they made fome noife about it at Rome -, but now it is become fo common, that they fay no more of it. I have efcaped another great Confpiracy againft my Life, the very Servants of my Cham- ber having had a hand in it. It pleafed God to prevent the Mifchief ddlgn'd againfl- me ; but I am greatly troubled that Men fhould be thrown into Jail upon my account. Life is but little pkafant to.me, fince I fee fo many Difficulties to preferve Either Paul of VenrceJ io; prcferve it. Tis a ftrange thing in my mind, that the King could not get a Tutor for his Son to his own liking j that the fe Men that give Laws to the World, have had nothing to eat all this while. Of the three Qualities which you tell me of the Man Qthatis to educate the Dauphin], two of them are ftark flaring naught, and the third, which is Poetry, is not very good. I underitand that there is one appointed to fucceed Aionficur de Champgni in the Embally to this Republick. I delire that you would pleafe to let me know the Qualities of the Perfon with that iincerity you tile to me. We have here the News of the almofi h quieting of the Diforders of Aufiria \ but with little hopes of compo'ling the reft. The bicke- rings between the Emperor and his Brother grow (harper and fiiarper -0 the Emperor's own Subjects are entring into a League with him, Jki vi ng little regard to his Ma jelly. The Hungarians pretend they will recover from Ferdinand the Arch-Duke, fome Fort upon the Adriatici, belonging to that Kingdom. So many Troubles will be hard to compofe. Con- cerning the Truce in the Low-Countries, I know not what to fay more, having fo contrary News about them. I will flay and fee the uplhot, be- fore 1 fix my Belief. 1 have the Haljenmulicr which was fent by the Sicur Bongars, and Signor Violino diali have it, who wanted one, lince I have another for my felf which came by thisDifpatch from AUnvieur Cajlrine. The fame Gentleman hath alfo lent mother little Book about the Jefuits, which I like well. There have been allo f:nt me from H 4 Park 1 04 7he Letters of Pari* fome Propofitions of Monfieur Vlgn\er% Be Anticbrtflo, which are well-digefted things. I thank you, Sir, very heartily for taking upon you all the Obligation I owe to Monfieur Cafirine -, for this worthy Gentleman deferves double A- mends for the many Favours he fhews me conti- nually. Every body Hands looking very attentively at what will be the iflue of the bufinefs now on footy upon the Vacancy of the Abby of Fangadez.nay a place upon the Confines of the Country of Ferrar a ^ which is worth twelve thoufand Ducats yearly. The Pope has given it his Nephew, who hath already an hundred thoufand Ducats yearly in Ecclefiaftical Benefices. The Republick intreats the Pope to give it the Congregation of Monks, but things are no other- wife as yet. The Republick hath not proceeded to do any thing in it yet: nor doth the Pope's Nephew demand PoflTeflion. It is not eafy to fay what the end will be. If perchance there fliould be any Squobble about it, (which I do not think there will ) it will go no further than words : at the Confines of which Spain hath fet up Her cute s\ pillars. Father Fulgentio holds on preaching ft ill, juft as he did two Years ago, when you were one of his Hearers. He miffed preaching lail Year upon fj me Plots laid againft him, which are now come t) nothing. God grant they ftill thrive fo for toe future. Signor Molino fends his humble Ser- vice to you, and thanks you for his Hajfenmuiler. And I kifsyour Hands, Yì*\:lx March 30, \ go. LETTER, father Paul of Venice. 105 LETTER XXV. MOnficur CaJlrinSs Packet, which brought yours inclofcd of the i'~th of March, was not delivered me till the Day after the Courier went away, this Day Fortnight \ though I have Letters from divers Friends within time: I do not know how that Packet came to flay fo long behind. This was the Rcafon I did not write to you by laft Difpatch. As to the Subject of the Qucflion which is now on foot, 1 wonder what is the Reafon that thofe Men that hold the jifftrniative for true, and do fee by the Scriptures , that the Lor cPs Coming mil dtftroy that Tyranny, are not contented there- with, by flaying for that time, but would needs prevent it, not hearkning to our Saviour ChrijYs Admonition to St. Peter, when he pretended to hinder the Divine Decree of his Death, with draw- ing his Sword in the Defence of him. But no Doctrine hath Strength enough to keep Man from building his own Refpcch and Frojects more upon humane Means than Divine ones, till Fa- ther Ignatius, the Ring-leader of the Jcfuits (as tell in his Life) did fo build upon humane Rtfpctts, as if there were no Divine one at alt to thmk of. The things which happened to the Patriarch the firft of May lad, have been very confiderà- blc :, and lince that there have faJlen out others as Weighty as thofe, and fo there is every 1 the Rcpublick will not lofe an Inch of its Di:;- io6 Thè Letters of Dignity and Honour. There has been fome Pro- vifion made about thofe Confeflbrs who fcrupled at fuch of their Votaries as had any of the Wri- tings which were publifhed in Defence of the Re- publick, by them j and this Provifion is pretty iecure : and it is ordered, as it were, by a Pa-* renthefis, that that Friar of N. which was turn- ed away a Year ago for this Buflnefs, and defired Pardon, offering himfelf to be tried, is itili con- fined to his Cell. Father Fulgentio hath preached juft as you heard him do two Years ago ; he has met with great Oppofition from this Nuncio, who has complain- ed, of him, faying, that he could not deny but hvs DocJrine was good ', but neverthelefs be was not bound to flay till the Preacher was declared an Heretick : and the Pope making a Complaint againft him, has faid, that that Preaching of the Scr-ptures is a fufpicious thing -, and Jpe that keeps fo clofe to the Scrip- tares, will ruine the Catholick Faith. The Audience which ufes to beat his Sermons hath been very numerous and flourifliing, there having been there fometimes fix hundred of the Nobility : He has ftill gone on fpeaking the plain Truth., and proving it by the V/ordof God, with- out reproving any one by name : and above all, it has been hib vay to reprove that Ignorance which is for pinning Mens Faith upon other Mens Sleeves, and againft the exprefs Knowledg of every one's. Duty. Now there cannot be a more mortal Offence to the Jefuits than this is, who have no other Foun- dation for all their Divinity than the Publich \gno~ ranee. As for what you ask me concerning the Miter, I can tell you with Certainty : The Pope of I Father Paul of Venice. 1 07 of Rome has two Miters, one . two Points, all like thofc that Bifhops wear -, and this he on- ly ufes at Mailcii and other facrod Office*. The other is round, with three Crowns, as you 1. fci him pidured with it \ this he wears in Pro- >ns out of the Church, but never at Divine Service: the firft of there is ancient, as you know ^ this laft is not above three hundred Years old. I have been in the Pope's Veftry many a time and oft, and have handled all his Miters, and all his Regna roundì's ; for fo they call thofe round ones : the reft of his Head-pieces are called Ali- terò ; and 1 can aflurc you, that there is no * Let- ter whatfocver upon any of them 5 certainly he that fa> s it, never faw any of them. The In- deavourufed with Monlieur CafauLon, methinks, is juft like that which Efofs Fox ufed, to put Tails out of fafhicn when Rew#rdhas loll his by a Trap. The Truce with the States has at laJfc delivered us of the Pain of Expectation. I don'e know which way the Spanifh Power will turn it felf. I have a good mind to think that that Na- tion believes an universal Peace belt for their own private Advantage. Tis true, God doth often riiakc things up quite contrary to the Defigas of Men. His facred Will be done. As to the De- igns againft my Life, lìnee they could not be without Intrigues and private Practices, and they never came to do me any real Miflhicf } it is not convenient to proceed to any corporal Pu- ni film cut * Sec ? ■ laft Noce upon the New Tefhmenr, oF W /*;/•:■ r'i Kilirion, coircrning the won! , fuppofoi ppon one of the Poj e*s Mitets, in order to prove him perfon meaoi io8 7he Letters of nifhment of the Offenders : but the Bufinefs is not yet over ^ but I do ufe, and have ufed, all the Intereft I can (and I fhall fpeed in it) to have every thing hufrYd up ; and being willing to com- mit my felf to God's Protection, I mull alfo fol- low his Commandments fjn forgiving thofe that wrong me.] I have received from Monfieur Caftrine (toge- ther with your Letters of the $oth of March) Ibme Quires of Paper, wherein are written the Conftitutions of the Jefuits. I fee by them that there has been taken out of them what was polli- ble ^ and I have not yet read the whole Contents, but I fee already that there is fomewhat in them that is ufeful to me *, and I am greatly obliged to that Gentleman for them, but more to you, Sir, from whom the Original of theCourtefy arifes. Monfieur Ajfelineau tells me, that you have a Mind to have a Pifture of this Deputy -God : I will do all I can to fifh out one for you, if it be poffible. Monfieur Caftrine, a little while ago, told me, that he would fain have one too ; I tried all the City over to get him one, but I could not for my Life meet with any to be fold j and know- ing of none there is here, but one, which the Owner of valued highly, I got it from him by Force : But I am in hopes, that one who has been thefe two Years in Rome, will at lea ft bring a Copy of his Holineffes Countenance \ and if he does, I will get it from him by all means, that I may gratify you. The Advice of the Truce effeded, changes no- thing of our Thoughts here. We are certain, that if the Spanifh Defigns be to make Stirs in Italy, the Pope, if he ftould have a hand in it to any Father Paul of Venice. 1 09 any purpofe, would never be able to Hop them : but if their Deugns fhould be for Peace, the Pope with all his Power will not be able to make them ftir one Step. We are very well fatisfied by what is pall and gone already, what Account they really have, for that which from the Teeth outward they mew Reve- rence to. We are in fuch a State of things, that truly we are almoft come to Monficur di Bourns Leta- ny, Sanile Turca, liberano*, QHoly Turk, deliver us.] God grant that the Swiflers do not at lalt quarrel amongit themfelves , I fee the Spaniards have great Accefs to them, and the Jefuits great Power over them. This is a rugged ugly Point to think of \ for if two fuch forts of People as they are, mould once get into the Hearts and Affeciions of the Sniffers, Europe muft look for perpetual Revolutions, and Italy would have rea- fon to laugh on the wrong fide of their Mouths, till their Hearts ake again. But even the Leaf of a Tree never falls without the Will of God the Lord ; to whom we muft fubmit our Wills. And thus I leave off troubling you any further, and kifs your Hands. Vma, April 28, 1609. LETTER XXVI. UPon the Receipt of yours of the 1 itb of At fril, feeing the Memoirs of Monficur fitta, and longing to read them; before ever I could read the many Letters that came to me that Day, I no The Letters of I was forced to run thofe Memoirs over. The Beginning of them is a good Difcourfe about Go- vernment: tjiereft, when he comes to the mat- ter, is a Preparation for a long Treatife. I be^« lieve this Writing was a Proem or Beginning of fome Commentary, in order to a good Work* I took much Pleafure in reading what there was of it, though it doth not anfwer the excellent Worth of Monfieur Vieta <, and I thank you very heartily for it. If Monfieur Alcaume would be pleafed to put the Cypher into fome Method, he would do a ve- ry worthy Work. I am mightily afraid that the matter is not capable of fucliArt, and the Infi- nity of it makes me think fo j nor can I perceive how that is poffible to be reduced to Art, which is not reducible to Number. I am of the Mind that I have a Cypher which may be kept in Memory, (which is very confiderable, in cafe the Key or Counter-cypher ihould be lofi or ftolen) and I believe 'tis impolTible to get it read without a Key, becanfe it varies infinitely } and one Cha- racter hath never the fame Signification twice : but 'tis difficult to write for the Danger of mif- taking, which if a Man fhould do but in one Character, his Friend may. go whittle to under- ftand it -, which makes it of no great life : but let's lay afide thefe things. As for the Relation of the miraculous Accident which you write me of, it was not taken out of your Packet -, but the Miftake was mine, which I now own*. I open'd divers Packets which then came to me out of France ) and laying them all together to read in order, I miftook the Place of the abovefaid Re- lation, putting it near my hQ£& Amba odor's Letter, Father Paul of Venice. 1 1 1 Letter, which made me think that he had fent it} and there was this Circumftance to make it likely, that he As very curious j and this made nieanfwer him. I muft tell you concerning that matter, (irli, that I never dare deny any thing that is related, by giving it the Title of ImpoHibility, or any other fuch Name, knowing well the infinite Va- riety of the Works of God and Nature : but I may do fo fafely, taking Ariflo+Uh Rule along with me, never to feek any further than what I my felf may fee. In this very Matter the thing is often-times unperceived by fome, which a piercing Eye in others doth plainly difcover : but it is not reprefented in the Relation j the Relator alfo fometimes ules Spectacles \ or his Mind is upon fomething elfe :, and fo it is repre- fented otherwife to him : and thefe things fhew, that every Body ought to build, not upon other Mens Senfes, but their own. But when you fetch a itep from this Adir ade ^ to that other Mmflct of the Jcfifits } here I can tell you, that you fpeak of a Matter which I my felf have feen and known too well, though not throughly. They have fo many lurking Holes, fo many Pretences, fo many Colours to difguife things with, that they are more different than Plato's Sophiltcr ; and when a Man thinks he has them fa ft, away they flip through his Fingers, like an Eel, if fpigbt of his Teeth, [and then Cat h ti e you can.] I difcover in them every Day fomething that is miraculous, which was not affeovered before, There is News come hither, that they are ba- mmed out of Hungary. The great Delire 1 I for 1 1 z Tk Letters of for the Publick Good, prompting me to believe it, doth never thelefs oblige me to flay for a fur- ther Confirmation of it, before I can wholly give Credit to it. Thefe are the Men that by daily ftirring up the Court of Rome againit this Re- publick, do foment the old Differences between us, and make new ones every Day, and imbitter Mens Minds againfr. us. I cannot forefee whereabouts thefe things will end *> only I am afraid, that Italy may give Mat- ter of Difcourfe to its Neighbours, as well as re- ceive it at prefent from them. Father Fulgentio hath done as became a true Catholick Preacher -, he has preached the Gofpel of Chrift our Lord, forbearing to perfonate any one whatfoever : he hath diflatisfied Rome and her Adherents, be- taufe it is impoilible to pleafe them any other ways, but by preaching rkw, and leaving Chrifi out. The Pope's laft Words of him were, that he has indeed made fame good Sermons^ but bad ones withal \ that he Jlands too much upon Scripture^ which is a Book (quoth he) that if any Man will keep chfe to^ he will quite mine the Catholick Faith. Which Words of his have not been very well liked of here : but I, for my part, commend them, and hold them true*, becaufe there he pulls in his Tail, Qand lhews where he builds his Greatnefs.] I fee that Men, as the Church i peaks in the Acls of the Apfiles, do agree toge- ther not to do what they would, but what the Providence of God defigns. I do not think that any of them aimM at that End which God hath brought about : His Majefty be bleifed for ever for it. We hear the dangerous and Itrange De- / figns father Paul of Venice. 1 1 -> figns upon Geneva , as it is eaiicr for Men to de- fend themfelves from an Aliault than from a Sur- prize. The World is full of ill Humours. God pant, that inftead of an univcrfal Peace, as is defigned, there do not follow an univerfal War : but if fuch a thing fhould be for the Increafe of his Glory, and the Advancement of his Church -7 or at leaft for the purifying of the World ^ we mould have no Reafon to complain. Here I con- clude, befecching the Divine Majcfty to go a- long with you where-cver you are : So 1 kifs your Hands» Father Fulgent io is refolved to print a kind of Apology in Vindication of himfelf from thofe Imputations which our common Adversaries call upon him. You (hall have a Copy of it in due time, for your own life j and fo fhall thofe Friends of ours amongft you, who are pleafed to concern themfelves In our Caule. God fend them all that Comfort which they wifh this State j which is all I can do as a good Chriltian. And here again I conclude, intreating the Continuance of yourKindnefs and Love. Vt*:'u, May io, loop. Letter xxvii. IKnow well that the Fleet which the Turks are preparing, is of no very great Concernment : but for all that, 'tis very certain that the Pope is much troubled at it , the reafon of it is, be- caufefieis weak by Sea, and has other Occalions 'isTrcafure, than to fpend it upon the De - $ fence 1 1 4 The Letters of fence of his People -7 and the Condition of the Enemy is fuch, that there is no ufing of Tricks with him, which are ufed with others. The Turkifh Fleet will not confili of above a hundred Gallies, and yet that is not contempti- ble for all that, confidering that the Coaftsfrom Cape (P Otranto to Civita Vtcchia, lie very open. The Differences between the Pope and the Re- publick are laid afleep -, they all feem to be hufh'd up, except that about the Abby } and that o- thers are not meddled with for that very Reafon, that this may be the eafilier made up. I cannot fee what will be the IfTue of it } but one of thefe two things muft needs follow in a fhort time : ei- ther that the Bufinefs be accommodated \ or elfe get into a State of being inaccommodable. I am fo ufed to hear of one Plot or other againfl me> that I now hear of fuch things without the lealt Difturbance, and they are what I mull look for every Day. I am fure it will be fo till I am dead : it may be that my Death may be by their means \ and it may be, that if they ftill mifs of their Defign.s, it may be ftill for my natural Good : I make lit- tle Difference between one and t'other; I am now grown * old, and I (hall have no great Piea- fure in living longer, and being fubjed to greater WeaknefTes of Body and Mind. This laft Plot was not a thing of any great Moment, becaufe it went no farther than Words. In the Service of God I do what I can, but with this Fear about me, that I do nothing unfeafona- blyj * The Word in the Italian is, Già fon" occhii affai, I dcubr, «et but that in the Father's Letter it was Vecchio. Father Paul of Venice. i i j bly \ and by fa doing hinder what would be done better: And Father Fulgerttiq goes by the fame Rule We mull not deceive our felves. 1 null ftaj its limo troni above. 1 heTrou- bksoi Auftrix, which feemed to be laida;' arc . vake a_: i j and in Bohemiathcy grow \. il. e new K r*Jbùj* has got the :k of interpreting Conventions jnj l for all that, things lotlo is if he were able to obtain his end be ! Lt of the iefuits, which is all one. i he tfiat the Q;;een of Sp&tPs Confcilor is pack d away out of the Country, is not yet come hither. I cannot believe any fiich thing : it is a IVI liter of fuch Confequence, that we mult wait ti ! the Urne Poft comes. But if at lait it fhould prove true, you do well to con'ader that thee is a Myftcry underneath it, and we mult walk warily. rhis is certain, that the Spaniards had never any Mind that a Jefuit-Conftflor lhould get to Court-, that the Qu^en begg'd this Dutch-man of hers with Tear ; in her Eyes \ that thc\ ! trying to get him out, with divers ( : aour and Profit} that li . pi- I fort of a Felloe i1' > ijid then thei i is fi hyofC7< I I it is not yet . ■ \%6 Ile Letter s of ther this will put a flop to other Defigns on foot; The French King has no great reafon to hearken to every body, lince on one fide they treat with him as they do, and on the other fide confpire againfl him at that rate -7 for I look upon it as a great prejudice to the King's Interefts, if Geneva fhould come under any Prince. God grant this talk of a general Peace do not turn to a general War. I fee great Differences amongft thofe who at other times were very well united -, and every thing puts on a Mask of Religion : and this is the wray to provoke God to the greater Indignation. Hypocrify hath had its range in other Ages ; but in this that we iive in, it is got above every thing clfe, and quite fhuts out true Piety. God be merciful to us ! But I muft tire you no longer. Father Fui- genùo, Signor Molino, and I efpecially, kifs your Hands. Vmce, May i6> 1509. LETTER XXVIII. I Received and anfwerM yours when you Cent the Difcourfe about the Cypher, and I thankM you for it. Thofe Letters you fpeak of, of the 1 2th of March, muft needs be loft. I have now received thofe of the 1 $th of May. As to the Dutchy of Cleves, I fhould think that there can arife no caufe of Difturbance from the Spaniards \ they refolve at prefent for peace as much as they can, and will for their interefts. i Father Paul of Venice.' i \ 7 I am of the mind that they will not leave off their Arts and Tricks, to put Diirrufb and Dif- cord amongft the Pretenders. In Italy^ for as much as yet appears, they are for Peace too } and the little Amity there is between the Pope and this Rcpublick, is not big enough to occalion War. The Rota £or Pope's Court in Rome ] propofed the bufinefs of the Abby before Eafter % and it was agitated feemingly between the Parties of the Congregation of the Camaldolese Monks and the Papal Datary, [ox the rope's Officers ap- pearing for his Title j but the matter was really tranfactcd without the appearance of that Con- gregationy which would have been feared out of their feven Senfes to go to Law with the Pope m his own Court 1 and would have been glad with all their Hearts, to let him take the Abby, and vrifh much good do it him, and fomething elfe to boot. But nevcrthelefs the Rota hath not yet given out their Decifion \ and we are ftill, I may fay, at the beginning of the Contro ver fy. I cannot fore-fee what will come of it at laft. 'Tis cer- tain that the Pope will have nothing to be written about it -, and it may be this is the reafon why the Determination of the Rota is not given out. Tis in vain to fpend any further words about it \ when I hear more of it, you mail. As to Confpiracicsagainfl: me, I have enough of rhem -, but I do all I can to get them put up upon this reafon, that it is not only my particu- lar Duty to do fo, bun that it fei ves alio to many good Ends, which they that look upon the mat- ter at a great dill ance off from mo, cannot fcc lb well as I do, that fee them Ik: ;. You may I j beli i i'S The Letters of believe, Sir, that if you were here, you would be of the fame mind that I am. I underftand that the Sieur Bongos v ill qui. - ly be with you, and then you will ìearn fc ìe Particulars of the Affairs of the Si lers an. cf Germany. If there beany thin ernin£ the Jefuits of Friburgo or any other place t1 'worth knowing, I pray acquaint me wit it. Father Fulgentw, md the moft excellent Molina^ do return your Salutes very affectionately j and I kifs your Hands with the fame Love and Kind- nefs that I ufe to do, afTuring you, that the oftner I hear from you, the more welcome are your Letters to me, and fo they are to our two Friends fpecificd before. Venia, June S, 1609. LETTER XXIX. I Have received by this Difpatch two Letters of yours together -7 one of the zjtb of May, and another of the loth of June, that were in great danger of being lofi here, which I mould have been greatly troubled at j but all is well, God be thanked. Now we begin to mind the bufinefs of the Abby, which how it will fare, I cannot yet fore- tell. God grant it may be to h'vs Glory. We have bad News from thence. Efofs Fable hath Tomewhat in it, that the Fox having loft her Tail in the Gin, advifed the reft of the Foxes to be of her fafhion, and cut off theirs. The 'Spaniards manage things at Rome with a world of Father Paul of Venice. 119 of Decorum \ they have fent Don Frantifco thither to be Ambaffador, tho the Pope did not like the Project. They give out that it is not valid that Peniions fhould be fet upon their Benefices by Italians for Spaniards to pay } and a City of the Kingdom of Naples being under an Interdici, they have made a frrong Remonitrance againft the Bifliop of the Place. Yet I would not have you conclude from hence, that they will come to a Breach, or lofe the Dominion they have, but that they know how to proceed in their buiinefs. Some Women love no Husbands but fuch as bang them. The World is of Opinion that the Truce being made, they think of ano- ther War, and that they only defer it to take breath a little. I may be mifcaken, but I am of the mind, that the end of him that governs is to have a perpetual Peace, and that they will not break with any one, unlefs they are meerly fore d to it. The Affairs of Parma arc all hufhM up, and indeed this is a time of the Age that is « givm to comtofc things : i think that if two Ay were Jo near each other, as to want nothing but the word of Command to fet them together by the Ears, they would part good Friends tor ail that without drawing Sword. Since the Affairs óf Bohemia do not come to fpiil Blood, it may be hop'd there will be no other War in thcic days than that of Words, and his Majefty of J land's Book fhews a great token of it. TfreTurkifh Fleet will do no great matter, aife it gets out fo late. i ive heard of the Disfà vpurs (hown to Fa- ther 1 ; Peace follows where it is ' 1 4 no 7k Le t tE r s of the Intereft of both Parties to agree. He will accommodate every thing [I warrant him] either by doing fome greater piece of Service, or by giving fome hopes of doing it. The Ma- nufcript Conltitutions £of the Jefuits], which Monfieur Caflrine fent me, are the leaft part of the Body of Politicks which they fleer by. They are only fome Heads collected out of their Con- stitutions, which do indeed give fome EfTay of them, but not a full tafte. I never look to fee them, and I think I have reafon for it \ for if their My fleries fhould once be piblifhed, no body would give a farthing for all the Wit and Craft they have. I do not believe that you are over-reachM by them \_ in Trance^ -, but that rather your Interefls make you feem as tho you did not fee or know them. True it is, that there has been fuch a Chapter r called 3 of our Order, wherein it may be fome Men did defign fome thing , but we alfo had an Eye upon them. It pleafed God that what we aimPd at, we hit exactly. In the Con* gregation of the Monks of Camaldoli held at Romey there was nothing refolv'd on worth fpeaking of: many things are attempted, but they come off but fneakingly. Some Letters have palled between Monfieur Hotoman and me to my great liking j for I find him a Gentleman of very great Underftanding. I faw a great many Months ago, a certain Col- lection of Writings of his, which handle the Argument of Agreement, which was brought me by a Gentleman that came from thence* I commend his Zeal, and the means he propofes tre very good'- but yet we mull fray for a good Con- father Paul of Venice. 1 1 z Cnrijioiliiircof time to makcufe of them in-, for when there is not a convenient Opportunity Qbr fuch a Deiign], thoic Means will have a contrary hffctl. The Knowlcdg of a fit and frofer Seafon (laid Socrates) is the only worthy , and the only lead- ing Science in the World. I do believe that many of the Differences a- mongft us, are merely verbal, and they make me fometimes laugh at them : Others of them there are that might be indù red without break- ing any Peace for them: And others there are that might be ealily compofed. But the main of all is, that both Parties are agreed in this, that they will not have them compofed; bur think the Difagreement irrcconcileable. Two Con- tenders will never agree, fo long as there is in any of them Hopes of getting the better -, but where there is a Certainty that both are in the Right, there is no talking of Agreement. Both fides at this time hold it for certain, that they fliall get the better; one by Divine Means, t'o- ther by humane. As for the fir it -, to enter into God's Secrets, that's a hard thing-, nor is it to be made good, becaufe in the fecond Chapter of the .Ads of the Apoftlcs, it is forbid to think of it. As for the fecond \ Immane Counfels are too de- ceitful, and that doth feldom prpfper which the molt prudent Men do forccait. 1 can no ways tell what thofc Men njean,« which fay, God hath foretold and willed this or that, and yet take Pains that it may not be. But as for Judiciary Aftr< U - gy, a Man mould talk with fome Roman about that Point, that being more in Vogue In that Court thai! it is in this City, where though every other Abufe is to 1 mei wi;h, yet Peoplcarc \\ ilei 1 2 1 The Letters of wiferthanto trouble their Heads with the Im- pertinencies of Star-gazers and Almanack-ma- kers. The true reafon of which is, becaufe Perfons here never grow great, but by the ordi- nary and ufual Degrees : no Man doth hope be- yond or above his Condition ^ nor when he is pail doing Service, through Age. But in Romer where a Man that was Qonce a Swine-driver^ may neflle in St. Peters Chair, and] yefterday a poor Mafs-Prieft, may be as proud a Bifhop as thcproudeft he of them all to Day } there, I con- fefs, the Art of Divination is in great Elleem and Credit. But what a Mifery is this, that a Man fhould bedefirous to knew what is to be hereafter ! To what Purpofe is it ? Is it to avoid future Evils ? Is not this the greateft Nonfenfe that can be in the World ? If fuch things may be avoided, then they were not to be -, but all the Pains about it was mere Labour in vain. When Ì was about twenty Years old, I took great Pains in this idle fort of Study, which if there were any thing of Truth in it, would de- ferve to be minded above any elfe. It is foil of falfe and vain Principles \ and fo 'tis no wonder if the Conclufions drawn from them be no bet- ter j and a Man that would difcourfe of them Theologically, I believe, would find the whole Art damned by Scripture, in the 47^ Chapter of Ifaiab. And the Reafons of St. Augurine a- gainil this Foppery, are very good, in his Book De Croix ate Dei, lib. ^. chap. i,& 3, ^4. Con- feflion. chap. 3, cfr 5. & 2 fuper Genefim, cap. 16, & 17. If there were a King there that was gi- ven to Change, and would take one into Favour one Pdtber Paul of Venice. 1 1 5 I )ay, and another the next7 Aerology would be in good Credit ^ and if he were but young, he would ibon lofe what he has. There are but few things that I believe fo firm- ly, but I am ready to change my Mind upon good Reafons to the contrary : but if there be any things that I am heartily perfwaded of, this is one of them, That Judiciary AJirology is nothing elfebut a mere Vanity and idle Dream. And thus, you fee, I get beyond my Bounds in writing, through the Pleafure I have in talking with you, without minding the Trouble I give you by read- ing of it. I mult go no further. I befeech God to blcfs you with all Happinefs. I humbly kifs your Hands } fo dì t Fulgentio and Signor Molt- no\ the laft ich hi is me tell you, that he will not fail of writing to you for a Copy of the laft Piece you fent me , and I (hould be very glad that all our Nobility would be of his Mind. Vina, July 2, 1 6c 9. LETTER XXX. LEttcrsfrom your Parts come hither with fuch a Variety of Dates, that 'tis no wonder it I cannot, after fome 1 i :co!lect whether fomc one particular Letter he delivered me or no: from hence it might eafily be, that I might miftake, when I wrote \ i d that that of the i Jthoi A tins Courier I i r4r/; 0f , and another of »:. both to- gether. 1 24 7he Letters of The Fabrick of God's Church, though it be built by fo great an Architect, yet always has had, and will have its Imperfections, through the Defedi and Fault of the Materials : provided the Foundation be good, we muft bear with other Faults, and look upon them as humane Weak- neffes. And this is the reafon, that I do not fo much wonder at the Inconvenience happening in the laft Congregation , but that is not enough to make me pre-judg, that every thing elfe has 6een ill done £amongft you ^] but I rather pre- fu ppofe, that every humane Action is attended with Imperfection: and feeing there has been fuch a Defect, I pre-fu ppofe that the reft has gone well. A Man that would needs have every thing done to Perfection, ought to remember the faying of the Gofpel, How then Jhall the Scriptures be ful- filled ? Concerning the King of England?* Book } his Majefty hath fent a Latin Copy of it to the Re- publick, with a Letter of his along with it ; which have been received with that Gratitude which fuch a mutual Friendfhip deferves, though there have been powerful Indeavours ufedto the contrary, which at other times would have made a Terror amongfl us, but at this time they are infignificant. I hear the Book is commended by Father Cotton for its Kingly Modefty, and the fo- jid Grounds it has for the Oath of Allegiance. If that Father has fuch an Opinion of the Book, 1 cannot but agree with him in fo much Wifdom, becaufe thofe Fathers, the Jefuits, do not ufe to have Opinions by themfelves, but only fuch as the whole Society have. In Father Paul of Venice. 1 1 5 lathe Edition Qofthis Book] which came hi- lait Year, the Hiitory of the Murder of Philip of Suvvia was taken notice of} in which there was an Equivocation of Otho that flew him, àpd that Otho that fucceeded him, taken to be the fame Perfori, when they were two different ones ; Another thing there was in it amifs, which I cannot now call to Mind. But in the fecond Edi* tion this fcems to be mended ; yet in thvs Edition you may fee where he mentions the Pragmatica [Santtwn] of S. Lewvs of France 5 and tell me your Thoughts about it, where the Pope is fo apo- calyptically difcourfed of-, 1 wifh it had been done lefs/o, and more like a King. Ina Comedy, the Perfori is molt commended, whofpeaks (not be/?, but) according to the Decorum of his Condi- tion. I know not what to fay of the Affairs of the World:, we are in Peace everywhere, though there arc ill Humours in divers Places that do be- token Swellings ; it may be all will end well. The Bohemians have done formerly } now methinks they flacken. We undcrftand al- fo, that there are fomc Stirs in Stòria and Carin- tbia, for Liberty [_of'Confcitncc~], a thing of great Confequcnce to Italy, upon which they border. Cleves makes no Bufile in the World : thefe things forefhew Peace and Quictnefs. There is no great Account made of the Affairs of the Sniffers ; but I am afraid of fome Mifchief from thence. What a ft range Unhappincfs is the prefent A [unrounded with ! It looks to me like the time iff a in every Difeafe turns to that; fo now every Quarrel is about Religion: 1 'tis 1 i 6 The Letters of 'tis poffible that there is no other occaflon for War but that. As to our Abby, the Cardinal will not have it in Appearance, but in Reality he will -7 and things are concluded the woril way they could be. I could wifh that this Bufinefs had never been med- dled with, rather than to have it brought to this pafs where it is : but I comfort my felf in this, that all things are not to go well \ yet I cannot be contented when they go ill, merely becaufe we are willing £to let them take their Courfe.]] But there is fome Fault yonder, though he that doth ill, is not to be excufed for being tempted to it, if he had any Strength to refift the Temptation. I cannot write about this matter, without fome Trouble for it ^ and therefore here I conclude, and kifs your Hands, for my felf and Father Fui- gentio too. Venice, Auguft 4, 1509. LETTER XXXI. I Am very much troubled, becaufe as I find a great deal of Pleafure in your Letters, fo 1 can return you nothing but a dry and poor Re- quital for them -, we being here in fuch a State of Peace, nay profound. Idlenefs and Leifure, j\$ gives us no manner of occaiion to ferve you in* You have heard by this time, that his Ma jetty of Great Britain hath fent the Repubiick his Book, with a very affedionate Letter with it, which has been anfwered with fu table Love and Kind- nefs, and Reverence 7 and the Book hath been ac- cepted. But Father Paul of Venice. 127 But the Duke of Siv<:y hath not done fo on bis part, butrcfufedit ^ as alfo the Great Duke of fufiany having received it from his Agent ia and, gave it to his Confeflbr to burn it I believe the King hath made many ajigrybyhis Book. At Rome they have prohibited it from one End to t'other; together with fonie other Books newly come out. I believe that things arc declining there, as you fay: and I do not wonder , fince there is ib much Pains taken to tumble them down. God Almighty will have all Help to be fought for from him alone-, and he doth humble thofethat put all their Hopes in the Arm of ij.ifi. Things do not go altogether well ben \ and this, pofilbly, for the fame Reafon that we do not look for Mercies from his Divine Maieily alone : but if I were to fpeak after the manner of Men, there is one and the f. e Reafon that things grow worfe both there and here. Worldly Arts are very crafty to do Milchief; from hence it was, that that great Beginning ftftat we made] was presently ftopp'd: and from thence it is that we cannot mike fuch ano- ther. When you come to Paris, let me b. you to do me a Kindncfs, and learn from 1 able Perfori, how it came about that the King loll the Soveraignty of jfijignon, and the County of Vannes: for the la ft Earl of Provette e havipg rhany Daughters, the eldeft of them wa% at the Death of her Father, married to S. Lans -, the other was unmarried, who had I I t her by her Father: S. Lewis took the Will to be null, pretended I to his Lady; and 1 the yoiingeltDai-Lt^rf llS The 1^ ETTE R S of ther Charles, he gave up that County to him : Hereupon it feems that he had the Soveraignty of it, in Point of Right. So that when Queen Joan [of Naples^ either gave or fold Avignon and the County to £Pope3 Clement the Sixth, it does not appear that this mould derogate from the King's Title and Soveraignty. This Point would I fairt have made clear to me by fome skilful Perfon* I have been mightily pleafed at the News from Prague, that you fend me, which is jult accord- ing to the Advice we have here from thofe Parts , as we are alfo well informed from all Places of Germany. I cannot forefee whether the Univerfal Peace, that the World is now in, will laft, or be di-' iturb'd about the Bufinefs of Clevet : but I ani inclined to think Peace rather than War, with this Sufpicion witha^ that he that meddtes in that Bufinefs, doth it for no good End, ;(as his • way is^) and the next way to get into an univerfal Hatred, is to make one's (elf Judg and Arbiter of every Man's Bufinefs. In our Abby -matter, 'tis, thought by* others/ there is a way of compofing it hit upon, fo as tcU make all Parties fatrsfied : but all their Reiolu- tions do not pleafe me -, I can never like them.l God grant us Knowledg, and a good Will withal. So I refi, with a great Defire of fome ofccafton wherein I may ferve you, and kifs your Hands* Venice, Auguft i ?, tóó£ LETTER Father Paul of Venice. 1 29 LETTER XXXII. I Have received yours of the pb and 6th ót - gufi, being highly obliged to you for the Fa- vours you do me daily, by your molt courteous and affectionate Letters. I am forry I can ferve yon no otherwife but by a Correfpondcncc of Affection, which yet is lb hearty and real, that it may be admitted as fome Supply for all other Qualities I want. TheBufinefs of our Abby, which hath lallecl for eight Months, and in that time hath had rhore Shapes than ever Proteus had, is now at an End*, I know it is adjuited with the Dignity of the Republick, but with how much of the Pope's that I can't tell. Neither do I know whether the Ending of this Controvert may not be the Beginning of ano- ther : there are Grounds for Conjecture both ways, but very inconvenient ; and you may in- deed fay from the Place where you are, that ought not to receive any: but this is juft like giving Water to one that is athiril, and forbid- ding him to drink. We have here two Men, one too good, and t'other too bad ; and they fomctlmcs put things into a Motion ^ and though the good one is v clt, yet we feel molt from t'other. We need of God to help us. I am amazed ri. all thefc Stirs of CU ve's and of Bohemia, vii a bit of a Jeiuit is ib much as me . . them ft \ ì o The Letters of How is it pofìible that they fhonld fo (link be- hind the Curtain? 'Tis either becaufe they have changed their Nature, or becaufe their turn is not yet come \ and fo they ftay for an Opportu- nity £of playing above-board.]] I am of this Opinion, that the Affairs of Bohemia will end in a Cheat to the Confejfionifts [or Proteitants,] and thofe of Cleves in a Peace, with a Diviilon of thofe States amongft the Pofleflbrs \ and that thofe of the Srvijfers will end in Diets, and ours here in Italy in Words*, till the Turks, making up all Diforders amongft themfelves, come upon ns with a dangerous War, £and ihew us what it is to fall out with each other as we do.] The King of Englandluth given great Matter of Difguft againit himfelf, by his Book. In Spaiti it has not been received *, in Savoy it has been re- fufed *, in Florence it has been burnt :, and in Rome it has been condemned. Tis ftrangc that Men will ad other Mens Perfons, and not their own, which might be done eafier, and would fet off the Comedy the better. We are ftark barren of any News here in Italy £that is confiderable.] The Pope is bufy about inriching his Family -7 the Auftrians han't been able to get a Groat of him towards their ' Affiftance. Our Doge hath been indifpofed \ and the Court of Rome have been gaping after his Death, and thinking 'to fcore it up for a Miracle : but he has milled his Feaver thefe four Days : and fo I hope they will do no Mfracles this bout. 'Tis reported, that the Pope thinks every thing he has unhappy to him, fo long as this Prince of ours lives. What a mighty Clutter do hu- mane Counfels make ! ' No marvel that the Jefuits * carry F dthcr Paul of Venice. 1 3 1 cartf their Buiincfs on fo cleverly ; for the Laws of their Policy are known to none but thcmfelves. I never ex pedi to fee fbeir Confi nut ions ; and I dare not beany further troublefom to you about them, becaufc I hold it impollible to get them. You may have ììcqw a little Book of their Rules, printed at Lions, wherein their Conititutions are quoted in the Margin, That Book there quoted, is neither to be had for Love nor Money. I have feen fome other E.vtracìs and Summaries of them, which though rhey have not yet publiOied them, yet they can afford to let People fee (with fonie Referve; about them:) But for the whole Book, they beg your Pardon for that. Concerning Matters here I have no News to tell you , for every thing goes in the old Traci it ufed to tread in. The Pope minds getting of Money to make his Family great ; and this is the main of his Care. Our Republick, according to Cullom, minds the Government from Day to Day. The Spaniards, they go on upon the getting Hand here in haly, either by Tricks, or $1 ai n down -right Force. The other Princes, they are for keeping their hold in the good Grace and Favour of the SpaniJh Monarch : and I, for my part, delire no more than to receive your Commands , andib I kifs your Hands* Ka LETTER 1 3 1 The Letters of LETTER XXXIII. BY yours of the i%tb of Auguft, I perceive that the Bufinefs of Cloves goes the way to be carried juit as the King pìeafes \ whither, it feems, all Bufinefles elfe may be referred. God give him the Grace of compofmg the Tumults in Germany, as he has made up the Dif- cords of Italy. The Bufinefs of the Abby is now over: and if there be any Reliquesof old Mat- ters ftill behind, all will end well by his Ma jelly's Means, and thofe of his Miniflers, whereof he has one at Rome, and another here, I Hand ailoniftf d at the Silence of the Spani- ards} they go on with a great deal of Modelly, and fland to look on. I heard a Story once, of the Craft of a Wolf \ that if he be to make an Aflàult upon a Mule, he keeps at firft a little diftant off, and lets him walk up and down till he is tired. lam afraid of fonie fuch thing -7 and if Men go on no better than they ufe to do, I think there is good Reafon to fear it. And if it mould pleafe God that things fhouid be altered by him, then there is no more to be faid, but this, that we have no Knowledg of that. As to a SuccefTor to Monfieur Cbampgrit, I un- derfland from t'other fide, that he will continue for five Years longer ^ and certainly no Man can do the King's Bufinefs better than he. The way of Bergamo is not very good to fend Books by ; JrtiéGolkftkto* of Monfieuf Gillot, andMonfieur BwkUy Father Paul of Venice, 1 3 5 Bocbell, were fent me by that way, but I have ic- c cived none of them yet. The way by Sea is not very good neither, con- lidering the Regard that is had to Matters of Health, which makes things carried to the La- zaretto j and there they pafs through divers Hands, and come under many Eyes. So I think 'tis belt to let this Matter alone for the prefent, and flay for a better Convenience by fome other way. I perceive a turn of the Wheel that will be very lucky to the Jefuits : 'tis not enough for you to have them your Majlers in France^ but you would have them ours too here in Italy. God give you [^in France'] the Light and Underitand- ing, to know what hurt yon do to others, and how much more to your felves ^ and yet no fuch great deal of Good to the Fathers themfelves ; tor if they were before abhorred, as too much Spai nifi cd, they will now begin to be too much Frenchified. I have run over a fort of a Letter to you j I befeech you, Sir, pardon it : if the Courier were not juft going away, I would . ■ this Letter, to talk with you more perti- nently than 1 do. I do not know whether you have heard of the great Fire at Confi antinopl^ where a Sfavc^ to revenge himfelf upon his Pa- tron, let fire tohisHoufe, which went from that; toothers, and fprcad fo ftrahjgely} that it burnt down Houfcs for three Miles round} and the Lofs, moderately computed, amounts to three Milli Concerning the Perfian Amballador that xs gone to Rome to receive the Pope'-; Blfcflingj I the Maine of his Matter, and to kite his Feet, 1 believe you may have had the News alrea.l K 3 1 3 4 77;e Letters of All' his Bufinefs is, to folicit War againft the Grand Signor , but this is no time for that : the World is mightily for Peace, which I befeech God to give our Confciences -, and to inrich you alfo with his Holy Gifts. I kifs your Hands. Venice, Septemb. 15, i5og. LETTER XXXIV. YOur Letters are always moil welcome to me, as being full of excellent Zeal for the Com- mon Good of the World, which is a rare thing in thefe times, when the Jefuits have done all that is poflible to eflablifh an ZJniverfal Debauchery in the World. The Mifchief was firlt tolerated : they are the Men that went about to make the bell of it ; and at laft, to approve and commend it. It Itili breeds Diforder amongft us \ though they are not here, yet we feel their Power, having every Fortnight a violent Sermon made us, according to their Inftrudiion, that thvs thing and that thing mu ft be done with Go&s Vicar. And in Procefs of time this kind of Pedantry mult needs become odious, and make Men chufe the greateft Evil upon the great Likelihood that it will come. The Matter of the Abby (becaufe you expect an Account of it from me) was no longer to be maintained in favour of the Monks, becaufe their Congregation, for their own Ends, wasrefolved to declare, they had no Right to it in that Mo- naftry, and the Republick was required, for common Qmctnefs fake, to defili from defending fo Father Paul of Venice. 1 5 5 faunjuft a thing, even in the Judgment of thofi who were concern d in it. Tim was the rcaibn that the Senate was con- tented to lay afide the Pretences of the Monks, and regard only thofe which concern their Go- iment, which make it requifite that fo rich a Preferment fhould not be in the hands of a Stranger. Yet the Senate did never confent that it fhould be fa id, that the Monks had no right to it, that they might not feem to defend an unjuft thing -, but their Right itili being where it was, they came to this Com-fromife, that the Monaftcry fhould be mended to Signor Matteo ài Friuli, to pay dinaì Borghefe 5000 Ducats out of the Reve- nue, which was the Conclufion of the Bulinefs that coft fo much trouble to manage. There is nothing worfe than to /land up for their Liberty, who love to be in Slavery -, and there was good reafon for it in the old Law, that a Ser- vant that would not leave his Service fhould have his Ear bored through [_Exod- 2\.6. ~] Since the clapping up of this Bulinefs, tho it was but a few days ago, ( for it was not ended before la ft week) there is no more talk hereof any Controverfy, things are as quiet as can be. I believe the Court of Rome have their Head; full of Thoughts about the Stirs that are in Stmt and Carinthia -, from whence, indeed, they may receive more damage than from any other _, becaufc they are fo near Italy, and lia/e fo èafy a Paflkge into it. The Matters of C/ewxarenow ballanced} Co tlr.it I fhould think they mull needs now be quiet, x d we fliall have a genera] Vcd*:- in Chr< K 4 that % 3 6 7 be Letters of that the Father-Jefuits may have the better op-* portunity to fell off their Commodities , and if once they can get Ignatius, their Founder, trim'd up in Red in the Kalendar, who will dare to call in queltion any of his A&ions ? One only Defence of Pamplona £ where he was hurt in a Battel againft the French 2 hath made the Catho- lick King love it ever lìnee, and therefore ten thoufand Ducats will be nothing to raifc for the S aiming of him. I confefs I cannot look fo deep as to fee any good end in fuch a Defign. The confirming of the Lord AmbafTador here for three Years longer, is a fign he does his Bulinefs well 7 and truly he acts diligently and conicientioufly, he ferves them well that have got him continued. I have nothing new to fend you. I am tq give you Signor Dominico. Molino\ and Father Fulgenti^s bell Service and Refpe&s , and I kifs your Hand. I could never yet find out in Ve- nice, who that Vincent lm>ni\ to whom the Let- ter wasfent from you, is 3 I hope at laft to fi$id him if he be here. J&0K4 Spptcmb. 29, 1 5og. LETTER XXXV. I Wrote in my laft to you an account of the Accommodation in the matter of Vangafcz*- \j% -, we are now perfectly free from all Contro- veriies with the Court of Rame, unlefs it may be ihh may breed a frefh one, that Abbot- Marc- Antony Father Paul of Venice. i }7 Jrttwm Comaro has been tried and condemned by the Council of Ten, for going in an armed Bark in the Jury-Cbanwl7 and making an Aflault upon a Wherry where a Merchant was with his Wife, making him jump over-board, and taking away his Wife. Yet I am of the mind that the Court of Rome will be contented to hold their Tongues at this matter, and that fo it will be the more evident what was the form of the laic. Argument. But that which is of more moment than all, I do in a manner firmly believe that we fhall never have another Quarrel with this Pope \ and who it i^that brings about this Concord, you may con- jecture, by coniidering the Effects that do flow, and will flow from it. You judg right, that we are led by the regard of things that are prefent \ but it may be, 'tis no News to you, that this is not only by the means of Perfwaiion, but alio fomething by Violence. This Quiet that we have, might be a way to greater Stirs -, but 'tis our Nature to look more at things which are prefent, than what is to come upon us hereafter. The Counfels of Men arc too foolifh to let them come where they think they fha& \ and God doth his Will by ways contrary to them. To that 1 refign my felf, and I think I mall fix my Mind upon Peace and Tranquillity. Concerning the Bohemians, we do not hear that the Emperor is about to feltraio them, but rather to take from them what has been granted to them lìnee they threw down their Arms. From Cantiolq and St'tria we hear nothing: The Diforders there were not heady and violent, and I believe all is made up again peaceably by the ì }8 The Letters of the Diligence of the Jefuits that have taken great Pains to keep Loyalty to their Prince. I guefs alfo that the buimefs of Cleves will end in Peace, by the mofl Chriftian King's Medi- ation, to whom the World is beholden for the Tranquillity that it does enjoy. The King of England's Book would have been read here with unexpreflible Eagernefs, if there had been but Copies enow of it here \ but we have very few of them, and now the Curiofity for it begins to cool. The Collection of my Memoirs ( which you know) is grown to a great bulk \ and there are fome Reafons which you may guefs at to make me keep it by me \ and not being able to be idle in the mean while, I have transcribed the very words -, butthofe Reafons do itili follow me, and increafe upon me, which keep my Mind in a Hate of Sufpence *. I wifh I could communicate them to you j and for this reafon I was think- ing to fend you a Cypher by this Difpatch, but I have not time to compofe it. By the next Courier I will come a little to fome Particulars with you, and through your means, with Mon- fieur Thuanus, to try if any good can be done. We Italians are willing to make things fo furc; that we therefore lofe many fair Opportunities ; and therefore it is necefl'ary to get the company of fome "vehement Men that know how to excufe fomething of our over-much Caution and Wari* nefs. I muft keep you no longer at this time. Moiu fieur Cajlrine will tell you the reft of the News \ fo * An Item about the Hiftory of the Council of Tnia, Father Paul of Venice. 1 39 fo I conclude, joyning with Pother FuJgentio in luffing your Hands. I think you will have Letters by this very Difpatch from Signor Molino, wit I Ode of our Aùnino% who is [ikcCaftor the &4 of Penice and the Laudai Rome, Yttkt, O&ob. 15, 1 5c $. LETTER XXXV7. I Had two of yours together by the la ft Cou- rier, one of the 1 5*6, the other of the iStb of Ottobcr, but not time enough to anfiver them. The firft of them brought me very unwelcome News, giving me an account of the Sicknefs you have had, and that you are not yet reco- vered of it. I am never more uneafy, than when I hear of the Indifpofition of my Friends. At that very time that yours came tome, Alex* andcr Malipfer9* Son alfo died, the lofi of whom is very prejudicial to this City, by rcafon of the great Goodnefs and Freedom that were emi- nent in him. The good undcrftanding between the Re- pnblick and the Pope is fo compleat at this time, that it may be did they are made amends for the Difcords that paft between them before. About that bufinefs of Julicrs we have here (beh Ncvrs, as makes us prophefy an end of it that will not be very agreeable to the Deiires of thofe Princes. Tis plain they have but little Money amongft them, and that Little there is, they love to fpend beddings and not in War 5 and God grant there 140 7 be Letters of there be as good an Underftanding amongft: them inwardly, as there is from the Teeth out- ward. If the Emperor would mind, or did but regard this bufinefs, it might be thought that furely it would be concluded according to his delire. His Majefty of England's Book makes no more Difcourfe about him, tho there be another of Bellarmine's that is come out againft him, I have read it all over -, and I can fay nothing elfe of it but this, that as the Cardinal grows weak and infirm in his Body, fo he grows lefsftrong in his Mind. The Subjeff and the Form of his Book are very mean and ordinary \ he has declared in it, that the Book which goes under the Name of Tortus, was hvs, that he had good Reafons why he did not put his own Name to it, that he might not break the Rules of the Church, and fo he put it out under another Man's Name : but I wonder what Ecclefialtical Rules they are that do permit, much more do confirain a Man to write Books under counterfeit Names. I am greatly obliged to you for the Pains you have been at for the Book De modo agendi } and I ealily join with you in thinking that it might be no more than fome Fancy of Gretfer^s, and therefore, I pray, Sir, never trouble your felf any more about it. As to other Books, we mull have a little Patience, till fome few Clouds difperfe : and that you may not hereafter be at any trouble to fend Books which are to be met with here, I think it were well to give me notice before-hand what you intend to fend. We Father Paul of Venice. 141 We had News a while ago concerning the jcTuits, that in Bohemia they have condemned them to pay their Proportion out of their Reve- nues to the publick Occafions, and prohibited them to make any more Purchafes, and com- manded them, that if they will teach Scholars, they (hall be fubjeci to the Prciident of the Uni- versity. But they have fhewed themfelves fuch able Matters, they have gotten every thing turn'd to their Advantage, and made it appear, that in cafe they are to contribute to publick Charges, there is no reafon to hinder them from purchaling \ and that they cannot pofiibly be under the Prelident of the Univerfity by their Coflftitutions, which would force them to leave off teaching ; and fo they have got- ten a Power to teach freely, and to purchafe as much .as ever they can, upon this condition, that they pay their fhare to publick Neceflities. I expect that they will get over that Difficulty too. When I had written thus far, I received yours of the 1 1 tb of November, in which 1 fee that you made a prudent Judgment, that the Court of Rome would fav nothing in the Cafe of Abbot Cornavo, as all things elfe pafs between us as fmoothly as can be ; and we had never lefs to do with them there than now. Without doubt the Gale of Tranquillity blows fair now on our fides, which tried all it could for two Years to make us come to them without Succefs, and now it is got into the right corner y and makes them come to to us. The change of AlTiltance in the CoUD&ls of Ckves was ready : and now we fee that *ti9 * fjffi- 141 Tl?e Letters of fufficient for you to be Umpires of the Bufi- nefs. The Matters of Bohemia without doubt have been but loft labour j having phyfick'd the and the Chancellor never meddled with the Caufe of the Dittem* per. There is no futher Difcourfe of Stiria and Carinthia, but a Report that goes about, that the King of Spain promifes that Arch- Duke his Affiftance 5 this makes us Itili think that there is more Diforder there than every body fees. I believe that way of fending Books thi- ther is not very fafe at this time j and that it would not be amifs for you to ftay till farther Advice. The Defence of the Jefuits^ written by the Abbot of S. Victors^ hath made your Friend at Muran and others laugh heartily at it ; and it will be a good occafion to write fomewhat in Anfvver to it, that will be worth reading. Truly, Sir, Signor Badouer hath been known by me for a Gentle- man of Wit and Spirit \ and I could give you fome good Proof it, and fo I could tell you my Opinion of him in that bufinefs, if he mould be put to manage fuch a matter \ but fince I am to judg of him in this by the Rule of Friend- fhip, I muft prefuppofe that lie is good at that too. I. believe that his depending upon my Tetti-- mony is no more than trufting to a broken Reed, and that he doth it more to honour me than to obtain it. I have done what you bid me to Signor Molino^ who is troubled at the reafon that hindred you from ahcr Pciul of Venice. 1 4 j from Writing to him \ that is, your lUnefi : for us be dciires your Favour and Friendlhip, (b he would by no means have you write to your own Inconvenience. I did not fend the Cypher till now, becaufe lìnee I wrote to you, there fell out divers Accidents to make me defer it. I believe you will have heard the News, how the Ambaflador of the States of Holland hath been received, treated and complimented as Ambaiiadors of Crowned Heads here \]{c to be Signor Tonta/o Contarmi has been fent to him to compliment him for the Office he has done ; who is one of thofe who flood up fo bravely for the publick Liberty when you were here. He will be returning homeward in the Spring. All Mens Thoughts now arc turned upon Germany, rrbere'zKo it feems that the Bufincfs of Clcves is none of the weightieff. Matters. Since the two Leagues of Mente, and Hall, fo oppoiite to each other, will go near to have a brisk bout, if not about that bufincfs, yet about fome other. There goes a Speech here, that the Spaniards will raife fome Stpijfers and Dutch; fome will have it to be upon the account of the Morefcos in Valentia, others upon the Affairs of Germany, and fome body thinks it may be for fome Dc- iign in Italy. This is certain, that the League of Menu hath endeavoured to bring in the Pope, the King of Spaina$d the Emperor to join with them. The Emperor has anfvvered them only in general terms,but the other two have promifed them Alliitance, without coming into the Con- federacy. God will be He that will difpofe things quite contrary to what Men defign \ whom I 144 TI* Letters of I befeech to grant you perfect Health arid all Grace. I am to kifs your Hands for Signor Mo- lino, and Father Fulgentio , and for my felf I do it moft affectionately. Venice, Decemb. 9, i5op. LETTER XXXVII. IMake account that all my Letters have come to you *, and I have forborn writing to you for fome Polls, for fear you fhould be Itili in- difpofed, and fo might receive hurt by reading and anfwering Letters, as then I found you were, and alfo by the next Difpatch after that, and by this of the 24^ of November Itili find you are. I am much troubled at what Sickriefe you have had already, but more for what is Itili upon you; to get rid of which, and to ftrengthen well the affefted part, I advife you to make it your bufmefs: fortius you may do more eafily, before the Difeafe gets footing, and becomes ha- bitual to- y qu. I am fure that none of my Letters between: this and Paris has.mifcarried, bpcaufq I have had •ail account of the Receipt of them. > And be- yond Pam, I think there is no Misforturie to fear. I make no queftion but that the Jefiiits will meet with no Repulfe about the Chair Qof read- ing Divinity in], tho.oppofed by the whole Sorbon, the Uniyerfity and the Parliament too ; but then I don't know how little good it may do them, or France either, to ftart Contro^erfies Either Paul of Venice.' 145 1 h were better be laid alleep, I wonder how thoft Men get into iiich Credit there, where they do openly and publickly the Philofophkal Of- fice of applying Atti va Pa/fivi^^ Qwhich comes fa near Witchcraft it felt] I have fometimes been of the Mind that fonie great Favourer of theirs in thole Parts, doth it to break their Necks : but I do not fee him fo very prudent in other Matters tint come under his Management. I rather think, as you fay, that they are made ufe of to daub over fome Faults j as here, for inftance, we fee none but the mofl de- bauched of all rcrfons, that have any Afteciionfor* them. MonGeur AffeUneau has told me what has happened to Signor Badoverw^ which 1 heard of before from himfelf. I am troubled that he has been fo unfuccefsful in his Adidas fince his Mo- ther's Death. The Spaniards will do fo much, that they will diilurb the Difturbartces of Clcves : the meaning of which is, that they will, with their Tricks ariti Intrigues get thofe States to be their own. I know not whether the Prince of CondSs going aw3y be of his own Accord, or a thing put up- on him by a Trick : This I know, that it was talk^d ot in the Gazettes two Months ago. He would mske a great Counttrpoifeto the King, if helhould head a 'Party in thefe Matters. They try to divert the War from thofe Pretences :, and th'15, by it ir ring up another War in Hungry 3. gainir. the Turks : and the Nuncio and Spani/h Am- ! 1 .; lor at Prague labour might and main for it : to brins; fuch a tSlHg about tRe quìcklfét^ they have'got a Turlifb AmlaTador that was lent pp t! to be ufed tvith all imaginable Ear;;: L Tlie J 46 Ti* L E * T t Jfc S 0/ The Spaniards have no mind to imploy them* fe^vesin Africa, that they may better mind what concerns them more in other Places : and for this purpofe, to feeure the Africans, they will fend away the King of Fez, to Milan. I have not yet received the Book of the Apqcalyps : it may be, the Gentleman that was to bring it, is not yet come to Venice, but is ftill at Padua, I fhall know to Day what is become of him ; and if he fhould be in neither of thefe Cities, I will fend back the Letter to you by the next Difpatch. A- bout that Bufinefs of getting Books conveyed hi- ther, I wrote you word by my lait, that 'tis belt to ftay a little, for fome Reafons. I am forry that I muft tell you the News, that in Rome they have proclaimed Monfieur Thuanus's Hiftory not fit to be read: I can't tell whether the Prohibi- tion will be received here, or not. But things between the Pope and the Republick go on with fqmuch Quiet and Concord, that a body would think they .love like Brother and Sifter: and there is not the leaft Jot of old Grudges to be perceived betwixt them. So I conclude, praying God to grant you your full Health again, and killing your Hands on ray own Account, and Signor Molina's. Jufl now I underftand that the Englifh Gentleman is to be at Venice within thefe two Pays : and fo the Letter will be fafely recovered by that time. Venice j Decembè 22, 1609, LETTER Father Paul of Venice. 147 LETTER XXXVIII. I Have no greater Satisfaction, "than in rtou- rifhing the Friendftiip which I have contracted with you, by thofé Offices which are in my Power to fiiew you day after day : and I am troubled that I can do nothing that is" of any'Ufe and Ser- vice to you -, but in this Intercòurfe of writing : the Benefit of which, notwithstanding, redounds to me : and fo I can fafely lay, for I have no greater Pleafurc than in reading your Letters, wherein I Ilia 11 find that Freedom and Ingenuity, which are not eafy to be found thefc times. Things go ill here, as well as there j and they always go lb when the Harlot lifes her Inticings], as (he hath done now for 14 Years there J and a few Months here. She never doth well bùi when flie meets with thofc that do Wcfhl \ There is lefs rea fon to hope now r.h:;\c there was : a Man. that fhould obfer \re how nj I are now, and Iio»v they were bef :\ would hardly believe that fhe is the fame woman^ and this is the thing that hills the impudent Pah of Men afleep : and they will itili be the moil. The Pxinceof Conder$ going away from thence hath tnrn'd all Mens Eyes thither, Which look out the fharpcr, the more they fee his DCJEl 1 difregarded. I and you are of one Mind about the Kvent of Ckves -, and it may well be, I iii the Bufincfsof SoIuzxjo^ there was a Divcrhon of it made by Bsrony fo there may be of Ci by this, i look for nothing from Savoy but 148 Tlie Letter s of gotiations -, which, I believe, he fends Men a- bout, Year after Year, with this Defign in his Head -, that one Year he may not look all over Spani/hi and another Year to get what he can of Spain. I take it, that the fame Contractors do lovingly know the whole Matter : but this is a time when fome Folks love to be cheated, taking it to be a Proof of their Great nefs, and of the Fear that others, have of them ? that they never are told the Truth. Methinks j fee that they glory in that Word of old, Menti enti^r t ibi inimici tut. There is no News in Italy, but of the Death of Sign. John-Baptift Borghefer the Pope's, ypungeil Brother j which he ha^ laid, very^ .mijch to Heart. He has left a young Infant behind him, that is not capable of his Father's Place : the Court is looking to fee whether his other Brother will have it. ... There is abundance . fiid of the Affairs of Germany: but whether it be Promifes, or; Pro- phecies, or Gounfels, they will hardly come to Deeds. I pray God to grant fuch an lilue'of things as may pleafe him: and to youJ:wifh all prefent and future Happinefs : .So I kits your Hands. Vtvice, January $, idfio. LETTER Father Paul of Venice. 149 LETTER XXXIX. T*t§ true that 1 have failed of my Duty in X forbearing to write to you for fome Polls j though I deferve to be excufed, as having done it upon the News Monfieur Cajlrine fent me, of your Indifpolition, which I was loth to increate, by giving you the Trouble of reading a few dry and juicelefs Letters. But returning now to my Duty, and continu- ing to write to you fincc I underllood your Re- covery, I do not think I have failed you at all \ but I think the fame thing has happened to me, whicli did to you, by the flop of Couriers for a Month *, wherein we mould have had two, and have had but one, going to and fro -, and he hath brought mc two Packets } in one of which was Yours of the 23d of December; and in t'other that of the 6th of Jamary. As for thefirlf o thefe, I fee 'tis full of judicious Forclight con- cerning tire Evils which I alfo am greatly afraid of. And though I fee your Mind altered in the fe- cond Letter, and you full of Hopes, that your Prefage would not prove true -, yet I am or the Mind of your firft Letter, not being able to con- ceive, that the Jefufts (fo great Mailers as they arc) ftlcTnld make fo gre: a Leap, andfoiirida Point of War; But they niofl needs haVe foriifc Deiign in it, which is not to be hindrcd by thoft that fee their Miftake too hue : though indeed I know not whether it may well be called a Miftakc, whu h appears to be one : but it may be it is com- L i mitted iVq Tìoe LEttERS of mitted by a Neceflity unknown to others, hut known well to him that perceives it. I remember that Roman which could hear no- thing but the Noife of his Shoe as he went. He is a wife Man that knows his own WeaknefTes, and bears with them, without telling others of them -, and makes no fhew of Health, becaufe it may be it may not prove fo with him : and the Jefuits do not flick fo'clofe to that Kingdom, for any good hold they have gotten in it flnce their Re-admiffion, and through this King's Favour : no, but for deeper and ftronger Reafons of times before them j which it was prudent Counfelto hide, (lince they could not extinguifh :,) and if thofe old Roots of theirs which they have fo care- fully preferved, do not now begin to bud out, in due time they will \ and it may be, 'tis better to let them alone with the Leaves they bear, for fear the Trunks they grow upon grow bigger. As for our Parts here at Venice r we don't hear that they make any Motion for returning to this State as yet \ not, I believe, becaufe they forget it, but becaufe they have not, it may be, brought all their Guns to bear, which I make no Queftiori but they will : but then whether they will be able to make a Breach with their artillery ^ this being a thing yet to come, is belt known to God, and bell committed to his Will. A Man that fhould confider their Omnipotence, (as I'may fay with- out Offence) and how they have ever got their Points, would think they fhould in time be able to do it. One that fhould confider the Refolution which continues here, would think they never will do it, A third Man may come in between both, and Either Paul of Venice. 1 5 * and fay, that if the Affairs of the World do end in Smoak and nothing, then the Game will go well on their fide : but if things come to Fire and Flame, then wo be to the [Gentlemen in little fquarc Caps and Collcr-bands, that call them- felves the] Society of Jefus. Signor Asolino has received your Letter, and he fets a high Value upon it ; and he is pleafed at what you fay about Menino, having an Opportu- nity to comfort him. There is no fear now that any more of us fhould defert ', becaufe our Adver- faries are of another Mind, and willing to former all things which are pad and gone. 'Tis true that Monlìeur de Champigni had fome Difficulty here ; not in not owning the Ambafih- dor of the States of Holland, (for this was never queftion'd) but in the Point of Vi fit, which was to treat him with the fame Honour, which is (hewed the Ambaffadors of Kings. The Republick ownM and treated him as fuch -, and the King of England's AmbalTàdor did the fame. The Difficulty that Monlìeur de Cbampig- «/made of it, aro fe from hence 5 becaufe it was written to him from France^ that be flw.ld fiorò htm the Honour that rvas - convenient to a Prince [or State] of that Quality : Words that might be interpreted both ways ; either in Diminution or in heightning of him :, and fit to excufe any one that cannot tell what to make of Oracles. I think I wrote to you before to tell yon, chat : IS informed, that the Book, De modo ag Jefuitarum, was made by one Charles Perkmfim^ who itili is alive, and is in his Majefty of / Court j but the Book was never printed, ' there have been fome Manufi >•;;: Cop. L 4 152 The Letters of about -, which is the reafon that I have laid down the defire of getting it m7 but the Muranefe will not fail of doing his Duty. And now to return to the Troubles and Broils of the World : when the Seafon is not for Rain, the Clouds do not betoken Showers. This Age is a Seafon of Peace -, therefore by all that I can forefee, I hope that every thing will end in great Serenity. Things were not lefs near a Rupture when you were here, than they are now: that was made up, and the fame will be again, by the hand of the fame Phyfician; but if my Prognofiick fails, we on this fide of the Mountains (hall not be ex- empted, becaufe there is one that puts Brawls in the way. If it lies in the Spaniards Power, to be fure they will have Italy quiet : but if in fome- body's elfe, to him that intends to trouble the Water, it will fall out otherwife, I have been amazed at that Jcfuit which hath d.e-manded fafe C onduli to go for England \ but I l'hall be amazed wore if it be granted him. As for the Books of that Catalogue which you fend me, they are very good ones ; but I do not fee it feafonable to get them hither, for a world of good Reafons, which are too long to write. I thought to have fent you fome Memoirs , which are now fo enlarged upon, that they make up an hundred Sheets : and I was about to fhew you the way which was not fife to bring, * in danger of being * The words of the Itdhn Copy are tbefe : Et hrvevn da e mmnicirli li modo, che non tra. ficaio metterlo in pericolo cftfyr fiUhtó. The 5'enfe runs ruggedlv, and unlike che Kàthcr's Stile, whofe vvoFcjs I doubt not vvtre different from thefe, if che printer cr Transcriber could but have read them. Father Paul of Venice. 153 being known. But the condition of things at prcfent obliges me to let it all alone, being quite different from what it was before. Moniieur Affdineau hath that of yours 5 but { could not fee him lince, to learn the Contents of it, nor read the Copies which you fend \ which indeed are a form of Letters which need fome help to read. I keep you no longer, but conclude, killing your Hands. Venice, February 3, 16 10. LETTER XL. Together with your Letter of the loth of January, I have received an Extract, of our Letters written from Paris, which is a very good and true account of the News current, which I wifh may have fome good ifliie, becaufe I take them to be nearly concerned with the Service of God ; otherwifc it would be all one to me which way they went. The Importunity of the Jefuits for the Chair to read Controverfies in, will, it may be, produce fome good. Inward Heat is too much diffusM and Weakened, if the Bread that in- clofes it about, doth not make fome Antipe- ri flaps to it. 1 am anla7.cd to hear that Fa- ther Gontbicr has had ib good luck as to be only rattled a little for ^o great a fault as he has done. I am greatly troubled at the Death of Mar* fl?al cPOrmn, becaufe he v\a>a Pei (on that had fome ? 54 The Letters of &>me good Principles in him concerning the Ouiet of France, which I think I fee itioft evi- dently to be embroiled by thefe good Fathers. No doubt but the Prohibition of Monfieur Thu- anusH Works at Rome will make them the more honourable^ and his Hiftory the more fought for. lam very attentive to fee what the Parliament will do, fince their Arreft againft John Cafteil is concerned, which could never vex the Court of Rome more than it does. As for the matters of War^ 'tis thought here it will not be, fuch a thing being impo)jibley un- lefs both Parties are refolved for it. Therefore is the Truce with Holland -, and therefore is it be- lieved that thofe States will give up their Country to the Princes that pretend to them \ thus the Spaniards give out. 'Tis true, a t'other" fide, there goes a world of Money into Ger- many, which makes Men think otherwife : bu£ there be no Swifs raifed, that we fee yet \ the firfi Conjcclure looks better than the feconda The News you have of War in Hungary is not true. The Romans and Spaniards would in- deed have it fo, but the Turks and Hungarians are of other minds. The Englifh Gentleman that you fent me Letters by, was to fee me asr he came froni Padua, and promifed me to an- fwer the Letter, and fend it to me when he got thither again. I could have no delight in talking with him, but what I had at the fecond hand by an Interpreter. When you fent me a Letter a while ago for one Vincent Querinir I knew not who he was \ but two days after I came to know that he was the Duke of Mantua\ Reildent here -, and becaufe he was» then Father Paul of Venice. i 5 5 then gone to Mantua to his Lord, to bring him hither, 1 fent him the Letter thither: a few days after he came again with the Duke, and I found him out, and asked him whether he had the Letter? he told me he had, and thanked mc for it. I am very forry that your Indifpofi- tion hangs fo long about you , but I commend your Temper, that you are fo willing to fub- mit to the Will of God, and take every thing in good part. And this is the Perfection of every real and undiffembled Vertue. Before I put a full flop to this Letter, let me acquaint you, that Fa- ther Fulgentio, the Francifcan, who preach'd here in the time of our late Quarrels, and went to Rome a Year and a half ago with fafe Conduci, has been clapM up in Prifon by the Pope's Order, and kept very clofe. God grant the end of it may be according to his Divine Will. I fend the Hiftory of it more particularly to Mon- fieur Cajlrine, who will fhew it you : fo 1 kiis your Hands. Venice, Febr. 16, 1610. LETTER XLI. IHavc made fome fmall matter of Cypher, as you fccmM to delire of me in yours of February the third, having tried to make it fit common words, and the French Tongue alfo, that you may not be put to writing in Italian. And tho the Cypher is but barren of wonU, yet we may- daily make it more copious by the Alphabet. But 156 7he Lett er s of But fo Long as Signor Fofcarini ftayà in Franc* r Letters will come always fafe. There will be the greateft difficulty of all when he goes away, becaufe there will be none to fucceed him, that is comparable to him i and if Letters fnould be fent by themfelves out of the publiek Cover, 'tis a Million to one but they would be intercepted ; fo many there are that look out for fuch bufinefs, to gratify my back-Friends. I have heartily confrdefed the account you fend me of the condition of things both in Germany and Savoy ; and the Draught of them is fo exactly and lively done, that I think I fee the very Heart and Soul of every Defign that is on foot. 'Tis certain that every War will make a par- ticular Alteration, unlefs it fhould be in Italy, where the Alterations would be univerfal -, and they that have moll reafon to fear them, are afraid of them, and are greatly concerned about them. We ought to pray to God, that what is done, be done to his Glory. As to the bufinefs of the Jefuits in Confi antinomie, which you delire to know the truth of, it is thus: They have u fed" all poffiblè means by the exceffive Favours of the French Ambaflàdor, tP get leave to live in that City, and never could obtain it , but rather have had an exprefs Command from the \VìzÀir\ Bajfa to be gone j but frill keeping there, and skulking III fome [ Chriilian ] Houfes-a Month together, the Bajfa fent Officers to divers places where they ufed to haunt, to apprehend them *, and a- mongft other places he fent to the French Am- bafiador's Father Paul of Venice. 1 5 7 baflador's Houfe, who knew where they were, and took them along with him, and went in Perfon to the Bajfa with them in his Train. The Bajfa was fatisfied with what he had done, and for his fake pardoned them ^ but withal told the Ambaiiador that he was refolvcd. they fhould not flay in the Grand Signor7* Dominions, and that lie fhould take care to fend them away, unlefs he had a mind to fee them all impaled, Qor have Stakes drove through their Bodies. 3 This was about a Month ago. Whether there bè any farther News of them fince that, I cannot tell : but if a Man may guefs before-hand, I believe, unlefs they get away, we. (hall have News one time or other, that they are impaled. I humbly thank you for the trouble you take upon you, in helping me to your Difcourfes and News. God grant I may be able to ferve you in fomc thing that may be acceptable t3 you, and fend you all prefent and evcrlafting Happinefs. I have only this to tell you more, (which 1 had almoit forgot ) that I have this day received the A$oca\yyfe, and prayed that Gentleman to write fomething to his Brother, who told me, he would do it immediately, as foon as ever he had an Anfwer of fome bufinefs. Here I conclude, and kifs you Hands. Vtnici) March 2, 1610. LETTER 158 "The Letters of LETTER XLII. YOurs of February 1 7, fhews me how carefully you look upon human Affairs, and how clofe a Judgment you make about the Confequences of them. Truly, Sir, I ( as you judg of them ) fhould go nigh to be fully perfwaded that there would not be War, becaufe there is no doubt but that he dreads it, that has it in tivs Power t3 make it, or not to make it. But in as much as the Divine Wtfdom doth often difpofe of things otherwife than Men appoint -, I am upon this Confideration willing to fufpend my Judgment. The fame Advices concerning the good Difpo- fition of the Princes of Germany to under ft and each other ,are here too, and they are look'd upon as Arts, and that's more. , Yet Itili the belt part do think that the bufinefs of Juliers will be ended without War -, and this becaufe the Spaniards will not, and the other Auftrians without them cannot meddle in it y and itili as one part is willing to believe, t'other is conitrained to abftain from War. Cardinal Delphino is come to Venice more upon the account or the particular Affairs of his Fa- mily than any thing elfe. I would not have you believe a jot of it, that he is come hither to be an Advocate for the Jefuits :,- for he has more-Wit than to meddle with that matter, and the Fathers have more Wit, than to think it would do them -àP.y good. God tathef Paul of Venice. 159 Gvd of Heaven forbid that any fnould fo mntli as enter into the Thoughts of getting their Ba~ niihment confirmed \ for this would be to invali- date the firft Editi agsinft them , which was made with lb great Solemnity and Strictnefs, that he that mould think to add a greater to it by a new AB, would but dirmnijh the JPcmr of that which is againft them ahead). Hitherto there has been no fuch Difcourfes- bout them ? 'tis true, they have often attemr to get into the State of Vrbin, and dfewfaera within thefe two Years ; and that Duke would not give way to it, tho he has honoured them at a moil excefiive rate ? he gives no reafon for re- futing them in his Territories, but this, be- caufe his People arc poor, and they would not be able to maintain fuch a Charge, [as a College of Jefuits would require] which truly is no more than true \ for thofe People are the poor- eft People in all Italy : and whether the Jefuits are to be maintained at a finali Expence or a great one, you are not now to learn. I am mighty earneft to fee how they would carry themfelves towards you, if there fliould be any War between us and their Friends Qthc Spa- niards'], and how we fhould carry our felves with them. Till this prefent time I have had an Opinion that the Prince of Conde had fome reafon for what he has done \ but now I have other thoughts. I wifh him better luck than Charles of the fame Family had. If the Marquefs of Coeuvrc is to be mad; Marfhal, it may be laid, Pnmhm facies d efi imperio. I believe you mull needs have the Cypher by tins time \ but I (hall not go about i6o Tl?e Letters of to make any ufe of it, till I am fure you have it. He that is to fend this Letter to you, will tell you fomething of what I writ to him. Signor Dominica Mohno, and Father Fulgent io do both kifs your Hands. There's no further talk now of t'other Ful- gente and I believe the World will quickly be at an end with him. That other Marc-Anthony that went away from hence when you were here, is in a very pitiful condition, having nothing to live upon, and fearing that he fhall be ferv'd the fame fauce that others are. I pray God to grant him Patience, and you all Content of Mind, and the Happinefs of fee- ing fome Reformation of our Abufes, which are of that nature that Hipocrates fpeaks of, Qudd pharmacum non curat , ferrum curat *, What Phyfick cannot do, Iron muft. And fo I kifs your Hands. The Anfwer of the Englifh Gentle- man to that which you fent, will come along with the firft. That fame Vtcen^o Lucconiy the Agent of Mantua, is fent about bufinefs by his Mailer to Prague. fenici -, March 16, i5io. LETTER XLIII. I Am often afham'd of my felf, confidering how em^ty my Letters to you are, and how full yours are to me^ and fhew the great Affection which you bear me, by magnifying thofe mean and little tilings which my poor Ability lays before you. F.ithcf Paul of Venice. 1 6\ you. But if it mould fo happen, that any doubtful Stir fiiould be, he that would but mind the great Preparations now a mak without doubt will be forced to believe that there is fome great Bimnefs in hand ^ but we often feen great Preparations foon laid alide. The Spaniards have fhewed thcinfelves at all times to be Men that undcriland Government well \ and in fo many Stirs as are now abroad, they do not appear to make any Preparations: we mult therefore conclude one of thefe two things ^ cither that they fee the lilac into which the whole matter will fall^ tho we do not ^ or that their Prudence is become improvident. There have been two Spanifh <\mba;iadors at 7Ww, Borgia and Vivcs '■> the firir. is gone, and. t'other flays there. The Duke hath treated with both of them, and he is creati with him th s be- hind, • often fends Difpatciies to M The Duke'? wliole Inclination is for War-, through the Experience of fo many Years as he has had, he knows what is to be expected from Spa Yet for all this, the Difcourfe is not enough to help a Man to~the Thoughts of a iecret Bi It mult needs be, that by difcouriifig with Mon- fieur Defdigui&eSj the whole Matter will come put, though the Delay that is made about it, (hews, either that there is fome grea ition taken already, orfana e great Resolution itili re- maining. ! he King (hews unfpeàkable Prudence in all b fels, but in tliis, or" having de- i for the v> ar in \6l 37;e Letters of tnany, he (hews it to be marvellous ; becaufe, it may be, there is not fuch another Perfon again in all France, that is comparable to him for all his Qualities neceflary for fuch a Purpofe : but as he has fuch an Intereftin Madam deConde, he will hardly be able to accommodate all Matters by that means. In Germany, through the Diet of Hail, and that of Mentz,, which have fuch different Aims, it mult needs be that fome Matter of great Con- fequence do infue. The Pope, as I understand, has refolvedthe Commiflioners of the Catholick Ele&ors, by remitting the Treaty and Refoluti- on to his Nuncio in Prague : I know not whether it be to get time } or whether it be that the Re- folution may be the more agreeable to the Will of thofe Princes, his Adherents. There is the great Queflion, which fide the Duke of Saxony will be of ^ for if he fhould fir ike in with the Party of Hall, it would be an univer- fal War for Religion. I expeci: that if fuch a thing be, it will hereafter be called, The Holy War. In Italy they do as they did in the Days of Noah : nor have the Jefuits (though they are wifer than all Mankind be/ides) that Confederation of it, which the thing deferves \ fince if a Man looks well upon it, he mull needs fay, that every body mufl be in War. They have not yet offer'd any thing for returning into thefe Parts -, either be- caufe they do not value the Country, or becaufe they have not yet brought all their Cannon to bear. But if there fhould be any falling out 'twixt France and Spain, it would be worth knowing how they will carry themfelves. * To Father Paul of Venice. i6j To remain in Subjection to both Crowns, as true Priefts ought to do \ this is a thing beneath their daring ; to cheat the Spaniard, would be to cheat themjelves : ib they will have no more to do^ but to put a Trick upon the French; which is a thing that I do not know whether they have any Prece- dent for. As to the Book, De modo agendi, &C. the Au- thor of it is not that Perkins that is the Writer of many finePeices; but another, who I underltand is itili alive, and writes his Majefty^s Letters in Latin. I have been much troubled at the Death of Monfieur de Frcfnes, for the Lofs the King has had of a good Servant. I don't think thaf all France affords a Man that knows the things of Italy better than he did. But we muft be con- tented with the Will of God. I pray God fend you all manner of Profperity. I kifs your Hands -, fo doth Signor Molino and my Companion, that loves dearly to go for Letters, when he is fure they come from your Parts ; and fo I am fain to tell him ibme News from, you. Vtnice, March 30, 1J10. LETTER XLIV. TH I S Week there are come two of Yours j one of the 23d of March; t'other of the 6th Inftant, though they came by divers Ways, as the AmbaiTador's Letters did. J am glad you are come to Paris; bit I wifh it were not upon the Account of Trouble, but Plcafure. M \ 1Ó4 7ì?e Le ttEKs of . I am as much concerned at the Ambaflador's going from Park, as you can be } becaufe it will deprive us of a good part of the Convenience we have in fending to each other \ fmce his Succeflbr — — « But I have ihewed Monfieur Ca- brine a way to keep on our Correfpondence for a matter of a Year longer -, and I don't queftion but between this and that we fhall find out other Ways of writing to each other, if it pleafe God we live fo long. My Lord Ambaflador's Succeflbr is getting things ready, to be gone about the Beginning of next Month : but being to go fo long a Journey, he had a mind to make a Vifit to the Lady of Lo- retto f for her Ladifhip's Blefling by the way] and he is not come back yet. The Cypher mult needs be imperfect, as it is done by me, who underftand nothing to /peak of in that fort of Art. I mull intreat you to compleat it, when it fails in Syllables, as you fhew me, and any thing elfe where you fee fit. By the Difference I find in your two Letters above-faid, about future War, I perceive that things were not known there, till you wrote your fecond Letter, which, I think, lays open the Truth, not only of what State things are now in, but of what they will be in hereafter. We are aflured here, that Leopold will have abundance of brave Souldiers, but will want a good General for them. The main of all will be, how to maintain the Army a good, while : becaufe there is no Afliftance to be look'd for from his Family, and but little from the Cler- gy of Germany \ and if the Affairs of Spain fhould move fome-whither elfe, he will not have Father Paul of Venice, 165 have from thence enough to ferve his Occali- ons. There was to be a Meeting of the Princes at Prague, on the lift of this Month j where they expected alio the Duke of Saxony : It was under- ftood afterwards, that he would not be there : whereupon that Meeting will be to little Pur- pofe, if the Emperor fhould not do as he former- ly has done, to order them back again. In fhort, 'tis plain, there will be War this Year in Germany \ but more at others Charge than their own : and when once they are im- barquM in it, they mult keep on jogging, though they fhould be forlaken by thofe that firlt alii It ed therm As to Matters of Italy , The Prince of Conde is Hill at Milan: the Abbot of Aumarl is gone to fpeak with him from the Pope -, fome think to invite him to Rome. The Duke of Savoy and pefdjguieres fhould have been at Turin together hie Week. The moff. Judicious think there will b? War. The Republick will Hand neuter. There are unfpeakablc Arts tiled to keep out War. Things are not with us as they were when you were here: but the Papalins have got the whipping Hand of us. A great Reafon of this hath been the King of France ', by his continual Endeavours to keep us in good terms with the Poj e, whereby he hath encouraged the Popes Party, and hindred good Meni for which theft hue him -, and tbofe for their Interdi: do not love him: Ro'rheznd Spain being all one thing: and if he do not underftand this, he will never manàge well the Affairs of Inly. To keep *ood Correfpondencc with the Republick, two things M s arq \66 The Letters of are neceflary to be obferved -, one is, to fliew that he will have Companions which afe not Depen- dents: t'other, to get the Good, the Male-con- tents and the Politicians, which are all of them Haters of the Papalins. 'Tis incredible to fay what a World of Mif- chief hath been done by that Letter. If there mould be War in Italy, 'twould go well for Re- ligion : and this Rome dreads : the Neck of the Inquifition would be broke, and the Gofpel would have its Courfe^ I have written to you at prefent with fome Diforder and Confufion, for want of time, and the Care of a certain Bu- iinefs that lies upon my Hands. I can only tell you, as to what belongs to Mon- fieur Tbuamis*s Memoirs, they are compleat, and make up 200 Sheets -, but becaufe the Papalins are at this time gotten above us, Father Paul is afraid \ becaufe it would moil certainly be known that no body had a hand in them but he, by the many Particulars and Secrets which are in them. Father Paul would fain find out fome way that Mondeur Thuanus might be fatisfied, and him- felf fafe. 1 pray, Sir, think of it, and confer with the Prelident about it, whom I would not £difoblige.] " The Father knows that he has great Reafon to take heed of Rome, which, not long lince, made one Attempt more upon his Life. Aleninoli very fafe, becaufe he always (as we fay in Italian) plays the Whore, Qan.d breaks his Word.~\ Your Letter of the iixth Inltant is fo full and exact an Account, that it doth not only fhew me how things are at prefent, but gives me a Profpeót of the Progrefs they will make here- after. Father Paul of Venice. i 67 after. Before I come to clofc this Letter, I mult tell you for the prefent, that the Father wifhes for War in Italy , for To' he hopes to do fomething that will be for the Honour of God, and the Advantage of the Gofpcl. I have it from a good Hand, that the Pope hath been ve- ry urgent with the King of Poland, to give fomc Difturbance to the Elector of Brandcnburgh in PruJJia. Malice is endlefs. But fo fhall not the Trouble be, that I give you by this Letter -, and therefore I break off, jutting your Hands for my felf and the refi of your affectionate Friends, who accept the Excufe you make, by not being able to write to them : They come to me for Food for their Curiofity in the Affairs of the North, making me read them your old Letters as well as your new ones. Vtnict, April, 1610. LETTER XLV. WHAT you wrote me before your leaving Paria, was not too much, becaufe there was nothing ìiiperfluous } linee what you laid then, doth lìnee prove true. If the Prince of Condc\ Actions fhould be fo grcat,and fo well or- dered as his Journeys are, we were to fcxpedk great Matters from him. I am pretty fiirc, that he is a Prince of very good meaning, and very great Prudence: but the main is, to let him have an Occalion wherein he may fhew it. I am certain the Jefuits have ufed all Endeavours poffi- bleon their fide, and all the Tricks in thtit Bi. M 4 ^to- 1 68 The Letters of to-boot : yet I do not think they have gotfo much Credit with him, as their other Favourers and Friends make a Shew of. The Pope has fent the Biihop of Chiefly Legat into Spain, and the Archbifhop of Nazareth into France, who is a Perfonwell verfed in the Office of a Pro fior of the Palace. The firft of thefe is to go at his own Conve- nience :, the other is fent away in great hafte , and by that time that this comes to you, I be- lieve he may be there. God fpeed him well, if his Bulinefs be for h'vs Glory. Màrij think that this is done at the Requelt of the Spaniards, who al- fo give it out, that the King of France arms for no other reafon, but to difcourage fome unquiet Per fon, who deiigns Novelties in his Kingdom } and that he has no Intention ro go any further. At Milan they were making Preparation for War 3 and then they were treating about the railing of fonie Swifs and Jllmain Souldiers in Ti- rol : but novi they have put a Stop to every thing , which molt Folks think to be for want of Money. The Pope has fent i occoo Ducats to Naples, to buy Eltates there. Spain hath requelted the Rtpuliick to let fome Dutch pafs through their State, and it has been denied. Defdiguieres was at the Treaty at Twin, and twenty four Com- manders with him, whereof nineteen were Pa- pills, and five Proteltants. He has proinifed to converie fapifiicoUy -, and he has fhewn a fair Be- ginning, that he will be as good as his Word, having a M alive, and getting together a great Army from all parts of trance, Hood ft ill and made no Pro- vilion, doth now, when the French Swords aie put up again, make a Buftk with his Sniffers and Germans, and beating up his Drums in tlieii very Countries. Some are of the mind, that it is to fall upon the Duke of Savoy and others ; but the wifcil Men do think that it is to get him and other Ual to his Diicretion, and make them condefcend re fi; h Couries as they (hall propofe. It iy6 71>e Letters of It feems there is fomething to do amongft the urifmsj for the Commanders of the Almaim who are raifed in 7*/>o/,pafTmg thro their Country^ have been fent to Prifon, for offering to go that way without leave. I believe the Voltoline will be poflèfled j and the Duke of Savoy ftriking in with the Spaniard^ both the Republick and Italy will be hemm'd in by them. They prppofe to the Duke a War with Geneva. Certainly if the mighty Hand of God do not bring things back again, as it often doth, the Dangers there are great. But now to go on to other things that concern you and me , I am alfo in great Pain how to contrive things for the continuance of our Correfpondence, when Signor Fofcarini is gone 5 and I can't think at prefent of any other way for it, but only whilft Signor Barbarigo flays at Turiny which will be about a Year longer, and fo we make ufe of him for that while. It may be then we mail get another oppor- tunity, having two AmbafTadors to go your way^ to go and condole, and congratulate your new King *, and the Gentleman that goes their Se- cretary, is one Augujlino Dolcey a Perfon that I have a great Friendship with. If then you /hall have any Book that deferves to travel, you may cover it and feal it up, and deliver it to him, who as he comes back, may put it up amongft his things, and bring it to me. It would be a long Story to tell you the Mifchiefs of the Letter, becaufe they are many and great ^ but God for- give him that was kinder to Enemies than* Friends. That matter being partly laid afide, I am refolved to alter my buhnefs with Mon- fhur Tbuanus j and I fent him a Letter by the laft Father Paul of Venice. 177 kit Poft, which I believe will give him Satis- faction. I fhould hardly ever know how to make an end of talking with you, if it were not for the trouble I am fenfible I give you ; but b^'ug riow juft time to feal, I conclude, with try Prayers to God for all Happinefs to you, killing your Hands. Vtnkt, June 22, i5io. LETTER XLVHL I Am in your Debt for two Letters, the latter of which is of the yh of July., coming by the lail Courier -, that of the 23d of June, which is the other, did not arrive time enough to be anfwered by the lail Difpatch, becaufe my Lord Ambaflador's Packet was not brought by the or- dinary Pott, but another that came four days ifter* I perceive by that of the 23d, that you have fome fufpicion that fome of our Letters are mif- carried, and particularly that of May you are afraid of. I cannot remember the particular Dates*, but coniidering well the Circumft --ices of tliofe which I have written to you, and 6u to me -, I conclude that we have loll none. ' i is ever five and forty days before I have an Anfwer from Pam, and near two Months before it :ome from your place tome. .And therefore 'tis no wonder if in lo long a while it appear that the Anfwer fhould come N before. xy 8 TI; e Letters of before. I know I have, fometimes omitted writing to you, imagining that you were either ill or abfent, when I received none from you -, but I ever did it very unwillingly, becaufe I take great delight in communicating with you, from whom I receive a fmcere and found Knowledg. of. your Occurrences,, which is a great fcelp-tp; me to have the certainty of, by reafon of the Affinity they have with our Affairs here, befides the very great Satisfa&ion I have in fpeaking to you thus, lince I cannot do it face to face j and therefore I am in great Pain to know what we mull do to keep alive the Intercourfe when Signor Fof carini is gone. In the way from Turin hither, Letters would go very fafe, by the means of our Ambaflador there :, but here's the Point, how to fecure them thither, and from thence to you. That Gentleman is very defrrous of a Corre-. fpondencc with you, having a very great Efteem of your Worth, for fome Difcourles of yours which I have fhewed him ^ and he deferves your Love for his rare Vertues and Excellencies. I will tell you, Sir, in fhort, he is one of the molt peaceable Souls, which not only Fenice, but all Italy, it may be, can afford ; extraordinarily pru- dent in the. Management of his own Affairs, thofe of others, and thofe of the Publick 5 and withal, a fincere- hearty Friend, and of molt pleafant winning Nature -, things which feldom- meet in. one Man in thefe. Parts. I am iure, that if you pleafe to anfwer his Letter, he will take it as a great Favour ; and if you have a mind to write- him any thing private, you may make ufe of my Cypher, which in. that cafe fhall be Father Paul of Venice. 179 be communicated to hifrr. His Name i MtigO^ Arnbaffador of Veffltfrtoiifc Highiicfs .ivoy. I believe yon iati* by this time that Signor . is' chofen Àmbaffadorto his .Majcily of .; Br\td'm\ and fo he is to go thither from The Packet which you have given to him, may be taken care of, to be delivered to Signor ufgoftino Dólce, who is to go Secretary to the Amballadors extraordinary, and return tilth them. The Cook De piodo qgendi7 was brought me by : - ..nan £Sir Henry lVottj;i~] who hath 1 lately in England, but it is not complcat. ft toil whether it was bécaufethe Author • nò further i or becaufc he had a mind to ve fomethirlg forhimfelf^ bat it is a very curious thin;:. When Signor Fofcaxini ROSS itftO Étigland, I (hall have an opportunity of getting t'other part of it Which is wanting, or at lealt of I: the re'afon how it comes to be io. ' ;:"s that you write of your be" -one, is rrrofl: ex: : v£ry fad Affliction to ail Pètìl t cfpeciaily to thole that live it to òcliers than they do to themfclvcs. I much cominend your • i f drinkii g the Waters * quickly \ which you n; in the rrtóft'féafónabk time of aft! CÌié Year fot it, when the Weather fs warmelt j ; I fhàt you are now cutting upon it, I com N 2 my * The words in the Copy arc, Diri £ whi: h I (hiak lht.il J be 1 80 ^ Tk Letters of my felf with the hopes that you will recover your perfeft Health ^ and I will daily pray to God for it. I fhall be fure to follow your Directions, in not remitting any thing to Monfieur Caftrine to write to you , and I believe if he is offended at this, it is for no other reafon, but becaufe the things were known in thofe Parts before. I dare fay you have a great mind to know the truth of the miferable End of Friar £ulgentio, becaufe you knew him, and that you are the more willing to know it, becaufe it has been told divers ways. I my felf do not as yet know the whole of it cer- tainly *, and I am very cautious in believing, where I have not good grounds for it. Wherefore the Narrative that I fhall give you, fhall be no- thing but Truth, though it be not the whole Truth. Father Fulgentio went away, as you your felf know, in the beginning of Juguft 1 6b8, with a moft ample Patent of fafe Conduct, and a par- ticular Claufe in it, that nothing fhould be done againft his Honour. Being got to Rome, they tampered witli him to abjure, and do publick Penance , but he ftill denied it moll refolutely, referring himfelf to his fafe Conduct. At laft perfifling in the Negative of doing publick Penance, he was wrought upon to make a very fecret Abjuration before a Notary and two Wit- nelìès, by the new Declaration of the Cardi- di nals, that it fhould be underflood as done, without any Dishonour, and without any Preju- dice to him. * Matters Father Paul of Venice. i 8 i Matters part: on with him fometimes well, fometimes i'l, according as he was lookM on, till February laft, and then one Evening Cardi- nal Pampbilio, the Pope's Vicar, fent ibme Ser- jeants to apprehend him, pretending that he had done fomething, i know not what, that did belong to h'vs Office : they put him in Prifon in the Tower of Nom^ where Men of ordinary- Offences are thruft. Then they went to feize upon his Papers j and having look'd into them, they removed him from that Prifon to the Inauifitiotujaik there they drew up three Charges againft him. One, that he had amongft his Books, fome prohibited ones. The fecond, that he kept Correfpondence by Letters with the Hereticks of England and Ger- many. The third, that there was a Writing all of his own Hand, which contained divers Ar- ticles againft the Catholick Roman Doctrine -7 particularly, that St. Peter was not fuperior to the other Apoflles : That the Pope is not Head of the Church j that he cannot command any thing beyond what Girili had commanded : That the Council of Trent was neither a Gene- ral Council, nor a lawful one : That there are many Hcrelies in the Church of Rome j and a great many fuch things. To thefe Charges he anfwered, i. As to the Book's^ that he did not kno.v that they were prohibited. 2. As to the Commerce of I letters that palled between him and thofc Perfops, and thofe Peffons and him, thai they were none o( them declared Hereticks. N > 3, As i 8 1 The L e * t e * s of 3. As to the Writings that were under his own Hand, that they were imperfeci, and that they were not his Opinions, but only Memoran- dums to make Coniiderations upon thofe Points. At which Anfwers of his, the Inquifition be- ing unfatisfied, they refolvM to proceed againft him by way of Torture, which being intimated to "him, he anfwered, that he £as a PrieU] was riot a Perfon to be put to Torture \ but how- ever they might do as they pleafed, for hf put himfelf upon their Mercy. The 4-th of July he was brought into St. fy* terSj where there was an unfpeakabl'e Throng of People v and there being plaeM upon a Floor, his Faults were rehearsM, and the Sentence pafs'd upon him, That he fhonld.be. excluded from the Bofom of holy Church, as a Heretick relapsM, and delivered over to the Governour of Rome^ to be chaflisM with a but with- out fetching Blood. At this Ceremony, which lafted about an hcui\ Father Fi&fflth flood with Eyes lifted up to Heaven, and never fpake a word; People thought that he had a Gag in his Mouth, The Ceremony being over, he was conduced to the Church of St. Saviour's in Lauro, and there de- graded :, and next Morning he was brought to Campo di Fhre, and there hang'd and burnt. Whether thofe things which were laid to his Charge were true, or meer Lies and Slanders, there are divers Opinions: but fome, granting that they were true, do not forbear to fay that lie had Injuftice done him \. becaufe as he infilled Upon the fife Condu3, that Abjuration, and looking upon him as a relapsM Perfon, was riot to Father Paul of Venice. i 8 } tone turned to his Prejudice. I know not v judgment to make of it -, the ttjgmifiriig an i the End of it are plain -, that is, a late Gondar a roaltìng Fire [^with a Halter into the ixirgain.^ it there was between one and t'other, U un- known : but from hence we may lately draw thisConclulion, that the Pope skowles btPtoiicei and this wc have divers other good Rea ions to helieve ) and therefore Father Ptudiud belt look well to himfelr. But Ire, for all this, when he has taken all the Care he can, leaves the reit to God, beimi; very- well allured, that what God brings about will be good. As to the Affairs of Italy, they are in great Conhiiion. The Pope labours mirht and main to keep out War -, and he would fain patch up the Breach between Savoy and Spain, which in my opinion, he will do at laft ^ and then Savoy will fall upon Geneva, and the Pope upon tanice, which is not to be made capable of thinking fo, but Hands IFiifly in the Opinion, that there is no Fear of it \ though things are fo plain that he will do it, that a blind Alan may fecit:, which makes me afraid, that it is for fi ken by the Divine Aih- i e, and in a mere State of BtiHdmfs\ fo as not to be able to fee Light it iy : but iir.ee I have nothing b. t .Matter of Cowplù:i: her^, : :•:-!: to fry no more aboni it. As for the Af- fairs of ; 1 am glaxl at rfiy Heart that the*/ co well, : : it troubles me totb'mk how ma- it will be before thè . rs oat of his ; the I - ■ were noi for th I Fhtrij w mirl.r I N 4 or 1 84 Tfe Letteks 0/ or born withal, by the Queen's Prudence -, but they make the Mifchief infuperable : for where there are fo many Meo refplved to do Mifchief, 'tis very likely that it it prolper not to Day, nor to Morrow, yet the next Day after it may thrive. The Intention of Spain is only to divide that Kingdom \ and linee that ha^ fo many fubtile Mi- ni iters, and fuch audacious ones, nothing but the ?iOied:ionof God is able to preferve it. To fee the Queen fo fond of Friars and Jefuits, and make fo little Account of the Parliament, are no very good Tokens. 1 have confidered what you write me of the Je- lint, that brags he will raife an Army ^ and of the great Quantity of Money which is found ; it looks to me as a thing not to be negle&ed by any means. I know very well, that notwithltanding their Baniihment from Venice , they get a World of Money from thence, and there is no hindering it : And if it be the Will of God that things fhould be thus in Anfwer to the Prophecies of his facred Word, Men have nothing elfe to do, but fit down, and prepare themfelves for Sufferings. IthinktheHugonotsare very wife Men, that Hand looking on, that they may know how to govern themfelves as they feeoccafion by the I (fire of things. God blefs their Defigns. But I was not aware before of the Tedioufnefs of my Letter \ efpecially if it ihould come to you when you are ufing Helps for your Health : and there- fore begging your Excufe for it, I intreat you to continue your Kindnefs to me -, as I lball always be your devoted Servant. So I kifs your Hand. VinicZy Auguft 3 , 1 6 1 o. LET- Father Paul of Venice. 185 LETTER XLIX. THERE being fuch a long time before I can have an Anfwer from Pamy I do not won- der at it, that you are fometimes afraid that fomeof your Letters mifcarry. 'Tis two and forty Days before I can have an Anfwer from Paris -, and fifty fix from you. Yet for all this, I remember well that I received your two, of the 23d of June, and the ftb of July. In the laft of which, finding that you wrote me word that you were going to the Baths, I forbore to anfwer it, for fear my Letter in your Abfence might light into a wrong Hand: and I itaid til! I had Advice of your Return, before I thought fit to write any more, which you now give mc notice of by yours of the 1 2th of slugufl. I ne- ver ufe to keep any Letters of Friends, for all thofe Reafons that may fall out afterwards } but I make away with them as foonas ever I have read them -, which is the Reafon that when you ask me an Account of them fometimes, a good while after the Receipt of them, I am not able to give you a very good one. Hereafter I fliall keep a Note of the Date of yours ,and of the Day that 1 anfwer them-, that fo, if need be, I may eafc you and mc of the Fear of the Mifcarriage of any that pafs between us -, for truly this isaticklifh matter : and lìnee all hither- to have fcaped well, 'tis good to be iure alfo for the time to come. i8ó The Letters of I do not fo much diflike that Particular you write me, that you find no great Good from the Waters of the Baths, as I fhould have done, if I were not perfwaded that fuch kind of Helps and Remedies do not work fenfible Effecis till fome time after. It does me good to think that you will find the Benefit in the Spring, efpecially if you do hut take great Care of your felf in point of Diet, and way of living : I do not fpeak with Refped to Meat only, but Sleep and Waking, Motion and Reft, and the Paffions of your Mind, which is more than all. Of all the Occurrences of France, nothing does more amufe me than the Agreement be- tween Conde and 6'uife , and I am in fome fear that Loyalty is not over-fafe on Guifeh fide: 1 have fufpicious Thoughts of all that Family. Gionvtlle alfo profeiTes to depend on his Majefty of England, and has been proffered by him to he General to the Republick. Lorrains Condition terrifies me, and fo doth the late Example of Vaudemont. As to the Kingdom of France, \is certain that the great ones cannot be without Ambition, and the Delire of getting higher ; and confequently never without Competition and Quarrels a- mongft themfelves. What there is of this, need not be wondred at \ but you ought rather to look for more of it. The main Matter, as you fay well, lies here^ that People, be as wife for the future, as they are willing to be for the prefent. Things which are paft, ought to be a LefTen to them -, for at laft, in Tumults and Confufions they only are the Lo- fcrs : Father Paul of Venice. i 87 fcrs: Quietnefs makes for the People, and Stirs for great Men. The Cities in former Tumults have been very unwife : There is reafon now that they fhould have more Wit. I cannot wil- lingly hear Condc commended, however intimate he is with Monlieur Tbuanus. This Man without all doubt is above Tricks \ but how fhall we hope well of him that is bojlium artibus inftftm ? The Reformed Churches with you would do well to meet together, and fettle their own Buhnefs, before any Confulion arifes \ for then things are done with great Difficulty, which in time of Quietnefs are done with Eafc. That Conchine feems to me to be nothing but a Spark to fct France on fire: but after all, other IMcns Prudence, and eipecially yilltroy\ will ftill be able to quench it. The Devil of all is the the Jefuits, who with their own Tricks, and thofe of the Romans, will do fuch a deal of Mii- ( hief fecretly, that it will be great and irreme- diable before it can be perceived. Condc\ ha- ving given them a Repulfe, looks like a fine Acrion, if it be not rotten at the Core. As for (iulick, every Body ex peels to hear it taken or furrendred in a little time more. But I dare not be lb forward, feeing the De- fendants fo refolute, and knowing that a Fort is defended to little Pnrpofe, if there be no Bo- dy to relieve it : and i am afraid we (hall hear one Day that the Agents of Spain will dec lare for the Defence of ii. :Tis much that they will break the Truce, and f .1 Place*, imce they might have relieved it beh, re the Siege was laid: but on toother ;«••. | - no lefs to be vyondred at, that : loit, v. bich 1 8 8 The Letters of which is fo convenient for them. The Event muft be Judg of all at laft : but in the mean time my Ears ring of Mifchief to it. As to the Affairs of Italy^ which you delire my Opinion of, I filali tell you in fhort, what there is in the outfide of them, fmce what I think they inwardly are, and what I think they will come to, I dare not declare, through the Experience I have of the Iflite and Refult of things falling out quite contrary to Expecta- tion. That therefore which there is of Truth and Apparency in them, is thus : The Spaniards have in the State of Milan four Regiments of Italian Infantry, which make up 1 2000 \ 6000 SwifTers, and 6000 Almanes of Tirol y and 2000 Horfe of the Vallies ; beiides thofe of that State, which it may be, come to 1500, they have 600 Horfe of Burgundy. Thefe People are not paid \ but the Cities and Towns thereabouts do give a Lieur a Day of that Country-money, for every Foot-Souldier that quarters amongft them j and two for a Trooper y having a Promife that this Money mail be reimburlt them out of the yearly Contributions which they owe the Publick. Since the Death of Count deFuentes^ there has been none fit to be General of this Army j but rather there hath been a Difference between the Confrable of C afille and the Spaniards of the Council, who fhould govern till the King comes of Age *, and they have iflued out Proclamations, one againft t'other, to the King's Difhqnonr ; 3S that alfo is, that the two Vice -Roys of Na- plesy the new one and the old one, have been at odds j about their Titles in Point of Ceremony and Còl Father Paul of Venice. i 89 < implement -7 and therefore the Brother of one, and the Son of the other have had a Duel upon it. There is no new Governour come yet to Milan ? but there runs a Speech that the Conftable of C afiik is to be the Man : which (I fpeak it by a Parenthefis) I am glad of, becatiie he hates the Priefts. The Duke of Savoy has a Matter of 1 8 Thou- fand Men in Arms, at the Peoples Charge *, but they are paid. He has refolved to fend Fslibert his fecond Son into Spain., tò treat an Agreement with the King : fo he is advifed alfo by Bouillon ? but he does not go by Sea, but by way of France. The Pope beflirs himfeif lufrily to keep War out of Italy. The Republick has raifed Souldi- ers for their Defence, with an Intention, that if the Army of the Spaniards moves, their People as well for want of a General, as for want of Money, without which no Army- will budga foot. There is not a Word of it true, that there was a Defign to make the Duke of Panna Gene- ral -, nor is it likely they will pitch upon him, or any Italian elfe for thatOflice. Here I will tell you \y the tv, that this Duke has had a Son born this la ft Week, which the Pope doth not very well like of, nor the PriciU who have an Eye at that State. And now let's retinato the Bufinefsof Military Preparations: I believe that the King of Frame intending to invade powerfully the Dutchy of Milan, the Spaniards were minded only to make fome (lender Preparations againft it, and fuch as rnigJiX It- fuiliricnt to defend! u and that there- fore i po Tlye Letters of fore the Italians being awakened at ity feeing the Pdwer of France, and no Head made agai nil it, would ftrike in with them. But when the King was dead, they thought bell to increafe their Strength, to terrify the Duke of Savoy i and make him throw himfelf in- to their Arms : but the Duke keeping his Ground with abundance of Refolution. They have in- creafed their Army for that very reafon J and not being able to obtain their Ends, through the Duke's Conftancy, they are now rn a very great Perplexity: for ff they difarm, without getting their Point, they lofe their Reputation : and to go on now, is not in their Power, for want of Money and a good Commander. To fend their Souldiers into Winter-Quarters, would mine that State quite, which is almofl ruined already. The t)uke who knows all thefe things, plays with them, becaufe he Hill gets, when the Spaniards Jofe : and befides that they are not able to go on, he entertains them with a Purpofe offending his Son into Spain } the Execution of which may be deferred, as it has been in other Buflnefs \ and if he fend him by the way of Franc 't , he may (top him by the way, and call him back as he pleafes. I muli tell you alfo fomethingof the Secrets of Princes. The Pope will have nothing to do with War, being in fo good a Cafe as cannot be mend- ed j but he is in great Peril of having it made worfe : Whereupon, looking upon the Reafons and Purfuits of Men, we might conclude that all thefe Preparations will come to nothing at laft. But God is above all \ and for his Glory \ makes humane Defigns ferve to produce otnej Eifech than the World intended. In all th lì Oc- Father Paul -of Venice. i9r Ocairvcncts nothing in my Opinion will more prejudice the Good of Men than the Queen's Su- aion-7 and it will do it io much the more ' k vou fey) as there is the Captivity of [the sj Marriage to help the Mile hief forward. ] am troubled to fee that ZeaL, which yon faur here amongit us, mortijuJ, it not extinguished^ lince the Pope doth not now buff and rant , but i Vveetly flatter ^ and the End is common, that is to lay, Qwctmfs. I have been very tedious to vou, lb far as I fct) and now 'tis high time to have done. 1 will only tell you this of Friar Ful- gentioy that :tis the Opinion even of the Roman Courtiers themfelves, that he had very foul Play (hewed him, by breaking die Faith that was gi- ven him : and that very Sentence which they readpublickly in St. Peter's Church againft him, is an Evidence that he did not deferve that End they brought him to. I pray God grant you your Health. 1 kifs your Hand. Vtnics, Scptemb. 14, i5ic. — LETTER L. BY my lafttoyou, written this Day Fortnight, I gave you an Account of the Receipt of yours of the 1 8rJ; of sluguft, together with the Supplement of the Cypher. By this Courier I ha\ e had two of yours -, one of the fecond, ano- ther of the third Lnfbtnt \ together with the in- clofed ones to Signor Molino and Monfieut Affili* mau, which 1 feat away immcdiatelv. this way I .flia.il obferve according to your Com- mands, ip2 Tk Letters of jnands, giving you in every one of mine an account of what I receive from you. I am greatly pleafed that you have anfmred my Lord AmbafTador Barbarigo; concerning whom the Commendations I fent you are fo far from being any Hyperbole or Jlretching in his Praife, that it is much lefs than what might be faid with Truth and Juftice of him *, and I fliould be hard put to it, to find amongft all this Nobility, a Perfon that goes beyond him in Goodnefs and Frudence ; and I am fure you will find him fo by fpeaking perfonally with him, as well as by Correspondence by Letters : for you will have an opportunity of feeing him, becaufe as foon as the Embaffy of Turin is over, he will be fent into France or England', or it may be he will be the firft that is to go to Holland. The Advices that you fhall pleafe to give him ; but efpecially the bifiruttions and Confederations you fhall fliow him upon what pafles in the World, will be very ufefulr not only to him, bi^t the Publick ; and it will be very ferviceable, if you will let him know all the Infolences that the Jefuits ufe about you. There is great Ground and Reafon for your Difcourfe, that the Pop e and Rome do think of nothing more than to be re- venged of the Republic^', but yet they do well fee insuperable Difficulties that they muft meet with in attempting it ; for if they fhould go about to do it without an Army, they will be laughed at, as they have been already \ and if they fhould once come to that, they are fure it would be a' means of filling Italy with Confejftoritfts and Pro- teftants, and this would foon fpoil all their Pride and Pomp. And I would not have you thiniki that Father Paul of Venice. 1 9 ; that the Pope takes more Pains to compofe Difficulties than Spain is witling and commands him to do-, but whether there will be War in Italy, I am fo uncertain, that I do not know which fide to incline to. Since you tell me, wit\i doubting, that the Pope will do nothing upon the Decree of the Sorbon, I will free you from the Doubt, 'tis certain that he will not do if, and therefore I will tell you further, that no longer ago than ten days lince there came out a Book of Cardinal BeUarmin\ printed at Rome, with this Title, Of the Temporal Authority of the Pope over Princes ; but the Book is written in Latin. The pretence of writing it, is again ft Barclay ; but the true delign of it appears to be to carry the Pope up to the Pinacle of Omnipotence. There is nothing in it but that Argument, and he has it abore five and twenty times over, that when the Pope judges a Prince either to be unworthy of Government through his own fault, or to be un- fit for it, or clfe knows that it is good for the Church fo to do, he may deprive him. He lays it over and over again \ that when the Pope for- bids Obedience to be paid to a Prince that is de- prived by him, it may not be (hid, that Ik com- mands the Prince not to be obeyed, butaprà . Per fon, becairfe a Prince deprived by the Pope is no longer a Prince -, and he carries it fo high, thai lie comes to fay, That the Pope may difpofc of ali the . f any Chrifiian whatfoevcr, if it : but all this would be as £ood as nothings If he had only faid, that this is his Opinion ; but therefore he fays further, thatfJbi* is an tide of Chriftian Fxitb, chat U is a Heretivk : . 0 i p4 ^:e Letters of thinks the contrary ', and this with fo much Sawci- nefs, that it is impojfible that any tiling fhould be faid more fawcily. I make no queftion, but that BeHarmine hear- ing of the Death of the King, refolved there- upon to make this Book : for, as for what con- cerns Barclay, he ought to have done it before \ and it is nothing in the World elfe but to try the Patience of Princes, to go further on in this Subjed. I believe the Republick will not permit the Book. But fince I am fpeaking of Rome, I muft needs tell you a Story of the Jefuits there. You mult know, Sir, that there is a very great number of Serjeants and Catchpoles in that City, there are without doubt above an hundred and fifty of them ', the Father-Jefuits feeing that fort of Peo- ple live debauché dly and very wickedly, have thought fit to fet up in their Church a Company of none but Catchpoles, to teach them Chriftian Doctrine, and ufe them to Confeffion \ and the Governour of Rome, and that Court, have conceived a Jea- loufy of the fir id Correfpondtnce of thofe Fat for s with their Officers ; they have compia inM of it to the Pope, becaufe the Bifiop of tying upon his Death-bed, and dying prefently after, made them a Legacy of thirty thoufand Crowns, left by him : but the Chamber of Rome hath not approved of the Donation, but declared th Aioney to be the Spoils of the Church, and applied it all to it. So they fometimes receive Affronts, as well as give them. I am aftonifhM . at the Saxocinefs that they fhow in your Parts, and to fee them in fucfr Favour there: But above all, *tis tliQ greateft Riddk to me that can be, to fee ^ Monfim Father Paul of Venice. 195 .iCnur 1 — in love with them \ there mult IH^$befomegreat/a>Tf Reafon for it, beccute I cannot doubt of the Coodnefs of the Man. Jo write againil them, would be jeriberc in eos0 <\iii pojfwt profcribere. The Father defires it ^ but it is but meet for him to be very cautious, when the Harlot ufes her Tricks and Flatteries with the Republick, as Hie does at thvs time : it it mould pieafe God that fhe would but put her Mask on, not only th'15, but fumevebat elfe beildes might ealily be done. I have received divers good Advices from yon about the good Govtrnmtnt of that Sosicty, and particularly, the My ft try which you fend me by this Conner, for which I thank you : but this doth not keep me from the buldnefs of ko£gi*$ greater things of you. Touching the Book De mudo agendi, I flay till Signor Fojcarint gets into F 'inland. Ì would defire you to get me a Copy of h\i; Lewis RicbeomcH Apology in Frrr.J), not in / it you could do it without trouble \ and ir you would deliver it to Signor Agojlino Dolce, I fhould take it as a Favour. Concerning the * Chamber of Meditations, we hive no account cf any fnch thing here in Italj, becaufe Italian Brums are not lo eaiily perfwaded to incounter with Dangers-, and therefore ; ...; Prug comes to a bad Marlet here \ bi.e anoth:: we have that /J/ j rtfrtfjf n\.7, a:. o a * Sec a !itcfc Book called Lt F m Difcak s, trai I clic nftsrins of : . -. •.. ... the (IkU; . ... !p6 Tlx Letters of of Profit, by which they gain all that dance after their Pipes : and we do obfcrve, that the greatelt Vfurers, and Vfurpers of other Mens Goods, are Itili the Votaries of the Jefuits. But fo God will have it, that they who do not receive the Truth, fhould be punifhed with Blindnefs. As to the things of France, I doubt Father PauPs Words will be found truer than what you believed of them, confidering what has happened about Calais, and other Matters that are in a tumbling Condition, which I fee to be done in Fa- vour oi Conchine. I have alfo fome great Fear, that that Duke of Feria will prove a Duke of * Fefla, and that a very folemn one too. God grant that he may be gone out of France, and leave no * Diacatholicon behind him. Concerning the Affairs of the World, 'tis ve- ry clear, that the High-Dutch are irrcfolute, di- njided and weak, as that Nation ufes to be, who are otherwife a brave People, and renowned all the World over. But I will fay, and I believe I am not miftaken, that the States only are a tree Prince, refolute, bold and fincere : and for my Part, I elieem them above any } and I fee that all the Good that has been done for thefe thirty Years, comes from them. The Hugonots have good Reafon to get into the Shade -, they can never ufe too much Cauti- on: efpecially lìnee the Jefuits are perpetually watching for their Deit ruction, and will let no Opportunity fcape, where they think they may cnxci it. I would fain fee that Aflembly of theirs met : * Here die Father makes two lundfocie Jol^s upon riur Sterili FzYOuritf:^ Tuli J od !&£«& Father Paul of Venice. 197 met : and I pray be pleafed to give me particular Advice of it, for I look upon it as a Matter of great Moment and Concernment. I hope that God will blefs fo ufeful a Purpofe \ and 1 pray God to give it a good Beginning, and as happy an Ending : whom I befeech alio to bcltow upon you all prcfent and evcrlafling Happincfs : So I kifs your Hand. As to the Abjuration of Friar Fulgent io^ I can fay nothing of Certainty about it, but in this Particular, that he did not fay a Word in the Church, and that he had a Gag in his Mouth. It may be, that he might abjure privately \ but this does not w^c to be done with thofe who have the Sentence read to them in the Church, as it was to him. BeBarmine*s Book is prohibited here with Rigour more than ordinary ^ and fo will all Books be that come from the Coafts of Tyber\ and cfpecially if they are Pieces that c;:anccto get loofe out of the Cabinets of the Fatbcr-Jtfiats^ who have fworn to debafe all : earthly Power [of Princes], that they may the better exalt that of the Pope above allof t put together. But lam firmly of a Belief, that God will make 11 fc of his Power Divine for the Deliverance of his Church from this Plague. .f, Scpteml). 28, i5io. O 1 LETTER 1 9 8 Tfe Letters 0/ LETTER LI. BY the Courier that went away this Day Fort- night from hence, I anfwered two of yours of the id and 3d of September , which came both together, with one inclofed to Signor Molino. By this Courier I have received yours of the 1 5 fib, which with very good Reafon, begins with an Admonition of me for my Negligence, that I have never written to you but in Anfwer to yours, which is a Fault I cannot deny, nor ought to excufe, but mult only fay, I will mend it for the future. Your laft, as it is a true Refemblance of things there, fo it has fetched Tears from my Eves ; upon the Obfervation I make, that things go as bad here and in Germany as they do with you } which makes me believe that it is not yet God's Will tfeat we fhould get free from the Yoke : but if this be for his Glory, we mull fubmit and be thankful. As to things there -, if the Queen have fo much Strength (as I don't believe fne has) as tofuilain that abfolute Co'cev'-:r,ienx^ me will do Miracles ; 3t leali fo far as concerns humane Jffairs ^ but if not, I expect in a ihort time they will run into Leaguing^ totheRuineof the Kingdom. Our Folks have ioli their Zeal, becaufe the Pope handles them with all Meeknefs :, andalfo becaufe t'other is not the way to Preferment, which is a manifefc Token, that what is paft was not of God *, and thci efore 'tis no wonder if it milled Father Paul of Venice. 199 milled its due Effect ; and there is this in it bc- hdes, that having fonie Apprehcnììon of the lurks, they think there is need to claw a little with the Pope and Spaniard :, and i'< piste out of doors with them. I fee no other means of keeping or cherifhin^ that little that is left [of the old Zeal], unlefs by the Help of the Agents of Princes ot the RerormM Churches, and efpe- cially the GrifcHs, becaafe thefe would do fome Work in Italy. The Jefuits, though we are fairly rid of them, do us as much Mifchief as they do you, by Let- ters and Tools of Prieffs and FriaisConieiiors, at which I do not wonder at all, that they have gotten fuch hold of the Queen j for Flattery is a powerful way of getting into Favour, efpecially with the weaker Sex -0 and cringing w a rare AccompUfh- tnent. I have read the Remonftrance prefented her in the Name of the Univerfity \ 'tis a very curious Piece, and worthy of Monlieur VEfrbaf- fur, if he be the Author of it. That Point, that there is no Advocate to begot for the Uni- verfity, unlefs he mould be commanded to it, is a fufficient Proof that the Power of :': : Jefiiitì is gotten above you all. I have finiled at tiicir Proffer, ùf fubmittfng to the Vnivcrfìty+Statutes, becaufe 'tisaTii theirs, that when they try to get into any Place, -le at any PiomiiV, having an Art to five themfclvcs the Z,/V, by Knuivoca: and mental] -^ and what is more I gol. that do oblige them, and m n comme n \ much more, to 1 [ their P es. 1 fee that , Little tin ; O 4 20o The Letters of be bejefuitcd. The Anti-Coton is a very good Piece, and a very folid one, and makes me look upon the Author of it as a very admirable Per- fon : And I do not know whether any Body clfe could have done that thing fo well. Without doubt the Father, fo far as he tells me, doth not promife himfelf to do like it -, and France is too full of able and learned Men, efpe- cially amongft the Proteilants, to let him take the Confidence of a Place amongft fo noble a Company, without remembring well that Saying of old} Non effe fcribendum in eos, qui fojjunt pro~ fcribere, i. e. There vs no Writing againft thofe, that can fend us a fcribbling into other Countries for our Pains. But in all human Affairs, Good is weigh'd againft Evil: nor is it any Prudence for a light Matter, as that is, which the Father might do, to lofe an Opportunity of doing fomething bet- ter} as he tells me, he would not value it any thing to do fome Good, where he were able to do it to purpofe. But fmce we are got upon this Bufmefs, I will tei) jou, that at laft with a great deal ado, I have a Copy of their Conftitutions, printed at Rome in the Year 157c concerning which I will firft fay, that before 1 faw them, I did not know what kind of thing the Jefuits were : for to touch their Actions, would be the way to be told again, that they are Abufes of private Men, which are not to be attributed to the whole Socity ; but the Infti- tution is that which they are accountable for. Then I muft fay further, that if at that time of 1574, when the Fathers were nothing, and had not ventured upon any great Undertaking, the ill Seed wzrc discovered -, a Man that fhouldfee what father Paul of Venice. 201 what they have done from that time to this,might be able to write (bmcthing that were good and ufeful to the World. Conlidering the ways of theft Fathers for thefe lafl 50 Years, I plainly fee that they have itili united in one particular Undertaking, though it be managed in one only Country. Now they lay all their H^ads together in France^ to fee if they can break through all Difficulties, and make themfelves Matters of it : and I dare fay it, that things have fuch a Face there, that either they muli: obtain their End, or be ruin'd. God grant, if it be for his Glory, that the lafl of thefe may be their Lot : for the firil can never be without imbroiling the King- dom in a Civil War \ for which they will nfe all the Induftry they can for their very Souls. I have feen a thing printed at Paris, concern- ing a huge great Miracle of their blcfled Father Ignatius -, and 'tis one of the prettieit ones that a Man (hall commonly read-, that they have af- iigned him the Office of making Girls make Water \ as they have bellowed other Offices upon his E- quals and Companions. I hive feen a Writing in French of one Madamoifelle G. and I imagine it is Madamoifelle de G our nay, in favour of thefe Fathers, as a Prefeni made them for this notable Mirarle of theirs upon her : and I have thought that {he her fclfwzs Author of the Book, becaufc there is .Mention and Commendation of Fadovcrc in it. Godblefsus ! what's the Matter that Atheifts and Jefuits are fo mighty fond of each other ? lfieur Caftrine has never faiPd to fend me all the fine Pieces that come out there -, and there- fore I ami - • lì obliged to him, and to you, about that 2 0 2 The Letters of that which I took the Boldnefs in my laft to beg of yon, Richeome^s Apology in French, and no other Language. I do not know of any thing elfe I lack at this prefent. Signor Molino writes by this Difpatch to the Ambaffador, to deliver the Packet to Signor Agoftino Dolce; and if you could light upon any more of thofe Apologies^ without any Trouble, it would do me a Plea- fur e. That Signor Agoftino*, or elfe Signor Anthelmo^ the ArnbafTador's Secretary, who returns hither, would do me the Kindnefs to bring them. But I will not have you incommoded in the leafl for them } not only becaufe that would make them the lefs welcome to me ^ but alfo be- caufe my need of them is not fo great as to de- ferve fuch a Trouble. I think Cujacius hath writ- ten fomewhat in Canon-Law \ and we here in Italy have never feen it: His other Works are eafy to be had, and they are greatly efleemed : I read them with Benefit and Delight, which makes me believe alfo that his Canon- Law-Pieces are as good, if not better. I fhouid be glad to know whether there be any of them to be had \ which you may eafily inform your felf of, by the next cccaflon that brings you to Paris. I have oftentimes thought to inlarge the Cypher by Notes for the molt ufual Syllables : but becaufe they are not the fame in your Language with thofe of ours, I could not well do it. The molt ufual ones with us are thofe which are in the de- clining of Verbs *, but the French Declenfionis fo dirlerent, that thofe will not ferve here. As for the Letter X, not to confound it with any other, the Character for it may be Z 2, and fo I have mad: Fatkr Paul of Venice. 203 made it in my Cypher. I long to know what the Duke of Feria hath done, who mull: needs be about fonie Mifchief, conlideringwhat he is, and whence he comes. I have ever had little Credit for Guifc, as I have alfo for all his Family j and 1 have lefs Confidence in them now, lince they are matclfd into the Joyeufes. You will do me a iingular Favour to write to me fomething parti- cularly of the Qualities of that Barrane that is going to Rcme^ and alfo of him that is coming hither. Efpemon, without doubt, will do no- thing but Mifchief. The Proteilants have great need of being Wary, and looking well to them- felves. As for what concerns the Affairs of Italy , I am not able to fay whether there will be War or Peace. Two things there are that I think piU be \ one is, that the Spaniards will do all they can, that there be no War : T'other, that the Duke of Savoy will do all he can to make it \ but to his own Advantage. But Men are ingaged -, and though they are working to fome End, yet they often light upon one that they never aim:d at. rris pofuble that the Spaniards flmnning War, may fall into it. At prefenr, though we are fo forward, the fame Souldiers continue in the Dutch y of Milan, much cvhaufted by them, and in Danger of being utterly ruined -, nay certain to be fo, if they winter there, which we fliall not know but by the Event. And in S] ain^ tho they underltand this Defolation of the Country, yet they make no Account of it \ imagining that they by theCharge they put the Duke of Savoy tb \ and vet his Stats k |n a grnch better Condi- tion than theirs is. He 1 04 7fe Letters of He fearing that the Spaniards, when the Snow falls, and the Paflàge of the Dolphin grows diffi- cult, may make fome Attempt upon him, has increafed his Army with 4000 French under the Duke of Nemours, and thus they are. Prince Filtbert, his Son, has haftned his Jour- ney into Spain, where it may be he is at this very time. Some fay that this was againft his Fa- ther's Will, but that he thought he fhould not be recalled by him. And 'tis true, Spain has an Underftanding with Children againft their Fa- thers. Thefe are new Politicks in Italy, but old in the Monarchy of Spain. And I for my part do believe that this is a LefTou of the Jefuits School : and it is as certain as certain can be, that tbofe Men would abfolve the Devil himfelf from all his Stns, if he would but be of their Mind. Now, Sir, do you confider what you have to look for there, and we will confider what we are to look for here. But I am too troublefom to you with this long Letter, which the Pieafure I have in talking with you has fpun out to fuch a length -, which neverthelefs ought to be moderate^ and not to be indulged, as if it were impoflible to be fatisfied. So I end, and kifs your Hand. Vaia, Oftob. 1 2. In this Letter Father Paul fome- l6l°* times fpeaks of himfelf in the third Perfon, as if fome body elfe wrote it. LETTER Father Paul of Venice. 205 LETTER LIL 1D0 greatly wonder that you did not receive my Letters of the firft and eleventh of Set- xzmbcr, before the 29th of the fame Month, when that which I had la ft from you was writ- ten : yet I am in hopes they will come to you for all this. I anfivered your next, written on the 15?/;, by the lait Cilpatch, which truly was an exact Defcription of the State of France, the Af- fairs whereof fecm to be managed by not a very good Man, but rather a dangerous one. I fee that there are there two great Preci- pices : one is the Queen's Ambition -, t'other the too fudden Rife of Corichine : and there is a great Ditch belides, the Craft of the Jcfuits. It will be an extraordinary Mercy of God if you can get over them. But as for what you write me of the Jefuits, you may certainly believe that the Father would gladly do all he canto ferve them- He has obferved fomc good Parts of their Go- vernment, which are all explained in the Let- ter ; and he fays he knows nothing more that is to be written thereabouts: but be yon afibred, that if you ask him any thing which lie hath or knows, you (hall command it at any time:, and take my Word for it, that he will not oiriy do it willingly, but be $iad alfoto do it. You may reft fatisfied that things %\ ill fail out according to th« Method and Couvfe they arc into. We have had here a clear Ac- : of all thai has pail atJW/ox 1 he Brt- » very %ó6 The Letters of very of Count Maurice has defeated many De- signs, not only of S(ain7 but France too } and 'tis plain, that irpon his wife Management of the Army, this Winter will go nigh to cool their Courage : and God grant that the following Spring may have the like Effedi in Italy. We are as good as fure that we fhall have no War, though the fame Armies I told you of before are not yet disbanded. But thinking-Men are afraid that they are hitherto kept together to fend fome part of them into Germany when time fhall ferve } though others there are that bl^me the Spanifh Government, affirming that thofe few- things that do go well, do happen by following the Meafures of Philip the Second, which is a thing that if you mind it well, you will, it may be, confefs to be true ^ and therefore you ought not to be fo much afraid of the Duke of Feria. But I cannot underftand that Paflage of your Letter, that there has been a League made be- tween Great Britain and France^ offenfive and de- fen five ; thefe being relative terms , and the jje- fenfive relating to themfelves, and Offenfive to others, without naming whom : that Term is not well ufed fo. The Brothers of Auflria have made up their Differences without any thing elfe but Words, Matthias having oifer'd to ask the Emperor Forgivenefs, and given Com million to' his Brother Maximilian, and the other Arch- Dukes to do it in his Name-, and the Emperor taking this for Satisfaction, without any formal Performance of it. The Arch-dukes alfo have torn the Writing to Pieces, which they made againft his Majefty two Years ago -7 and this they did in his Ma jetty7? Prcfencev rather Paul of Venice. 207 JPrefence. This Union, it may be, will itrengthen the League oi Alcntz. , efpccially being aiiiited by the Duke of Saxony : and there is no Reii- ftance likely, coulidering the Weakneis of the ,.,ue of Hall, through the Death of the FJe- ci:or Palatine j which hath not only deprived it of its main Support, but has been a means of fome Difcord in that Family about the Tuition of his Son. But I have fo often obferved that things look'd upon as defperate, have been fetchM about to a hopeful Condition -, and things that look'd well, to prove otherwife ^ that 1 will flay to fee what comes of it, and never go about to foretel any thing. I live very well contented ) not that 1 fee things go as 1 wifh, but that for the abovefaid RcafonI am willing to let them take their Courfe, having no Delire but this, that all may be to the Glory of God, whom I befeech to give you all Content of Mind, and every true Good. And fo I end, killing your Hand. Vitiice, Ocfcob. 26, i:'ic. LETTER LIII. X M V Letters by the laft pifpatch wi|lhar41y IVI get to you lb foon as they ufed, by re ■ of the Abfenceof my Lord Ambaffadoi I hope they will find the way to yo» at lalL in ih:, i . c you an Account of the Ilc- peipt of yours a£the zptb of Scptctnfa prefent Di(patdi I bavii received che io8 The Letters of dated the 1 1 tb of Oftober. If we will have the former Courfe of Affairs to give us fome Argu- ment, what they will be hereafter; having feen that Kingdom fìrfl in a wretched State, and then miraculoufly faved from Ruine ; we may hope that it will either be kept in good Condition at prefent, as it is \ or if it fhould decline, it will the eafilier rife again. I am afraid of Efternoyfi going to Rome ; and I remember (for I was there at that time) the great Mi fchief that old Never* did, wThen he went thither £to reconcile Henry the Wth to the Pope] [A°. 159^0 I obferve the Motions of Conde, and methinks they are like thofe of his Anceftors :, and I have fome Hopes that at lait he will become a Prote- ttane This I will fay of him, that if he be wife, he will do fo, as it may be believed he will, having Bouillon's Counfel to affili him : and it may be thofe flight Difcourfes of fuch a thing, are permitted by God tD get fome great Good out of them. Rumours and Jealoufiesamongft great Men, are perpetual Companions of a State that wants a vigilant and beloved Prince : but that Conchine mould have a Hand in thefe things, isfo extraordinary a thing, that I can never e- nough admire it. I am troubled at Sulifs Declenfion, he having been a true Friend in the keeping clofc to Religi- on : and at laft I do not think that the Counfels of yillcroy and Jamtine are fo wicked and pernici- ous. I am more afraid of Sillery as a Flatterer \ and of the Jefuits as Spaniards. I have fo good an Opinion of Thuanus, that I will fooner fay that Drunkennefs is no Sin, than that he is no good Cathoiick, I greatly long to hear what will Father Paul of Venice. 2 09 tv ill become of the Suit of the Univcriity againit the Jefuits, becauie there we may have the Symptom of good or bad Hopes: and becaufc there mufl needs be very pretty Speeches made upon that Point, which will certainly be cx- trcamly like thofe which came out againit the * Anti-Cot on, and the never-to-be-anfwcr''d -[ O- ration. And if I were Father Cottone Friend, I mould advife him never more to meddle with thefe things, for fear of bringing an old Houfe upon his Head. But what can the || Father do, which would be any more than lighting a Can- dle to the Sun? Which he would not have to be underltood as if he were againit engaging them, but to (hew his InfufFiciency, and wait for fome Command that he wTere able to obey. To tell you fomething now of Italy j We are every day more and more uncertain, whether there will be War or no. The Spaniards are al- ways bu7.zing about it ? and becaufe they con- cern their Honour in it, it is undoubtedly to a- P void * Which was tranfljted our of French, and printed a: don^ Anno 1611. VVlnchBook, fo much commended by ba- ther P.i*/, goes commonly under the Name of Piter di Colg- 3:r ; which it feems was only a Nic^amt, which the true Author was willing to conceal himfelf by, from the occa of that Name given bv the Priefls of Para, to an [ma fome Church there, which they abftfed and thrult into a Cor- ner, and defigncd to aJront old l\. ■) it C itgntrus with, that fiood up fo bravely for the Rights tj Kings 500 Years a^j. Rtvct'i J -.Win r./p.*/.i'/i, cap. 27. f Which, I fuppofe, is that fpoken of before, whereof Monficur VEfcbiffitr was thought to be the Author, wlio lus fomething in BocbtlP* great Volume of the Decrees of the Gillian Church, at Pag. 641. to : he fame purpofc. 1! tfcrchefpeakiof himfclf. i x o 1ì:e Letters of void War, without any refpeft to their Honour. The Duke of Savoy has no other End, but to make War 5 he holds it for certain, that his Son will be able to do nothing in Spain ; He would be willing to fall upon it, but the Queen prómifes him her Defence, and not to be againft him y and this makes him do all that lies in his Power to be on the provoking Side. Venice is for Quietnefs, becaufe it is bell for the People -, but the wifer part would be for War. 1 pray, Sir, do not wonder that our Zeal is grown cold,becaufe it had no other but a worldly End and Aim -7 and 'tis quite gone now.ever fin'ce' the Pope has been fo cunning as to hold hhTongue, and to let every thing run at random, fo much that none of his Predeceflbrs (I fpeak it with- out any Hyperbole) ever bore what he has done :, and therefore the Republick like their prefent Condition very well. I am in great pcrpkxity about the way how we mail keep on our Ccrrefpondence, if that of Turin will not do : And I ftand amazed at the Reafon that Monfieur Caftrine has not given your Letter to Signor Fofcarirù. I fnall write to Signor Barbarigo about the Mif- fortune your firft Letter has met with :y and f will make your Apology lor it : But I do not think that you ought to forbear therefore to find: out fome other way of getting your Letters di- rected to him, to be given to the Courier at Paris. Signor Dominico Molino is particularly vexM, that that Correfpondence is not commenc'd y hoping that lie fhall have much benefit by Fdihef Paul of Venfke. 21 1 ttA Father tulgtmio do kifs your Hands-, and I Jo' the fame in a more affectionate manner. ) tell you fome of the News of Italy: The Souldiérs% about Milan are to go into Winter - : cers there -7 and all things are making ready ing of them. They have lately rurnifh- :he Abrixhes with Muskets, which they had e of before. TheCbrirfablc, that is to come . :r of the State, and General òf the Army, bri: : Spaniards with him, but .chcdly AppafclPd, as tliofe People ufi to be ; and they are to be clothed new at Milan. The Spaniards attempted to fortify in httfih- rjf, a piece of Land they have upon the Duke of Savoys Country; and for that Reaion he lias ■Cent Souldiers to CbiefXfetL that lies clofe by it. But at jto, which is betwixt Mantua, Modena, the Spanifli Garifon have • ìémTelvcs Ma'iteis or the Calile. The !v do all of them blame wi:I be given up again : But "orali thatt! .vili KavS Orders front wain to do it, b . • it. of 1 - of j is the Em [àdpr m - ' 5 '■> .-.'.•.: and M . Spa* ; ' ifion't • •', lcen The i wide lor ti 7 ivi • |\V€ 1 ~a Year 2 is* Nc P 2 1 1 % H?e Letters of Germany is no better Itili, where the Emperor fufpe&s his Friends as much as he does his Ene- mies j and the Diftrults are very great : 7Tis be- lieved that thofe Conteits between the Palatines will be accommodated, and that Newbwrgh will give up the Tutelage £of the Elector's Son]. The League Ecckfiaftick is very bufy \ but the nearnefs of the Winter may go near to fpoil all their Intrigues : Which God grant may be ac- cording to his Holy Will \ whom I befeech to preferve you in good Health. So I conclude, killing your Hands. Venice, Novemb. o, 1 6 i o. LETTER LIV. AT the return of my Lord AmbafTador Fof- carini from Rhemcs, my Letters, I fuppofe, will be fent you \ which you had had before, if you had Itaid at Paris : Monfieur Caftrine telling me, that he received the Packet in which they were inclofed. By this laft Courier I have that of yours of the inthoi OcJober, and lent away that which was direft^to Monfieur Affelincau j from whom I fhould think, you have had fome Letters by fome of thefe laft Polls. He has Itili enjoyed his Health *, and we often make you the Subject of our Difcourfe. I fhould have been very glad that you might have feen Signor Jgo Crino Dolce, that fo he might have brought mc News from your own felf, of your Health and Welfare: But I am contented, »l;ice it could not be fo, to hear of it by the con- * tinuance Father Paul of Venice. 2 1 ; tinuanceof your Letters \ which I always re- ceive with a multiplied Obligation. 1 have been mightily taken with that Piece which you ! me concerning the Commen which doth really touch fome good Particulars; But the Anti-Coton is more fearching, and I be- lieve it will be a hard matter for any to mend it, or equal it. I am not fure whether theft kinds of Writii will difcourage or enliven the Friends of thole Fathers. I obferve, that 'tis the Property or Truth, that it makes fuperftitious Minds more obftinate, Qor, the molt obftinate Minds fii- perftitious] and 1 am afraid, that this new pohtionof them, will make the more powerful Men amongft ye to favour them the more : And I have fome thoughts belidcs, that they being hereby roufed up, will double their Arts and Tricks, and overthrow the others before they are aware \ who in a little time more will foi the Bulincfs of Jefuits : but they themfelyes will never forget the Danger that your People thrcatned them with \ and they will never lay a- iide the Refolution to revenge themfelves tor what is pall, nor to fecure themfelves from what may be to come. \\\d if God A! our Lord,do not crufh that Impudence of theirs, the Endeavours of Men w ill rather increate tl dirainifh it. If the Queen be refolvcd to know no fun' coijcerning her Husband's Death, it m;. becaufe P. isafraicj of learning fomewhai bj h were better to be if the -ire fb ufeful tor the pi ter*, I i!4 Tl:£ Letters of ignorant of the thing. In one word, She ys a Flo- ventine. There mull be fome Alteration at laft ) for the prefent management of things is not good at ail. The Affairs of Germany, though they feem to be accommodated ; yet the Emperor's unwilling- nefs to disband the Army of Pajfau -, and the Duke of Saxony's Claim of part of the Efrates of Cleves -, and the Differences between New- burgh and Denxpont, about the Tutelage, are Seeds of many Troubles that may grow up. We do not yet know how Things may prove in Italy : 'Tis thought, that the Conftable of Ca- fiileh arrival may make all things ^lain. Yet as we have been in expectation of ibme Certainty, Week after Week.for four Months togethcr,and are yet more in the dark than ever \ to it maybe we (nail be as much to leek then, as we have been ail this while. The Truth of Things hitherto is thus: The Duke of Savoy is getting more Forces together. -The Spanifb Forces do not lefTen \ but rather the Cnndable will bring with him more I\l.en than W3"> believed he could. The Duke of Mantua, and one Viiv.cc of Italy more, grow very jealous, heciiife the Spfnitpfc are beating the Market for G^ft'tgl'ione, of that Marqiiefs that offers to part with it : 'Tis a Place fituate between Mantua and Brefcia, and lies ve- ry convenient to make a good Garifon of, being iery capable of being flrongly fortified. And another thing that makes them jealous is, that the Spaniards have gotten polle (lion of Correggio Caftic; and though they talk' of leaving it, yet they have not yet been as good as their word. la Father Paul of Venice. i \ 5 In l\nice the Pojclin 1 the wont part of the City, have gotten the upper-hand, and ground apace. But God is above all 1 hiivs *, and we mu ft be contented with his Huh Will. Signor Molino, and I- at her Fpdrenti ' von their humble Service, and I do humbly kiis vour Hand. Vnki\ Novcmb. 25. 1610. LETTER LV. I Am comforted with the hopes, that your Fit of the Collick will be the laft , and that it was only an Effort of Nature, through the help or. rhofc Waters, to drive away the Reliqucs of the Diflcmper j other wife I fhould have been ex- ceedingly troubled at what you write me in yours of the 1 nth of November) that it held you for fix days together. God grant thai [opes may be propheti- cal : But I would a Ifo delire you to befriend and favour your (elf further, by ree- our Stu- dies and other Bufmcfs, which produce Indige- ftion, that feeds that Diftafe I am troubled at thofe Letters which von hwe milled r< of } "which I believe did get to Ptfrwatthe time of the King's Solemnity j but 1 hope they will come laic to you at lai! . I cannot now fty what Particulars oi Impor- e might be therein, excepl :wsClir- . By this pilpatc h , men- 1 1, 1 have another frnall one d tted the i in which I fee your c P 4 1 1 6 Tlic Letters of finding out, that the Duke of Feria went away, not for any want of Will to do Mifchief, nor of Matter fit to hammer it out of, but for want of a convenient Seafon to do things in. I never did doubt, nor do I frill, but that the CarefTes made us, had or have any other End, but to wait for, and lay hold of, fuch a Conjuncture. This is the mifery of it, that the thing is not perceived by one, that can well perceive other things. Never fear that the Milanefe Army is intended againft us, for certain they are not. It will not turn them to account to go that way to work, which has fuch an uncertain Iflue to attend it -7 and might eafdier produce Hurt, than any Good to them. We have anotherguefs thing to fear *, and the Mifchief is, that we are not afraid of it. Some Body lays, That vain is their Fear that trouble themfelves at it : the hundredth part of it fel- ciom comes to pais \ and that there are abun- dance of things that ftep in between, to help thofe that have the advantage of Time, and to hinder thofe that are bent upon Mifchief. God grant it may be fo here. 'Tis a thing I muft not grant you, that the Je- fuits do more harm there than they do here : It may be I do not fee it here, and the diftance of Place may make it feem lefs \ but certain it is, they do more here by their Inftruments and Mi- nifters, than they could do if they were perfo- naily with us. I believe, that if they mould meet with fome Misfortune there in a more emi- nent Place than Nifmes^ it would do you and us good both. Thefe Father Paul of Venice. 217 Tlicfc arc fomc of the things which arc more clear and evident to me than the Light of the Sun it felf^ and the Jefuits, before this Apia-vi- va was their General, were Saints in compari- fon of what they were and arc after : They then never meddled with Matters of State, nor aft fumed the Confidence of thinking themfclves able to govern Cities -, but ever fince that time till now, ( and that is fix and thirty Years ) they have cockM their Caps, and thought themfclves fufficient to govern the whole World, and hope to do fo too. I fpeak not this in any way of Hy- perbole, being able to tell you for certain, that they brag, they fhall do as much mortly in Con- ft antinomie it felf, as they have done in Flanders* Whereupon 1 am alfo fure, that the !eaft part of their Cabals is to be found in their Orders and Conftitution, printed in 1 5 70. Yet 'tis fomc- what that I have been able to get thofe : I fliaD life all the diligence I can, to get the Orders of their General Congregation, if polliblc. And to return an Anfwer to what you ask, J mult tell you, that their Confutations are a Compoiition made from the very Grft time of their Found- ing : Which, a little time after, was augmen- ted by a thing they call their Declarations & Annotaiiones Conftitut'wnum \ with a Decree ad- ded thereunto, that the . - valid as the Con- ilitutions themfclves- \ which is ftill done before every Congregation General. in thofe Congregations they make new Decrees according as they fee Occafi have a Forni of fomc V theirs, whic < ailed Extraclq ex prim ? ( il 8 The Letters of thereby, how manifold the Counfels of thofe Congregations are, as they are diftinguifli'd by Titles and Decrees. I cannot juftiy fay how many Congregations £hey have had j but I can tell you, that in the Constitutions, Part 8. Cap. 2. it is faid, That 'tis not expedient to call Congregations at fet and fixt Times, but according as their neceffary Bufinefs require it } and that 'tis not fo good to have them very often, becaufe they may do their Bufinefs by Letters and MefTengers on purpofe, that may give the general notice of the Necef- fities of the Society. And, Chap. 9. that the Congregation, to choofe a General, be called together by him whom the laft General left his Vicar : In other Cafes by the General him- fdf'^ who ought not to do it often, unlefs upon a very premng Rea fon. And, Chap. 5. when the Congregation meets to choofe a General, the Place of it mufl: be where the Pope common- ly keeps his Court : When they meet upon any other Qccafion, it muft be as the General pleafes to appoint. As to their Conftitutions, thofe which I have eonfift. of ten Parts : The firft is intituled, Lite- rs Apoftolktf, quibm Inftitutio^ Confirmatìo à* va- na Privilegia Societatis Jefu continentur. Roma -, in Collegio Societatvs Jefu , 1658. cum Facilitate Supe- riorum. Another Part is called, Conftitutiones Societatis Jefu, cum e arum Dcclarationibus. Romx, 1 570. apud riclorium sALlianum : Cum F acuitati- Superiorum. But you mufl: obferve, that that Fiftorius was Printer to their College *, one of their material Coadjutors, as they call them, i underfland, that at e vTery Congregation they print Father Paul of Venice. z i Q print their Decrees, and put them together with the reft: but this they do in their College, io that there is no need of feeding to gej them from the Printers. It is not material to tell you, that the whole of thefe Matters is in Latin, be- caufe this is well known. And hnce we are talking of General Congregations:, After the laft that was held in Rome^ the Provincial of Germany was jailing through the Grifons Coun- try, having been denied a fafe Conduct through this State: And he being asked what they had done by the People of fonie Place where he tra- velled i made anfwer, That the Effects of the great Cori]unciiuns of the Stars , are not fan till a good fpbsje after. Therefore one of them might be, The Sy.cccffion of Lewis the Thirteenth to the Crown of France, Qrpon the Death of Ihnry the Fourth]. Your Consideration about gaining any one of thefc Fathers, is notfeahblc j for they never im- part their Cabals and Intrigues but to tried Men, and fdch as have gowz through all manner of that are poffible to be ufed, to know whether Men wiii be true and truiry to thernmor is it to be expected, that Inch as are o;n. g i : ; : : .1 re I amongft them, Ihoukl fairly leave £hiem, becaufe the Con- gregation hath fuch a rare way of keeping them together, by the good Rules of their Govern- ment, tliit if any one that has been initiated amonglt them, goes from them, he dies for'f im- mediate: li" it (nonld be a thing practirable in your Cnurt q{ 1 ■ : ' I fueh a | " ! I I led of the 1 1, as y< :i were taljf i I ' : their Cooflitutiòns in the 2 2o 7 he Letters of the Parliament's Hands, it would be a ftrange thing indeed, for this would bring all out. But, Sir, be you allured, that they would quit France rather than do it. I thank you for the Copy of Richtome^ and for thofe of Anti-Coton, which you fend me, though this latter has been ti anflated and printed in Ita- lian^ I know not where. I fhould be very glad to get Cu)achis\ things upon the Canon-Law on- ly, efpecially to fee what kind of Stile that gal- lant Man obferves, and make ufe of it for fome purpofe here, as you may well imagine. By this time you may have had the Copy of Bettarminfs Book, which Signor Dominico Molino fent you. There's no Doubt^ as you fay, but it muft needs be the Ace of Trumps, ^Tis very true, that thefe Lords here have prohibited the Im- portation of it, with a very great Penalty. There's nothing more to be done, but that they that have the greateft Right and Strength, will do their parts, as I hope they will. I mall fit the Cypher as you inftrucl me, and I will think a little of enlarging it. This Morning the new AmbafTador of Eng- land has prefented his Credentials : I have for- gotten his Name, it is fo odd and Outlandifh : 'tis faid, that he is a Man of Worth and Spirit ; he was one of the Deputies in the lair. Parlia- ment that was kept : Time will fhew us what he is; he has his Lady along with him, who is alfo reported to be a Perfon of Quality. At a Time convenient I made exxufe for thofe Let- ters, as I promifed you in ibrnc of my former Letters to do. There Father Paul of Venice. 2 2 1 There is no need of frying any thing elfe a- toout my Letters,but that I anfwcr'd yours of the i-jtkof Oclober by the la ft Foil. And fo I pro- ceed to tell you of things here. On the 2<;r/;of the laft Month, Peter -Anthony Rihra, formerly Arch-Deacon and Vicar Patriarchal of rtmccy whom you know, and who afterwards went to Rome, like a Turn-coat as he was, having fa id Majs there in the Morning, and been all Day as well as he uicd to be, died fuddenly at Night: and the thing being prefently divulged, that he was poifoned, the Pope fent his own Surgeon ; and having caufed his Body to be openM, to know whether it were fo or no, had Report made him that there was no Token of any fuch matter : and all this is certain. The War, I believe, will come to nothing. Spain is againft it \ Turin without the help of France is not able to make it ; and that neither will nor can doit. His Son would not tell the King rof Spaing that his Father Q the Duke of Savoy~] asks his Pardon, and offers him his Life and State -, which they would have had him do, to introduce Princes into Slavery. Turin alfo is afraid of Mantua, fo much that things pafs amongft them with fomc Confuil- on. It feems that thofc of Germany have a mind to reform this City as to things of Learning 5 having fearchM all Bales of Books which came from Frankfort, and taken out and confi lea ted many forts of Books which do not meddle with Matters of Religion, but Law 01 Hifto- ry -, and particularly all the Copies of Moiifiem Tbuamus Hiftory : but 'tis well known how comes to be. 22 2 The Letters of I éxpéé to hear by the next of your pcrfeci: Recovery. So concluding, I with Signor Molina and Father Fulgentio, kifs your Hand. Venice, Becemb. 7, 16 10. LETTER LVF. TO t'his very Moment, when I let a writing to you, out of a nécén. t'y óf feyirig no Ion- ger, becaufe the Courier is juft goings the Let- ters from France are not yet cóme in, and fo it will be no wonder to you, if you meet with no Anfwer to your Letters which are ftill upon the Way. I believe this will be the laft DifjSitTi that I fhalLbe able to make uféof, in writing, tò Sig- nor Fofcarini in France, feeing much' about the Time that this Letter gets thither, his Suceéf- for alfo will get to Paris. 1 fhall not write to* you by the next Courier, unlefs I find a way liovv" Letters' may get to you from Turin. There is a Report here, and it comes by Let- ters to his Excellence Monfieur Champgrii, that the' Parliament of Pam has made an Arreft ar gainfl: Cardinal Bél\armme\ Book : Which though it be no more than what is Juit and Con- venient, yet I. can hardly believe it, becaufe we are how in„a Time, wherein one of thè Impedi- ments of Juft and Righteous Aclions is, becaufe they, are fo. Here in Italy People are fit to leap out of their Skins, upon the RefoLution coming from Spain, that the Soakliers in Milan are to be dif- banded, Father Paul of Venice. 222 banded, and the Pence of Italy prcfervM. There are new Orders given out, that there (hall be no more warlike Preparation on one fidtf or toother -, fo that our Fear has been more than our Hurt. Whether the Continuance of the Peace will do moll Good or Harm, the Event muli: fliew. In fhort, we fee by this Inftancc, as we' have feen by two more within a few Years, that War is to get no footing in this Country. But 'tis a Qiicftion whether Germany will have fog'ood luck, by reafon of the Emperor's Suspi- cions, who Itili keeps up the Army at Pajfauy and of the Prcten lions of the Duke of Saxony to" Clcvesy who has a Promife of a Million of Florins from his Friends, and is making up a' Diet of thofe of his Family to advife what Courfe to take y and Leopold is not atleep, but would by all means- get again what he could not hold before. The Pope has given 24000 Florins to the Ca- tholick League, and is troubled that there is no disbanding of the Souldiers in Italy, being afraid lie mufl part with more Money about that Bu li- ne fs -, and deliring to have Peace all round him, for fear fome fcurvy Accident fnould fcattcr fome Sparks of that Fire that is kindled elfe- where. 6y my laft I gave you an Account of the Death of our aii'j;rdam Archdeacon and Vicar of V; hap; tRotrtty with thole Particulars about :n came to my Knowledge which I lire you, were true : but now I • of it, more particularly, Silly ac, befofe. On the zybh? : to Dinner by the Pope's intimate Cham- bei lain, 124 Tke Letters of berlain, who ufed to have him at his Table fbme- times ; thither he went well and chearful, and dined with him in perfect. Health , in the Night- time he was taken with a Loofenefs, fo violent, that in a very few Hours he went about 40 times to Stool ì he firft voided Humours, then Blood, and at laft his Life. in the Morning there was a Rumour that he was poifoned, which made the Pope fend his Surgeon to open his Body, who certified him that he could not find any Symptom of Poifon. I am very thoughtful, how to continue our Cor- refpondence, till I can find a way of doing it fafely. In the mean time I humbly kifs your Hand, befeeching God to preferve you in Health and Profperity. I forgot in my laft to tell you the Name of the Englifh Ambailador -, it is Sir Dud- ley Cartoon. Venice, Dcccmb. 21, \6lc. LETTER LVH. 1 Wrote you by the laft Courier, oh the 21/ of December, the ordinary Poll being not yet come in, who came eight Days after, and brought ine Yours of the 23d of November : and Yefter- day there came another, which brought me your laft of the 8th of December. This acquaints me of the fafe Arrival of mine of the i%th of September, which we thought was lofi \ and I am very glad it was not, though re- membring well the Contents of it, I thought there Father Paul of Venice. 225 there was no great Matter of Moment to be much concerned for. I did not think to write to you by this Difpatch, believing that the Courier that goes from hence would not find my Lord Ambaflador Fofcar.ini at. Paris ; but upon better Thoughts I imagine he may find him there : however I fhall be the more careful what I write, for this doubt's lake. I will begin at the Affairs of Italy : Every Day we grow liner and iurer of Peace j and now they begin to disband the Armies. We have nothing now to do, but to pray God, that this Peace prove not more hurtful than War, as di- vers Appearances make it likely it will be. If Spain were bulled in Italy, it could not mind the Seeds and Plants that are fown and fpringingup in France. The Duke of Savoy would have War, but the Queen oi France has faiPd bim, I believe upon very good Grounds, know- ing his ill Intentions in fending his Son into Spam: it was Bulli orf sCouvXd^ and this I tell you for a thing you may depend upon. That which has been done about the Art ill Cardinal Bellarmino s Book, hath oi the Pope extream angry, and the Jefuits too, and the wreak part of Men here. Hut for ail chat, I d«> not think it ib great a Millhicf: but 1 think that we are ncaragiw.t I is, being uncertain whether it will end in longer 1 ite or Death. i he r ikitig or the buying of the Caftle of the Spaniards, is confirmed* which is a thing that I dò nor. fee whether it will be , >od or hurtfol, i l'ile it might have i >ftthemag al of Mo ork.tO'kecpit. 2i6 Tl:e Letters of And now I come to anfwer Yours. In the firfl Place, I am very much troubled that your Collick fhould afflici: you fo long time together*, and I am afraid that your Studies, or fome other Bulinefs that might better be let alone, do but foment it 3 and therefore, I pray, Sir, let me prevail upon you, by intreating you to ftudy your Health before any other thing, and never to neglect Effentials for things that are but acci- dental. Monfieur Cajlrine writes me word that he has fent me from Frankfort Mart, Richeomfs Apology, and Cuj anus's Letture, for which I am to thank you, with fomewhat of Shame, that I am not able to make the leaft Satisfaction for fo many Obligations as you and your Friends have heapM upon me:, fnch a Satisfaction at leaft as can an- fwer any of thofe Favours which you do me. There have been made abundance of very learned Difcourfes in France, about the Jefuits, which I have had Copies of fent me by the Kind- nefs of Monfieur Cajlrine, and other Friends there *, and they have been all of them read here with Delight and Profit. The Toccony for I think Bell-man] fnews the -Author to be a Man of compleat Learning: he treads your Steps with much Fieedom and Judgment, and imitates Plutarch much in making Parallels ; which., when they are taken from Hiitory, arc full of good Inftru&ipn 3 and when they are taken from Fa- ble and Fancy, they are full of Delight. 1 have feen an Epiflle written .from Doway, [or it may be, by a Man of ionie Nearnefs to that Name] which hath many notable Particulars hi it -, but I want decorum in it, and the Explication of fome uc- cella ry Circumftances. . As Father Paul of Venice. 227 As to the Continuance of our Correfpondence > it will be eafy on your ilde, becaufe all Letters will come £afe tome, that are but put into Sig- nor Barbaras Hands : but about mine to you, there's the Difficulty, becaufe I cannot think how he will get them conveyed iafely [from Turin'} to you. 'Tis.not convenient to meddle with the new AmbafTador about it, becaufe he is a Podding -7 not through any Error, but mere Malice : but I am in Hopes to find iome good way or other, amongft fo many Occafions as are now on foot , to get our Letters fent-, without which, though they ihould be all written in Cypher, yet they would not go fafe, becaufe 'tis poihble they might light into fome body's Hand that may command the uncyphering of them. And notwithstanding this, the firfl leifurc- time I have, I fhall fet about the com poling of one that may be eafy to be ufed, and copious, lean detain you no longer at prefect, though I have a World of things to talk with you, not being fure that this will fafely come to Hand. So I conclude, killing your Hand in molt humble manner. Vtikf, January r, i5i i. LETTER LVW. WHEN once I understood the Arrival of the Lord Amballador Juftinianó, belie- ving that he would quickly get to Paris, and that Amballador i 1 would immediately i;o for 2z8 Tlx Letter s of England, I left off writing, which is the Reafon that you have had nothing from me thefe two Months. Now feeing a Paflage open another way^ I take great Pleafure in renewing our Cor- refpondence, efpecially thefe times, when the Exchange of News may chance to be matter of fome Moment on both fides. I then received one of Yours of the 23d of December, and then another of the ^th of Janua- ry? to which I returned no Anfwer for the a- bove-faid Reafons. By this Courier I have re- ceived, by the way of Signor Barbar igo? Yours of the 1 yh of February : and the next Day Mon- fieur j4(felineau delivered me another of the id of the fame Month, which I fhall anfwer in Or- der. In the firft Place 7 feeing that after a great Fit of the Collide, you have had another as bad of the Gout \ I am afraid that you eherifh thofe In- difpoiitions by your Study, and fitting up late at Night, which do caufe Crudity, which thefe Difeafes feed upon. And therefore I cannot for- bear intreating you to take a little more Care of your Health than you do -, for after -all, he that doth not coniider his Strength, but lets his Mind tun away with him,' makes lefs way than he that knows his own Weaknefs, and therefore goes foftly. Signor Barbdrigo is greatly concerned that a Copy of BtUarmme hath not been delivered you, which he fent on purpofe for you ? and the Ex- cufe made for it doth not content him ? and therefore he has fent for another for you. But I am amazed at the Reafon that the Romanics keep fuch a Stir to get that Book there, and fpea'k- Father Paul of Venice. 229 fpeak nothing of ir here \ unlets perchance it is, that they would have the Majority in the King's Minority. Hut to tell you more of this Book, you muft know, that there is a World of them in the Eflatc of the Church , and hardly any to be found in other Parts of Italy : the Rea fon of this in Venice, is the publick Prohibition of it -, and in other Places they know how to do things without Words. But what will yon fay to this, that the King of Spain has fo folemnly prohibited Barontus\l rea- tiic of the xMonarchy of Sicily ? I fend you a Co- py of the * Prohibition, taken from the Authen- tic^ Original, (which I tell you, that you may not doubt of the Truth of it) but 'tis good Mat- ter of Conlidcration to me, that that Book being printed in the Year 1 605, and being at that time prohibited by the Vice-Roy of Naples, which made Baronius complain againft him in a fawcy manner, to the Contempt of that Ring: They are at laft come to do a thing which they did not fo many Years before, £the Edict againit that Book bearing Date Ottob. 3, \6io.~] I have it from a very good Hand, that the Pope having notice of this Edict, he lent ic to the Congregation of the InqutfittGn, to adviie upon it: we fhall fee what Relblution they take about it. 1 befcech you to let Monlieur iSEfcbaf- fier have a Copy of the Bd ict in my Na ok;. A nd Q, 3 iincc * The Edi&ofthe K"v, oi fyaii is in Latin and Spam : : of a B lok printed 1 I , with rhis Tuie, . . . . . :■> Jim ctnifuTiwi ■ &&. .tiùjs Poti Jtjui- us y which BicbtfèHi luci a lunJ hi. 250 Tl?e Letters of fince we are fallen upon this Difcourfe of Books, I mull tell you, that I have received that of Mon- fieur Vigniers, who in fo barren a Subject has fhewed himfelf an excellent Artift. I have re- ceived the Correction of the Poem } but the Profe doth not come behind it a Jot, but rather, according to my Palate, is a necelTary Ornament to it. I don't nnderftand the Trick on% why the Je- fuits take fuch Pains to fend their Defence againft Anti-Coton, up and down, in fo many feveral Shapes and DrefTes -7 for according to their Way and Cuftom [of befooling the World] they can foon deny what they pleafe : but the Reply Qto their Aniwer of Anti-Coton] is expected here. There has been feen here the Copy of a Letter written to the Queen under Su.llyh Name, as full of pretty and lively Conceits, as it is of Milli- ons, if they do not prove of * Maravedics. The Siege of Geneva is blown all away into mere Smoak, as all wife Men did believe it would. But this I mult tell you for Truth, that the Duke having asked the Pope's Afliitance for that Enterprize, was anfwered in general Terms, and very unconcludwg Exprefl'ions, with this Advic« at the fag-end of all, That that Undertaking was to be let alone till a more feafonable time : and this you will not doubt of, and as little thank his Holinefs's Charity for : but to think of Ger- many, I hope, quoth the Pope, to have great good luck there. But * A little Piece of Copper Money in Spiin> that is Icfs than a Farthing in Value. Father Pdul of Venice. 2 3 1 But there is to be War in France : "'tis certain that the Jefuits and He are treating about it. '{.'here was taken Lift Week ìnJtotne a Frenchman in Jefuits Weeds, and examined immediately with a World of Secrecy, fo as no body can tell what he was, or what the Matter was. There is great Difcourfe hereabout that Im- prifonment upon the King's Murder \ but du Til- Ut afliires me, that there is nothing in it. I can't tell whether Intcrcft makes him fay fo, orbc- caufe he may know what is to be difcovercd. The Father fent Monlieur Tlmanm thofe things which were promifed by Ambaflador Nani j but he has not given them -, nor doth the Father know how to get out of the Obligation. I have nought elfe to tell, but that the Duke of Savoy hath put a Tally upon his People for a Million of Money, which will quite mine his Country. Signor A A lim, and Father Fulgcntio, and I with them do kifs your Hands witty the greatelt Af- fection, befecching God to grant you all Pro- iperity. faoitf, March 1 <; , 1 "-■ 11 . LETT E K LIX. TH I S is the fecond Letter I write to you Ky the way of Turin : by the other i gave you an Anount of the Receipt of all yours before-, the hit whereof bore Date the \ \ù of February. 1 own the Re; eipt ot yours of the Grft Inftarit, : .by I fee the I that t I \ or making fume good Provifion a jainft the Jefuits • ^ 4 and 2 \ z T7;e Letters of and there is no Queftion but the Interefts of one and t'other are incompatible. I am verily of the Mind that the Reformed Churches will lay it to Heart, and they will provide fome Remedy againft it -, otherwise 1 forefee a Civil War a- mongft you. Together with my laft to you, you will re- ceive the Decree of Spain againll the i i^Tome of Baronhis ; which although it prohibites no more than that Part of it, which concerns the Monarchy of Sicily , yet it appears to me to be a Cenfure of all the Annals, and of the Author himfelf too, who has therein Epithets beftowed upon him, that touch the Confcienceand Fidelity of the Writer. The Bufinefs that you remind me of, towards Monfieur Cafaubon, will be to good Effect , and I (hall take Care to get it thorowly done by Sir Henry Wot ton, who Wàs Amba flador here. I be- lieve the great Preparations which are making for the Defence of Geneva, will confound all De- figns againlt it, if at leale there were any fo in- tended ; for as for my part, I rather think that they fhould have been upon Brefcia. This you may be fure of, that the Duke of Savoy is trou- biefome, and will do fome confiderable Mifchief, either to France, or Spain, or Italy, or to bis own dear fdf. It was not good Connfel that Bullion gave him, to fend his Son into Spain ; and I doubt France will always make thefe Miilakes. We have no- thing of News in Itaty -but that in Spain they have taken away thirteen thoufand Ducats of Re- venue from the Conflable, which he had in the Kingdom of Naples : and there is a Report that there Father Paul of Venice. 233 there is Means ufed for working him out of the Conifablefhip too, which brings him in eleven thonfand 5 which is a thing that is to be thought of, and confidercd well 5 becaufe the Spaniards aft rather to be prodigal in giving, than inclinM to the contrary. But thefe things are of no grca; Moment, fince every Body knows that that King will have Italy quiet by all Means in the World. All Mens lives are upon the Arra ir s of Germa- ny, which are of fo great Moment and Confc- quence, that greater there cannot be. I am aitonihYd at this above all, that the Jefu- its, as every Body knows, having been the Au- thors and Inftigators of all the Mifchicf that has happened, do yet keep themfelves clear of it, and are fafe, there being no Proteftants to blow up the Coals, and make the Fire burn more. But thus it pleafes God to blind the World, that it may not fee even in the Light of the Sun. Richeome's Apology is too big a Book to come by the Polh I would not have you be at that Trouble, becaufe I will fee to get it to Frankfort j from whence it may come hither with other Books from the Mart, I have feen the Archdeacon of Roaifs Apology for the Jcfiiits -, 'tis a cunning thing : but for all that there is a World of things to be faid againft it. If the Sorbon mould publifh that Decree which they made the Firft of February^ 1 fliould take it fora Favour, to have a Copy of it -, but if they &b not publifh it, 1 fhould not much re- gard it. There is one thing that I caiVt undcr- fiand, 1 pray refolve mc of it at your leiftire : The King 01 Frana is now in the tenth Year of his Age when, to w.\ ribn hath Un 1 3 4 The Letters of Underftanding enough, and may fay, I will: and yet I do not hear that he is fo much as mentioned in any thing, as if he were ftill in his Swadling- Clouts. I could wifh that you might have the Office of going to the General AfTembly 5, and then I fhould hope for fome Good of it, as I pray God there may be \ whom I befeech alfo to grant you all true Happinefs. So I, and Sig- nor Molino^ and Father Fulgentio, do kifs your Hand. Venice, March 2$, \6n. LETTER LX. Oil T of a Defire of the Continuance of our Correfpondence by Letters, which we can- not keep on without a Cypher, nor that thorow- ly, unlefs the Cypher be :eafy -, I have therefore often tried to inlarge that which we have had with each other hitherto J but I have met with infuperable Difficulties in it, as I have had a Mind to have it ferve your Language and ours : and therefore I have at la ft pitch'd upon this prefent one, which I now fend you, which has no need of any great Attention to any thing, nor Search for Characters, either in writing it, or under- Handing it 5 but the only copying of it will be enough. In the writing we go by Arabick Num- bers \ and it is copied out by Roman Numbers . By the prefent Courier I have re- ceived Yours of the 29th of March : To which I ffiall fay, firft, that that of Monfieur Jffelmeau and of that of the fecond of Fcbrua* Father Paul of Venice. 235 ry \ and another by Signor Barbarico of the 1 ffitj both in one Day. As I believe that you under- itand by my ilowncfs in having an Anfwer, you will not wonder at it ? for tis two and forty days before I can have an Anfwer from Paris to Vtriicc \ and by the di ita nee of Pam from where you are, is near two Months. I take that Controvcrfy about the Doctrine. which is bandied in France about the King's Life, to be a thing that fome Good may come of} becaufe it will teach you to diftinguifh Good Doctrine from Bad :, and will put the Prin- ces there upon ferious Thought., feeing how idely they difcourfe about their very Skim. And certain it is, that this makes it necellary that fome great Confequence or other eniue upon it, cither for the Reformation, or the univerfal De- formation of the World. I am itili to learn alio, whether Afadanwifellc de Comans, was made a Prifonerupon fome Ac- cufation (he intended to make: or, whether be- ing in Prifon for fomething elfe, ihe undertook to impeach fome Body to gain her Pardon: You will do me a Pleafure to fatisfy pie in this Cu- riofity. I have done your Errand to Signor Molino, who returns you a thoufand Saint ations, and delires a Place Itili in your Memory and Fa- vour, andwifhesfor an Opportunity of ierving you. It is very furc, that you would have been hugclvin love with Signor Varbariga: But I mult fay further, thatin fpeakingof him, I was not able to tell you every tbii s that he 15 ; fol- lie has allthe good Qualities of an 1 tan with- out 1 j 6 7 he Letters of out any mixture of the bad Ones. Let me beg of you, that if any thing comes out by the Au- thor of Anti-Coton, you would, as fpeedily as you can, fend a Copy of it to my Lord Barbarico for me. There is fomething here upon the Anvil, that is working out againft the Jefuits \ and 'tis a thing of no fmall Confequence: God afliflthem in their good Intentions. To fay to you fome- thing again of the Duke of Savoy's Dcligns -, we neither know what they will come to, nor what they are at this time. He has not above 7000 Men in Arms : there are few for Geneva, and fewer for Bern. What he would be at, I do not know whether he knows himfelf In continuance of what the Copy of the Cy- pher contains, ( not to fetch it over again ) the Vice-Roy hath declared openly in Council, that if the Jefuits ferve him fuch anotheir Trick, he wiiì ferve them- as the Venetians have ferv'd them : At which their General is greatly troub- led, and has written the Vice-Roy a very fubmif- five Letter. The Court of Rome was terribly vex'd, when the Edict againfl Baroniws ( which I fent you a Copy of) was published in Sicily. But now they fret like mad, at the publication of it in Naples a few Days fince. They look for it alio to be publifhed at Milan : but that will not \o much nettle them, becaufe they forefee it fas a thing of courfe]. The Father-Jefuits at Rome have had a Play, or Spiritual Comedy, a&ed in their Cafa Pro- fiffaj [or part of their College where they read^ their LefturesH concerning the Converiion 01 Japan. Father Paul of Venice. 2^7 "fa'pav. In the firft Scene of which tlierc ap- peared a Jefiiit making a Sermon to the Pit about this Subject : That God, being upon the Work of renewing the World, has in this Age raifed up their Society, which his Divine Majefty hath been fo gracious to, that no humane Power has been able to oppofe it j and fuch other Jim- cracks. Which they brought in a Japoncfe to reply to, who faid, That they did not believe that God fent them thither, but that fome Ene- my of Mankind wafted them over into their County, and there they make it their Bulinefs to fet People together by the Ears, and to fpy out the Nakednefsof their Country \ and divers fuch other Conceits. And fo the Play went on, with divers other remarkable Pailages fpoken by the Aciors, all againft them. And I can't imagine how this came into their Heads, unlefs it be to tell the World to their Teeth, that they know what Folks talk and think of them ; and that they value no Man a Farthing for it. At the writing hereof, the Father was take:» with a great tit of an Ague, and fo was fori ed to give off'. So I kift your Hands. ', April i69 16 11. LETTER LXl. T1 that 1 am now writing, is to be in anltoer to that of yours of the 1 v which I have received by the ordinary omSi to / ..- trig* I heard, fòme time forry for, the fall of M : 2 } 8 Tlie Letters of fieuf Caftrine } concerning whoie Journey into thefe Parts I knew nothing : But it may be true, upon fome Defign he may have of getting fome- thing of a Brother of his that is at Ferrara : Which if it mould really be fo, would trouble me \ becaufe I am fure he will obtain nothing of him, becaufe he is a meer Slave to the Jefu- its. I would not have him, by any means, think of going thither, looking upon it as a dange- rous thing for him to be ften thereabouts. I will not fail to advife him of it by Letter, where- ever I can light upon him with fuch a Mef- fage ^ as that is a Place fitter to trip up a Man's Heels that Hands, than to help him up that is fal- len down. Monfienr Affelincau hath delivered me a Copy in writing, of the SorbonCenfure -, wherein I dis- cover fome wcaknefs of theirs $ but yet this be- ginning of Controverfy, when 'tis a little more heated, may put fome Life into weak Spirits. I have heard of the Reafon that puts a flop to the Reply of the Author of Anti-Coton to thofe that have pretended to anfwer that Book: 'Tis very much wifhed for here, and it will be very welcome at any time. As to that Perfon, that you write of, that was preferred in Spain : for what concerns the Fact, I can tell you, that in the Year 1 588, there was fent for to Rome a cer- tain Friar called Go?neranda Jacobin, for this rea- fon, that he moved the Controverfy in Spain : And there they firfr. thought of chaliifing Birri; but upon better Advice, they thought to get him to hold his Tongue, by the Bribery of Rewards and Honours \ and fo he was made Mailer of the A poilolical Palace. At Father Paul of Venice. 239 At that time the Father had intimate Conver- fatiou with him, being at Rome at the fame time with him. He was a Man of good I, earning that way, but a great (tickler for the Pope o- therwifc. As to Matter of Doctrine, it will be need fn! to fettle this Point with, what there is eflcntiai to a regular Order, according to the Faith of the Church of Rome -, and then to fhew, that the Jefuits go point-blank againit it. This is a Point that no Body will be able to manage well, but one that is very wrell versM in School-Divinity : But any one that is ib fur- nifhed, and will apply himfelf roundly to it, and has that Bull of Gregory the Thirteenth, An- no 1 584. 8 Kal. Jun. will put a Bar in their way that they will not ealily get over. This is a thing, I think, that "would not do here in Italy, becaufe 'tis direcfly oppoilte to the Council at Trent, and to the Pope himfelf j but the Sorbon might do fome good upon it. And herein a Man would not be to look upon the Truth as it is in it felf \ but upon wiiat is believed by one that iticklcs for the Pope *, which doth not look for any Phylick that is of it felf Solutive, hut what may make that Body loofe which we would have cured. From the King of Spam's Kdici againft Bamti- [Vlonarchy of Sicily^ there are other forts of Conditions to be drawn than what appears at the firftfight: for he haying written that Particu- lar with fo much partiality, cannot but have written the reft with rafhnefs : and thewgh it Feerm :o be no more than th< damning of fifty F the whole Work of 240 Tìx Letters of of twelve Tomes together, and of that Peffon that wrote them, and his Manners too. The Reafon of deferring the Ed id till fix- Years after his Book came out, was, in my Opi- nion, becaufe the French King was living : the Spaniards having no mind to give the Pope occa- fion of having recourfe to that King ^ as now it is plain, that if he had any Friend to recur to, he would throw himfelf upon him at any Occa- lion for Help : and the King has no pretence of ftirring for any thing of Religion. I am allu- red, by many good Relations, that the Spaniards are watching carefully to bring about that Roman Project, of becoming Monarchs of the whole World, under pretence of Religion, and they are waiting at every Turn to make it good. I thank you for fending that Copy to Mon- ìleur L'Efcbaffier, whom I efteem according to the merit of his Worth : I have had from him many a good Thing , and there is not any Per- fon with whom I would more willingly corre- spond, than with him and Monfieur Gillot : And I am forry for Signor FofcarinPs going away, he- raufe it deprives me of an Intercourfe with thofe two Gentlemen. I have endeavoured much to make it up by tome other way of fending, becaufe I hardly know what to do without it :, but I cannot hit upon any tfs yet, Let me therefore defire you,' that, if you have any occalion to write to any honeft Body in thofe Parts, £ where they are^, you would plea feto get my humble Service pre- iènted to them. And now to Bxromm again. The Court of Rame hath complained of the Edict into Spainy and* Father Paul of Venice. 241 and has received a grave and harflv Anfvvcr- They are buzzing their Pates about it ilill in the Congregation of the Inquiiition : bat 1 believe it will be a hard Matter to find what they would fain have. I am certainly of the mind, that Frante will fland in need of the Government of Sully y who will better be known in his abfence, than he was when he was near them. I thank you for your Advice in this Particular j I like it well. lam as good as fu re, that no Harm will come to G'c- neva. But whether the Duke of Savoy be vtifc Or 0- tbcrrvife, truly I cannot te 1 you \ there aie io me figns of both. I conclude, that Wifdom and Folly are tack'd together by the Tails \ and that there is no getting to the extream of one\ with- out running full butt upon t'other. But poihbly Uod has a Hand in all this, who will both do Good, and (hew the difficulty of doing it by humane Means. But you (care me to tell mc, that T7. non is wheeling about to the Frouftant Side : i tell you, Sir, 'tis a mighty thing to believe ir. I hear, but am greatly troubled at t.!1 bjf of the fir ft P/efident dì Hatlay\ which I will not fay to be fo great, a thing as the Kings I \ but in my Opinion, amongft all the "Mil- fortunes that have happened, next lot bat ^ this is the greatc(t. I i i ok for any Good from Verdun, tfs hàvii \ i avourite, and the it% XX I rojan : and they are 1 that kn t they do, and are not or" : •:' Men. 1 i - \i 241 5Rfc Letters of was bemoaning the Stirs and Confufions of Ger- many, his Anfwer was, with Joy into the Bar- gain, that things there would end well} and that for certain the War would be in France. I cannot fay whether there was any further Difcourfe in particular about it, becaufe the Perfon writh whom the Pope had that Difcourfe, wrote only this and no more. I believe, that if you enquire, you will find it true, that the Nuncio has ofFer'd the Queen the Pope's Afliilance, and that of Spain, if fhe will make War with the Hugonots. No Body knows what's become of the French-man that was ta- ken in Rome in Jefuits Habit, after he was once clapt up in Prifon. I am much troubled at the Retiring of Monlieur Thuanus ; and from thence I forefee that great Evil will befal the Flock which will be without a Shepherd. It might be, that thofe Memoirs that you fpeak to me of, for the way of England, might be intrufted with Thuanus : But 1 promife no- thing, for fear I am deceived as I have been ; but if they are in that Place, they fhall get over- Sea too if it pleafe God. I fhould be heartily glad to fee fome Good come of the yJfjbnbly of the Reformed Churches there ; and fo 1 end. But let me tell you firil ( though i have been too tedious already ) about the Cypher that I lhnt you by my former Letter ; and if there fcotfld be any fpecial Word, which might give à hint of the Buiinefs we talk of, that may be put into this prefent Cypher: As for Inltance -, when the mention of the Pope, or the Jefuits, or (filler oy, or any fuch, i'honld be in danger to difcover any thing : And if the Name fljoulo. Father Paul of Venice. 24; fhould not be in the Cypher, and there might be danger of dilcovering the Matter; by exprefr fing it plainly, you may put it into a new Cba- sader I return you a thouiand Salutations in Father Fulgent ws and Signor Molmos Name ; who de- lire nothing fo much as to be able to ferve you \ and I more, with a great deal of Love and Af- fection. Here again I conclude, humbly kitting your Hand. Viiice, May io, i5n. LETTER LXII. THE way that our Letters go at prefent, will give us frequenter Opportunities of fending to each other. This Day I have received Yours of the i~tl> of April, by a UilpaUh Extraordinary: and 1 anfwer it on the fame, upon forile hopes that this may get to you by foraeExprefs alio. 'Tis plain by diviers Occurrences, that the Spaniards icibivc V) preferve their Temporal ju- risdiction better Chan they have done in Times paft; which if they do continue and- hold on, I believe there is fonie Divine I land imt, to put an Lad to Abufes. I much wonder at what penM to the Ambaflàdor of Savtfy in I ber either he or his Mailer mull needs have the Caule of it. 1 perceive that you are (till in tear of 3 War :.i or Birn \ which I have wo u a R 2 at $44 The Letters of at all \ and I am fure that the Army of Savoy will come to nothing at laft. : The Decree of the Sorbon came fafely to the Father, with Letters by the Poll: Concerning which I can make no other Judgment but what you do, that that College has lliewn their Weak- nefs 5 and they had better have preferved their Reputation by not meddling [To lamely] in it. I have feen the Book written by the great Dutcbefs Dowager of Tuft any9 s ConfefTor, which is an Anfvver to the King of England's Apology \ 'tis in Latin, and printed at Friburg of Brift goir. 'Tis a paltry thing, and (hews that the Au- thor is a dull Fellow : and I bèlièvé it doth not deferve to be anfwerM, but fcorn'd as a Piece of Impertinence. I do not look upon it as fo ill a thing* that thefe Flatterers do fo highly preach up the Pope's Temporal Authority, becaufe that is one way of getting what Monhes do, when they love to clamber too high. The Affairs of Germany are very great and very unufual \ but becaufe they fall out fo eaiily, there is no wondring at them. It is written to me from thofe Parts, that the Proteftant Prin- ces are treating of an Underftanding betweeit themfelves in Germany , with a purpofè of throw- ing off all Correfpondence Abroad that is of a« Mother Religion \ which is pernicious Counfel, becaufe ethers will conte m againii: them betides the Spaniards. The Council of Sjfafolm banifhed the Dean $ar&gQt.ai and coflnTc-atcd his Goods, for having* Father Paul of Venice. 245 having declared an Interdict amongft them -, and they have fcÌ7.ed upon 40000 Ducats of the Chamber of Romc^ which were remitted into Spain to bear the Charges t hat ihor.ld ac< n: on this Occalion. Thcfe things do vex the very Heart-firings of thofe at Koine, who are conili It- ing about them every Day, but cannot tell how to help them. They have made earneit Appli- cation to the French Ambaiìàdor for an ani ■ Revocation ot the Arrcilagainil Bellm * , and he has anfwered them Negatively, telling them the Parliament is the Foundation of the king- dom. I hope this Prince will quickly have a Quarrel with .florae, and that it will hold a good while. ?Tis no more than neceilary, to fear the Congre- gation of the Jefuits , they are a Kennel of fox- es, and no Body fhall know what they do. Sig- nor Molmo is forry that he cannot ferve you as he wifhes to do, becaufc he has an extraordinary Love and Refpcct for you : And I am forry that 1 am fo ufelefsa Servant to you, and that what- ever pains I take to get an Occalion of (hewing you forne Token of my Affection and Service, (that little that I am able ) 1 cannot light upon any \ which really would make me blufh, if 1 were not fure that you accept the Will for the Deed. I could not fct Eve upon Moafieur Affelineau to day to give him his Letter, but he (1 e it before Night. So I and Si ìox M Fulgentio, do humbly kits your Hand. V 1 11. LETTER. 246 ^ Letters of LETTER LXIir. I Do make fo fmall Account of Occurrences here, that I always think I do but trouble a Friend, to fend him any Advice about them. And this is the Reafon, that I fet my felf to Writing with fo much Difficulty, unlefs where fome foregoing Letter gives .me Occafion and Matter. This was the true Reafon that I forbore wri- ting to you by that Difpatch which brought me nothing from you : I cannot but ask your Pardon for it, as I do for every Action of mine that comes fhort of fatisfying and entertaining you. I have received Yours of the 1 oth of Mayy which puts me between Hope and Fear, con- cerning the Affairs of that Kingdom -, for which I am not afraid of any great Mifchief from the Pope, becaufe he is none of thecunningelt : nor much from the King of Spain, he being, it may be, more a Minor than your King is : but I dread that vaft Heap of Mifchief that, is plotting by the unconceivable Malice of the Jefuits. No doubt but they do many of their Projects at the Suggeftion of thofe two : but the worft and the wickedeft of them all are hatch'd by themfelves only. I am fufpicious of them not only about you, T>ut Venice alfo \ forefeeing that if they cant find Work elfevvhere, to be iure they will tack about, and trim their Sails for this Coaft -, and then I do not doubt but they will come by the worfh By Father Paul of Venice. 247 By this Courier is come News, that a Gentle- man hath declared himfelf of the Religion Qof the Reformed Churches], and has taken PofTcIh- on of a City [in your Parts:,] which is a conlidc- rablc thing, and teems every way to be a Begin- ning of great Confequencc : but I hope there will be fuchCare taken in the Aflembly as will ventali Inconveniences, I have oftentimes allured you, that the Arms of Savoy would come to nothing but the Defla- tion of that Country *, and now we fee it come to pafs. That which would make a Man of Thought and Speculation wonder, is this, that the Spaniards have taken away that Gariibn which was in the Dutchy of Savoy, much againff, the Duke's liking ; and yet in reafon one would think that the Duke mould have infilled upon re- moving it, and the Spaniards have been againit it. Really it is a great thing, that in every State the Preachers fpeak againft the prefent Govern- ment. 1 wrote to you about that of A7, tfles be- fore : We had a troublcfomc Buiincfs fell out here lait Lent. There alio the Jefuits do not fparc to fpeak fedi t ion lì y. I make Account the Abufe is not to be tal away, by taking away Sermon ani all', but the way to remedy it, mull be by looking to the man it fdf. I wrote you word, that I had fecn that Book of and did not value it any tiling -, not becaufe the Conclulions are not very pernicious, but becaufe they arc handled in fuch a manner as would make any Man of Brains con- clude directly contrary to diem: but that Book is not to be fold here-, I believe they know that / Stuff h not to get in amongft Venetians. But K 4 ^ t* 248 The Letters of to what a fine Pitch of Ignorance is Florence come, that they can fwallow fuch Doctrines ? which that Prince ought to be more afraid of than any of his Neighbours, conlidering the Date of that Principality, and how lately it was a Republick. Certainly God doth blind thefe wife Men. As touching what you ask one fo earneftly about; it is very true, that not only the Cardinals, but the whole Court have been highly offended, that Cardinal Dorians Name was put to the Edicf • agami! Baronia* , for its Publication in Sicily : but confidering this in the Congregation [of the In- quiiition] what Provifion was to be made againft it, there was no other Courfe taken but Pati- ence. The Affairs of Prague, and I will fay of all Germany too, are Riddles to me j they change their Countenances every Week. In this thing only I hold with you, that let them fall out how they will, they will give but little Content to Rome. Matthias is crowned, but he can^t tell yet whether he is to govern, or the Emperor ^ or whether neither of them ftiall govern : and the Spaniards will be other- wife imployed j and it may beat laft do no Body a Kind litis. The News of a great Quantity of Arms that was found in the Jefuits College of Prague, came hither al fo; and I was a little inquilitive about the truth of it, and wrote to the Ambaflkdor of the Republick concerning it, who wrote me word, it was not true. So fometimes Report deceives us. ■ : But this was true, that the Jefuits were five:! by the chiefeit Proteftants, who took mors Pains than ail the reft in the Defence of. the father Paul oj Venice. 249 the City, which is a tiling I ihangely wonder at. I have read that Trad which you Tent me, from End to End, and 1 cannot but com- mend the Doctrine intirely, being Point by Point jult like that which we maintain in our Writings. Signor Molino, and Father Fulg'.ntio, fend you in- finite Salutations, and I kifs your Hand. The Pope pretends, that a City of this State called Ccneda, is his: andbecaufe thcRepublick hath been always in PoiTeihon of it, they are re- folved to keepit ftill. The Pope fays this is a Novelty, and that they muft (hew their Right to it : and though he has ufed us courteoufly, yet we cannot hear with that Ear: and indeed, what is a. Man's own, ought never to be difputed whether it be fo or no. I know not whether this may breed a Rupture or no. I delire to know whether the Poflcffion taken of that City by that lately-converted Gen- tleman, be in Favour of the Party, oribmeily Trick of the Advcrfaries, to bring him and them into Trouble, as I have great Rcafon to fear it is. Vciicc, June 7, 1 5 1 1. LETTER LX5V. IHave never omitted writing to you, fincc 1 received your Command that I fhould do it by every Courier; and this Day Fortnight I wrote to you, though the Dffpatch brought me not hiii:' 250 The Letters of nothing from yon, By this I have your moll welcome one of the 20th of May, with thofein- clofed to that Englifh Gentleman, which I de- livered. We do all wonder greatly what it is that keeps us fo long from j4nn-Cotori>s t'other Book,' I afcribe it to the Author's Prudence, who would fain fee the Iflue of the Affembly, before he comes out again. The Report that is fpread abroad, that the Hugonots killed the King, comes from thofe, without doubt, that would have a War for Re- ligion -, and I am in great Fear, that it will be paft the Skill of wife Men to prevent fome Sedi- tion upon the Account of thofe Inferences, which may make it a general Complaint. But God's Providente is above all the Defigns of Men. The Duke of Savoy has disbanded his Souldiers \ and there is nothing, now talk'd of at Turing but upon the Tumult that arofe upon the falfe News that the Duke was (lain, of which no Body can tell the Author, nor the Occafion, nor the man- ner how it came to be fpread 5 this being alto added, that the fame hurly-burly was raifed in other Parts of Piedmont \ and all of them againft the French. This is a thing that makes the fearching, prying, Fortune-telling fort of Men, that love to dive over Head and Ears in Politicks and Predictions, to Hand in a Quondary, whe- ther there may not be fomething iignificant in it. The News of Germany are fo full of Confufi- on, that 'tis not poffible to make any Judgment of the Iffiicof them, but this general one, That the Emperor will have no Reputation left him, nor father Paul of Venice. 25 1 nor his Succcffor neither, let him be who he will \ and the Kingdoms of Hungary and Bohemia Joiing the Emperor, will never come to his Brother. but in mere Name and Title \ and they, inftead of their Liberty, will fell into fiich a Confuiion as may at lait prove their Ruine, and the Ad- vantage of the Turks, who, if they conclude a Peace with Perfia^ as they are very near doing* will turn their Arms .upon Hungary, where thè Seeds of Difcord are already mooting up, upon the Account of TranfiPvania* Rome is not difpleaftd at the Confulions of Germany 1 as a Man would think they mould be -, becaufc they think there, that this fecurcsthem, that there fhall be no longer any Emperor to look at the Affairs of Italy, which makes that Court afraid, becaufe no Body pretends to the Roman State but he. Nor are the Jefuits difplcafed at them, be- caufe they in times of Confuiion manage all things, and .increate their Power: and this is clear by the Effects, in thefe Tumults • for they have creeled a mofc noble College in Bamberg, and much augmented that of theirs in Prague. Here in Italy we are gotten into fo hurtful a State of Idlenefs and want of Bulincfs, (how uni- vcrfally focver it is hugg'd and defirM) that I pray God grant that the Sccuritv we promife our (elves, do not tumble us into fonie iudden Mif- chicf. We don't only think our (elves fife, as we arc grown fo fhipidly fond of Eaft -, but we believe our Condition unannoyable, and that no Bodv c d\\ ever diilurb oar Pca< c. A". 252 77;e Letters of As to the Difference that we have with the Pope, which I gave yon fome Account of in my laft, I cannot yet forefee what it will come to : I only fay, that he has faid he is contented with any thing, provided we are not wanting in ihew- ing him Refpect -7 which is an Argument of great Weaknefs and Fear. Some Days fince Cardinal Cajetano was in this City, and he fufficiently fhewed, what a rare Perfon he was at Gaming and Whoring. Nothing does more Prejudice to the Service of God, than believing fo eafily thofe of Rome [[to be nothing but Saints]]. This it is that lays Politicians afleep, which are the greateft Party : it gives Courage to Popelings, and takes it from honeft Men. God help us ! I believe my Letter may by this time be tedious to you \ not for the Length, but Drinefs of it, which truly arifes both from the want of Matter, in this idle time of ours, and from my natural Barren- nefs, which I mult intreat you to excufe, and to believe certainly, that the Defire I have of talking thus with you, makes me fti 11 loth to conclude my Letter. Signor Molino^ and Fa- ther Fulgent™^ do return you their moll hum- ble Service } and I kifs your Hand, befeech- Ing God to blefs you always in what you do. Venice, June 22, 161 r. LETTER l:.ukr Paul of Venice. 25 LETTER LXV. MY la It was written on the nth of June, which I believe will come (lowly to yon, being to Hop at fcvcral Stages by the way. By this Courier I have received a double Favour from you, by thofe two Letters which he brings me at once : One whereof bears Date the 26th of Afay^and t'other the $dof June, which have filled my Mind with Joy and Gladnefs, upon the hopes that the Allembly will have good Succefs, as I pray God Almighty it may have ; being ful- ly perfwaded, that this does as much concern Re- ligion in Italy, as it can in France. There's News here, that the fir ft Prefida.i hath lent away Father Gentier\ which I mould think is a good Beginning and Foundation of great Hopes. The whole weight of the Popift Defign does at lafl lie upon the Jefuits. Leopold's Confedbr is coming to Rome to try all he can a- bout the Affairs of Germany. From thence we have continual News of Confullcn ; but fuch as nfes to be arifongft private Perfons, and not {- mongft Princes-, all by thofe middle Coonfeb which ferve to diftfaft Tidingsthè more. There is not any of ttiofe things, that feemi tome cónfiderable, but the Refolution of thofe Prelats, of contribu vc htmdrcd Florins towards che mal . a Fund. They j te allo the Pope th< ipiart ; bi ho mind to in • this 5 tfut in The 2 54 The Letters of The Cities have great reafon to be diflàtisfied with the Princes that are in League with them, feeing there is no talk about Donawert, which was the occafion of the League j and if they find no Incitation from their Enemies to make them Reunite, that League will do but little. There is nothing to be expe&ed from Germany at prefent, but the falling off of the Pope's Par- ty from him. As for Savoy 7 'tis certain that he will do all he can to be Troublefome \ yet for all that, 'tis every Bodies Opinion that he will be able to do nothing, unlefs, it may be, fome fly and unex- pected Bufinefs^ and it concerns them to look well to him, who know what he has done for- merly. I am forced, againft my will, to write fhort Letters to you for want of Matter j Italy being in fo profound a State of Eafe, that it not only affords us no News, but keeps us from Deligns and Occafions of thinkings infomuch that the very Gaztu are fain to be filiM up with Stories of Banquets and fine Treats. The Republick keeps the old Road in the Bullnefs of Ceneda, The Pope has been very angry about it : We do not fee yet what Courfe he will take in it:. but there is no doubt, but he will mind it. Some of our Body do blame what has been done in it \ and lay, that if Spain mould come in to the Pope^s Afiiiuance, there is no Body to Hand our Friend. I am fare that that Ileafon troubles the Pope himfelf, who fees that he is not able to maintain himfelf, unlefs by fubmitting to Spain 7 and that's a thing that he abhors. r Father Paul of Venice. 255 1 am afraid we ihali bring our felves into Danger before wc arc aware. The Difputesat Paris are not pleafing to the Pope \ they blame the Nuncio for it. If that Controvcrfy iliould get to a Head, I am afraid it would make a Se- dition amongil the Papifts themfelves. Upon the Oiviilon that is between the Jefuits and other Papifts, for the Liberties of theGal- lican Church , if the Reformed Churches would but enter in, and help on to alfert chat Liberty, ( which though it be not perfect, yet is lefs hurt- ful Qthan that which would overthrow if) to them) it may be the Jefuits would be weaken df who arc the greateit Enemies to the true Religi- on \ and a way might then be open'd of agree- ing with the Gallican Clergy. There is not a greater Work can be underta- ken, than to bring the jefuits into difcredit. Conquer but them, and Rome is gone ; and when Rome is gone, Religion will reform of it feif. This I tell you, upon the knowledg of that ex- traordinary Anger fiiewn at Rome, about the Difpute of the Jacobites j and the Admonition given to the Nuncio to look well to fuch Things. To take any Counfel, 'tis fuflicient to know that the Adverfary avoids it: without which S. Paul Ins fhewn an Inirance If you are itili at the fame Place, I delire you to prefent my mofh humble Service to my Lore) Murnay. So concluding, 1 and my two Friends humbly kifs your Hands. I mould have diTers things to t£ll you, b\ l •dare not commit them to Paper, till I know you have i he (V I, : then you and 1 i 5 6 7h Letters of may talk our Minds a little more freely together. So, God keep you. feme, July 5, 1611. LETTER LXVr. THis Courier hath brought me nothing from, you this bout j which I tell you only for Advice-fake. And I my felf have little to write, things here in Italy being fo very quiet, that no Man would wifh or delire to ha've them quieter : God grant it be lafting, provided it be to his Glory, and our Good. Only Peoples Eyes are upon the Duke of Savoy ^ as if he were in the riiidft of Enemies. He has put lyirig witli Neccllity, and keeping an ill Inten- sion towards (is \ nay, rather a ptirpofe of ow-i ing us greater Revenge when time fhill Terre. 1 am troubled that by thefc forts of Accidents^ that little Religion there tè, decays and dwindle! uvay. In fhòrt, we lee by E.-jpcriencc, that God dót'K not give a Blefling to his Service, begun ilpori fried? Humane Detlgns, by ari occatìo'ri of Ya- hity. By the way of Sorìà, 1 hear of groat things 'done by the Jefuits in thè Indies, where they have gotten a gMt deal of Command ariq t>ówer \ wHich fhews plainly tb of June -, which brings me the troublcfome News of your Gout. I think it comes too often upo:i you -, and though it bea clcanling you of ill Hu- mours, and confequently leaves the other Parts the founder, yet let me entreat you to give it the fcwelt Occalions you can of returning upon you. I believe you commit no other Difordcrs, but by Studying too much ^ which I would wifh you to abate. 1 have heard how your Ailembly has ended, not only by your Letters, but otiu-rs S 3 from 1 6 1 Tl)£ LEtTEiS of from Park % and the Queen's remitting of things to the Council, feems to be a very dangerous Matter. God grant that all may -end to iiis Glo- ry, but I have a :great Fear upon une about it \ yeti remember what the wife Man faid, ln Uns advcrfa^ in deterius optata fertmtw. The Spanifh Defigns do every Day appear to be other than thole they had in Phtl'tp the Se- cond^ time. I have feen an Explication grven in to the King, by the Kingdom of ^rmgon9 about the Interdici; of Sanago^a , aad 'tis jperm'd with liberty enough-, and fliews that they are ^oingthe way to get fuch Liberties in -Span» as the Gailican Liberties are 'in Franoe. -But 'tis a 3nore important Matter that the King has made his third Son an Abbot, andbeftowed upon him ànÀbby in Portugal^ wliidh brings ìtìim in above a hundred thoufand Ducats. He, in time, will not only feize upon a great, part of the Church -Revenues, but alfoits Power -: and when that once comes into thq Royal Family, there will be «but little Dapefcidance \q>on Rome -, and I look upon this Change as a Matter of great Confequence. I ihculd think you nave heard -of •theExrpuifion of t:he Jefuitsiout >©£ j&xJaCbxpéL, which -.might fee a Pattern to other imperiai Cities to dp the fame \ 'bat ì efteem the way oi doing it above aid. 'Tis .believed here far certain, that the Em~ peror and his brother wiU agree together „ tor, it will be to both their Difadvantages. Here in lidly^ the Duke of Parma hath im-prifo»ed $iany of the belt of 'his Subje&s* without datfbt^ for .-"•: té Treadiery \ fome fay & «is for Intelligence ' wih agamft Twin. Manina and Modena - - are Father Paif of Venice. 16 3 *°> have a Meeting -, and the Duke of Savoy h noughts of coming hither ^ but he is fuch a w . cai Prince, that he is good for nothing, ,cially here. Ì fang to fee the next Courier, to know how- you do \ I hope you are got up again ; and I wifli you your Health a long time together } for I do not like thefe frequent Relapfes. The Buiinefs of Ceneda between the State and the Pope goes pretty well, butflowly on \ and, as I believe, before: it will be ne- ceflàry for them ro grow hot again ; or, it may be, that they will be (rifled. But unlefs God doth grant that things go well, we muft not ex- pect that humane Incleavours will produce a hap- py Conclusion of them, efpccially feeing they are managed with the lcaib Aim at God's Glory of any. There is no more to be done, but fowing the Seed, and waiting God's time till it grow up. I befeech his Divine Majefty to blefs- you with perfect Health, andvouchfafe you Jiis Protecti- on, and grant you allprefcnt and future Happi- nefs. So I conclude, and kifs your Hand. Vitift, Auguft 2, 1 5 1 1- LETTER LX1X. AS I have given you an- Account of my former 1 .ettcrs to you ^ fo, to tell you what I have had alio from you. I received in time thofe of the 2%tb oijune, and the 15^ of J*lY* which I can predfely fay, becaufe I remember the Date S 4 of %6^ Tfo Letters of ftf th«n) perfe&ly well. I cannot fo exactly in- form you of my own, becaufe I keep no particu- lar Account of them. r This l'ani fureof, that for fome time there ha^ gone no Gouriev- from, hence, hut what has had ^long with him fome Letter from me to yqu. I return^ you, hearty Thanks for the Advice you fend me of the hopeful Courfe qf things with! yQU, which I fpeed, as well as^ I can, with my Prayers to God for them. And though thofe Matters, are otherwife re^ prefente4 here, yet I Relieve that they are, as, you Write me word. We have an Ambaffador at f-4rij that mafces it his Buiinefs to leflèn, all he can, and to put an ill Face on tjie Affairs of the Reformed Churches j and this he does to keep gpneft Men here from taking Courage ; a,nd he Pirangely magnifies the Àfiàirs of Papifts: this is, a fairvy thing, and doth ill Service j but 'tis not to be helped. You mult underftand tha^t there have been eleven Cardinals lately made \ at which the Court obferves, that though fomer times it has been known that a Pope hath createci a Carding or two, out of the times of Fajtingi yet intire Promotions have itili been made in thofe times, according to the Cuftom of Antiqui- ty, excepting by this prefent Pope, who has (in Jus time) made three feveral Promotions, and every one of them itili out of thofe times ^ from which the Couriers of Rome^ that have nothing dfetodo, do draw divers Predictions .and Prog- yiqitications. ^he making of the Nuncio of Spain a Cardinal, and leaving out the flypqia of frame , that ha> laboured like a Horfe5 is a thing which I canno* • ■ m hither. Paul of Venice. i6) tell whether it may make him lefs diligent in the Vopc^s Bulincf^ or more, to he fitter for a Cap hereafter. But the Number of Cardinals i> \o great, that there is no other Promotion to be look'd for tlicfe three Years at lead. The. Per- sons promoted will be all (except that Florentine who was made at the Queen of FranceH Inftance) for the Spaniih Faction. For the Place of Audi- tor of the Chamber, and that of Treafurcr of the Pope's Houfhold, there will bs gotten i $oocq Crowns, The Venetian Prelates make a fhift to hold up their Heads by good Prcfents and Gifts *, and though they are entertained well, and look'd kindly upon, yet they have got nothing yet for Reward of their Labours, but dull windy Hopes. The Court of Rome is extream mad at the Refo- lution taken in Spain, that no Penfions laid upon Ecclefiaftical Benefices upon the Heads of Spa- niards, be paid to any Italians ; and the Pope has complained of it to the Spanifli Ambailador. But the Spaniards pike the Aie das and Pcrfians~] pever undo what they have done. This wilj mightily ieiTenthc Court of Rome, and make the Burd,en unfupportablc to the Italians, whonnift make up amongft themfelvcs what is taken from them elfewhere. And becaufe this is a thing that you, it may be, arc not fo well acquainted with, I fliall fìiew it you. There is a Law in Spain, that none can have Benefices or Penfioiv; there but natural Spaniards. The Pope was vyont to lay a Penfion upon the Benefices of Spain, which was applied to fonie Spaniard-Refidcnt in the Court, with an Obliga- tion upon him to be anfwcrable for fo muc h Mo- ney to fonie Italian. This kind of Trick the Spa- x66 The Letters of Spaniards, have now prohibited. About the Mat- ter of the Interdict of Sarrago^ the King's. Counfel, after many Debates, hath refolved, that the Spoils [or Mate] of the- cleceafed Arch- bimopihallbeadminiftred* by the Secular Magi- ftrate> who is to pay Debts out of them, and «liftrfbttte what remains according to the Laws of A-ragon ; and that the Interdici: fha II betaken off". The Nuncios Auditor has oppofed the Exe- cution hereof, and for that Reafon is fent pack- ing out of Spam. The Nuncio holds his Tongue, 8 nd thinks it his beft way to meddle no further in.it, mice there is no other Remedy for it. News is come this Pay of a certain Place be- ing taken by the Duke of Savoy ^ which belongs to the. Genoefiy this makes fome ftir, and the Go- vernour of Mian hath gotten fome Men toge- ther again, which he had disbanded before. I don't well know what the Matter is, nor any tnore of it than I now write : but this I know^ that 'tis a very confiderable thing. God grant that erery thing be for his Glory ! I communi- cated to MonhzurAfjcJineau what you wrote me in your laic, of the 2$th of Jv-tyi and I did what you bid me to Signor Moli'/w, who does hugely long for an Opportunity of ferving you in fbme- tòing that might be acceptable to you. . As to the Cypher, I don*t think there can be ajry thing to make it difficult for Uj ^ except in- the part- ing of Words which are joined byanApoìrro- phe- which 1 always put for one. In the Rufi- nefs of Ccneda the Pope deludes the Republick with the greateft Art^maginable : there is no fore-feeing yet whether this will make a Rup- ture. The Republick has banifhM the Bifoop of Padua's Fatìxr Paul of Venice. 167 Padua's Vicar, becaufe he kept fome Nuns ex- communicated, that had a Benefice taken from them by the Pope, and made their Application about it to the Doge. Some Monks of Padua having many Lordfhips in their PofielTion, had erected a Jurifdiction over the Country-folks, which has been taken from them, to the Pope's great Diflikc. Rome ■bears every thing, brut at laft there muft be a Breach, or eife every thing mull be given up. The Pope thought to do us a Diskrndnefs, by not making any Venetian a Cardinal j but honeft Men look upon this as a Piece of Publick Ser- vice. I greatly long to fee the Lord Mornay\ Works, particularly his Letters to the King. We have fuch fcurvy News of the Affairs of Germany, that every Body grows out of Hopes of -feeing any thing there but Confufian ; which, yet, God forbid, that it ever fhould be m that jMlbk and generous Country. Bet every Body tnufl; fubmit to God's Will, which often pro- duces -a good £nd even out of the wicked De- ftgns All flic Italian Princes grumble at thft \ but the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua are very jealous upon it. Yet for all this, making my Judgment of it, I believe the Spaniards will not keep tHfe Place ; and fo every Body at làft will be quiet. In Sicily there is this has happened, That thè Vice-Roy rcfolving tb puriifh a Prie ft for I know not what Criniere took Sancìuary in the Church ■ and the Archbifhop defended him, both as he was a Pricft, and as his Place or Refuge was in the Church : but the Vice-Roy, for all this, made him be taken out of the Church, and hang'd up immediately. The Archbifhop here- upon declared the* Vice-Roy cxcorhmuriicatcd ; and the Vice-Roy caufed a pair of Callows to be erecied before the Archbifliop'* Palace-door7 with an Edict, threatning the Halter to any that mould go in ór come out of it. There was a Courier lent Exprefs to Rorhe about this Matter, where they don't much care to hear of furh things as thefe arc ^ conlidering that about theft Bickerings concerning Jurifdiìjfibn BcelefiaJHcàl^ there are bred Quarrels every where -, and that they go down the Wind, and come but blcwly orF, whenever they arife. If the News be come- to you that the Sicilians have granted Letters of Rcprifal againft the Merchants of Penice, upon the Account of ali old Debt owing them \ never look upon it as a thing of any great Confeqnence, becaufe it will never get beyond the Bounds of Bu- finefs. I hear, there has been fome Difguft ih frante between the Parliament and the Nuncio- t mould be glad to know what's the Matter rtitli tbtaft 270 Tfo Letters of I am alfo told, that there are divers Books there out againft Bellarmine. I fhoiild be glad to know a little the Contents of them, and if they are worth buying, to have them. We have feen divers Pieces of the English Writers upon thofe Points, that are very good ones -7 but yet I don't think the Romans will meddle with an- fweringthem, but leave that part of the Work to the Jefuits that are on t'other fide the Momt- tains. The Pope has defired the Favour of the State to have the Vicar of Padua reftored , but his Rc- quefl was to no Purpofe. This Day feven-night Cafidvetro was clapM up into the Inquifitioo : the Ambaflador of England ask'd the Favour to get him releafed : the Republick granted his Re- queft, having taken him out of Prifon, without laying any thing of it to the Inquifition, the Whh- ctOy or any other Churchman whatfoever : which is a greater thing than ever was done before } becaufe till now that Office did depend upon Rome, though the Republick has had the Afli- ftance of it, and fo qualified the Tyranny of that Court. To command their Prifon open, without their leave, is a very great Matter -, but he that did it, never troubled his Head about Confluences. If the Pope holds his Tongue at this, he is a loft Man : if he opens his Mouth at it, he will either lofe as much more, or make a Rupture. This is a greater Bufinefs than Ceneda -, becaufe herein the Pope gets by induring and gaining time. I hare had a very proper Occation of fpeaking with Signor BarbangoH Succeflbr, who is a Perfon of great Underftanding, and hath deiired Father Paul of Venice. 271 defired to have a Corrcfpondencc with fome in France, through my Intercft, when he is at Turin : and I have mentioned Moniicur del \(k to him in fuch a manner, that he has defired me moll: im- portunately to pray him to accept him for a Friend, and commence an Intercourfe with him when he gets thither, fhewing me what a Delire he has of the Acquaintance of fome difcreet and wife Perfon that knows how to judg of things. But then, after this, he would think himfelf very happy, to have fome "body to advife him from Pam of Occurrences there, that he might have things frefh and in due time. And I have been thinking, that by the fame Moniicur del I/ISs means, he might have one there who fends his Letters, or any thing elfe- becaufe upon very good reafon, having an Ambailador in France that is a Zealot for the Pope, 'tis conve- nient to make ufe of him at Turin, to do fome Good for Religion. And I pray, Sir, let roe know your Mind about this Matter ^ and what- ever your Anfvver is, I alTure you it fhall be very welcome. And next I mull tell you of my own Intercft, that 1 am at a very great Lofs, by milling Mon- fieur UEfchaffier*s Correfpondcnce, whom I have a great Eftccm for : and I fpeak it freely and in- genuoully to you, that I have been greyly pro- fited by his Letters. I would fain liavc that Cor- refpondence fettled again, by your Interdi : but it would be a tedious thing, If my Letters werefirfi: to "be brought thither. If that Gen- tleman that takes Care of the Letters between you and Signor Barbar -igo, could alfo get mine handfomly conveyed to Moniieur LFJehaJfur^ and Ì7i The Letters of ina his to trie, I fhouid take it às a great Favour and Benefit : And I expeft your Anfwer to this Propofal, as well as the foregoing one, at your feifure \ which concludes niy Letter. So I kifs your Hand, arid fo doth Signoi: Molina, fo does Father Pulgentió. Vtniceyit$x, i^ ion* LETTER LXXL tWill begin my Ànfwer to Yours df the i'yh of Auguft) from the làft fcìaufe of it, concern- ing the Continuance of our Correfponderice ; by telling you, that there is nothing that I wifti for more, than that I have thought ver? much of it , and I have had the Occafion punctually re- prefented to nie, about which 1 wrote you word by the Courier this day Fortnight. I filali attend your Ànfwer j and if you fifall therein approve of nìy Defign, wé fhall get that Point fettled fora matter of a Y ©altogether, unléfs God fhouid afford us i better Opportuni- ty of fending to each other 5 which I think we may have by Signor Barbarigo's going AmbafTa- dor thither : which not onfy for the above-faid Reafon, but many other greater Ories; would be moft highly to my Joy and Sàtisfa&ion. However I will not, for the Hopes of a greater Good, leave à certain One, tlioilgh it be i lé(? One. ■ ^.';. Your QÀttthdr of] Jmi-Cofdn is much aefi- red here. Every Body expefts his Vindication to be an excellent Piece ■ tro& tìfé Saiisfadfidrf mi Father Paul of Venice. 27 y that his firft Book hath given. Monfieur Scr- vine's Book muft needs be a very ufcful one, by the Particulars of it which you write to Mon- ficur A [[eline au. Concerning the Anti-Jefuit we have had no News yet. I think there was fuch a Book prin- ted in Germany fome time ago \ but it was a very ordinary one. In fhort, 'tis time to leave off Words, and come to Deeds , and yet I do not fee any Op- portunity for it : and Words are no more ( as you fay very wifely ) than ill Language at the hatching of Cockatrice Eggs } but he that cag do no more, is to be excufed. The King of England Is not to be txcufed, for making ufe only of hi* Pen, when be bos it in bis Power to make ufe of other Weapons, tboi'^b be bad no mind to make them cut. One thing there is that gives me encou- ragement^ which is, that God will have his own Time to produce fome good End. In the Buiinefs of Ceneda, there was a very notable Act done by the polleiTion of it ; and it was thought the Pope would go about to counterpoife that by another, or elfe come to a down-right Quarrel about it. But he did nei- ther one nor t other \ he hath only debated the Reafons of the Title to it : But we have tbe eie- ven Points of tbe Law on our Side. If he is refolved to bear every thing, then there can be no Contention. He makes no words about the Prifon of the Inquilition. There is now lately a Thcatine Friar clapp'd up, upon the account of Confeflion \ and he bears this too. He minds nothing indeed but to get Money for his Family. So many honeft and T good 274 ^:e LeIters of good Men, feeing his meannefs of Spirit, fay i that it is not good to bring him downfb low j and they do not do what they would do, if they thought he would make Refinance. But even his Sloth is advantageous to him. Spain doth every day do fomething to him- — — that at" laft they melt by the great Flame. I am afraid that the*— — in Rome, and that their Patience will put a flop to them all. So finely do they rock the World atleep. I under- hand there is a clofe Treaty on fo0t,about a Mar- riage between the Prince of Wales dndthe In- fanta of Spam The Jtfuits have had mighty doings of Joy for the Aftàirs of France. The Spaniards have ferzed upon another Place of the Genoefes. I can never think that any Good will come of Italy i if it does not firft begin in.Gov many. . Things which are pall, have rather made a DifToiuteriefs than a Reformation. So 'tis time now to fmifh my Letter , and I kifs your Hand. Father Matter Fulgentio hath a very great mind tò fee the Book called The Anù-Jefùit, that was fpok-e of before. For my own part, I .am always oi that mind, that if it be not a curious thing, i don't care for feeing any, having Books enow in' Venice to ftudy upon, without fending abroad for- them t Yet I ftill depend uproii your Advice and -Couiifel \ informing you withal, that one Copy of a Book ferves us all together. Arid here ^gain I kifs your Hand. ■v-mct, ikfk-dffWtà'- t .Eft ER Father Paul of Venice. £jf j LETTER LXXII. ; tS Y the Courier thai: went this day Fortnight f D wrote to you, lending the Letters as I ufed to do. I had nòne from you by this lair, that came from France : YVhich I only acquaint you with for Advice . fake, not intending that you fhould gitfe ycwrfelf any trouble about writing, vvhen you cannot well dp it. •That which paifes herein Italy, of any great Moment, is the Buiincfs of Sdffello : which not- withstanding, I fhould be apt to fay, will breed ho Novelty here 5 butthat having feen great Be- ginnings come to nothing, I do imagine \i* pofllblc for a fittali and inconfiderable Caufe to produce fome great Effect : And as a thing that i* likely to come tó pafs, may never do fo ', fo a thing that is not likely to come to pafs, may ne- verthclefs be cife£ed. The Gnioefts fent to complain of it to the Conftable |~ of Cafiìlvl, Governour of Milan \ and he made them but i fòwrè Anfwct . The News whereof being got to Genoa, there was a very great • Uproar a- rnongft the People about^ it ; which much En- dangered the Houle ot the Spanifh AmbafTador Vwls ; and fome great Mifchief would have in- fued, if the Seigniory had not fent a Guard to proteci him. And even fome of thofc who :r? intcrefted with Spain, fpoke their Minds freely, that they would prefer the Liberty fot their Country'] before their own private Interests That State has given order for vailing joco T i Swjjcrs9 iy6 The Letters of SwijferS) and 3000 Corfesy [pv Men of Corfica\ : Some fay it is for their Defence againft Foreig- ners } others, to prevent Inteftine Divifions. This laft Reafon is the 1110ft likely j becaufe if they bring in Srvijjers who are not Proteftants, they will have fo many Spaniards of them. I cannot tell whether the Marriage of Savoy meets with a Rub, or no. A Secretary of Ambaffador Fives is gone to Turin to dillwade it : for the effe&ing of which, he has let fallfuch- words^ a* the Duke of Nemurs takes to be difhonourable to himfelf : W hereupon a French-man, his Lieu- tenant, went arm'd and well-attended into the Secrecary^s Houfe, and gave him- the Lie, and threatned to kill him if he did not eat up his Words. The Secretary at this, complaiaM to the Duk$ of the Violating the Laws of Nations \ and has required a Declaration of the Safety of his Per- fon. The Duke has offerM him, that Satisfa- ction fhall be made hi iru- but they cannot agree about it '-y one of them infilling upon a great deal, and the other refolvin? to give but little. Some Body believes, and upon very good Rea- fons ot Likelihood, that the Affront was pro- moted by Savoy himfelf. I have no Account yet of the Affairs of the Affembly, though there are abundance of things taikU about .it here, but all in favour of che Papifts. The Buìinefs with the Pope is put up. About that Bufmefs of the Inquifitor, which 1 wrote you before, he has .faid nothing. The Nuncio has- lately required to tornire the Abbot, that you wot of when you were here, and- who was given, to the King, and fo to the Pope; for Either Paul of Venice. 277 for "the Judgment of that Matter' is not done ; and he has been denied his Requeft. The News we have out of 'Germany arc very confidc- rablc ; and if it fhould happen that the Emperor parts with Bohemia^ and takes thofe into his Ser- vice whom he propofesto have, he mult needs be kfs than his Word. I fee things herein very confufed , and I look upon it in a manner impoi- fible to mend them, confidèrlng the turbulent Brain of the Duke of Savoy, who hath many Turnings ami Windings to get cut of his Pro- pofals j bolides, that his Word is Arbitrary, and not much to be built upon { though he is withal n great Catholick, and a good Chriftian as much as needs be. I mutt here break off for want of Matter ; but Imuft flill delire the lame place in your good ! avotir. And fo I kifs your Hand. , Octob. u, 1 5 1 1 . LETTER LXXIir. BY this Courier I hive received two of Yours together:, one of the ~tb and \\tb or remkr, t'other of the ictb of the fune Month 5 for which I return you many Thanks. As for the Advice you fend me of the State of Affeirs, which though I could have wifhed that they might have been better \ yet lìnee it has plea fed (iod ib to difpofe of them, I am willing to be- lieve they will better go on to the Service and Glory of his Divine Majcfty, than if they had gone according to our DehTcs. The Report T 3 that %?% Tlie Letters of jhat is gotten amongft ye, concerning thqfe things at Bologna^ is all falfe, nor did any thing happen there that could give occafion to fuch à Rumour. Things were never quieter than they are now. The Pope isrefolved to know nothing of what paffes: He lets the Repubiick do what they lift j infomuch that our Politicians forbear dor ing any thing out of Modefty: but 'tis with this Certainty, that they coul4 do fomewhat if they had % mind to7t. for two Years we have had at Rome an AmbafTador, that was extream fit for, that Place : and he being at laft called Home^ there was another fent thither that was worfe than he. He is now dead; and good Fortune, or, to fpeak properly, the Wilt of God hath direftecj us to the choice of a ufeful Man in his room : Which is an Argument that the Divine Majefty is willing to do us Good, becaufe a better M^n could not be fent. I writ my Lord Aiwmy iem€- thing of Moment, and therefore I defire the Letter to him may be fafely fent him \ and for fear of the worft, left fome-body mould get the handling of your Letters before they come to your 'Eye, I had no mind to fuperfcribe it, any ìtiÒTe than wh^t is fuffirient to you to know which is which, So I mull entreat you to give that Letter a new Cover, and to tell him that it is for him. Signor Barbar igo will flay at Turin till about Saft0fì^ì. What we may do about our Cor- /efpondence, I wrote you word of about five Weeks agó^ and I c'xpeft your Anfwer thereto, I cannot "telf what the great Embroils in Germany will Father Paul of Venice. 279 fvill come to, fomething or nothing. He that w_ould think of Things pail, and the great Love we have for Eafe and Idlenefs, would imagine they would còme to nothing : but Things go fo far on,that they forebode a Change. The GenoefesSentan Amballador into S^amàbout the Buimefs of Saffello. I believe he will be fo treated by the Spaniardy^ that he had -as good have ftaid at Home, and that Sajfcllo will be where it is. At this time the Spaniards are fortifying a Piace upon the Confines, called by thofe of AfiL tfaCijleme; which is. a thing that the Duke of Savoy will not be plea fed at, nor the Poper bs- caufe it is a Fee of the Biftioprick of Afiu There s a great deal of Rea fon for keeping Mens Eyes open, but the Lethargy is too power- ful upon them. 'Tis faid here, that the Parliament of Pària, upon account of the Arre ft —and fo 'tis faid that Monfieur Servine has publifhed fome Additions of his, and Interpretations of the Ar- reft made againft Rtllarmine. Signor Molino and Father Fulgent io fend you a world of hearty Rcfpects ; and I am exceed- ingly glad, that by the Grace of God you have your Fiealth tolerably well, hoping that you will Itili be better. I can never ceafc won- dering at Bellarmirfs Trcafons : but I muft ceafc to give you further trouble at this time^ So ] kifs your Hand. Wchere fpeak diverfly concerning the Decree pronounced againft Bellarniine. 1 mould be glad to know the Contents of it, and all the Particu- larities about it,. that I may be able. to jnfor.m T' 4 feme 280 The Letters of fonie Senators, that are my Friends, therein -> who can hardly. endure to hear his Name men- tioned, as being a Perfon born to damnify the Quiet and Peace of Chriftendom. Venice, Oftob. 25, 1611. LETTER LXXIV. MY lafl to you was dated Otlob. 25. and by this Difpatch I have'received two from you at once, viz,, of the ift and i$d of Oclober. Signor Barbarigo writes me word, that he has received the Sórbon Cenfure arid Servine s Book for me'} but having a mind to read them himfelf, he keeps them till next Difpatch -, fo that I fhall go nigh to have them within four days -, and I hum- bly thank you tor them, being things I had a great mind to fee. I am forry for the Difference that happen'd in the A\Jembly i, and I am afraid that things will go further, becaufe the Traitors difcover'd will ne- arer prove good Men*, and the Contagion will infeft others. There is little hopes to mend them, becaufe 'tis not Health that is Infe&ious, but only Difeafe. Yet this we may believe, that God would ne- ver have permitted this Evil, but to order it for Good. -James Badover is come hither in his way to Rome -, and I believe that Father Cotton and Jie* are of one Gang : Yet lie had need to be wife, * The Word is, Affai in Coitmto. Father Paul of Venice. 281 wile, for fear he be fervcd the fame Sauce that Keboul was. The Matter of Sajfcllo has been fuch, that it might have awakened even thofe that be Deaf j but thofe in a Lethargy are pad the Noife. In fhort, all hereabouts are of the fame Mind, to keep up Idlenefs and Eafe, excepting the Duke of Savoy , and I am afraid he does not under- ftand it wrell. The Spaniards don't care for trufting Mens Children againft their Fathers. He has now fct a wTatch upon his eldeft Son, and this is certain. Some fay it is, that he may not get away ; others, that he may not turn Caputine. The Bulinefs that happened at Palermo, is tolerated : and chat of the Vicar of Padua is not talkMof ; but there is means 11 fed with the Duke of Mode- na, who has not Satisfaction given him. There is nothing further laid about Caftelve- tro, but a Reprimand to the Nuncio for not protcfting againft it. The Pope refolves to live merrily, and make Peace every where for the prcfent. The Duke of Savoy has given the Ca- pucins to underftand, that he will have none of their Order in his State, but fuch as are his na- tural Subjects. This is a thing that nettles where it concerns ^ but 'twill be born withal. The Spaniards talk of fortifying Cifterna, a Place bordering upon the Dutchy of Milan and Pied- mont \ and that which is moll: material, it is a Fee Of the Bifhoprick of Pavia, and fo it will vex both the Duke and the Pope. The Pope will bear with it, and the other cannot oppofe it. We have News of the Queen of Spain's Death -, and that the Duke of term* is l 8 t The Letters of h in danger of his Head : who if he fhould be put to death, it would, without all doubt, make a great Alteration of the prefent State of Things v -not' to .dny hazard of War, but of a- nother fort of Bufinefs. Our Cypher, as it is fa fate and fecure, that no Body can poffibly make any. thing of ;it \ fo it has this Defeft, that theieaflMiftake of him that writes it, renders it unintelligible \ and alfo he that uncyphers it, had need.be very careful. As to Signor Barbarigoh Succcflor, he is not to go to Turin till after Eafter ; and fo, till that time, we may think of divers things : and who knowsbnt that Signor Barbarico may be the Man for France ? There are three Qin nomination], whereof be is one; another is a Friend of mine y and the, .third is one, -whom I fhould be loth to trull ^ who are to go to France, Spain, and England. ; -And it -w-ould be hard Luck indeed, if I fhould .not get one Friend of two where I wi/h hinrv and let the third go to the Place that is fittingeft for him. But to our Bufinefs here- after: -You will not; want any to give you no- tice: of Occurrences, fo far as is necefFary, from S&uoy ; but they will not know how to judg_ of them- "" Your delire would be for a prudent Perfon -, -thaty when there happens any thing worthy of yourknowledg, and. more than what every Body i 3.. to know, can give you fuch a Judgment of it, which theprefent one. is much abler to do than he that is to come. But of this Matter we ihalt have further occafiontotalkinthe meantime, ti have not feen him thefe. two days, to. give .him an fritkr Paul of Venice. 2 8 ; *n account of what you write about} but 1 know it will be welcome to him when he hears ir. I believe I mail not need to tell you any thing elfe but this, that the Pplim Gentleman, who was here to fee me from my Lord Mornay^ and brought me his Letters, which I anfwerd by your Packet, told me, that that Lord had fent me a Book, but he could not tell by which way. 1 have no tidings of it yet *, but I have fcen another Copy of it \ and I do extreamly like the Art and the Pains of it ) which, without all f)eradventure, will be enlarged either by him or bine Body elfe } for the matter is fo copious,that it needs more Room : And from hence 1 judg fo, becaufe I find, for my own part, that 'tis necef- fary to be very attentive to the Subjeci, though 1 underftand the Matter well enough, as things in it run over one another j being, as we fay in Sailors Phrafe, txvifted together very clofe, in- fo much that Readers of ordinary or finali Capa- cities will hardly be able to perufe them to ad- vantage and edifying,* I was not over-willing to give you this Judg- ment of mine about it -, for otherwife, as to the truth of things, and the Author's Judgment of them in writing and applying them, there is no- thing can be done better. And for a Conclulion let me tell you this, Without queftion Badwvu goes to Rome to do fomc Mifchief, upon the Je- iuits InfHgation. And here, to abufe your Pa- tience no longer, in reading my Impertinences, I mull clofe up all, killing your Hand, and in- treating you, if you write to my Lord Afynuty, to give him my molt humble Service, telling him, That 2 84 37* Letters of that I (hall fay no more to him about that which I wrote to him of, till I hear from him. Signor Molino and Father Fulgentio do heartily fallite you. Venice, Novemb. 3, 1611. LETTER LXXV. MY lalt was dated on the 1 5^, after which I have had by this prefent Courier your mofl welcome Letter of the iqth of Ottober0 by wiiich I underltand very well how Matters go with the Proteftants in France. We ought to put our Trull in God, who brings Good out of Evil. I thank you for what you have written to Mon- fieur L'EfchaJfier, whom 1 have a great Value and Reverence for. I have been muchpleafed with reading Monlieur Sty-vine's Remonftrance, which I take to be an excellent thing. He has pafTed a Judgment upon that Book that deferves his Fa- vour : buttile Sorbon might have been more mo- dell in cenfiiring * my Lord Mornaies, and might have fliewn more Judgment than they did. I do not wonder at them for faying, that what has been written for the canonizing of Father Igna- tius, may be well interpreted} for that's the way of all Papilts, to allow of any Excefs of Praife, in things that are to their liking j and to give * That Book of his which' they cenfured, was his Myfiery 0} Iniquity , which the Sorbon condemned in vexy rude and foul Language, on Auguft 22, 1611. The Decree was publifhed ac Paris in i5i 2. in a little ColUcllon. of things againft the Je- suits, beginning with Richef s Book DE ECCLESIASTICA ET POLITICA FOTESlATE. Father Paul of Venice. 285 give any fcurvy Interpretation to thofc of o- thcrs. We find it true by Experience in this Inftance: If the Pope fhould but be compared with othe.r Biihops, it is not to be indured^ O 'tis a dam- ned Hercfv ! but if he be made equal with God ; 0 then all's well , and it meets with a good In- terpretation. The Sorbon did ufe to be eitcemed and valued for their Judgments and Determinati- ons j but evtrfincc a certain time till now they have loft a great deal of their Reputation. For Aniwer to your Letter, there is no need of faying any thing but about the Cypher ■ — 1 come to the News that we have here, which is very coniidcrable. Part of rhe Spanifh licet is come back to &#p]£s from the Coails of yjfrica^ where it was terribly fhattered, without know- ing what is become of the reit of it :, fo that it has had fuch another Ficlory as they ufe to get up- on that Coaft. The Duke of Savoy hath had a Conference with Defdiguions at Sufa j and that Prince is con- tinually talking with Commanders and Officers. What Defigns he may have in his Head, is not yet underftood here \ nor can I think of any he can have, unlefs it be to make Spain a little jealous of him. There goes a Speech up and down, that his eldefl Son has a Mind to be a Capucine Friar : 1 cannot affirm this for Truth j but fo much 1 know for certain, that his Highnefs has com- manded the Capuctnes to keep no Friars in the Convents of his Dominions, unlefs they be his own natural Subjects. That Duke has aliò made a Calile in the Land pf Vttx4% to be d Jinolifhed, which is a Fee of the Church of Afii : and the P i8é TI* Letters of Pope has not made any fuch Noife about it, as was thought he would. I think I wrote you Word formerly, that the Spaniards have made four Re- quefhtóthe Pope : "One, that he lay noPénfioii on the Heads of Spaniards, to be paid to Italians. The fecond, that Caufes even at the fecond la- fiance may be tried in Spain. The third, that the King have the Nomination of all Bifhops iri his Dominions of Italy. And the fourth^ that mftead of the Spoils £or Eftates of deceafed Bi- fhops] in Spain, there be an annual ordinary Re- venue fettled, and rio more Spoils be demanded. It was thought that the three fifft would be huflfd up, but they are debated again, and an èxprefs Meffenger is expe&ed out of Spaing who comes to folicite the Expedition òf them; and Father Alagona, a Jefuit, was difpatchM from Rome to .Spain, to fhow that their Demands are againft Confcience. We fhall fee what all this will come to. Another Piece of News I have from Romei which being very confiderable, I fhall copy out from .the Letter that brings it rne, word fof. word, and leave you to iudg of it. Thus it is. • . ., . £f° u T'other Day the Abbot of £vl^a French- u man, of the Order of Cekfiines, was clapp'd u up in Prifon by the Inquifition, by the Queerfs nour of tìtoùx tarsìolp God, than they have of the 1 ne, I v. ■:. l< : not that the Spanilh Ambaflador has burn d t , being very wc!! 1 that they will never induro thole Ecc I Exorbitances in Sp 1 u ipo 17;e Letters I have feen Monfieur Cafaubori's * Book, which wants nothing as to the Frame of it -, but I mould have been glad that the Englilh had afforded him more Matter againitthe Jefuits. I am much pieafed that he has fo roundly re- buked that Lie, which was given Anti-CcAon in his Name, which Anti-Coton would do well to re- member that Bufinefs of the Abbot de Bobs [in his next Book.] I could wift that Coeffeteau were not fo mightily flung at as he is ; becaufe the Man hath fome good Proportions in him, that do not fo well pleafe thofe at Rome : but that rather all would join againft the common Enemy -, and if we could but get him once down, particular Con- troverfies would eafily be accommodated and agreed. I have had no News yet of -f- Richelieu 's Apo- logy, nor of Cujatutfs Lectures-, and I intreat you to take no further Care about them. I am much troubled at Caftriyifs Misfortune ; and I wifh it lay in my Power to do him Service. I fee that if the Sorbon and the Univerfity have no body elfe to cope with, they will be againft the Jefuits -, but I am as good as fure, that they will be good Friends :, and the Sorbon will always yield to them, and tall upon the Hugonots : and 'tis ill trufling to the Contention of two Par- ties, when they have a Retreat to make them fhake Hands and be Friends. 1 have written thus incoherently, becaufe I would anfwer your Let- ter Step by Step, having little time tofpare thts é Day; * This was his Epiftle to Frsnto Dhcjms, printed at London, Aim \6ti< in AnfWsr to the Jefuits Apology, printed at Park* t |e may be thas was 'm effc Fate's Copy Rhtewft* Father Paul of Venice. 291 Day j and being juft now obliged tofcalupmy Letter- Signor Molino and Father Fulgent io fend you a thoufand Services j and I humbly kifs your Hand. Vinki, Deccmb. 6Ì ioli. BETTER LXXVIL THIS prefent Letter, how long foever it might be through the abundance of Love which I always have for you, will yet be a ftiort one, through the want of Matter to wTrite of, and the little time I have to write in, having re- ceived nothing from you by this lail Difpatch. I thought you might begone to the Alfembly, as you intimated to me by your lair, which I de- li re may be to God's Glory, and to your Content. There is no great Store of News to be told ycu about the Affairs of this Country, becaufe things are jufl: as they were, unlefs it be, that there is fo mew hat of Alteration in Rome, where two Mini Iters governed the PGpe and all that be- ionp/d to him. 1 hefc were the Cardinal of Nazareth and Car- dinal Lanfrancr both of them advanced from a mean Condition to that Height : fawfrajrc Was Secretary, and Nazareth was Datary. The for- mer of tliefe is now dead -, and fome think it was not for any want of, but too much of Italian Phy- fiek. But Nazareth being out of Favour, and gone from Court, Borgbtfe is made the Pope's Sea ry. TÌ3 3 a uauiual thing, this, and a Proof V JK i]i.\r i^p i The Letters of that a Man can hardly truft any Body. The Spa- niards purfue their Propofals in Matters relating to Benefices -, but what the Iflue of it will be, God knows. You will hear either of the volun- tary departing, ortheExpulfionofboththe Am- bafTadors of Savoy, Ordinary and Extraordinary, from the Court of Spain, by the King's Com- mand. The Politiconi here don't know what to make of it, whether it be in jeft or earneil. Laft Week my Lord of Leon, Ambaflàdor for that King, prefented himfelf to our Prince, and difcourfed very handfomly. 1, who am perfect- ly ignorant of this Perfonage, exped fome In- formation of him from you, of whom I alfo beg a Line or two in Relation to Signor Gaffont, --who will be going for Turin about trie Beginning of Lent, that fo we may put things in Order for the Maintenance of our further Correfpondence : and becaufe this Letter is but a fhort one, I try to lengthen it with the melo fed printed Paper, which I believe will give you fome little Enter- tainment. So concluding here,.!" kifs your Hand. I exped the Particulars of the Expulhon of the Duke of Savoy's AmbafTadors ; and when I have them, yon fha 11 know them -, and if I can, I will fend you an intire Copy of them -, for without doubt there will be curious Reafons there Qtha't will be worth knowing.] That Duke doth itil], time after time, receive fome jerk \ and though lie be a little Man in the Body, yet he has a Heart big enough to take all with a 'World of Courage ; but I am afraid he will break at laft, which makes one that is concerned, confider. Venké, Deecmb, 20, 1 6 1 1 » LETTER Father Paul of Venice. 293 LETTER LXXVIII. I Did imagine, jnfr. fo as you write me word by Yours of the itb of December, that you might be from home at the time of laft Di (patch : I wrote to you neverthelefs, and I believe you may by this time have my Letter. Having no News for you at prefent, my Let- ter (hall only attend Yours (rep by (tep, which brings me great Comfort, by telling me of the Union of the [[Reformed] Churches:, and much more, when you tell me, that the Marriage of Spain can never be, without breaking with the Proteftant Churches. I am (tillfomewhat troubled for the Ambafla- dor that goes to Holland: but God will dilpole every thing to his own Glory, and to what is bed for us, though we cannot fee it fo clearly by rcafon of our Incapacity. The Duke oi Orleans'* Death will, without doubt, prove lbmc Nou- rifhment of the Hopes of ibme reftlefs Pcrfon : butafterall, if it pleafeGod that thcKinggcts out of his Minority, every other Miichicr will be remediable. The Prince of Concie mult needs receive Rcpulfcs -, his State making it an impodi- ble thing fot" him to be without ibme Delignsor other : and if he fhould have his Demand gratifi- ed, he would dill demand more: and it. is Pru- dence, linee there is no contenting of him, to reft and lit down in the firft Rcfolution, rather the fecond. I (hall have, within thefe four Days, the Sermons concerning the Cananrzau V3 of 294 3^ Letters of of Father Ignatius , which Signor Barbarico keeps by him to read. I remember I have the Story of what pafled at Sivil to the fame purpofe : I have a Copy of it printed in that City j and I have got it copied out, believing it may be of fome ufe to you, and fome other Friend thereabouts. I have a very great value for the Print of it, becaufe if fuch a thing had not been fo publickly told me, I could never have believ'd it. But now, as to matter of Saints, we have late- ly had a new one in thefe Countries, Charles Bor- romeo, ^ Arch-Bifhop of Milan] ■> of whom they fay, that be is. the Saint that does all Miracles now -a- days *, fo that all the old Saints may eJen go rrhiftle, for any Good thty can do. As to that Perfon of Lucca, I have queftioned whether the Report be fo as you write, orno: but the thing was not done to pleafe the Pope, but the Politici- ans were the Men that occaiion'd his Death. The poor Man went thither through Impru- dence, and not to preach the Gofpel : but it would be a tedious thing to tell you the whole Matter. As to things here, the Pope will by no means hear of any Quarrel \ and there is no queftion but the Republick could give him his Belly-full of them} but they (as- things pafs) the more they fee him apt to bear with them, the more need there is, they fay, of giving him no ce- ca fion \ infomuch that both Good and Bad mull, at laic conclude ill. The Father is grown very jealous upon the coming of Badover hither } but be will take heed of himfelf, and Time will difcover [>hat that; Fellow's Father Paul of Venice. 295 Fellow's Bulinefs is here.] ^1 he Spaniards, no doubt, will do what they pleafe in Italy, by fetch- ing fuch flow and Jhort Faces :, which if they would but move a little nimbler, or make a lit- tle longer, they would do our Bulinefs, and not their own , Qbut their Way is like^ their Gate.~\ There is no need of troubling any Body's Head about the Affairs of Savoy, becaufe they are all Chimera's and Whimfeys : and though they have turned away their Ambafiadors in Spain, for the Affront done at Turin by a Lieutenant of Ne- mours, to the Spanifh Secretary -, yet nothing will come of it:, and who knows but that all thefe things may be done by common Agree- ment? *tD I have feen Monfieur Cafaubori*s curious Piece, but I wifh there were more of the Subject in it. I have nothing clfc to trouble you further with \ and if I had, 1 am afraid I fhould fcarce have difcretion enough to know where I ought to end. Signor Molino, Father Fulgcntio, and I, do kits your Hand. Vt Uit Janyar. 3, i5i 2. LETTER LXXIX. MY laftwasof the silnilant \ and I have no Letters this Courier from you : the rcufon 1 believe is, thebadnefsof the Times. I could not forbear writing to you, though I am hardly put to it for Time, to ihew my Re- Ipcdh to you*, and to tell you particularly, thai V 4 ihcrt 296 The Letters of there is Provilion making for a Congregation of the Jefuits in Rome againft the Spring. Aftrologers do always prognoflicate Evil from the Congregation of ill and malevolent Stars. God Almighty, who is above Stars, and the Hea- vens too, turn it all to good. I believe their Bniinefs at Rome will partly be againft the Republick of Lucca ; becaufe a cer- tain Widow-Lady of that City dying, and lea- ving out her next Relations, made them her Heirs of a vail Eitate left behind her j and thofe Magiilrates have declared the Will void and in- officious : Whereupon the Fathers have been fain to let go the Fflh. 'Tis thought here, that their Suit with the Univeriity of Paris has been handled and determined, according as was expected, in favour of the Univerfity. I am apt to think, that the Orations and Plead- ings in the Caufe will be printed : wherein I un- der (land that Moniieur Servine^ and the Advo- cate of the Univeriity, have delivered them- felves learnedly and wifely. I long to fee their Things, believing they will be of admirable life to us here. I have feen the Cenfure of the Sorbon upon the three Speeches, which I cannot but commend. Would to God that all the Doctrine of the Sorbon were no worfe. I have alfo feen an Apo- logy that Father Solicr makes againft that Cen- fure : ^tis a very favvcy one, and done Jefuit- like. It may be feme Good will come of thefe Con- tentions^ and the Sorbon^ leaving this new Do- clrine of theirs, will hit upon feme good Prin- ciples. The Spanifh Pretenfions at Rome conti- nue Father Paul of Veniée. 297 mie ft ill : I don't know whether any Good may- be looked for from thence. I am mightily afraid that tbtfi good Fatbtrs will hang down their Heads in France one time or other, becaufe they venture too boldly againlt the Liberty of the Oallican Church 5 which is a Point that the French do not rightly under- Hand : and indeed I do not know how they have been able to indure fo many Injuries all this while : But if they once give their Minds to know what that is, I am fure they will do their Buiincfs to purpofe. Time will ripen all Things. There is no other News, but the continuance of my old Devotion to you, So I and your Friends kifs your Hands. Venire, Januar. 18, 1612. LETTER LXXX. BY Letters written by a common Friend to Monlieur Affrlineau^ I hear, to my great grief, that you have had another Fit of the Col- lick : and 1 (hould be greatlier troubled Itili, if, upon the conlideration of your Diitempers be- coming habitual, I mould not have fome hopes that you will be able to bear and conquer it with cafe ; as I pray our good God that you may. I will by no means delire you to write to me to the Condition you arc in, but to be contented to let Monlieur Affclineau know how you do \ and with the hopes of a fpcedy and ihoit Recovery. I 198 The Letters of I am not able to write you any thing of Mo~ ment concerning thefe three Countries, we and they being quiet beyond Imagination, or neg- ligent, which you pleafe. Only in this City there are difcover'd fome young Females of great Devotion, mightily intent upon Spiritual Exer- cifes, fuch as are ufed here, and are taught by the Friars of Italy : Thefe Goflips have had Rap- tures and Extafies, and pretended to Revelati- ons j nay, and to fweat even Blood. What there is of this true, one that has feen nothing of it, as I have not, muft leave, without faying or gain-faying : But the Matter beginning to get upon Peoples Tongues, and the old Sto- ries of the Portugal infpred Wenches coming into Mens Minds, they have been all fent to Mona- fteries by the Prince's Order, [to fweat Blood, and vent their Gipfy-Prophecies there.] And now all the popular Froth is turn'd into Air and Nothing, and the whole Matter looks like a Cheat and humane Artifice. We underitand that the Caufe of the Jefuits hath been debated by the Univerfity-Advocate and the King's Attorney, with great Service, not only to France, but all Chriitendom. I have a great delire to fee the Speeches if they are printed. We have News of the Emperor's Death j which cannot be faid to come lefs unfeafonably than his Life was. God grant that a Perfon of better Intention and Working towards his Holy Church, may come in his room. I muft be no more tedious, not only for want of Matter, but to be no farther trcuhlefome to you. I befeech God to accomplifh vou with his Father Paul of Venice. 299 bis Graces, and grant you your full Health. So 1 kifs your Hand. Vtnicc, Januar. 31, 161 2. LETTER LXXXI. AS I am greatly troubled at the News of your Indifpoiition, fo lam much rejoiced again by the fight of Yours of the 1 6th of January \ and that particularly tells me of your having the Gout, and fays nothing of the Stone, which gave me the molt affliction for you. I ice 11 i il that your Hand is juir the fame it ufes to be, which puts me in hopes that you will find the life of it again -, As I pray God you may. I received, in due time, Yours of Deccmb. 7. as I think I lignified to you before. 1 he Jefuits Suit, and the Arrcft pronounced upon it a Month ago, are things that are mightily talked of} and chiefly for two Reaions : One is, be- caufe divers. Copies of them arc come hither, and all of them are of different Forms and Shapes. The fecond is, becaufe they are done in an interlocutory way, and not a definitive one ; which makes Men fear, that by their old Arts and Tricks, thofe Men at lalt will get the upper Hand. The firft of tbcfe Difficulties you hare rcfol- ved me of, but in fuch a manner that it aug- ments the fecond -, becaufe they which have been able to get the Sentence pronounced agaioft them, altered, will be ranch more able to im- prove that to their own DefigtiSj which is to be pro- 3 oo 7 he Letters of pronounced hereafter. But be that as it will, I think 'tis», a great Point gained, t^at they have been fpoken againfl fo openly, and that the A&i- on be to be printed : which is a thing I have as great a delire to fee, as I have a fear, that by fome Trick or other it will be hindred. But how, and for what Reafon, the Prince and the two Bifhops did appear in the Judgment, is a thing that I have a huge delire to know, being of the Opinion, that a great part of the Myfte- ry lies wrappM up in this very Particular. The Refolution of demolishing the Burgo in Brefcia^ which has been known here a good while, is look'd upon as a thing of great Confequence } and for my part I mutt needs fay, that no one thing of all Occurrences in the Governments of the prefent State, appears to me lefs intelligible Ethan that does.] And the Depoiing of Monfieur de Sillery, fhews that things cannot long continue in their pre- fent Condition of Quietnefs : And I take it to be a piece of great Prudence in the Proteftants to let others begin the Fray, and keep themfelves clear of Interefts [and Parties], and defer Hill their Refolutions -, thefe things feem to me the greater Aflurances of getting Satisfaction. To pafs on to things hereabouts : The De- mands of Spain mult needs lie quiet for fome Days, becaufe the Emperor being dead, 'tis the Interefl of the Pope and Spaiti to be united for common Reafons and Refpefts. 'Tis very clear, that either Matthias will be elected Emperor quickly, or elfe there will be a long and diffi- cult inter-Reign [before they can make one.] But I am of the mind that the firft will be, and Father Paul of Venice. :oi , and all through the Fault principally of^-j^— k ?# I am well allured that the Pope, who ufes ' to be very negligent, and not to trouble his Head much at any thing that falls out on t'other iideof the Mountains, doth employ his thoughts Jiere, and is much troubled ; and I believe lie is more feared there in France, to lofe fo great a Pretention, than at any thing elfe. The Difference between Spain and Savoy, up- on which the King turn'd away the Duke's Am- baflàdors, was thought would be accommodated, giving the Duke fomc Satisfaction : But the Mat- ter docs not yet look as if it were in any good way thereunto, becaufe there is no Offer yet made \ but on the contrary, the Duke has calf d home his Ambafladors. But after all, I don't fancy that this Difference will make any Altera- tion of tilings. The Abbot of Bo'vs was not put into any Mo- naftcry, but into the Inquifition-Jail, and was hang'd juft as I wrote you word. Tis a thing thai all Rome knows to be true : But the French Am- bafladour's Court fays indeed, That it was ano- ther Man that fwung there ; and I can't forbear fmiling when I hear it. Moniicur 4ffetine#u has fhew'd me the Para- graph of your Letter, where you relate the Bu- finefs of Cofirine \ which is true, but 'tis about a Year old, and the Father was advis'd of it at that time, and for that Reafon left off writing to him ; but he doth not know whether thefe Letters of his were font to Romt or no. But this is not true, that they went from thence to • \ nor this neither, that the Father fufFerM for them ■•> and he believes, that if 302 77;e LettUs of they had been fent, they would have done him no prejudice: however, looking upon every thing as was fitting for him to do, he wrote no more to him, and refalved io to do. I have made a Refolution to have no manner of Fami- iiarity with Ambafladors from France, for fòme Reafons that you know, and for other Qbeft known to my felf.] I return you many Thanks for the Letter you fent me to mow Signor Gkjfo- ni : that's the way we muft ufe for our Corre- fpondence : and when he goes to Turin, I will take Care that Signor Barbarigo fhew him thè way of it. You may look upon him as a Gen- tleman of Goodnefs and Ingenuity, but you mult not expeci: a Barbarigo of him : and yon may impart every thing to him, (except the Bu- iinefs of the Gofpel) unlefs it mould relate to Matters of State and Government. It muft needs be, that Signor Barbarigo goes this Year either to France or Spain. He, and à mighty Man for the Pope will have thofe Em- battles : I do really think that Barbarigo will have France, becaufe he deiires that Place moft : and t'other delires t other. But things to come are in the Hand and Difpofal of God. When I have given you many Thanks for the Pains you have been at in writing to me, and fo largely, not- withstanding your Indifpoiition, let me beg this Favour of you, above all things to have a Care of your Health, and to omit writing to me when you are either hundred or bulled -, and to make your Letters no longer than may coniti!: with your Eafe and Convenience. And fo I con- clude, killing yonr Hand. Yeftcr- Father Paul of Venice. 50 } Yefterday died here John * Marfilio , I think you knew him well} he kept his Bed about ten Days, with ftrange Accident? befalling him. The Phyficians fay he was poifoncd, of which I knowing nothing before, will fay nothing at this time. Some Priefts indeed were tampering with him, to make him retrace what he had written, but he always flood floutly to his Principles, faying, He wrote what he did for Truth's fake, and would die in that Belief. Monfieur Ajfdintau did often vijit him, and is able to give you an Account of many Particulars of his Sickneis-, for I neither could, nor would, fearch into the bottom of it, for divers Reafons. I believe, that if it were not for Reafon of State, there be divers Men that would make a fhift to get out of this Ditch of Rome, to the Top of the Refor- mation : but one is afraid of one thing, and ano- ther of another ; and therefore 'tis mod likely that the leaft part of Mens Thoughts arc influ- enced by Almighty God. I believe you know what I mean, without any more Words. I af- fare you, I am yours, as likewifo are our other Friends. Vinict, Febr. 18, 1612. * He was one of the Venetian Divines that flood up forrhe State againrt the Pope, and wrote tbt tigiat Pnpefitions, and tkt Defence cf them, againft Bdtatmu^ at the Beginning of the Controverfy. LETTER 3 o4 The Letters of LETTER LXXXIJ. TH E Straitnefs of my time forces me to be briefer than otherwife I would, in anfwer- ing your Letter, which brings me Matter of great Joy, by acquainting me with the Recovery of your Health, which I hope in God you will long injoy, as I pray him you may, with great AfFe&ion to you. My lafl was of the 14th Inftant, wherein, I told you all that pafTes in thefe Countries in Dif- conrfe , for as to Action we have nothing elfe here, but a molt eafy and idle Peace. At prefent «very Body's Thoughts are upon Germany, from whence the llniverfality of Men expect fonie great Mattter to be done -, but thofe who are prudent, expect nothing 'good. 'Tis believed by fome who underftand fomewhat of the Dellgns of thofe- Princes, that King Matthias will be choien Emperor with little Difficulty, and that it will be to the Advantage of the Gofpel. But I have fo often obferved the Deiigns of Men end in other Events than they aim'd at, that I cannot promife mv felf any thing. I fhould indeed exped ibrne Good of it, if£S~l|^ But even this I do not much defire, becaufe it would but be a humane Foundation, for fear it fnould do more Hurt than Good. Now his plain, how great a Point they gain'd, that procured the Death of King Htnry'-\ becaufe there are at prcfen.t ilich Occaiions as would have/Vf him on againic his Competitors. By Father Paul of Venice. 305 By this Courier I have received the Pleas of Marttlliers, a very eloquent and fubitantial Piece, much marvelling at the French Liberty, that he had the Courage to fpeak his Mind io bravely againft the Jefuits to their very Teeth, who are a fort of Men fo fenfible, or rather full of Re- venge. I long alfo to fee that of Monlieur Str- *imei which I imagine is done in a freer Strain ftill than that. Certainly, if the Jefuits have their Favours fhewn them there, they have their Mortifications and Rebukes too j and they have little Reafon to brag of Victory. By the lad Courier Monlieur VEfchaJfier fent me the Writing de Ecclcftaftica. & politica Poteva- te Qof Monlieur Richer ills'] and he writes me word by this Difpatch, that ihere has been a ie- ditious Attempt upon Occaiion of that Book, raifed by the Papifh, and iupprefsM by the Par- liament. Certain it is (to fpeak after the man- ner of Men) the prefent Occaiions call for this, that every body, laying alide all other Points, ihould now mind the Defence of the Liberty of Princes, and curb the Exorbitancy of the Roman Power ^ becaufe this is the thing that would open ft Paflage for other Truths to enter in, and bring the Jefuits into Difefteem. I know well, that if the Sorbon would ingagc in thefe Matters, they would do themfelves a Kindncfs, and regain the Reputation of the Church, and proceed to greater things, and give Countenance to good Principles. -But 'tis a great Matter that the Jefuits have fo great a Li- berty of Preaching, that they dare meddle with the Authority ot Parliament j and, what is worfe, that they dare de tend Equivocation* X I io6 The Letters of I am pleafed that France^ which in former times hath made greater ProfelTion of fpeaking. lincerely, than other Nations» doth conftder the * Diretforium. The Spaniards and Italiani have fmarted for it a good while. I think the Reformed in France are in a worfe Condition now than when they had one Prince for their Head, having now fo many Heads, that I fear they will bring them into Qnarrel and Su- fpicion, and weaken their Interefts. And I be- feech God of his Mercy to help this. I cannot forbear fpeaking it, I think their State worfe than when they had a Prince on their fide. As to the Marriage of the King of Spain with the Daughter of England, it is not to be thought fo difficult to be brought about, confidering the Art of one, and the Simplicity of the other. But Marriages there aim at a Liberty of fowing the Diachatholkon : they have no other End but that. Being very defirous of keeping on our Corre- fpondence, I have fhewed Signor Guffoni your Letter, and told him, that when he goes away, I will write to Signor Barbar ìgo, to let him have the Cypher, and give him all the Directions of writing to you, and receiving from you. I believe you will be much pleafed in his Cor- . refpondence. You may freely write to him all Occurrences of the World, and your Thoughts about the Exorbitances of the Pope. You need not fpeak of other things of Religion, not bc- caufc . * I fuppofe he means the Ùerfilorium ìnquijitorum Nic. Ey me- lici, an old doting Inquifitor that died about 300 Years ago, whefe Inqnifirion-Book was fet forth with the Notes ©£ t'?\ ftgnfy at Vintiti and elfe where* Father Paul of Venice. 507 cailfe you are to think that the Man is a Papaline, but becaufc he does not underitand thole tilings. And now to your Queftion about Pope Joan, wherein I will tell you, that as I have not found any flrong Argument to prove that the Story of her is true } fo I have not met with any folid Rea- fons to prove that it is falfe. Butto fpeak li n- cerely, I am rather inclined to believe it falfe, but not to be abfurd, lince there were, in thofc times, things as inconvenient, as that of a Wo- man pafling fora iMan, and advanced to the Ro- man Throne j for the Oppreliions and Annul- ling* of the Acb of former Popes by their pur- ceilbrs, nay even thofc of Councils, are every whit as unaccountable. And then again, what great Difference is there in reaching out St. Petcr\ Chair to a Woman, and giving her the Government of the Church, and giving it to a little Boy of eleven Years eld, as Hcntdid the Ninth was *, to fay nothing of Jote the Eleventh, and John the Twelfth, who were not much older I They that would make any Advantage of that Story, can do it no other way, but by mewing that the Succedion of Popes has been interrupted. But Barotitis makes this cL\.r i\ hi iliitory, that there have been many Intruders, and that the Interruption of Succciiion cannot be denied. And to tell you in few Words 5 this Jew is made to live three Years } and the Seat was empty three Years : this comes nmchac one -, and therefore I •would never give my felf the Trouble to pre. , which being proved, woul 1 ferve my T$Tr nd further. I Diali ( loie this Letter by telling you my Mopes, that in a linle time there will X z be }ò8 * |77;e Letter s of be a Controvcrfy between the Pope and theRe- publick, upon the Account of Navigation; which if it be, will be of great Confequerice. God's Holy Will be done, whom I befeech to grant you perfeft Health, and all prefent and fu- ture Happinefs, Venice, February 2 8 , 1 6 r 2. LETTER LXXXIII. I Have not fail'd writing to you by all Couriers that have gone this Year : it may be fometimes a Letter may flop by the way, through the Neg- ligence of thofe whofe Hands they pafs through : but I hope thofe that have not yet reachM you, will comeatlaft. TheTumult and Stir that was raifed upon tl*e Account of Ricbers's Book, ought not to be any Matter of Trouble to you, nor be thought dif- advantagious } becaufe if that had not been, .the Book would have had but few Readers, and fewer Confiderers : but fuch a Contradiction, to it as that was, will make People examine and weigh it diligently *, and fix them in the Dottrine that they approve, and fet them againft that they dis- approve : and nothing is more ufeful than to fé- parate the Good from the Bad, and make them known to be what they are*, and keep the Good from Sleep and Sloth [[that corrupt their Minds] . and from being poifoned with the perverfe Prin- ciples of thofe who will know no God in Heaven, but will have one upon Earth, that is to pardon them all their WickednefFes, though they commit them never fo often* <és The Father Paul of Venice. ^09 The Words that pafled between the Prince and the Cardinal, feem to me to be of fo great Moment and Confequence, that not contenting my felf with what you tell me of it by Yours of the 1 yh (though Monlicur VEj'ehaJJier alfo writes the fame thing to me) I intreat you to write me word again, what there is that proves true in this Particular, becaufeif I am to believe that that Prince underftands fo much of it, I (hall have greater Hopes of further Good. 'Twould be great Prejudice, not only to France^ but other Countries alfo, if Monlìeur Ser- viti fhould be fo ferved, to be turn'd out of his Place: but feeing there is fomewhat elfe done that is as little generous as that is, there is Rea- fon to fear it all. The Plea of Monfieur Afartilliers is an eloquent and folid Piece, and argues very well. I could have wifhed, that as he only fpoke to the Cafe of the Univeriity \ and fo did not ingage in the Matter of inlirudiing young Scholars \ he had had a more general End 1 that is, to fhew the Mifchief that that Society doth the World in all their Aciions : but who -knows but that this brave Man may have Itili an Opportunity to do this? I had fcen SolitSi, Defence before, and the Ccnfhrc of the Sorbon, and that Man's Difcourie that is gone to Troks 5 and another fine Buiincfs of Tolofah : and I cannot fay that I wondred in the leait at what SMie* has written*, b:cauie, ha- ving feen leverai other things much more phanT ta/tical, which daily tiy up and down here in Ita- iy, I mult needs fay that his Book is Ids impu- dent. It makes me fear fome Mifehicf towards X \ to }fo Tlìe Leavers of to fee the Queen life the Proteftants at that rate ; and this Fear increafes upon me by confidering the Difference betwee-n Bullion, Vefdiguieres^ and others. I befeech God of his Goodnefs to prevent the evil Purpofes of Men. I am aftonilhed to fee how the Princes have been able to indure the Treaty of [t he King's] Marriage without their Knowledg. If the King had been out of his Mi- nority, he would never have done it of him- felf. As to Signor Barbàrigcfs coming thither, I wrote of it before all that I knew concerning it, and alfo all that can yet be known of it : Which foever of them is to go for Spain, this is fure, that he will be here about the latter end of this Month} and Signor Guffoni, who istofucceed him, will go to Turin -, by whofe means we (hall be able to write on flill to one another. By the next Courier I believe I mail have fomewhat to tell you, about a fine Trick of the Jefuitsagainit theRepublick, and a publick Proviilon made a- gainfi it, in fuch a manner as may ferve well for an Example to others. There may arife Difgulls between the Pope and the Republick on the Account of Navigation, which may be cf great Moment unlefs quickly redrefied. If any thing happens, you fhall have it by the next. I muft acquaint you with the humblefl Services of Signor Molino, and- Father Fulgentio; and I do heartily kifs your Hands, beleeching you to have a little more regard to your Health : and thanking you for the Writings you fent me. Concerning the Affairs of Germany we are here at a great lofs \ the molt part think they will be em- * broiled ; Father Paul of Venice. j i i broiled ^ but I cannot apprehend fo, and I be- lieve Matthias will be Emperor without any dif- ficulty : And to fhew you my Conjectures fur- ther, let me add, that prefently after, Albert will be made King of the Romans, and the Spa- nifh Dominion more fixM in Germany : which he that would have it fo, doth richly defervc it. Vtmety March 13, i5i2. LETTER LXXXIV. THis Week's Courier hath brought èiie no- thing from you \ which I only tell you for Advice-fake, not out of any delire that you mould at any time incommode your felf for writing to me. We are as barren of News as we ufe to be, and have our Minds all fix'd upon Germany : From whence fonie fear, and fonie hope, according as they Hand affe&cd. And the Affairs of France do alfo afford us much Mat- ter of Difcourfe. There is nothing of any Con- ( eminent here in Italy \ our Eafe promiling us no more than the ufual Courfe of things that they walk in. Yet by the Writing that I here lend you inclofcd, you will perceive that we can fometimes roufc up our felvcs outof the Lethar- gy Qand Drowhncfs that polìeflès us.] I have fent a Copy oi it to Monlicur fSEfc'u.if- fter, looking upon it as a piece of Publick Ser- vice to make it known abroad : You fee, by the Tenonr of it, that 'tis a Publick Things and '.hcrctore, as 1 think, that through the more X 4 Hands 3 1 1 The Letters of Hands it goes, fo much the better } fo I flialV little care to have it known ^hat it comes from me j that thofe good Perfons may not be troufor led with a greater hatred of me than they have already. That which I hinted to you before concern- ing the Republick and the Pope, hath not yet ftruck Fire /, but for certain it will, do : Yet I cannot tell, as I wrote you word before, whe- ther it will end in a Quarrel, or a Jealoufy, or Nothing : By the next, if it fliould chance to make any Nojfe, I fhall give you an account of it. We have another fcurvy Bufinefs that our Popelings trouble us with, which we are trying to remedy : and though we do not every thing in it that we might, yet what we do is confidera- ble. At Ravenna it happened that Cardinal Gaettano the Legat, having caufed the Gentle- men of that City to meet together^ andadvifing them to provide againft an imminent Scarcity. One of the Houfe of Rangon^ the chief Man of that Country, made Anfwer, that they did not know how to provide againft it -, and that it did not concern them but bimfelf to doit, as having the Grant of Exportation, and quite emptied the Country of aH Grain, difperfed into Italy :_ (they call them Grants, of carrying Grain out of the Country, paying fo much ptr Mcafure.) The Cardinal gave the Gentleman the Liey and the Gentleman drew out his Dagger at him : there was no more Mifchief done, being prevented by the Company. This will be a Matter hard to be digefted; and fuchas will make fomeConfequence or other. There are Tome odd things hefides, * which Father Paul of Venice. 3 1 5 which Monlieur jiffhUneay will acquaint you with : and I (hall not therefore tell you them, becaufe I would not be troublefome further to you. Signor Gujfoni is gone from hence, and at his Arrival at Turin, Barbarico comes back hi- ther, which I believe will be about the middle of next Month. I have given Signor Cuffoni two Letters *, one directed to you, which he will fend away when he gets to Turin \ and another to Signor Barba- rìgoy to deliver him all the Directions of corre- fponding with you ^ and alfo the Cypher. If you would be pleafed to write firft to him, be- fore he writes to you, upon any occafion of fend- ing to me, and acquaint him with fuch Particu- lars as you think fit, I fhould take it for a Fa- vour. So here concluding, I kifs your Hand. Vance, March 7, 16 12. LETTER LXXXV. TH E moll illuftrious Signor Gujjmi is gone to relideatTam;, as Amballàdor of t li is molt ferene Republick, to his Highnefs of Savoy ^ as I did leverai times write you Word formerly. I have a Delire that you would keep a Corre- fpondence with him, in the fame manner that you did with the molt excellent Signor Barbàrico : and to this purpofe 1 gave him this Letterato fend it you when he comes to Turin. 1 write allò to Signor Barbarigo^ to leave him the Cypher, that you may upon occalion write to him in Confidence, alluring you that he is a Perfon 3 14 The Letters of Peribn of cornpleat Reality and Ingenuity, and of exquifite Prddence, as- you will find by his Letters. And I make it my Requeft to you, not only to advife him of Occurrences, but to add alfo your moll difcreet Judgments and Difcourfes upon them, that he may underftand the very Soul and Secret of Matters : and if fx that hath thè Conveyance and Furtherance of your Letters at Ptfrà, would but give a little Touch and Ac- count of things, if any ihould fall out that would deferve immediate Notice of them (as I told you formerly) the Favour would be dou- ble. I believe you will receive a Letter, that I am to write next Tuefday, by the Poll, before this: and therefore I fhall fay no more now, but intreat you very heartily to favour me and this Gentleman : keeping that free Communi- cation with him, which you iliow me and your other good Friends. So here concluding, I hum- bly kifs your Hand. Becaufe this is one of -thofe Letters which I do not care who fees, I was willing to pleafe my felf in fhewing you my high Refpeds for you* ina little of my own Hand-writing *r remaining your molt devoted Servant. . Venice > March 21, 1612» LETTER Father Paul of Venice. 3 1 5 LETTER LXXXVI. I Am jufl ferved as you are, in receiving three Letters all at once. I never faiPd writing to you by any Courier ; nor do I defign it, unlefsin Cafe of ImpofTibility : and though you be abfent from home upon the Account you tell me, yet 1 fhall frill keep on writing to you, in hopes, that if my Letters don't get fo quickly to you, as if you were fixed in a Place, yet they will be fafe. Your firit is of the i jtt of February, with RicbeomeH Apology bearing it Company -, which was very welcome to me, upon a Deiign I have of making ufe of it in fome Affair of ours , and I return you due Thanks for it, being in your Debt for as good a Courtefy, where-ever I can think of any thing that will be acceptable to you. Your fecond is of the 29th of February, ac- companied with the Story of the mori worthy Council held in the Cardinals Houfe ; from whom we are to look for no better 5 that the Word of God maybe verified, That the Wicked gru0 worfe and rrorfe, and the * fitly is filthy lit!!. 1 perceive Richer s^s little Book hat founded an Alarm, and awakened many that were ailcep be- fore, and put them upon their Guard: and if it fliould do no more Good, it has done a great deal already. * I fufpc.il the J:jlun Word robe here misprinted, frfcich is thus II 1-0 fì sbocci i : the Word !©f the Father's Copy illicit be foffpi and then it points to that Place ot A;- m . 22. / 1. 3b the other P-irt doth to 2 Tim 3. j 2. }i6 7k Letters of already. But I am in a doubting Condition, be- tween Fear and Hopes -, becaufe if the Parlia- ment prove conftant to themfelves, and be not over-awed \ there never was any thing of greater Confequence undertaken in our time. There is much Talk of the Marriages at this time : but the Affairs of Germany do quite bury all othet things in Silence } which, to my thinking, are greatly perplex'd : and I ftand amazed at the hearing of fo many Novelties, and no Jefuits talk'd of for having a Hand in them. 'Tisnot a thing to be believed, but that they will have their fhare in fo great an A&ion , and their not being named in it all this while,is a Rea- fontofufpedi: that they are referved for the laft Ad of the Play. The joining of the two Impe- rial Vicars will be very ufeful to make* them go on maturely ; and the Troubles that arife in Hungary, Bohemia and Auftria^ do make it ap- f>ear, that 'twill not be fo eafy a Matter to con- inuethéSucceffion.— — No one thing \i more adyantagious, than that the Emperor fhpuld be feparated from the Pope-, though the Truth is, that the Pope hath given nothing but Coro- nation to the Emperot ; yet he has put it into the Decretals, that now the Examination of the Eleftiòn, and the Perfon ele&ed, and the Con- firmation of him belongs to him \ that the deci: Émjpèror ought to make Oath to him, and that that Oath be an Oath of Fidelity. Thenhehasena&ed, that the Adminiftration of the vacant Empire doth belong to him. Iti cafe the Ele&edfhould be noPapift, thefe Pretenfions might be put in— But God is above il] things ♦, and as he will be prayM to, with the; Affé- Father Paul of Venice. 5 1 7 Aflfedtions' of Men, fo he will hear thofe Prayers according to his Divine Purpofcs. I had another Copy of Father Soljèr?$ Letter Apologetici^ before -, but lam glad I ha v.: two of them, lince I hear the Defign of fijppi it : and truly if the Jefuits do a littie bli : it, I forgive them -, becaufe there is good Reg- ion for it. I have feen the Speech of the * Re&or of the Univerfity, and according to your Judgment of it, look upon it as an eloquent and judicious thing. I guefs at the Reafons that make Mon- fieur Servine defer the Publication of his ; but the later it be before it come out, the longer it will be defired. I fend you many Thanks for the Intelligence you give me in your lad, which is of the 1 %th \ and I agree with you in Judgment, that the Chaftifement that is deferved, is not to be avoided : but Paternal Chaitifements are even to be defired, as making Men better at lad -, on- ly the Caufe of them is troublefom to think of, which is our Sins. Signor Gujfoni is gone } and you will have the reft of my Letters, after this, from his Hand. When Signor Barbando comes hither, we ihall fomctimes talk of you, with Signor Asolino and Father Fulgentio, who both kifs your Hand. By my laft I told you fomewhat concerning what was done about the Jefuits, which I believe will not be unpleafant to you. There * Whofe Name was Pair HxrdiùUier i his Speech againfc the Jefuits of Clermont -Col lege was made Ihamb. 2, 16 1 f. *nd is «wane IB that little Colkciion of tilings again/} chafe W?n and their Adliercots. which is mentioned at Lctrcr IX XV. 3 1 8 Be Letters 0/ There is no great News from Rome, only about fome Indeavours of the Pope to unite the Houfe of u4ujtriar and to get the Catholicks to pin with them. The Pope alfois trying to. get all the Biihops at Court to go and reiide upon their Sees j and for that Reafon Cardinal Borgbefey who was made Archbiihop of Bologna half a Year ago, lias thrown up his Diocefs ; and the new Arch- biihop of the Place is to have 2000 Crowns a Year {Tor his Pains of accepting it] } and the reft of the Money, which is fourteen thoufand Crowns a Year, is to come into Borghefeh Pocket (Tor being fo civil to him]. Froiri hence there is no other News, but that in fonie Part of the Jurifdi&ion of Bergamo^ but in Milan Diocefs, Cardinal Borromeo has pub- lifh'd an Edift, that no Body have any Dealings with the Grifom and Swiffers, nor entertain any of them as they travel the Road. And the Ma- giftrates, to be even with the Cardinal, have made a publick Proclamation againft his Edi&, and opened free Trade with them, and com- manded People to make them welcome. Upon the Borders of Ferrara there pafs fome iiew things between the Pope and the Repub- lick, which will go nigh to breed fome Confe- quences. Here is a Report that Signor Pafchal hath told the Grifons, that the Republick keeps clofe Intelligence with the Pope againft the Pro- teftants, and has had a Hand in the King's Death } which no good Man would fay ; and the Report comes from flich a Place, that I do ina manner believe he "laid fo. That little Piece de Potevate £cc!e/]$jf!^& Politic}, is fo fought for here, that I Father Paul of Venice. 319 \ nnift o*cnbc forc'd to trouble you for another Copy of it -j and if I thought it were not too bold, for a couple. So here concluding, 1 hum- bly kifs your Hand, befceching God to grant yon all manner of Profperity. Vtxia, April io, 1Ó12. LETTER LXXXVII. TH I S Day fortnight I had yours of the 29th of March, which I could not anfwer by Rea- ibn of a fudden Occallon that calPd me out of Town. I intreated Monficur A\]c\meau to make my Excufe to you, which I believe he did. By this Poll I received another of April the i %tb. As for what concerns the Jcfuits, I believe I gave you full Satisfaction in what I fent you, with my Letter about the End of March. I will tell you further, that they continue of- fending theRepublick, not only by their Sermon* throughout ltalyy but what is of more Moment, by the bife and dangerous Offices they do at Conjl ant inopie ^ and they have had their (hare in that Treachery which you have heard of before. The fwectning Proceedings at Paris, are v\ ithout doubt (a* you prudently judg) fome Blind to a wicked Dciign. The Bulincfs of Navigation has made a Noifc ; i:ut, quite contrary to my Expectation, is in a fair way to be accommodated. In a Word, botiti Parties are for Peace. So now 1 come to \ our Matters there, if any Appeal fhould be for AV- Ollld be a conliderablc thing; • bx\i 5 20 7k Letters of but I am afraid the Queen will hinder it, and that VtUeroy and Sittery will be made ufe of for that purpofe : yet it will be much if Richer s do but de* fend his Book, and ftrengthen it with a longer Difcourfe, and make Anfwef to the Objeftions they raife againft it. But I am greatly troubled at the Divifions that I fee arife amongft the Pro- teftants : and as the Treaty was not admitted in the Synod -7 fo I think any other private o%e ought not to be j and that du Moulin fhould nei- ther hearken to it, nor anfwer it. Such kinds of Contentions are eaillier laid afleep, by letting one part only fpeak, than having any Mind to convince them. I have a great Curiofity (and f think 'tis not a vain one) to know the State of the Controverfy. I am troubled, that upon the Account of the &*«>w«r-AfFairs, and thefe, the Reformed Churches with you are not like to agree for the future. That Attempt of Monfieur de Reffuge^ with the States, feems a great thing j and I am afraid it will breed a fcurvy Confequence : If you know the IflTue of it, I pray, Sir, impart it to me. In fine, the Friendfhip between the two Crowns cannot lafl ^ whilft the Spaniards have a way thereby of fowing their Diacatholicon, I am highly pleafed that Monfieur Cafaubon is writing againft Baronins j for there he will have room enough to (how his Learning, to the Good and Benefit of every Body. I have feen Bu-Vat\ little Book againft Richiers ; 'tis a little Book in- deed, arrid weighs very light. We have been in great Expeftation of things from Germany \ but now no body minds them any further. 'Tis cer- tainly believed that King Matthias will be elected Without any Difficulty. No Father Paul of Venice. 3 1 1 No great Matter is to be expected from Ger,na- >y, unlefs the natural Coldnefs or the People of that Nation gets heated by the Zeal of others. No Body is able to do that but his Majefty of England, who is fobufy about Vorflius, and other things of that Nature, that be cannot attend it. I have feen Monheur Cafaubonh Anfwer to Cardinal Per- ron, which I take to be a very fine thing ; and if 4* may make Compadfons, I like it better than that which he wrote the Jefuit [Fronxo Ductus.} I think they are coming here to a Refolution ;of fending Signor Barbarigo into France, and not To Spain : but it may be a Year before this come ; about ; and Provillon mull be made for Sfamiti a Month's time 5 foby that time we fliall certain- ly know. Here I conclude, and humbly kifs your Hand. - Vtniccy May 8, 1512. LETTER LXXXVIII. I Have received yours of the firft of A fay, with that Refpect and Satisfaction that I do all your I titers : I return you Thanks for it ; and especi- ally for Cafauborfs Anfwer to the Cardinal, vvhicH I look upon as a good and fine Piece. 1 am trou- bled that the Affairs of that Kingdom are in fiich a way of Confufion : and particularly I am coti- ecrnM at that Proclamation of Pardon, ivhi look upon as an Invention of the jefuics : and for mv part 1 cannot lee how fuch a Beginn tfMfi of a fad Confcqucnce, unlets God Goo.lncfs do iuterpoie fonie lingula. Y an Tì-e Letters of. prdinary Remedy again!! it. Monfieur L'Efr chajfier has fent me the Acis of Rich itrs^s Appeal : they have made me full of Wonder, feeing the Liberty of France fo finely intangled and hound with the Fetters of Spain. We have no News confiderable here in Italy. The Pope Itili gives way to the Republick in e- very thing where he knows their Rights:, and this makes us negligent, nay flothful, which if the Republic^ Bane. Sir Henry Wotton is ex- pected at Turin0 Ambailador from his Ma jelly of England to his Highnefs of Savoy \ and they are there providing to entertain him very honoura- bly. The Duke is gone to Rivoli [in Piedmont'} Ip entertain himfelf freely with him for one day ; and to learn the main Buiinefs he comes about. The Cardinal and Prince will meet him at his Entrance into Tur in 7 which is a very important Point, in Relation to the Cardinal. They fay the Embafly is about a Treaty of Marriage 5, but yet I, thinking that to be con- cluded already with the Palatine £and his Ma- jelly's Daughter], am apt to believe that the Duke of Savoy i feeing the Scales of France and Spain fet, and both of them put in one Ballance, is minded to fecure his own Affairs by accolting one tliat is able tc^and^hisFriend. If his Ma- -jelly of England wToufct ^mm&^Boofe^fc, fome Good might he look'd for;, and a great Work would begin, hecaufe Spain will never be con- quered, but by removing the Pretence of Reli- gion^ and that is not to be removed, but by bringing in Proteilants into Italy : and if the King could do it, it would be an eafy Matter to bring it about both, at Turin and here in Fenice. ' ^ ' The Father Paul of Venice. 325 The Republic k is about a League with the Ciri- )o)n : (omething Wght be done this way, if they fhould demand the Freedom of their Religion in Fcmcc. I am told for certain, that Monlieur P.ijibal hath fvvorn very folemnly in Public!;, that there is no Conclufion of Marriage between I Vane e and Spam. This is a thing I know not how to falve -, nor tkity if the Jefuits by Equivocation find a flatt- ing Hole to get out at. But I muft detain you no longer now, for want of Matter and Time too. I will only tell you that Signor Barbarico is re- turn'd, and refolvcs that he win not go to Spain , and fo France will fall to him \ but 'twill be next: Year before he goes. We iV.ve often difcour fed of you :, and I read him your la It Letter, and gave him your Salutes, which he thanks you for, and returns to you, as the reft of our Friends do. Verity May 22, 1612. LETTER LXXX1X. MY Obligations to you do grow every Day- greater , and the way of my making you. any amends for them grows lefs. With your Letters of the 17th and i$tb of May, from Ljtr ons^ I received Cujacuish Book, and the reft which you were pleafed to fend me. I fhould be glad you would let me know what would be welcome to you from hence 5 not that I am deaU ing with you in a way of Recompcnce, bur to fhow you theSenfe I have of thofe manifold Favours you have bellowed on me. Your 1 .et- Y - ters ì 1 4 The Letters of Jers and Books were brought by our Exprefs, who did not pafs — ■ —in England, that lie was not- come thither but upon the Account of the Grtfons-, and he has had an impertinent An- fwer, whereby every Body is allured, that things going fo, there is no other Aim but the Service of Spain. That which makes me much marvel in this Bn- Snefs, is, that Monfieur Pafchal has fwornibfo- lemrily and publickiy, to perfwade thofe People that it is- not true, that there is any Con trad of ?vfarrÌ3gc between Frante and Spain. Allthefe Difficulties riotwithltanding, I am in hopes that we iliallnotbejo cooped up in Italy, as thofe Men would have us, who ought above any others, to pretend to get that Gate opened. I am very forry for the Way that Signor Gujfoni has gone, though 1 attribute it more to the want of £jv- frcjfions of a good Will, than any Defeci of it. . s But I fhall give him a Touch about this -, for if pur Correfpondence mould not go on in a conve- nient way, . it woiUd be the belt way to break it pfF.- Upon this Occafion let me tell yon, that -Signor Barbaras Friends do refolve that ano- ther Man fhall go to Spain -, and fo he will be fpr trànce £ but this will not be till next Year. ? They have learned at Rome, that Oppofition and Contention doth them no good \ but put other People the more eagerly upon their own Defence: and therefore by a difguifed Negli- gence, and a (hew of believing any thing, ' they •make others- truly negligent, and lay them fail aikep. ?Tis certainly true' that BadowreH Trear 'cheryhas forne Confequences in it *, but withal, "ihey are clofe and great. I hope in God that Father Paul of Venice. 315 ìbis will be an Alteration for the better j and that it will be good at laft. The Quarrel that 1 fee ariftng ftffiongft the Reformed, in Matters of Religion, gives me great Rcafon of Pear and Jealoufy, conlidering efpecially that there are other very dangerous ones yonder in Holland. Would it might pleafe God to put aitopto thefe evil Dcligns } for as for my part, amongft all the Spanifh Intrigues and Undertakings, I look upon this as the greaten% that they have been able to divide the Hagonots. But becaufe it is often ieen, that God turns evil things to iome good ^ and that things deiired and fought for, prove otherwife than was expected ^ I will hope in his Divine Majelty, that he will difpofe thefe and thofe things to a good End and Conclusion ^though we at prefent cannot tell how it fhould come about. We have nothing of Moment here in Italy -, bècaufe at Rome they keep on their old Pace. There is this only conliderable -, that be- ing this laft IVhitfontide about creating a couple of Generals 5 one for the Order of S. Dcmhuck, and another for that of S. Francis j Den Fr.viccjcv diCaflro, the Spanilh Amhaflador, who is at AV?- fies1 hath been commanded to Rome i 'rimedi* te >- ly, to aflift thofe Chapters, and to hope that they would be called Spanilh one's, Qor, that tlrt two Cencrjls h*. Spaniards.'} Sir Henry Wottvn is at Turin, his Majefiv of Great Britain's Àritbafladòr : and though 'tis laid that his Btifineis Is noti: . but Eg get the Duke off from the Print' -'"* tÀ&i yé£ nu^ ny do conjecture, tri.- the ftrkl Alliance between ' . cefiary to gèt fon dusiMàti ¥ 9 tot ;i6 Tk Le! t Eft s of ter that 1 would to God others would think of, who have more need of it. The Duke of Parma has lately put to Death ten Perfons, whereof fe- ven of them are Noble-men intituled, for a Con- fpiracy againft his Perfon -7 and it is certainly believed that the Confi fcation of all their Eftates, excepting their Fees, will be bellowed upon the jefuits. But at Palermo thefe fweet Fathers have met with a pretty Accident: A certain wealthy Gentleman died there, that was hugely devoted to them } and having made his Will, and left his only Son and thofe Fathers together his Heirs, ma- king them his Executors, with a Power of di- viding the Eftate, as they pleafed, and of giving the Son what they fhould fee convenient } the Fathers have divided it all into ten Parts, and fairly given one part to the Son, and kept t'other nine for themfelves. The Son hereupon has made his Complaint to the Duke of Offuna (the Vice-Roy) of this great inequality } who hear- ing both Parties, has made good the DiViiion that the Jefuits made of the whole Eflate ) but changing the Term,s, has ordered that the nine Parts do [by the Will] belong to the Son, and one Part (land no more] to the Fathers, £becaufe they were to 'give him what pleafed them.] Though I am uncertain when this Letter may come to your Hand, yet I was loth to fail of my Duty by this Opportunity. So I and your Friends here do kifs your Hand. 'Venia, June $, 1612. LETT Father Paul of Venice. 3 17 LETTER XC. I Have been for fome time very dangcrouily ill, which has not only hundred me in Body, But in Mind alio, from my ordinary Functions, and particularly from writing to you this Day fort- night, in Anfwer to Yours of the lótbofjune. But yet 1 will believe that.Monileur affiline an hath made my Excuie with you in the meantime, as I intreated him moil heartily to do. My [lead is Jtillweak, which forces me to be biieferthaa I would and ought to be ^ fo much the rather, as there is a World of Matter to talk of both here and there. All your Letters are come fafe : by my former Letters I gave you an Account of the Arrival of thofe before : now you have the Receipt of that of the \6th of June, and of this la ft of the \otb of July j which has brought me News of great Joy, not only upon the Account of his Majcfty of England's Declaration, which appears to me a molt remarkable thing ^ but upon the Hopes you give me, of a right Underftandingand Re- concili ition amongit all the Proteltants } and though it mould only be in Appearance, yet ne- verthelcfs it will do a World of Good. But 1 hope it will be in Deed and Reality, efpeciallv lince my Lord Morn ay is concerned in it, who, i hope, for his Zeal, and Skill, and Dexterity,, will be tnfallibly a If fi ed in it from Heaven. 1 hive feen the Declaration of the Synod, which ap- pears to me to be hot only generous, but bold Y 4. and 328 The Letters of and couragious alio : but poflibly Matters at pre- fent do require fome Spirit more than ordinary, which a Man at Diftance cannot fee, that doth not know the particular Circumftances of them, which ought to give every Refolution its Form arid Being. As for things here, you will, it maybe, have heard of the Death of our Doge, before this ar- ri ves you; though it was timely as to his Age, being threefcore and feventeen ; yet it is afflict- ing, as this Republick has loft a Man of Heroical and Incomparable Vertue. Without doubt he left Life, becaufe the Vivacity and Greatnefs of his Mind being nothing decayed by Age, made his weak Body wait upon it. He died one Morning as he was returning from the College, where he had done the Duties of his Place with his ufual Conftancy. The Jefuits, who do more Mifchief here in their Ablence, than they could do if they were prefent, have difperfed many things to the Difhonour of his Memory^ condemning him at laft to Hell, where they ufe to fhut up every Body that does not obey and ferve them. He has had a Succefior created without any Difturbance :, a Perfon, though not equal to him in Worth and Valour, yet equal to Mm in Goodnefs. This Republick is in an ill State, becaufe the Priefts and Spaniards have by little and little gotten a PafTage open, which begins to be confi- derable \ and every little that goes on increafing\ will breed a Mutation of State. They have done more Mifchief by thefe Practices, than they could have^done by ten Yeais War. Father Paul of Venice. 329 'Tis incredible to think what the Craft of 'Spain, and the Pretence of Religion will do. In Appearance there is a good Underiranding 'twixtthe Republick and the Pope j but in Reali- ty there is much Matter of Difcontent, which is cherilhed and improved by the Pope, with a ve- ry bitter Mind, and carried on by the Republick to get Advantage ot the time for the Reafons mentioned before. The Jeiuits in Confi ant inopie do all they can to prejudice the Republick ; but for all that, they do us the moil: Mifchief by their Intrigues hef e. I fhould have abundance of things to tell you, but I (hall conclude with one Word -, If God do not help us, in whom notwithflanding I greatly trull-, in a little time more, the Republick will be another Genoa. I fee I have imployed you. more than I ought : 'tis time to leave off: (o I and our two ufual Friends kifs your Hand. V tract y July 31, i5ia. LETTER XCI. HAving no Letters from you by this Difpatch, I imagine you may be in your Journey ; yet I was loth to intermit my ufual and due way of faluting you, and paying you my Rcfpeftsby every Courier *, though I have nothing of any great Moment, worthy of your Knowledg -, lince there is no coniidcrablc Buhnefs in Italy, except a Treaty of Marriage, which the Duke QÌ Savoy and the Duke of Tu f cany arc about, this, to marry a fciiter, and he a Daughter, to the. 5}é The ÌEttElis of the Prince of Wales. The Florentines (as if the Match were as good as made) have fent to ask leave for it of the Pope } which undemanding Meri conftrue two ways -, one, that being fure to have a Negative froni England, they are more willing for their Honour-fake, to have it rather from the Pope^ divulging it, that all would be foon concluded, if the Pope would give his Con- lent for it: Others think, that they being ex- cluded and denied, have a Mind alfo to get the Duke of Savoy excluded too, by receiving the Pope's Denial -, that it may ferve him for an Ex- ample, to proceed no further in the Treaty, and force the Pope to do the fame with Savoy, and perfifl therein. But if that great and wife King will but himfelf follow the Coimfel that he gave his Son {Henry"} in his Bafilkon Boron, both the Dukes would do well to turn their Thoughts ibmew hither elfe. The Duke of Parma, though he has feen the Death of fo many, and the chief of his Subjects, for Confpiracy, yet is not without his Fears frill, but continues imprifoning others, and filling his Cities with : Foreigners ) which is a thing that I pray God may not bring fome Mifchiefor Ruine to his Houfe and Family, or City. The Turks are at Sea with their Fleet about the Coalts of Calabria -, and the Spaniards alfo are at Cafe Otranto with another Fleet, though not fo ftrong. Their Intention would fain be to do fome Action that might make the Repnblick and the Turk fall out 5 but their Arts and Ends are too plain -, and I believe none of thefe De- lignswill take,- lie 1 Atkr Paul of Venice. \ ] i 1 he Difguits between the Republic k and the h>p€ grow wider and wider Il il!:, and 1 am afraid ttat they muff fell our after al!. 1 he Prieits have excommunicated a Sea -Captain, but veryclofcly. The Bifhop of Cefcna is called to Account for having done it -, and a Lieutenant of the Patri- arch of slquikia is imprifoned ina Piace where he was lookM upon as the chicfeit Perfon. The Prieits cannot fwallow thefe things. I am afraid there will be War at la ft -, but how fliall we help it, .there being no King of France? I delire you to tell me what therein to be lookM for. I hear there has been a Curate clappM up at Par'vs, for being found with fomc Writings about him: I have a great Mind to know* what thofe Papers were. The Affairs of Germany, fincc the Election of the Emperor, are quiet : God grant it may lait a long time \ whom 1 befcech alfo to preferve your Realm in Peace, and grant you all Happinefs : So with tree Re- fpecis to you, I humbly kifs your Hand. Vtiici, Augii ft 14, 1612. LETTER XCII. HAving had nothing from you fincc Yours of the 10//; of Jitly^ I am perfwaded that you are itili in your Journey \ and I am in fomc doubt, whether ever mine came to your Hands. Yet for all that, I cannot omit String to you by every Courier, as I hold my Mi obliged to do, * hough I have no gtieM M ;ii-.rto tell you, be • 3 ] i 7he Letters of eaufe tilings go here in Italy at the old rate. In Piedmont , though that Duke has no Reafon to* feat any Enemy, -yet he "itili is lifting more Com- panies of So.uldiers ^ and he of Parma is itili im- prisoning his Citizens. They are confulting at Rome about the Prince of Wales's Marriage with the Dukeof ~Tufcany>$ Sifter, as if it were agreed- on in England: and yet 'tis certain, that there is no Refolution of any fuch thing there. I know not what to think of a Rupture 'twixt the Pope and the Republick \ without doubt fuch a thing would be if the Spa- niards had a mind to it } but they, either becaufe it does not turn them to Account to have a War in Italy \ or for fome other Reafon, are againit it j or elfe do only defer it. In the mean time, the Pope is more and more provoked } and the "Republick grows lefs diligent. I can't tell what to think of the new Emperor^ who is defigning to make War with the Turks : 'tis a generous Undertaking indeed, but never attempted by his PredeceiTors, who thought they did-much in being able to defend themfclvcs, and never ventur'dto begin the Quarrel with them. Some think it to be a Pretence to get the Contri- butions of Germany , but where there is a League already form'd, it will be a difficult thing to go about to make ufe of Art there. In the mean time, this Year and the next will be oyer firfk Nor will that appear yet, which is now treating between Prance and Spain by Embaffies, under the Pretence of Marriage. Here is News come, that the Nuncio hath ob- tained a Royal Edidt , that nothing be printed in Pam^ unlefs it be firit licenied by the Ghancel- lore Father Paul of Venice. ] ] $ lor. I decreto know the Truth of this, look- ipon it as a Matter of great Confequence. Ì pray God keep you in Health. I kifs your Hands. ;', Augufttf, l5l2 LETTER XCIIi. HHving had no Letters lately from you, I guelTed at the true Reafon of it ^ that is, that your Indifpofltion has kept you from wri- ting.. Thofe frequent Returns- of the Gout, with whicli you have been laid up, do clearly /hew that you take too much Pains, cfpecially in the Imployment of your Mind, which mull nccdr. have iome Reft, that the Body may have Reft too. Your putting your felf fo eagerly upon Bufl- nefs, juft at a time when your violent Pains came upon you, will do what I am afraid of, and make you feel lome fcurvy Effect of it: and confidg;;- ing the Weight of Affairs that you are imployed in, as 1 cannot but commend your Refolution of preferring the publick Good before your own private Neceflkies :, fo I would not have you make a Cuftom of it} but that having a Regard to your Health in the ftrft Place, you may be able to ferve the Publick the longer. The Pains that you and your Colleagues have taken, have been as honourable as could be j and we fee that God has blefs'd your Undertaking, becaufe it ha? fuccccded fo quickly. I 3 ] -I The. Letters of I forefce fame greater Good of it than could be look'd for \ becaufe the way that thofe Ad- yerfaries go, will give you an Qccafion of keep- ing the clofer to one another in perfect and real Reunion. I know that the late King of France did ufe all his Skill and Art to fow Diftruih arrrongft ye ; and I believe that many things which have palled amongit the Reformed [to their Difad vantage]} are owing thereunto ^ and! rather wonder that they were no worfe Qthan that they were fo bad]. Certainly it ought to be believed, that the prefent Reconciliation is fomething of God's In- fpiration, for his Service and Glory, as I befeech, him it may be: but the King's Declaration which you fend me, feems to be juil one of thofe Remedies, which makes the Difeafe worfe, and ' fliews the Unskilfulnefsof the Phyfician. The Diftin&ion, of faying he is fatisfied by the whole Body of ye, and yet condemning particular Men, looks like a Trick of the School. I never law thofe Artifices ufed in France before : but this is plain, that with the Spanifh Courtfhip and Affection, they learn alfo their way of Proceed- ing. We have nq News here in Italy, but a great Difguft and Contention between the Dukes of Mantua and Parma : if they were but able, or rather, if they were not afraid of thofe who are more able and potent, that is, the Spaniards, they would certainly come to a downright Quar- rel \ but this will never be, becaufe it doth not make for Spain, to have any Janglingsin Italy at this time. Laft Week a Piece of News got out of the Pope's Palace, and flew like Lightning all Rome ■ f ' oyer \ Father Paul of Venice. 3 3 3 over *, That a Letter had been c:iven to the Pope ri om the Duke of llullwn \ and that he would not meddle with it, becaule it c;imc from a Hue- tick, but lent it to the Inquietigli, where it was read j and therein it was told, how that in Ins journey to England, he had difcovered a ver> great Inclination in that King, and in the King- dom, of returning to the * Roman Religion ; and that there was no better way to compafs fo good a Work with Speed and Eafe, than the Marriage of the Prince of Wales with the great Duke of Tufcany\ Sifter-, and therefore he ex- horted his Holinefs to beftir his Stumps for the Accomplifhmentof it. As I don't believe there is a Word true of any ludi Inclination, nor that the Duke of Bullion wrote fo j fo I do allure you, that this was affirm- ed in Rome by the chiefeft Minifters the Pope has. What Myftcry and Project there may be hid under this Story, I cannot yet imagine. There was fome Fear lately of a Rupture between this Republick and Arch-duke Ferdinand of Av.- jlna, becaufe fome of his Subje&s landed upon the Iflc of Veggia, and tock the Count of the Illand Prifoner, who was there in Port upon fome pubiick Bufmefs. Upon which Injury there were fifteen Gallies fitted out and mannM with abun- dance of Souldicrs, who landed in the Arch- duke's Country, and committed many Afts of Hoftility. M * A lewd Lie, told the Tope in a pretended Letter from a French Duke, concernine K. Jamtt\ and the Kingdom's Incli- nation to turn Roman Cathchcks j which was fome Trick put upon the rope, tofet him the cagerlitr upon that Work, which they have been ever fincc trying to bring about. g 3 ó The Letters of Juft now there is Advice come, that the Count of Reggia hath been reftored in the fame Place where he was taken } which will fet all things to rights again. The Grumblings between the Re- publick and the Pope keep on increafing ftill , but they will never make a thorow Breach, be- caufe both fides are fo defperately in love with Eafe and Idlenefs. Our Ambaflàdor at Rome writes word to the Boge, that he had there discovered a clofe Plot carried on againft my Life. I know nothing yet of the Particulars of it \ but what God pleafes, that .will be, without whofe Will and Permiflion all humane Defigns come to nothing. Since you are at Paris, I take the Boldnefs to beg the Fa- vour of you to fatisfy me in a Curiofity of mine, which I would gladly have refolved -, and having fpoken about it to divers Perforts, I have found the Account of it as different as the Men are. From you I hope to be told the Truth} Whe- ther the King of France fhews himfelf of any Ca- pacity futable to his Years 5 and whether he knows the Queen's Faults. ?Tis ftrange that I hear no more of the Jefuits there. Is it poffible for them to be quiet ? If fo, then they are taking a little Eafe, to beftir themfelves the more luftily upon fome greater Piece of Mif- chief hereafter. I pray God meet them in all their bafe and wicked Defigns ! to whofe Protection I recom- mend you, and kifs your Hand, as alfo do Signor Molino and Father Fulgentio, Vmkty Sept. 11, i5i:, LETTER father Paul of Venice. 337 LETTER XCIV. I Wrote to you on the 1 1 th Inftant. This Poll has brought me Yours of the $th Inftant, to- gether with a Collection of the Privileges of the Jefuits, which I think I have already in Manu- script. I filali compare this printed Copy of them with that \ and in cafe my Book mould have any more than yours, I will fend it you. I have alfo received with thefe the Politick Di- fpute : running over fome Chapters of it, I fee that the Author has fome good Principles, and I value him for it ; only, methinks, that Matter mould not be handled with lb few Arguments as heufes, but would require greater Con urination, and Confutation. I believe I mail find a great deal of Good from the other Books which Moniìeur Gillo: is pica fed to fend me; for the Bulinefs of the Council of Pifa is a thing of much Moment for that time.. I pray, Sir, give that Gentleman due Thanks from me \ he has fo much obliged me, that I know not how to make him amends for the leali part of his Kindncfs. I wait for Barclays Son's Anfwcr, imagining, nay being fure, that we fliall find fome prity Conceits therein. A Book about the fame Matter, printed at Heyddberg, is not yet come hither :, but on Fri- day I mail write to ft ancfort^ to get it font me more conveniently. Since the Jefuits are fo hard at Work to get the Dominion of France^ nay of all £uro:c \ and Z ' Cuce 3 } 8 Tk Letters of fince no body goes the way to make any great Oppofition againft them at this time -, 'tis good and ufeful, at leaft to inform Poiterity by Books and Writings, if the World fnould be run down by them at prefent -, but I hope that they will never have the Power to do fo totally : and it may be, that it may pleafe God, that thefe Be- ginnings and Adventures of theirs may awaken . and roufe up thofe who are concerned ^ and chat -they apply fome Remedy to the Mifchief • that is tb of Augufi, and the 1 1 th of September., I find you have all but that of the 2 5 thy which 1 hope will come to hand in time. But you make mention of one of the iph of laft Month j and it would have made me greatly luipcci: that it was mifcarried, if you had not added, that there was a Writing in French a- gainft Monfieur Cafaubon, that was fent along witli it, which came with your laft of the i Sth. As for the Piece which you fend me with this of the fecond Current, I cannot well judg of it, having look'd it over only fuperficially j but I fancy it is not to be compared with that of Lei- ■drejftr. I am vexM that they are fallen off from that Refolution which was taken up in favour of Monfieur Richiers. Underftanding your Indif- pofition, I pray God you may have no Feaver with it, and then it will prove a Diverfion of your Cholick. I likewife befeech the Divine Majefty, that the Bufinefs of the Affembly of Saintonge may be fo directed and concluded, that all may be for his Glory and the Peace of the Kingdom. Father Paul of Venice. 347 I am forry that the French Piece againft Ca- faubon has not the Author's Name to it, there being in Foi 39, on t'other lide of the Leaf, a Doctrine that jumps exactly wiph the Faith of ]eiuits, which if St. Peter had but known, he might have found out a way of denying Chrifl our Lord, without any Sin at all. They that give fuch Fellows as this is Occahons to write, do but make them imitate the Jack-an-apet^ when he is got up a-loft, and muff come down eafier than he got up. Signor Gujfoni writes tome, commending you highly for the Inftru&ions he receives by your Advices, which I intrcat you to continue to him, becaufe the Ambaflador that is in Frana never writes any thing that is in the leali: kind or fa- vourable to the Proteilants there. And fo con- cluding here, I pray God I may fpeedily hear of the Recovery of your perfect Health, and your Succefs and Profperity in the Bufinefs you are about. Vmciy 0£ob»2 3, 1612. LETTER XCVL Since the Courier did not go away the ufuai Day, I have had time to read over the Di f- courfe De temporali Poteftate Papa : having confi- dered every one of the Author's Aflertions and Rcafons, I find them all folid and well lookM in- to \ and indeed the moft principal that can be made ufe of in that Subject. And 548 The Letters of And, as I think, it is a very ufeful Piece, that may ferve as a Compendium to Men of good Prin- ciples 5 fo I fear it will do no great Good to Men thai hold bid ones. He is fo concife and fhort, that Tacitus is no body to him. A Reader muffc be fo intent to pick out what he mean;, that he will be hird pat to it to find the Weight of his Arguments. His way of Expreffion is fo nice, that a Man that does not read him flowly, will be apt to overlook a great many things. Men of little Knowledg and Learning, andfuch as are of con- trary Opinions to him, will not apprehend any Perfection or E^acinefs in his Book. The Author of the Politick' Difvute would have made up a great Volume of tint Matter which he has comprized in a few Leaves. That way that he ufes, is to iafinuate things into the Readers Mind, and per- fvvadc him of them : the cq>ncife way that this Man ufes, doth only ferve to remember him of what he is perfwaded already. And here I will not forbear telling you fur- ther another Advice we have from Confi antinomie j that upon the 19th of Auguft there was brought Prifonerto the Port, a great Prince called Abdar Chan, who had a great Kingdom in Arabia Fx- Ux, called Aden, fituated by the Mouth of the Red Sea, upon the main Ocean*, whereby the Grand Signor is made M after of a great and rich Country, more than he had before*, becaufe this was the chiefeft Dominion of all that part oi-sirbhlti Thus I kits your Hand, andbefeech God to grant you the Fulnefs of your Defires. VmUi Octob.24, ili2. * LETTER Father Paul of Venice. 349 LETTER XCVII. MY laft to you was on the itfh of M Month : juit now I receive Yours of the i6:b of OftoUr, which I fhallanfwer PafTage byPailàge, as I read it, becaufe I have not above half an Hours time to the Courier's going away. As for the reft, you may expect it by the next Difpatch. I did never queftion but that the Report from Rome, of a Letter written by Monfieur dc Boui- llon, was a mere Piece of Artifice: but I had a mind to acquaint you with it, that I might not be wanting to let you fee what News is {lining here- abouts. That heady Matter about the Branch of the River Po, northerly, has not been fu ffkient Pro- vocation to Rome, becaufe it is a Place above ten Miles off from the Confines of the Church-Patri- mony -, and alfo leaves three other Openings in- to it, which are above that, in the Dominions of the Republick : but what will infue hereupon, we fhall quickly fee. Without doubt it will be as you guefs. I don't hear yet of any Difcourfe againft Bigamy in R<>mc ; but 1 fhall inquire about it, and be able to tell you exactly every thing that concerns it. 1 am 3ÌìanifhM to hear what is befallen the Prifoner brought by I'trdun : but it turns no Man to Account, that has it in his Power to make a full Difcovcry of the Truth. I am very glad that Monfieur Th'.anus isfatif- iicd with what lay in my Power to ferve him: I ara I 5 Ò 77;£ LfifTfRj of am Ture he will have enough and enough of what he dèflres in that Particular. The Stirs that are between the Subjefts of Archduke Ferdinand andthofe of the Republick, do continue ftill , but it is becaufe that Prince is not fo obeyed by that People as he fhould be, ra- ther than upon any other Account. Some Souldiers of the Army that lay about Pàffau, to the Number of about a thoufand, came to the Confines of Friuli, with an' Intention, it may be, to terrify us ; but there has been due Provilion made againft them*, and the Arch- duke's Subjedis not being able to injure them, they are trying to be gone again. I caa't but wonder at the Difcretion of him that manages thefè things, and believes that a thoufand Men are able to do what two thoufand Men could riot. Ì am forry to hear of the Frumps and Rebukes that the good French [Trpteftants] are fain to undergo i and I pray God to interpofe his facred Power, and fettle all things in Peace. The Work which is a-doing, confidering the Oppo- sitions made againft the .Attempts of Rome^ will be very ufeful. Monfieur ÈongàrH Death, which I am hearti- ly forry for, for many Reafons, troubles me alfó •upon this Account, that it is the Caufe of defer- ring the Accomplifhment of ,fo great a Good. Having received Barclay's Boqk, and alfo thank'd the Author with a Letter of mine to him \ there is no need now that you fhould fend me th' other Copy of it^ but y°u taw difpofe of it as you pleafc. Father Paul of Venice. 35 1 'Tis too true, that we are very jealous here, and that fpoilsall : and that all the Panic, as to Matter of correfponding with the States [c\ Holland'} lies on this lide. Yet I hope at lalt there will be found out a way of doing it, which muft be begun by an Amballàdor, of whom I will write to you by the next more at large, and With fomc Refolution, if he that promifesit me can poflibly do it. We have here from fyòtis News of the Death of the Prince of Soejfons. I mult here break oft^ fo I kifs your-Hand. Vt\ic?% Novemb. 20. i5i 2. LETTER XCVIII. Since the Sealbn has been fo wet, thefe Couri- ers do not keep their times, which is the Rcafon that Letters do not come in anfwerable times. This laft did Yeiterday brine me Youfs of the 3d of Oftober, and the \ft of November with the Advife that you had received mine of the 2$tkof September , and fo I perceive that vou have all Ifent } for I did not write on the gth or Ottober, not imagining that the Courier would begone, becaufe he that was expected from ^Ly- ons was not come in. I believe my other Letters will find the way to you in time. I was in great Halle when I wrote my lair ; now I can write a little more leifurely. Firll and foremoft, therefore, I am to give you many Thanks for the Advices you fend me in the firlt of thefe two, they were very welcome to me. We had the News of the Count of Soifjons7* Death 35^ Tl?e Letters of Death in fifteen Days, which every Body looks upon as unfeafonable, believing that Prince was a itay to the State, to keep it from tumbling headlong. But neverthelefs we mult not let go our Hopes, but expect Help from God, when there is none to be had from Man. . Conti is not a Man. Conde is faid to be but a fhallow one. Thefe are three Points. Really it is a great Judgment of God, that for fonie Years, all the Deaths of Princes have been to the Intereil and Favour of Spain,, even thofe of their own Party. All things look as if they did fatal- ly confpire to that King^s * Greatnefs. 7Tis true, that the Anger of God doth then fhew it felf moll, when People think themfelves the fafeft. God grant that all may be to- his Glory. As to the Bufinefs of a League with the States, feeing there is great Jealoufy of Spain here } he that mould direcily propofe any fuch thing, would meet with a contrary Effect, becaufe it would be thought to give an occafion for it. I know that when you come to read this, you will fay, that it vrould be quite otherwife j and I fay to too -, but there is a great Difference between Men that have been actually in War and Battel, and thofe that are buried over Head and Ears in Eafe and Idlenefs. The only way in the World for it, is to do it by Exchanges of Embatfy -7 and fo to treat of Commerce, which will be the next neceiTary Bufinefs, and Ships, and Souldiers, and Money, and other Affiftances : and I would have vou * Things are ftrangely altered fìnce j and now the Great- nefs is got into another Corner : bue he that humbles one #m humble another. pathet Patii of Venice. 353 you believe it firmly, that ib the fir it Step into this Affair feems difficult \ fo when that is once OVer, there will be more need of the Br idle than the Spur to carry òn the reft. That other Letter to me, made me very lad, fearing that the Affairs of that noble Realm would jumble together into fonia Diforder : but my Grief was well qualified by reading another Letter of Yours to Monlieur Aluiir.uau, wherein you put us in Hopes, eight Days after t'other, that they would come to themfelves again ; and not only the publick Bulinefs of the Kingdom be fetrled, but that alio of the Duke of Roh.vi. And fo I pray God it ail may do, and be accord- ing to his hoiy Will. Every Body here his been lately troubled at the News of the Prince of IVales's Death, which God grant it may not overwhelm the King m Sorrow, being fo great a Lofs that he t hardly have a greater. This will take off all the Intrigues about his marrying, which I highly pìeafedwith, (though I knew they would all end in Smoak and Nothing) becaufe they ferved very much to tame fome body, and carried on with much leifening of the Pope^ putation, that Popifh Princes iìiould treat at that rate of marrying their Daughters and Sillers With Proteftant Princes. Bat here we are, where we were before, feeing great Men die Rill in Courte fy to Spain* There is not a jot of W .■. > Id Ua . that td worth fending to you. We are told here that Monlieur Ricbicrs has written in Defence ot his Book, and that his Anf.ver is iii the Prcf ; I fhouid be greatly plea fed if it be fo ; and I cL A a rv 354 53 :e Letters 0/ to know the Tiuth of it, conceiving that if in France, and amongft Catholicks, fuch a Dottrine as that will pafs current, there is a good wide Gate open [[for fomewhat elfe.] It is not al- ways to be lookM for, that a thing mould be per* feci: at firfl : 'tis good fometimes to imitate Na- ture, which firft begins with rough Draughts of things, and then polifhes and compleats them afterwards. The Pope's Hatred againft the Republick increafes every Day \ yet there will be no falling out, for the Reafons you have heard more than once. Methinks I fee here, as fome- times. I have in Summer, that the Clouds come down even to the Ground, and yet it doth not rain : jufb fo is War here. The "true Reafon of this is^ becaufe Spain .would firft difpofe the Matter, by making an In*- :ttigue with Venice, which he makes halle to do.^ and there is no Remedy for it, but by falling out downright with him -, but that is a thing not to be feen, becaufe God doth not open fo me Mens .Eyes : it will be feen, it may be, when God pleafes*, whom I befeech to blefs you with his Grace : So I kifs your Hand, as Signor Molino and Father Fulgintio alfo do. I jfhall be very glad to know whether any thing be done in Moniieur ■Thuanush Bufinefs. Vènie?, Drccmb. 4, 16 1 2. LETTER Fader Paul of Venice. 355 LETTER XCIX. Since the lafl that you had from me is of the Z$tb of September, you mu it needs mifs four more, viz» of the +tb and zyi of Oìiohr ; of thc2cf/;of Novembtr, and the 4*6 of VecemL> ; but all yours are come fafe to me : I have already- given you an Account of the Receipt of thofe of the 1 6th and $ift of Oclokr : this prefent one is ot the 1 ijrib of Novembtr, which I anfwer, having fcarce had time to read, it over, the Courier did fo much make me wait for his coming [every Minute.] Concerning the League with the State-?, f have written already 5 and 1 believe by this time you may have my Letter \ and I have no- thing elfe to fay about it. I am very much plealed to hear there is a way found out to divert the Troubles of that Kingdom \ and truly I am in hopes it will take Place \ and that all Impedi- ments which Satan throws in will be prevented. I thank you for the good News you fend me of it : I wifh I could as well fend you as good from hence : but I can tell you no more than this, that we (land idling at the old rate. We have certain Advice, that the Flotx is ar- rived in Spain from the Weft-Indies, with eleven Millions [of Pieces of Eight."] Whereupon they have concluded with the Genocfe, to remit a great Sum (I know not precifely how much) ir- to Flanders : they fay, this is to pay off their Garifons there ^ but God grant thrte be not A a 2 fomc- ^ 5 6 Tlx Le?ìers of fomewhat elfe in it more than we know ', though Word is brought us that things are quiet with the Archduke, and the Lords States of Holland. But the Fabrick of Mulbeim makes us thirik other- wife, and the Difcord between Brandenburgh and Newburgb, which cannot be cherifhed but by fomé heat of the Diacatholicon : arid Saxony is fa ill-difpofed, that an cafy Matter would make him turn Pàpifh And I would not have you look upon this as a light Thought of my own -, for I have good Reafon for what I fay. It may be he will never do it for Fear of his People. The Bifhbp of Bamberg is fhortly expe&ed in Rome, as the Emperors Ambaflador, who has already returned 60000 Crowns thither, beiide what Money he carries with hirri ; fo he will make a fplendid Show. Poflibly^ befides Matter of Ceremony, he may have Bullnefs of Moment to do there , of which if there can be no Judgment made by the clofé Conferente that has pafs-d between Archduke Leopold, the Duke of Bavaria, and the Count de Vaudemont j yet this is certain, that theEccle- fiaiiick Princes of Germany do ail they can, con- trary to their Guftom, to get aTreafure of Mo- ney ready. : Monlieur Affelineau has not your Let- ter yet} becaufe I could not light upon him to give it him lince I had the Packet. Wonder not therefore if you mifs his Anfwer to it : I (hall try again to get him found out -, but I Cannot tell whether I (hall have the luck to meet him. Here I conclude, returning you the Salutes of thofe three you remember \ and killing your Hand my felf. PkitL Jbcremb. tèi tó ih Letter Father Paul of Venice. 357 LETTER C. T Hough to this very Hour I can't toil whethea the Courier that came in lalt Nigtit, brought rue any Letters from you, or no 5 yet to follow Orders in giving you an Account of things here, lam minded to be before-hand with your Let- ters, which I long to fee, that I may know what good Gourfe things with you take. J wrote la ft to you on the iSr/? of December , lìnee which time we have had Abundance of News in Italy. The only Son of the Duke of Mantua died late- ly in his Infancy; and his Father followed him foon after : he has left only one Daughter, who may hereafter prove a Stone of Stumbling to the Houfes of Savoy and Mantua. It fcems the Duke of Savoy pretends to the Marquifate of Mmt- /errat for her, to the Exclufion of the deceafed Duke1* Brother, alledging Cuftom for it, that that State defcends to the Females, nay came to the Houfe of Alantua by the Duke's great Grand- mother that is now dead. On t other Side the Mantuans fa y, that Maximi- lian the Emperor united that Marquifate to the State of Mantua in one only Body ; and fo it can never be parted from it, but mull always go .-,- long with it. If Italy were not awed, this would be an Occàfion of difturbing the pre lent Quietnefsof it :, the Duke of Savoy haying gre . Opportunity by his Ncarnefs, and great Intc; of getting that Filate to his Family : And he b at this time arming, telling thofe of May. A a 3 (hat ; 5 8 Tì:e Letters of that he does it againft the Sniffers ; and telling the Sniffers, he does it againitriiofe of Mantua. Eut the Spaniards will have no Broils hereabouts, nor will they have the Duke of Savoy grow any bigger: whereupon it is very probable that things will be no otherwife than they are. The Bifliop of Bamberg, the Emperor's Ambaflador to the Pope, is arrived in Rome ; a noble Em- ba'fly : I reckon it fo -, as there is not fome Ger- man Prince fent Ambaflador into Italy by the Emper/òf. This Gentleman pretended to the right Hand of every Body in Italy ; and has thought himfelf affronted, becaufe it was denied him by the Car* dinal in Ferrara -, and becaufe the Cardinal that is at Bologna, to avoid thefe Ceremonies, coun- terfeited himfelf to be lick. He refufed alfo to go to Fior enee, becaufe that Duke did not agree to give him Place, as he demanded. Bflt after all, laying afide all thefe Pretenfions and Puncti- lio's, hewent to Rome, contenting himfelf with the Compliments which that Court ufes to make -, where the Cardinals know better things than to give the Wall to the bell Man alive (^excepting my Lord Mayor.] ' Tis not yet known, whether, befides the great Fufmefs of Compliments, he has any other Ne- gotiation \ 'tis very likely he has. I am full of Expectation to know the manner how he has treated with the Pope in CcfarJs Name -, whether he has ufed the Terms of Obedience and Fidelity, as was the Gu (torn anciently -, or that of Obfequi- Qufnefs, as Maximilian the fecond ufed} or a middling Word between both, as Rodolph ufed to iccoft him with. I believe this, Emperor will ~"~~ V have Father Paul of Venice. 559 have his Empire handlcHM with more Work and Trouble than People think, becaule we have Advice, that the Turks have taken three Places in Vpper Hungary, which is a tiling they don't ufe to do, but when they are altogether at Peace in the Levant. As for other things j the Diffe- rences between this Republick and Archduke Ferdivandj upon the Account of the Croats^ are quieted, and there is no more Talk of them: but between the Minilters of both Princes upon the Place, there is a way contriving how to re- drefs pail Mifchicfs j but more to prevent others hereafter. The Caufe of the Accommodation comes from Spain, which will have things quiet , and takes it as a Compliance with their Reaibns, that the States of Italy do not fall out } but by Arts of Peace, or of Difunion amongit themfelves, may at la It itoop to a more powerful Command. And thus I have told you all my News \ it remains only to tell you, that this being New-years-dny, I ought to wilh you Happincfs this Year and for ever, as I do ; befeeching God to blcfs you with his Graces, and to grant me a Power of ferving you, as I deiirc to do with all my4 Heart. So here concluding, I kifs your Hajid. The time draws near now of fending Ambifi:*- dors to Fran e and Fjigland\ 1 know not which of thefe two Countries will fall to Signor $ . ri^o ; but I hope lie will be to go your way. I fe and Signor Molino, and Father Fv.l^tnuo, fend their belt Refpccts to you. After 1 had written all this above, 1 law one of yours written to Monlieur Affdinzaq, where- by I fee, that many of my Letters are come llioit A a 4 of i 6q The Letters of of home 5J and I cannot imagine how, or by whofe means : but all Yours are come fafe to me : $8 which I write to you for Advice-fake, not be- ing able to tell from whence the Fault comes. It cannot come from Signor Guffoni 5 becaufe feeing him careful in fending your Letters hi- ther, I judg he is as careful in fending away mine to you,. I kifs your Hand again, befeeching God pur Lord to give you all Happinefs. After the folding up and fealing of this Letter, there is one of yours come to me, dated on the ì ith of December , whereof being able to read no more than the clear Words, I am obliged to flop here, and tell you that you may exped an Ac- count of it by the next. Venice, Jan. 1, 161 3. LETTER CI. THinking Yefterday that the Courier was. gone, I Tent my Packet to the Poll 5 and in a little bit of Paper gave you an Account of the Receipt of Yours of the \ 1 tb of December^ with- out having thorowly read it. The Courier Hop- ped his Journey till to Day ^ and fo I have had time to thank you for the Advices you fend me, which I have aifo imparted to Signor Barbar igo, who, in that Particular that concerns him, eriiuous Cautioufnefs and Care. But I mould be fuperfluous tao, to go any further upon this Topic, being very well af- fined, that you will take this for full Satisfacti- on. And fo I come to your Letters. I am hear- tily at eafe, that Iiulinelles are fo adjuited as they are with you, that there is no tear of fur- ther trouble, and that the Churches are con- tented. As to Signor Barbaras coming thither } a,t firft, I had no hopes or profpeci: of it : then, certain things ftarted up, which made me be- lieve he would come :, as I remember, I wrrote you. word : Now again upon fome new Acci- dents, I am fain to doubt of it : but next Week we mail certainly know the truth :, for then will be the Debate \ and if he do not go for Frane?, he will for England. I am troubled, that if he be not the Manto go [To Paris'], there will go another that is as bad as he that is there already. 'Tis all in the Hand of God. About the Bufmefs of Mantua, I wrote you word before that the Dutchefs Dowager was gone to Coito. Now all of a fud- den fhc declares her ielf not with Child : and the Cardinal hath taken upon him the Title of Duke -, and the Prince of Savoy is come Pol!" to Coito to fetch her Highnefs to Turin: which Bb 4 m:ike> 376 The Let ter s of makes Men wonder at the fudden refolution } and qneftion witll themfélves, whether it be a u'gn of a fcttae or worfe underftanding between thofe Princes. The Bifhop that is Ambaflador for the Em- peror, has been treating of a League againft the Confe/fionifts : but 'tis all broke to pieces, and vanifhM into Smoak, upon the confideration of the Turks Progrefs : who give us no fufpicion about Candid; their Forces by Sea being not fo much as mean ; but thofe by Land, being above extraordinary. About THemis's Novelty j I fhould think, the beft way to extinguifh it, would be to take no notice at all of it \ and that this is fo neceflary that it would perfwade, nay force t'other Side to hold their tongue and make no anfwer to it, tho he fhould write till he wears out his Fingers, and difpute till he wears out his Tongue. In fliort, every new Whimfy dies of it felf, where there is no fpirit given to it by contradiction. I am not rally informed about the State of the * matter-, but I think I underfland fo much of it, that I can tell, it comes into the number of thofe things which will do a Man no hurt to be ignorant of* ~ 'Tis a Matter of more Moment to me, that of Richiers *, and I am forry that he is forbid publifhing of his Defence; and that which he builds obliquely upon the Authority òf the Council of Bafil^ will do no good in "■•'■' * ' thefe * This Bufmefs of TiUmis that he kept fnch a pother 4* bout, te die di fcfuièt'oP the French Charches., Wife* ' ' Father Paulo/ Venice. ^7 7 thefc parts of Ours -, upon the account of old and lulling IntereRs, which thefc Countries have cfpoufed in oppolition to that Council. Concerning the Spanifli Fleet, wc make no great account of it here : becaufe the Turkifh Defigns, as the greater Light, do darken the lefs :, efpccially as it is believed for certain that England is very able to defend it felf in the Kingdom of Ireland, and in Virginia too, againfl all that they are able to do againfl them. But 'tis an ill thing, that by connivance, they let the Jefuits get any footing there. The remem- brance you give me of pafl Attempts, makes me imagine fome imminent Change. It would be well, if no Protetta nts had a Hand in it : for then every body would be bound to make the greater account of it. I have feen the Editi and the Refult of the Council, with great favisfacti- on-, but I am more pleasM with what you tell Monfieur Afilineau, was promifed and not writ- ten \ if at leali that Promife will be kept. But whether the Queen depends upon Spain or no, you know bell. I had received before, by another way, the Collection of things about Monfieur Ricbiers, which are very life fn 1 for the defence of that manner and order which ha has obferved. Bur 1 am alfo very delirous that he would alfo de- fend his Doctrine effectually ; becaufe if the contrary Dottrine fhould once get Ground in France, which to this very day, has fo bravclv oppofed all tyrannical Dottrines, I fhould great-) y fear it would eafily grow all Europe over. The little ki,ndncfs between the Republican»! 1 he Pope docs, Hill continue, and is become "ha- bitual ; 378 The Letters of bitual -, but on the Republic's fide, there is no great matter made of it : but 'tis without any detign or bitternefs : but on t'other fide, ill will cannot forbear to fhew its Teeth (though it doth not bite) upon all occafions. Spain is the Gainer here ; getting fomething from Rome and fome- thing from Fenice, in refped of high Tory-Popes- Mm -, whereof there are a good number -, and they by their fubtile managements grow more and more, as the true Friends of the Liberty of the Republick grow fewer , and thofe between both are eafily laid ajleep. But the Work of God doth not tread in the fame fteps with the Work of Men : it may be, when fome think they are a-top of the Wheel, they will find themfelves at the bottom of it. And this is all the News I can tell you. Venice, March 26. 1613, LETTER CVIIL To Dp» Bait afar de Zttniga. BY a Letter from Don Inigo de Cardenas^ I have underftood, That the Marquifs of Brandenburgh, in the Name of the Dutch, and other Interefled, hath fent an Àmbaflador to France, to defire of the Queen, That fhe will not hinder them from Working on the Fortificati- ons at Mulheim, and that ine will affili them a- gainft all thofe who Jhall execute the Emperor's Mandates. To which the C&een anfwer'd, That flie was very Father Paul of Venice. ^y^ very forry to hear this Novelty, that fhe would by no means give the Afliflancc defired ; and it they went on witli fuch Dciigns, would confi- dar, what was (ittclt to be done for her Sons Honour. I adviie yon of thefe Matters, That you may underifand them, and I charge you to conlider and do thofe things which may be thought moft convenient. That by the Hands ot the Empe- ror a itop may be put to them \ and that you be very watchful in this Point, to obferve here the French Adì, correiponding with Don Ini go de Cardenas^ who is direcied to do the fame with you, that the pretended Dciign may be the bet- ter found out and difcoverM. Be very particu- lar to advife the Rcfult of thefe Matters. LETTER CIX. IHave received, to my greater Obligation, the Anfwer of the Synod ot Paris, with your Letter of the 8ffc of March. The Book is come in a time when I was free from Buiinefs \ and fo I had leifure to run it over immediately. Methinks there is in it, befides thofe Conceits of the Sorbon, the Hand of fome good Law- yer, and there are fome itrokes of it, as if Monfieur V Efchafficr were the Man. 1 value the Book, and perceive by it, that the Author, or Authors, could fay more, but that they arc tied up by their Hypothecs or Argument, to keep within Bounds. That fame mixture of Ecclefiafrick Government, of Monarchy, and Ariiic- ^ 8© Ihe Letters of Ariftocrafy, looks like a compofition of Oil and Water, which can never be incorporated £but one will get above t'other.] Yet at this time His much, that there are fome Popes-men, which are not Jefuitical altogether. I am greatly pleas'd to hear that the Affairs of that Kingdom go on quietly : in the mean time the King will be of Age -, and if any Fault be, it will then be mended. By my laft, which was of the 26th of March, I acquainted you with my fear of Signor Barbaras difappointment in going AmbafTador to France. Peter Contadini, the Bifhop of Padua^s Nephew, and his Coufin, who is there at prefent, is pitch'd upon to be the Majn. You will judg of the reft by the Circumftancces of it -, only I will tell you, that he is no great Conjurer. With- in a Months time, Signor Barbar igo will be cho- fen to go for England. I am in a pack of Trou- bles about contriving how we fhall do, to con- tinue our Correfpondence : and I fee but fmall hopes of finding out any good way for it, when Signor GuvLobPs EmbafTy is over : but it may be, God will provide. We have no News in Italy, but that the Affairs of Mantua are a- greed. The Dutchefs Dowager of Mantua has de- clared her felf not with Child, and is gone -, and the Cardinal has afflimed the title of Duke. AH the talk now is about a Match between the new Duke and the Dowager. The Pope will difpenfe with it, by the Precedent of Difpenfa- tion with the King of Poland. There has this happened in Rome, that that fame Marc -Antonio l'ani, the pope's Chamberlain, that made fo much Father Paul of Venice. 3 8 1 much of our old Archdeacon at his Tabic at Dinner, that he died at Night of a Bloody Jiluc; is fallen into difgrace with the Pope, and turn'd out of Rome *, and it feems the Pope and his Nephew Borgbefe, are not 'very good Cattr-Con- fins. All Mens Thoughts here are turnM upon the Turks ^ who are getting a vaft Army to- gether } and what is very confiderablc, the Sul- tan himfclf is daily practifmg Arms, and takes into his Army Tfyg Rag and Bobtail, even the old Weatlie r-beatcn Badà's :, infomuch that he puts a World of Heart into his Souldicrs, and makes them long to be at it. They defign to be moving about the cutt of the firft Grafs in May. 'Tis not feen what Provifion the Emperor can make againft them. The Proteftants of Hungary will have no hand in the Defence of Tranfilvania, as not belong- ing to that Kingdom. The Catholicks arc con- tented to be ingaged in it : but they demand Afiiftance of Monty, and refufe to let Dutch Forces enter into Hungary -, nay further, do re- quire that fome Garilbns, appointed formerly by other Emperors for German Forces, be dif- mantPd. The Catholick League have made their Diet at Franc/on, and it has been all taken up in a Contention between Mentz., Trurs, and other Bifhops, and ths Duke of Bavana *, becanfe he, asHcrtdof the League, receives the Contribu- tions -, and yet: for all that, quarter's Soldiers upon the Biihopi ~d not in his own Coun- try. The Spanifh Ambuiiador is making Men for. the Imperial 'Diet ot RataLonu which *s 382 The Letters of an Argument, that few Princes will go thi* ther. Things look mighty difficult to difmtarigle. God Almighty grant that ali may end in his Glory. The Pope has a cunning way of inviting the Republick, with Tbreatnings, to come in to the League with the Emperor and him : and the End is, that if the Turk fhould fall out with us, we might be forced, in fpight of our Teeth, to depend upon Spain, Honeft Men die away j and others are glutted with Quarrels and Con- tro verfies. Your old Friends fallite you. Venice, April 9. 1513. LETTERCX. IAm at a Non-plus to hear that you have had Letters from Signor Guffoni of the id of March, and yet have not received with them mine of the 26th of -February. But I will hope, that, as it has happened at other times, they ftop fomewhere by the w^ay^, and flay for ano- ther Difpatch, and will not be loft. Since thofe, I wrote to you on the 1 ifb, and then on the 26th of March, at prefent -I have recevied yours of the zpb of the fame Month : fo all your Letters have come fafe j I hope, mine will have the fame good luck. I am glad to hear that the Quiet of the Kingdom does continue -, hoping that it will pleafe God, it may be laftirig. But of all things in the World, that make me a- mazed ; Lam molt amazed that the boldnéfs of thofe Preachers is fufferM j having fo firefh afc Exam* Fiithcr Paul of Venice. }8j Example before you, of the League that began upon juft fuch Occalions. There's no quell ion in the World, but thefe things are fomented by Rome and Spam : and if the Jcfuits had not as much work as they can turn their Hands to, about the ifluc of things in Hungary and Poland, I be- lieve they would take no great pains to quiet them [oi-, would be as btify as the buliclif]. We have News here, that the Emperor is gone from the Diet of Hungary, without concluding any tiling : nay with a Rcfoiution of that Kingdom, that they will have no Foreign Sonldici'S amongib them , and that the Dutch Garifons which arc now in ibme Places of that Country, be re- moved -, and they bave pubìihYd it, that they are very fure that the Turks do not intend to fall upon them. What there will be of this, God knows. This is certain, that the Turks arc Hill making greater Preparations, and have made Bridges to pafs the Danube. Any mean perfon, much more the Emperor Matthias, that has had fuch experience of things, might have been iure, that the depr^fiion of his Brother [the former Emperor] would end in the greater low ring of his Succellbr. 1 can't forbear being pleafed to hear, that the Duke of Bouillon is fo little regarded by both Parties. He will be an Example to fuch, as don't care how ill the CwmonJVcal fares, fo they can but feather their own Neif, and fc- cure themfelves. I gave you before an account of the Rcafon why Signor Barbarico docs not go thither, but for England: and he will goby the way of Holland The 384 TI*' Letters 0/ The Dutchefs Dowager of Mantua is arrivM in Piemont } and as to her marrying the new Duke y no Body can "tell what's the Reafòn it ftaies fo. Ipng. There is no more yet done in the Bufi- nefs of Afiu AIL things ttirrl upon Germany .\ yet Rome minds it no more [than they do the' great Horfe upon the Capitol] H but fays," tHang'tQ What is thereto hfe in that Country y thafspoyth fdving ? ,-.The greateft part of Men live here without troubling their Heads j notwithstanding there is. fo great reafon for it, more than ufes to be, up- on,;the Danger there is, that the parage of the Or if ons will be fhut up : which if God do not pro- vide for, either by that, or fome other way, they who would not open their Eyes and look about them, when they had Light afforded them to do- it, may chance to repent inDarknefs. I have done-} only let me pay you the Refpe&s of thofe kriends that you falute : And fo I kifs your Hand. . Venice, AprYzì. \6i7,i LETTER CXI. * tNow receive Yours of the 9th of April , ha- ving fent to you on the 23d of the fame Month. At preferitali Mens Eyes are towards Piedmont y upon the Duké of Savoy's- attacquing of Montfatyti and taking Alba, Trim, and o- thejr ineonfiderable and weak Places therein, j£he Aflaults were extraordinary fudden^ when no' Body fo much as thought of anv'fuch thing. And Father Paul of Venice. ] 85 And the Duke fays, That the Motive hereunto was not his aim, but the Prince s Jus Son's 7 who took himfelf to be affronted by the Duke of Mantua i in having promised him divers things, and minding none of them j and there* fore fhewed him his Refentment, by drawing his Sword. For ought that appears hitherto, the Spaniards are againfl thefe Attemprs, having refus'd the Depoiition of the places taken in their Hands -7 and fiying plainly, they will have them reftoied again to the Duke of Mantua. The Progrefs of the Savoyards will be IfoppM } not only be- caufe the S;aniards are oppoling them with their Arrrts? but becaufe the Republic afliits them with 300 Men and Money. My thoughts are, that the Fatality of Italy is not for War ^ and therefore that in a few days we mail fee all thofe C^arboils at an end. This is not a matter big enough for the high towring Thoughts of Rome } and they have fcarce the News of any fuch thing there. Thefe things have iilenced thofe of the Turkifh Preparations -7 though they are continually increaling : and the People in Hungary, and the middling fort of Men, fpeak it openly, that they are not afraid of the War, and therefore will give no occaiion for it, by putting themfelves into Arms. Since there are no other Seeds of trouble in France, but that of Aiguez Mortis fin Languedoc~]7 i hope all will go well. The Duke of Nivers^ wìiow.v m t ili his way to Rome i has already altered hi* Mind, upon the Affairs of Adotti into Cafale difan Tafo, the otlfy A C :ntrj 3 86 The Letters of Country that can fecure him from all Inconve- niences : and fo, it may be, he will defer his return into France for fome Days. My Service concludes this. 'Vtnice, May. 7, 1 5 1 3. LETTER èXlL AFter Signor GuJJlni went from Tu?in\ I left off writing to you, and the reft of our Friends thereabouts:, not that I fufpecied the divers ways there are of fending Letters to them £and youl, but becaufe I cannot be fure that the Letters that they fend and direct to me in private Covers, will be fufferM to find the right way Home. rTis no more than necei- fary to ufe Circupifpedion j that it may not be thought we don't care what we write by way of Advertifement to one another. News concerning the Affairs of the World, I have none to tell you but this:, that the Soitl- diers now in Arms in Italy , will keep fo all the Winter: it may be fome of the Foot., that know how to- ufe a Coulter better than a Sword, will be fent home to their Houfes : but the Horfe, and the Foreign Foot, andthofeof Naflcs^ will be certainly kept in Pay. The Turks go on conquering in Tranftlvanh^ mo. e becaufe there is no Body to oppofe them, than by any great Force they have there, hi CÓtìftdktirtòpfètiMy talk big, of- equipping a great Ì ieet againfl the Spring, to revenge themfelves or the Affront given them, in taking the feven Gallies Father Paul of Venice. 387 Gallics from them: and they arc at work, all Hands there, in making great Preparations -. and yeti have fome thoughts that they will not be able to do fo well then, as they do now. Monfieur j4JJetineau will inform you, whr are thinking to fend about the Jefuits. Let me intreat yon, that, when you have an Oppor- tunity, you would pleafe to let Mciììeurs // Efchajficr and GiUot know, that I retain a very quick Senfe of all their Favours, and that I keep their Letters by me, to anfwer them when I can but find Matter to do it withal. So con- cluding, I kifs your Hand \ befeechingGod, our Lord, to blefs you with all Grace. Venkty Novemb. 5, 1613. LETTER CXIII. HAving heard nothing from you for many Months together, 1 have been greatly trou- bled for fear that things have gone crofs to your Health and Prolnerity : and I have indeavdured to help you by my Prayers to God for you 1 and I am hugely at a lofs, till I can hear of the Wel- fare of your Perfon, and the good Condition of your Affairs. A Letter that is come from His Excellence Signor Chiffon:, does a little comfort me \ where- in he tells me, that you arc at Paris \ though he checqucrs the News with a Claufe that I cannot like, and lays, I 1 are hid up or the Gout. I will hope, that that [ndifpofitton will end well. Let me hear, I pray, Sir, I Cc 2 j88 The LEttER s of your own Affairs are.-, and the hopes, if it may be, that the Publick Ones will mend :, having a great delire that wre may come to our old Work- again, and repair our broken Correfpondence : which is a thing would pleafe Monfieur jifféli* neau up to the Skies -, who, as he has told me his Sorrow for not hearing any thing of you, fo now he is overjoyed, that.. I tell, him you, are. at. Pam ^ and hopes that you will favour him with a Letter, when that malicious Gout of yours will but let you.have: the uie of your own Fin- gers. Formerly, the way I had to write you any thing fafely, and free you from the tedioufnefs that there is in an alphabet ary Cypher ^ was by inventing that tranfpfitory vne\ in which, not- withstanding, there were three great Imper- fections. One, that it did not free you from the Alphabetary one -, becaufe one only proper Name, fet in any place, or any principal word befides, might give fome hint at what was in the Letter. The fecond, becaufe the lead Mif- take, committed in any plaqe,^n]^le.the whole impoflible to be underitood. And the third, becaufe Articles or Conjunctions^ were apt to Ibreed the Difficulty, whether they ' pught to tfc joinM, or parted from .the 'principal Word. /:. I think I have difcovered a way of remedying exactly -all "thefe. imperife&ìons. 'The firll, by dividing proper Names, ..orAVords of impor- tance, in two or more ..parts,, though it' fhould be Letter by Letter;,- fo that, there is no need of an Alphabetary^. Cypher. , The fecond L hdp'd by little jfpacesanark'd' : fo that a miltakc \happening-bety.Tecn5 "it cannot come in between Father Paul of Venice. 389 one and t'other, and fo it is not mix'd with the refi of the Matter*, and this makes it eafy to mend it. The third Imperfection is helped, by fepara- ting all that which is written in a mark'd Space, by a little Dalli: As for Inftance, yon may put three or four Words in one fuch Space, or only half a Word, which makes it altogether inex- plicable to one that has not the Counter-Cypher. - I here fend you a Copy of it, that wiici yon pleafe, andean, you may do me the Favour to let me hear from you under this fort of Gh'a- radcr. I my felf lhallnot ufeit, till fuch time as I hear you have it lately. I continue my Pray-' crsto God for you, that he would grant you all Profperity, and that I may have fome Occalion of employing my felf in your Service. So con- cluding here, I kifsyour Hand. Vmctf Tecemb. 21, ifi-. LETTER CXIV. IF 1 mould try a Purpofc how to c.vprefsthc Satisfaction of my Mind, when I call: Eye 011 your Letter to me, dated the i\Jl of lait Month, f am very fine I mould fall fhort in my Words by many Degrees, of telling the Joy of my Heart which it filled me with. \ (earing for fovnc Years laft part, of tL 1 , bits of that moll noble Kingdom, I have Kill thought of you, and with great Companion to \ our outward and inward Condition, wasgric- vouOy troubled at it, when once I found by my C c 3 ?po The Letters of Lord AmbafTador GuJfonPs Letters, that you were at Pam, fo miferably hamper 'd with the Gout} but I had fome Pleafure mix'dwithmy Grief, in hearing of your good Eftate, though difcompofed by your want of Health and final Recovery. Now at laft, fince the Reafon of my Concern for you ceafes, and I fee your Hand at Liberty again, by the fame even and fteady Wri- ting that you formerly penn'd your Letters with y and judging by that that your Strength is re- turned, Ì have thank'd God for it, praifing him, as .1 mall always do, that he will pleafe to hear my Prayers for the long Continuance of your Profperity and Health, and grant us an Oppor- tunity of convening together as we ufedtodo, if on your fide, it may. be without any Inconve- nience to you. By the four Pieces which you fent me, and by other Ways and Notices, I perceived, to my great Sorrow, what an ill Condition that King- dom is in \ and we here feel our (hare of it, more than any Body can think, who is not to beat the Feftival and Tragedy, which you forefee will be acted. I am indeed afraid that we ihall have the only part of the Chorus. I am not with- out fome Hopes that the Goodnefs of God will look upon our and your Miferies with an Eye of Pity j yet the Diipoiitipn of all Sorts and Condi- tions of Men is fuch, that I. cannot cheriihthofe Hopes in my Mind, but with a great deal of Uncertainty. Our Country is all furrounded with the Auflrians, excepting only the Val-Te- line, which is at a vail E>:pence. There is no getting any other Paffage open, through the ill Actings of the- Minifters of that King, Fdihcr P.uil of \rc.jice. 5p i ,, that do all for $pain9 a:;ainir their o'.vn propqr Interests. \Yc have had til I leavens ill us, haying had no favourable Winds Months to bring in People by $ea, to ferve us. The War has been with fome Di- on by the Means of Savoy, v\ ho is therefore Ducats a Month j and he can neither hold ithojut us, for want of Money, nor we, : him, for want of Men. * Ti. r I propoles Terms of Peace -, you how advantagious that is for him, and how are here. I am afraid he is not to be won by fair Words or infidious Effects i and that by an over-fond Delire of Peace, or fome Trick or other, there will be ivch a Diitruft created amongfr. us, as will facilitate the Agreement^ which thofe that be wife know, that though in Appearance it will look fine and tolerable, yet will end in an univerf.il Slavery of ItJly. If England or Germany were but more vigilant, and by their Indcavoms at leali, would but preferve theft two in Union, and help them to defend thomfelves from the Spanifh Tricks, it would be a very adv mtagious Work. But the Tate of 3II Europe palces it plain, that whilfl there is only Reiifcancc made againil them Cc 4 by * This was the War between the Republic'* ami the Hoflfc of -, upon the Account of the Croats plundering the Vene- tian Subjects upon the Adriatic, which drew in the King of : > mie with the Aujt i.r:sy and the Duke of Savo) with the V. which began in rhe Year 161 5, and ended che r was written in , the Father has .1 large Re- count of it, which will be feen, God willing, hereafter. The s War were (own long before it Lrckc our. plain by divers of thefe Letters. 29 x The Letters of by little Pieces and Parcels of it 5 it will all at laft fall into Subjedion . and Lofs of their Liberty. This Year we fhall have the Spaniards domineer* ing in the Adriatic j which, it may be, will bring the Turks this way : and it would be well if they \vould do fo *, for they are not fo bad as the Spa- niards are. In things that have been within my Ken and Experience, I cannot fay th3t I ever * hit right upon the Iflue of any of them, as it proved af- terwards j and having obfervM that the Predi&i- ons-of the -wifeft Men have had no better Fortune than my Conjectures, I dare not truft my felf in faying any thing before-hand, how things will be. God keep you in Health. So 1 kifs your Hand. ViiiUty March 28, i-5-i yr: - '- - LETTER CXV. I Have received two of Yours under one and the fame Cover 3 one of them dated the 14-th oi March \ t'other of the 21/.- in Anfwer where- untol-mud fiid (ay, about Moufieur Tfe&rawrs Requelt, that it is my Defire, as much as it can be his,, that he mould be fatisfied 5 and that I a- gree with him in Opinion, that it would be for the Common Good. .. But we are fallen into times, wherein 'tis not enough * The Word in the Copy isjongiursto 'y no doubt the Fa- thers W iSifie So. Of the Duke of Savoys making War \ you may be very fure from, good Correfpondence and Intelligence, he cannot live without it. And I would have you believe this for certain, becaufe it comes from one that knows their very- Gabinet. He doth not value all the Money in the World : 'tis a Countrey that he lacks [tq be added to what he has already"}. As for the Pope, what you write about his; difpleafing the King, is certainly true : and you; maybe fure, it always comes from Spain, The Republic k will hav^ a whole Year's time to fraud Neuter.^ and after that will ftrike in with thofe that are for making a Duke of Milan, Fray keep all thefe things, to your felf. I am Yours. ■ ■ ■ . . ■ Venice Mar, i£, ióio. ST3T LETTER CXXI. . [To is Utttr is.tr wjhiid out oj Latin, Worthy and Re'jcr.endSir, NO wonder that the Death of Henry the Great has fo afflicted you, and all good French- men ; for it has fili'd us. here with Aftonifhment and Sorrow, though we are not fo nearly con - ceriiM in it as you are, It is a common Calami- ty Father Paul of V cince. 407 iv to 11s all, as it |ias broken the Hopes o,f uood Men, and given Courage to the Bold and WuUJ. lor the Jcfuits are not only become more in- foiali thereupon in thefe Parts :, but they are pfyingyou the more juitlicr, that they mayga our Nh ks faft in the Pope's Yoke. Whilii t he King was alive, tficy purluerj this Point iecretly and craftily: Now he is taken out of the way, they do it bare-fat \l. For IhlLirminc imme- diately goes to work , and under a Pretence of defending his Writings from the Oppolition that JiinLiy made againJt him, fell upon the Matter of the Pope^s Power in Temporals \ and about three Weeks ago, publiuYd a Book for it : and what they only durit whifper in Corners before, and by a little at a time, againit the Majeity and Rights of Princes now they dap all to- gether, and (peak out confidently to the whole World. You have all the MifF-rafF StufF that he could think of for his Purpofc, heapM together in that Book, and digefled according to the Notions of thofe Men that he has gleaifd it from , Fuch eFpecially as liavc hir'd out their Seditious Tongues * lately, to cry up the Pope's Power : and thefe he has let Rank and File, and be- daubed them with the glittering Titles of San- Dd 4 cUty * Inxlic Copy ic is, j dtctm Aw:s : which agrees wirh the Time of very few of thofc Men rhac HtUxrmbu there matters up i and (o might be thought to he iiiil-tranitribccJ ^ his Au- thors beni): none but Men of Hitdebrandinc TrincipJcs j /;. hinifclf being the Ring-leader of them. 408 The Letters of dity and excellent Learning : and he himfelf brings up the Rear after all, driving Kings and Princes before him in Triumph, to let the World fee what little things they are in compar rifon of the Pope, and his own mighty Self \ telling us, that it is not only in the Pope's Power to Excommunicate them, and take away their Crowns and Scepters from them, in cafe they make themfelves obnoxious to his Anger, by their Faults and Sins againft him j but that he can do the fame things tò them, if they do not know how to Govern, or are weak and unfit tor it 5 or upon any other Ground or Reafon that he mail think available for the Common Good. And now let the Author of Anti-Coton trou- ble himfelf no further about difplacing the Trick of Equivocation j for Bellarmine has been? pleafed, in the falnefs of his Knowledg, and the greatnefs of his Skill, to declare that Prin- ces mull be ferved according to that Docìxine \ concerning ..whom, to be plain and open, he fays it roundly, that Chriit hath commanded to give unto Ctefar the Things that be Cafar\ i. e. as long as he is Cccfar ; and that thp Apoftlesj- have commanded Kings to be obeyed, i. e. a» long as they are Kings: but as foon as ever the Pope has deprived them, they are no longer to be ownM as Cafar^ or Kings either. Thefe things I mould look upon as Imperii-* nances, of a Frolickfom Cardinal \ but that, over and above all this, he beftows fuch odd Titles and Characters, upon thofe that are of a contrary Judgment to him, and calls them all, Heed» Either Paul of Venice. 409 Heediefs, Scandalous and Heretical Perfons j and fays, that his Opinion is the Faith of the whole Church j and that they that oppofe it, are no better than Parafites and Flatterers of Prin- ces, mere Heathens and Publicans. Barclay, poor Man, was fo vain as to think it enough to convince the high-Tory-Papifts, by Jetting them fee the Way ufed by the Ancient Church, that did not rcfufc Obedience to Prin- ces, though thev were Hereticks and Wicked Men \ but he was miftaken. Bellarmine grants all that, that" they did obey and preach up Obe- dience to fuch Princes : But why ? It was,becaufe the Church, quoth he, was weak, and wanted a handfom Opportunity of doing otherwife : If our Order had been but up at that time, the World would have been taught better things. But as Barclay loft himfclf, by making it an Objection againft Bellartnine'>s Principles, that private Perfons would be in a happier Condi- tion than Kings are -, if thefe may be deprived of their Dignities, and thofe muft be let alone in the Enjoyments of their Eflates. So by this Objection of his, he has given occafion to a new upftart Opinion, That the Pope alfo has it in his Power to difpofe of all private Mens Eflates, as well as the Diadems of Kings, if he fee it good and profitable for Holy Church fo to do. And what fhall I fay more? He has extended this Power of compelling Chriltians, even to the very Priefts that confefs them. The moft Serene Republick did immediately forbid the felling, keeping, or importation of his Book in any 410 The Betters of any Place of their Dominions, to preferve their People» from the Poifon of it. But to what pur- pose } They will teach that infectious Doctrine privately m their Confeilions, and prefs it upon People as a Point of Catholick Faith : And therefore you in Fr-ance have the more reafon to take heed that you never give thefe Men any Power of instructing young People, nor believe one wort they fay, when they promife and fwear that they will keep the Statutes of the Univenity. They have two ways of deluding you i one, whereby they will get their Necks out of the Collar, and find a Hole to creep out at, from any Promife or Oath they make, by Equivocation, tacit Rcferve, or mental Evafi- on : T'ocher, clofer and cunningcr, which is the Hedg-hog's way in the Fable*, whereby they get into Mens Clofets any way they can % and when they are once in, they ipread their prickly Briitles to the difturbajice and difpoiTef- lion of the Mailer of the Houfe, and make all their own. They got into France, God knows how \ upon any Terms whatfoever : There they have beeri waiting for Occahons, or elfe have an ade themielves to do what they pleafe now without control'!. ' I am forry, not only for your Sake, bujt our ownalfo, that many of your Nation arc quite altered for the worfe from what they were, and are perfectly infected by them with ftrange Do- ctrine : audi am afraid the Miichief will fpread further yet, beoaufe none of your Advocates would undertake" to plead the Vaiverfity Caufc of his own' free Aaord, but required the Aur thority Futkr Paul of Venicr. * . - \liariiy of Parliamuu ty lupport him ia it : And iince the ^-Inti-Coton was prohibited, con- trary to cuflom, 1 have fomc apprchenlion, that they Will embroil ye in a Civil War : And I heartily pray God that fuch a thing may not be a- mongir ye. 1 know there arc many good and brave Men amongft you Itili \ and I put you in the number of the chicfeft of them :, who,l dare fay and hope, will never betray their Country ; remembring well, that according to the old Word, Your Fcaft will be our Irigil. If I were not fearful of being troublefomc to you, I would often make bold to write to you : but upon that Coniidera- tion I forbear, and am fatisiicd in hearing from other Friends that I write to, that you are in good Health. God grant you may long conti- nue fo. And thus I take my leave, and befeech you to love him that heartily honours you. ., 03ob. 22. IÓIO, LETTER CXXIF. To the Honourable and Excellent Monjleur Gillot, of his Majejlies Council in the Court of Parliament. TH E Advices you fend me in your Letter of the zSr/jof I'i'.nc, about the way the molt Chriflian KL*; takes to recover his Dominions, were very welcome to me \ for 1 was juit w idl- ing for fonie true Information about this Point : and >. - TI* Letters of and I mould be glad to know further, what the King's whole Revenue may come to, when he has gotten all that belongs to him ; and fome of the greater Particulars of this Matter. As I have alfo a great mind to know what is done, when the Parliament makes any lingular and remarkable Arreft in any Gaufe of Eccieila- ftick Right, I fhould think you would do welt to employ your leifure-timé in the ftudy of Theology and Church-hiflory ; for which I look upon you as fo well fitted and prepared a Man, that you cannot need any Man's Directions a- bout it, much lefs mine. Yet however, in compliance to your Re- quefts, I fhall for once venture to give you my Judgment about the way that an ingenious Per- ion ought to take j and to begin at the Stbdtft* men, of whom you make luch a partic'i- in- quiry. I will tell you, that you muft take gfjeHt heed of thofe Men of that Profeflion, that re- folve things too Magifterially by the Forms of Refpondeo, and Dkendum \ as if they were Judg- es and Lords Paramount in all Determinations \ but rather to read thofe Men that fpeak their Miads with fome Referve and Liberty for others; to judg : and in things not decided, do not perk it up like fo many Pedants over a Company of filly School-boys. The llniverfity of Pam ufed formerly to ad-' v.ife with the belt fort of them, and at laft with William Occam, who is a very judicious Writer, excepting the barbaroufnefs of his Stile.. I have ever valued him above all the School-men. His Work upon the Semema makes a Man fprightly, Father Paul of Venice. 4 1 5 fprightly, and fit to judg of things. His Dia- logues, which proceed from Speculative to ;ical Matters, are highly eftecmed, where they may be read. Gerfon is a Man that manages well what he undertakes to talk of -, bat he never made it his Bufinefs to handle things thorowly. St. Thomas^ he runs the way the Jefuits and the Prelates do ; an eafy Writu, and one that does not intangle ones Mind in Doubts and Perplexities, but o- ver-refolves his Reader. If you will needs read him, you mult be furc to examine him Point by Point : for fuch you find his Proofs to be, mojl an end : and he comes into the number of thofe which I mentioned at firft. If you intend to read the Difputes and Con- troverlies that are now on foot, you will do well to remember that all Writers fide with their own Parties, as they Hand affecìed:, and do accommodate Matters according to their own Humour \ and confider amongft the Ancients, not what the Matter really is, but what ihty would have it to be. Whereupon it is neceflary to uk with theft\ the Care and Caution of a good Judg, never de- termining but when all Parties are heard. But then as for attaining Knowledg in Church-Hiico- ry \ 'tis firft necellary to get acquainted with the Chronology of all Princes, and famous Men that have been in the World: every one in their feveral Times, and according to the Countries where they have lived. In the read- ing of Hiitorians, you muft be very cautious -7 becaufe they are mop an end intereJled in fome Party or other When 414 Tlx Letters of When you meddle with Controverfy, thè honefteft of them all are the Englijh Hiftoriàns, Parity Hove den ^ an&lValfingham. The exa&eft and trueit Hiftory of things is lo be had from the Èpiftles of all Parties and other Writers of every Age. In reading, you muft above all things carry an indifferent Af- fection along with you, and never ingage your Inclination fo firmly tó what you meet in one Author, as to leave no place for the Truth or greater Probability you may find in another. But to lay you down, according to my fenfe of things, one general and infallible Rule that fhall help you in all Difficulties that may arife in the -progrefs of your Studies, let me recorri fnend this to you, to advife with the Jefiuts I and when you have done {o^ to refolve every thing juft contrary to what they tell you, *S There is, as you fay, the Parliament ftill left to keep up the Bank, and hinder them from htahng in farther upon you : but I Hill fee the Waters prevail, and the Bank decay ;y and this makes me much afraid of a further Inundation. We here are fairly rid of their Company :> but óf their mifchievous Tricks and Scares we have enough, and too much : and truly I can't tell; which is the greatcft Mifchief of 'the two \ tirai which they did us, when they lived anion- i': us -, ór, that which they do at a diftance from us. I am apt to think, by what I now fee, that they have been receivM again into franc/; only upon the confederation- of the greater Mifchief they did that Kingdom, when, they were banifrVd out of 'it -, and it may be, I am' not mifhksu. *t3T Yon father Paul 0/ Venice. 415 1 overvalue tfltj when you think that the Jefuits do mind or regard me. Sir, be atluvM, that I am too low tor f\ich a Thunderbolt to reach \ hut that they are, Pm afraid, of the Num- ber of thofc accurate Men, that have their Eye upon the leali things that ate. However, every Boily lies open to Dancers ^ and we i an do no mòre but commit Our fclvcs ro God in thofc things which humane Care is infuf- ficicnt for. I humbly intreat you to honour me fomctimcs with a Letter from you, which will grea'tK me: And I do not delire yon to wn: \n\ for though ! fhall anfwer you in thàX mage, as being mv Mothcr-Tbngwè ; yet 'twill be all one to me, whet liei* you write in that or in French. ■ - THIS CXXII Letter, J perceive, went afatt tn divers Copus, m morì: Countries xb.vi Areh-Bifhop Uiher gtf a Copy of it \ arid Dr. \\m printed n amongst the .Additimeli Litttri .in the tnd of that Arcb-Biftiop^s Life and Lttttrs. He h\i: tr • (inflated it, ma with a Copy that had tttu m.-. able rar.tatwns from tbvs ivhtcb I go by : One rV thfa, tb.it jn the Dirtllions about reading of Aquinas, di\ Book h*is it- farà ben a punto per punto dammare il fuoi Sci iti : Wbieh (allowing for tbefilji of Sciiti fr//- Scritti) may be rendred f_to examine Him, 01- iiis Writings, Point by Point]. .But in that C y vtbch the Anb-Bi/hofs Letttr wot 41 6 Tl?e LEtTERS of by, it was Soriti \ or, gradual ways of arguing and concluding : It was eafy to miftake one Word for another ; and no doubt the Arch+Bijhop* s Copy was herein the trueft. The other is this -, my Book has it. La piu iincera & fedele Hiftoria ft cava dalle Epiftole delle parti j which is as I have ren- dred it. But in the Arch-Bijhofs Copy, it feems, it was delli padri : from the Epiftlés of the Fa- thers, and other Writers of every Age ; which is alfo the be fi reading of the two. There is fomc- thing wanting in the Arch-Bifhop*s Copy, about the Father's wifhing to' be informed, and about the .French King's Revenue, &c. which is here -, and the Date of the Letter which the Father anfwers, is not the fame with thus \ nor that of the lather* s own, there being ten days difference in one, and a whole Tear in the other. So impuntimi are Men in tranfcribing", and fo various are Mifiakes there- upon. But befides aU thefe, there is another thing that is a Riddle to me -n and that is in the very In- fcription of the Letter : for in the Arch-Bifhop^s Co- py, the Letter is diretled to an un-nam'ed Abbot of S. Medard : And in my Book to Monfieur Gil- lotby Name, and one of the Parliament of Paris by Place and Dignity. How /hall we do here ? Was Monfieur Gillot Abbot of S. 'Medard ?■ If he were, wtlearn fomething that we di d not knew; before v; But that* sa Queftion -, and any Body may at leifure refolve himfelf of it : But the Letter, it filf makes amends for all thefe ASfiakcsy- being thought worthy to be prèferved by fuch an\ admirable. Perform as Arch-BijhopVfher was : Md-fó-Umg às we hade got- ten the -Letter^ and fuch fr Proof - as this amounts to, that tfye -L&ttr . was writieti'Jy "Bat\m F^u^ .kt-the Jefuits father Paul of Venice. 417 Jefuits make their be ft of the Uncertainties of Date and Title : and all the World befides learn where to advtfe with them j and then rvhat to do with their Advice : which it like the beft way of dreffing Cucumbers. So lefs go on to the next and laft Letter. LETTER CXXUI. [To Monfieur QWXoiin Latin.'] Moft worthy 5*r, and honoured Friend -, I Have received two Letters from you by the. Poft, and both at once , one dated on the 6tb of the Kalends , t'other on the laft of the Nones of November: both of them exprefling your Courtefy and Kindnefs to me in an eminent manner. I fhali anfwer both of them in this which I am now writing, obferving the Order I find in yours. Thofe high Commendations that you, Noble Sir, beftow on me, upon an imagination that I am the only Man that can write about the con- courfe of the Luminaries, as the Canonilrs ufe to word it*, or rather, the Eclipfes, as I think it belt expreft ; I dare not impute to any flatte- ry ot me ^ becaufe I know, that among ft the Excellencies and Vertues that do fo commend you, you have too great a love for Truth and Ingenuity, to be guilty of any iuch thing. I muft therefore afcribe it to your Good-will and Aftettion, as things at a.diftaQCt are great- E e 4» 8 Tl;e L E T r er-s of crinour Eftéem and Judgment, than when they are near and narrowly look'd into. It was a -wife Word of him that laid, That -Pi&ures are beft feen at fome. diilance. I know my-féff better than you can } and when I have been'^fdnietimes thinking, of that Argument, I have been of the Mind', that it could not be ex- actly -handled by any Man that was- only a Di- vine, - or a Lawyer, or a Statelinan^ . but by a 'Man- that is extraordinarily well versM in all three Faculties together. :. ■ -.- See therefore how far I am from being -fuf- HcienT- for ir! ì: In -my rude and imperfect -Draughts,- I only touchM upon that Matter; not- with a defign of poliihing and compleat- ing -rt^v but rather,, of .ordering anddifpofing it : noi- did I Lay down every thing about it that X could -havefaid^ but pit fo much as thefe i times? Would bear ^ and what there wasof it in tìty>Letter, was only a defign to urge you to de- dare- your Opinion upon it.: which as you do • jproniife to do, fo Igreatlylong to fee it. : -. - In the mean:- time L have . carefu)ly: read over you iv famous Divine, Moni\$mjKi chicks- Confide - ' rations ^ " who has learnedly and foiidly ma- .nsged Jevery thing bygone only óiftinitwn.- . I am notfo fuperftitiousin theufe o£ Words^ as to make any difficulty.:. about Bai'ctey{§ Initance. ;lknovv 'tis the. nature, of Exaniples and Inftances, ■.not. to fit things exacMy a-nd nicely tliat they are nfed rfor : I it is .only .Refemblante^ and not Identity , that they ferve for: and thofe things vrhkhoi^y.r.cffnihkQthG^^ mull nesds be diffe- rent -from them.,. Ut Ruhw Paul of Venice. 419 Let that Example therefore pafs \ we will have no Difputc about it : let us coniidcr the Doclrinc. He fays, There are two fevcial Powers in one and the fame Cbnfttan Common- wealth : the Etchfiaftick, and the Kingly or C/v/i Power \ neither of winch is fubjeci to the other \ hut both of them are fubjectto God. 1 am a- fraid this is to make the Common- wealth to have two Heads : for now I mult, as Logicians do, bring the matter to a fufneient Diviliou. Either one of thefe is fubjedt to the other \ or if not, both of them are fubjedt to one -, or elfe they both remain Supream, and neither by turns ncr any other way arc fubjett to one another. He that will aflert this laft, will make a Monfter of Government that cannot laft : and I believe, that for this very Reafon England and Germany were not able to keep in. their former State. But he that will go about to make both fubjedt to one, if it be to any Human Power, 'tis well, and 1 will not difputc it, but fhall be fatisfied in it : but if it be to a Divine Power, he w i 11 never a- void the Monfter I was fpeaking of. But if either'be fubject to the other, 'tis well/ Our Romanijls will have the Royal Power to be fubjeci to the Papal j and fo make one Chriftian Common-wealth, and the .Pope to be the H of it : whoever allows this, mull make Kin^s no more than Clients and Beneficiaries, nay further, do by their Opinion, make them pre - cartons Teftaftts that hold of the Pope of Rome. ■ • • . For they arc of the mind, that Kings m 7 net only be deprived for their Faults, bV. £ e 1 any 420 The LEttERS of any other Reafon of the Churclfs Profit and Good \ wherein as the' Pope is made Judg, he only is the Prince, according to thefe Princi- ples,'that has Majefty and Soveraignty belong- ing to him. And why ought I not to infer and argue thus, when Pope Clement the $tb did Decree that an Oath of Fidelity to him mould be taken by the Emperor ? And you mull not fay that this is a fmgular Cafe concerning the Emperor \ and that other Kings fwear no fuch thing to the Pope : for now you will have to do with Bellarmine \ who difputing at this time with his Majefty of Great Brittain, would have us think that there is I know not what fecret Oath made to the Pope in the Baptifm of Kings : but he will find an exprefs Oath taken by them at their Inauguration, when they fwear to their People ^ and from hence there will arife ano*- ther fort of Conclufion. I have feen the Duke of Nivers's * Ora- tion for the King, printed at Rome } where- the word Obedience is never named but in great Letters. But muft it be fo then, that the Eccleiiaftick Power is to be fubjedt to the Kingly? lam contented with it : for then the Church will fare, juft as it did in Jufiinians Time. No Man can better learn what the Go- vernment of the Church" was, than by reading the * Which is the Eook, I fuppofe, that was alfo Printed at Bitumo in It ali in, by Comln Vmturay'm 1505, with this Ti- tle— , TheReafons and Examples alledged by the Duke of ffiytfs to Clement the 2tb, in order to the Abfolution of Htffy of Eomo\ caird King of Navar.— A very idle tiling.. Father Paul of Venice. 421 the Novel Conflitutions of his making : only that is to be explained } after what manner it may be that the Chriitian Religion may not bea worldly Thing, when it is made fubject to worldly and politick Power. Concerning Pow- er Ecclcliaitical I have dillinguifhed thus :, That one part of it belongs to the Kingdom of Hea- ven \ the other concerns the external Govern- ment and Difciplinc of it. I do not (peak of Powers abitractcdly, or as to the EfTcncc of them \ but after the Italian way of Speech, as we call him that is chief in a City, t\\z Pockjlh. And that i tri;:; explain my fenfeof it further:, it mufl: nee. is be, ifnlels we will have a Kingdom to be Monitor in point of Government j that either the King muli be fubjeel to the Primate, or the Primate uibject to Him: and fo I avoid all Ablhadtednefs by thofe words. Monlicur Richicrs did ingeniouily decline the Ablurdity, when he fays, That they are both of them fo affected and co-ordinated, that they mutually help each other \ and that God has feen it fitting, that they mould both be link'd together by mutual Helps, as fo many Bonds-, and that the Primate has Pow- er over the King in Cenfurcs, and the King, Power over him in Punifhments *, and that this is the Scnfe of the Canon Duo funt. Dift. 96. Bccaufe I greatly delire to be thorowly ac- quainted with this Doctrine, I mult delire to lav down ingenuoufly that Scruple which they put in my way \ not out of any contentious De- ligq, but with a purpole of learning and know- ing further. And the Difficulty that arifes, £. Q ì does 42 2 The Letters of does not feerrt to be removed by what has been laid, but grows ftronger. For what if the King and Primate fhould both take the fame Matter to themfelves \ and the Primate make ufe of Ins Ceafures againft the King*, and the King on t'other" fide make ufe of his Punifhments up- on the Primate? would not the Common- wealth be difturb'd at this? Let us come to a Hypothecs: Imay.propofe to you the Venetian Controverfy : the King fays that Church-men have too much Lands already -, and that it is not for the Good of the Common-wealth that they get any more. The Primate by his Cenfures will have the King to revoke this Edidi. What now if the King fhould take from the Primate, his Life and Eftate? And now you fee the mon- frrqus Form of fu'ch a Common-wealth. I fhould willingly tell Monfieur Rhhim, that they cannot be Hnk'd together by any Way, Bonds or.Ties -, unlefs one of the two be wholly and in ail tilings iubjeft to the other. . a For divide the OiTices of the Common-wealth into a thoufaii.d Parts, and give the King nine hundred of them, and yet make the Kinginfe- riour'to the Primate in the odd hundred that re- mains, and with that -kit tenth part he will be able to trample upon" the King, and get into his Hands all the other Nine. We find this by experience, whet e a Magi'ftrate has a calling Vote', and is unaccountable, he prefently makes the Admiriiirraticn of the Common-wealth his own: for when any thing happens, which he has'a mind to take cognifance of, he declares that to bé in his Power j and to be fo without further FiUhcr Paul of Venice. 41? further Appeal. That the Bifliop fliould mutu- .illy afliit the Governourr and the Governour him, is good and profitable, if both be tiriéfcc t he King : a middle Way, of ferving or < om'-' manding tlic King, I can fee ime. I onte 'fiìd, ihcve-au. tome thmgs, which mutually Jiclp each other j as a CoVnmandei oi Sou1(1kt. n Ships, and a Sea -Captain : Qfa Sea -Capi arn is'mr- der him, when they come to fight: the Com- mander, nnder him, as .to. matter of Sailing and working his Ship. But then I -faici again:, T-his is not amifs, if both are under the King. But here you may fay, that the King himfelf commands- the Souldievs at- Sea -x and he," even in matter of Navigation, is not under the Cap- tain or Admiral : and you will tell me, Will not the King obey him, when he lias given him his Place in the Ship for his own Safety ? Shall not the A dn i irai or Captain here command the King ? Yes, he mult ; but the rea fon is, becaufe the King in this Cafe brings himfelf under Com- mand \ and he that commands Him, mu ft be commanded by Him:, becaufe his right of Com- mand depends upon the King: and if the Ad- miral com mancls the King by any other-Power but his ovvn, the King is turnM out of his Pow- er, and the Admiral turnd Rebel. Ina word,. Majeiiy admits no Mutuality," but all Power -irm it depend, on liim, and be under him. Nothin \ mnJl l>e greater than r'htr 'King ; nothing m u(t be equal wit'u him: it you ' are exempted from him; if he .Hands in need of precarious Help, he has.nJ Kingdom:-' Here 1 ' ile, not with Perfo;^ lui. tiiim kad .'• ■' 1 • ■ • . L t f 424 The Letters of were only one Roman Emperor \ and the Vene- tian Nobility makes but one Prince. And Mon- iieur RichiersH Example taken from the Gold- fmith and the Coiner, is not current -, but as both of them are under the Prince or People, who fet the Price upon the Metals they work upon ; make but them fubjedt to no none, and pre- fently they will be at a lofs about the value of the Bullion. Let thefe things be faid by way of Queftion. As for what I touch'd upon in my Letter con- cerning the Kingdom of Heaven } Chrifl is a Prieft and King without doubt : He hath made us all, fays St. Peter, Priefts and Kings : that is, he hath made his Church a Royal Prielthood, by making his Minifters partakers of the Royal and Prieftly Power. Admit this \ he hath made his Stewards and Minifters Vice-roys in his ab- sence : this is certain : As my Father fent me, fays he, fo fend I you; but that Power is not of this .World j it belongs to the Kingdom of Heaven : it neither receives nor gives any thing of mutual help, jfrom or to an Earthly King. And there is no wonder- at all in this : for they do not walk together v; they cannot meet to- gether.. -Ch-niPs fvjiiiiiter and Vica*" has his Cpnvefiation in Heaven, from whence we look for Chrifl: the SavÌGurt./^*% 3. The King of France has no Diminution of Power, becaufe- fris Dominion does not reach up to the feven Stan, The Kingdom of Heaven is farther off from' the French Nation than thofe Stars are. The Kingdom of Heaven is within yon, fays Clirift,' St. "ijikeAj^ But whether an earthly " - • "■'"' fringe father Paul of Venice^ 425 Prince does any thing towards the Kingdom of Heaven, he will be belt able to fay, who learns by Hiftory how much more it thrived under Dioclefian than under Confi amine. No Body comes after Chrift, but one that takes up his Croft. The Kingdom of Heaven began by the Crofs ; ''tis augmented ?nd perfected by the Crofs \ not but that the Church may flourifh under Peace, butbecaufe God doth fometimej plant it by the Favours of Princes \ and fometimes plant and increafe it by Perfections, through Honour and Difhonour, by evil Report and good Re- port, 2 Coy. 6. All things work together for good to thofc that love God. I have not took the word of the Kingdom of Heaven as meant of the Church Qhere below] , and fo I conceive the Scriptures teach me to underfland it. They are Chriir/s IVlinifters, who have the Keys of the Kingdom committed to them : No Body can fay properly, that he that keeps the Keys of the Houfe, is the Houfe it felf : and in the firfl and fecond Chapters of St. John's Re- velation^ thofc words \ * Thou baft made us unto our God Kings and Priefts, and we /hall reign on the Earth } are not only fpoken of his Ministers, but of all clfe of every Tribe, Language, Peo- ple and Nation, that are cleanfed and redeem- ed by the Blood of Chrift. But I never W- fpute * Tl-cfe words are in Rtiilat.$. io. and not in iht ij| j\i id. Chap, of thar.Eook -, though there is (bmcthisg of like importance iri Riv, i. 6. 426 Tk Le ttfcR s of fjp&tt willingly about Names. Let itl5c fo, that, as when we fpeak of the Kingdom of France^ we do not only mean the People, butalfo the fuperior Order of Men, and the King 'himfelfy fo let it fee underftood of the Churcby that upon that Reafon it may not only be- all of it call'd the Kingdom of 'Bescvm^ but let ihofe that govern it^ injoy that Title too. Yet for all this it would be but ill for tire King- dom of France^ if the fecond Signification be- ing not laid afide, and retainM no further than the Name or Word goes, all others fhould have no manner of Right or Property left them in the Kingdom :- for what there is appointed in the Canon * Etne qmdem, Di ft. 96. is very mani- fell of it felf. Thefe things I have been the larger in, that I may get you, Worthy; Sir, to let me know your Opinion in them, though it be againft your will : for I have not faid all this in any purpofe of determining Matters, but meerly for the fake of doubting, and learning more. And Fo I come to the other J>arts of your -Inftanc.es: to that firlt, where you di&ke the ■ Ortmipotente of the Cyants £ife . Anahims of Rome~] ; and that you rnaj be brought to believe it, let me tell you the Hiftory of ft. * TM'Ti'tk •of Vkz-Deity being fp luckily found out in the time of this very Pope: the fir ft Man, that I know of, that trimmed the Pope with "it, was . - J-;^-. ■ ,•■•,., 1 '-» hf. £$> * ThatCanoii forbids all Laymen to difpofe of any Ec- cletiaftick Matter. ... pifther Pimi of Venice. 417 that fwca Dominican trtar, that was Author ot thofc tbimdeiing Thrft^ which I think you have iecn : and when once he had made it the rancan- : word, others took it tip after him, and he was a Cimi that did not call bis Holynefs Deputy- Cod: and when the Ylatu.y began to look to very hg and ft Ming, it was fot three whole Months brought under the confnuration of thofe rvijc Cardinals that fate Pajidmts at the lnqui/iti- ori-Board: and tbm was feme little debate about 0 and difcoi'.nttn.Vncm^ that bfafphemous new Compliment. Hut kfrd the Pdf* claptin with hv. Wifdom above ibeir^ made them know, that fee lik'd the T///c, and would have no Man denied Lilmy of Cmfamcc, that had a mind to beftov tt on him. Now,' Sir, forbear knitting of your Brows, if you can. Thole In ltr ucl ions that you are providing, I v make halle to get printed : for the Poifon being fpread, there is more need of Antidotes. If the Jcfuits tire fo called," to « 'twill be no lo Is at all, if there be not fo much as one of them left behind -, never regard them. Believe me, Sir, you have hitherto done fo well-, that they have done you all the fpight they are able, to do: if they could do more, they would be fire to fhew it. 1 have feen Cottonh Kfft Quelli - ons \ which are lo far from being tokens of practical Mind, that they are nothing but Proofs of an idle and frothy one : Ttobk him for a bet- ter Scholar than fo. We have here a certain } riend of that. Soaely, who intends to turn them into Italian, and print them : if he does, you (hall be fure of a Copv That 4 1 8 The Letters of - That which you ask me about our Order of the Servites, I muft thus anfwer : The Original of them was at Florence : Some Merchants of that Cky made themfelves a Colledg, in the Year of our Lord 1 230 : about which time that Coun- try abounded with Men of fuch Projects and Crotchets. Their Devotion was firir in prai- fing — becaufe they were continually bufy in finging Praifes to the Bleflèd Virgin j they began to be Mendicants , being habited in Black, (as the way of all new Colledges then and there. was) that they might be in "a Colour Citable to the Bleffed Virgin's Sorrow, -mourning for her Son. So much for the reafon of their Inftitution. The common People then gave them their Names of the blejjed Virgin Mary's Servants -, and fo they were called Servites : and from hence rave wey their Succeflors, the Name they were calPd by, and the fame coloured Weeds they wore. : What you tell me concerning the Original and Life of Barclay , and his Son's Learning, I am glad to hear -, and I do the rather value the Man, becaufe as he is a Friend and Client of the Jéfuits, he is not tainted with the Plague òf their Docinne. The thing that you are debating with your felf, whether the Name of Power in the Church be admittihle_.ox_iiar-is really worthy of your Thoughts and Deliberation. No body fhould much need to regard' Words and Names ì but that evil.aM.perverfe Men do by. abufi ng them, abufe things alfa.: ..as when, once they ingrofTed the Nairn of Cburghto tkcmfilves^ they prefently -■ ' : feized Father Paul of Venice. 429 fcized upon thole Goods and Eflates which be- long'd to the whole Church, and were only in the Difpenfation of the Mimjltrs of it, as their own frvfet Inheritance \ and flint out every Body elfe from any right of meddling with them. Though I am a Man that hate exceedingly the abiifc of the word Power, yet 1 think it may be fafcly ufed \ becaufe the Apoltle in the id Epijlle to the Corinthians doth twice ufe the word ifgfia, ulìng a * Verb made of that Noun, in the firfl Epiftle, in a fenfe of Commanding and Go- verning : tho I, in my imperfect things, did ufe to fpeak freelier formerly in the Matter of Ecclelialtick Miniftry. But thofe of Rome have therefore made me to be drawn in Effigie in Hell -, becaufe I did not al- low them a coercive Power over Soveraign Princes ; nor over any Body elfe^ but by forne grant of thofe Princes. Being quite tired to day in writing Letters, I was fain to let a Friend write this forme, as I dictated it to him 5 and fancying my felf ipeak- ing perfonally with you, I was pleas'd at it. But I fee I have exceeded my Bounds -, yet I am • not forry for it, becaufe it may be, this may ftir you up to be even with me. I have been free with you, in committing thefe rude and im- perfect * The words in the Copy are thefe — Vn'ms nominif vtrbk$ itiafli i-'i^randi & dominanti fa pas— Which in all likelihood, is a blunder of the Printer or Tran- fcriber, putting HHÌU4 for ìllìièi\ and afa pas for I fepttoS j the- Author meaning i&neLfa & |ft»*t£««bu>wbicr] St.Pml ufes 10 1 C ,6 12. K -. 4, &C, 4$ o The Letters of perfect Thoughts to your judgment^ whklri would not have every Body know. Some Men are fo prepoiTefied with darling Opinions, fuch Sb£o\aT£a/, or Worftdppers of their own Imaginations, that they are prefently offended, if a Man do not fpeak very foftly a- gaiofl them : -who notvvithilandingar-e not worth offending} becaufe, whether- they are deceived by .others, or do deceive theirrfelves, there is no getting. of them out of the Fetters of thofe Opinions. Accept thefe Trifies of mine kind- ly ^ and fo fare w.el. Venice, . Decemb. I. Your moil humble and • ' -i6cp. devoted Servant, • •..'.. Friar Taul o£ Venter •-..''• i - • • . ,.. -v • . .... • •'■'-• - ..... ..... /- . . v ■ \5i$v? ::..;..;... .-.:._ ■_ ^ . - U V a h r Two, Father Paul of Venice. 4 3 1 Two Epigrams of the fame Author's, AD terras age, nate, 'vola-, decoxtt Otympus, • Nee ubi digna faiis pr cernia fsrre potefl. Nate vola ; te Roma manet ; fete mcenia Roma: Ulte te forfan Pontificem facient. • Quod fi eontigerit, tunc maximus optimus, & mi Par et is, & noflra bete fceptra vicefq; gercs. Stc pater 5 ac natta ; quorfum h