Nevves from Pernassus The politicall touchstone, taken from Mount Pernassus: whereon the governments of the greatest monarchies of the world are touched.

CHAP. 15. The Monarchy of Spayne inviteth the Cardinall of Toledo to be her Theologian, which he refuseth, and why. (Book 15)

THe report goeth in this Court, that the Mighty Monarchy of Spayne, by her chiefe Secretarie in vi∣ted the worthy Cardinall of Toledo, vvith allow∣ance of a large pension, to assist as her Theologian in the Royall Councell of State, to the end that no hing should be determined there, vvhich might be against his conscience: This matter filled the vvhole Court vvith marvaile, in regard euery one knew how litle that Pre∣late in the rebenediction of the most Christian King Henry the 4. favoured the affaires of his Prince; for vvhich cause no man could imagne the occasion, vvherefore so vvise a Queene in a businesse of such weight, should vse the service of so diffident a subiect. Those vvhich make profession best to vnderstand the manner of pro∣ceeding of the advised Spanish Nation, even in this re∣solution acknowledged the inveterate prudence of the Kings of Spayne, vvhose proper custome it is never to be at quiet, vntill that vvith pensions, vvith honora∣ble Charges, with all kinde of loving demonstrati∣ons, and humane deuises, they haue drawen vnto their partie all such great subjects, as they see to be alienated from their Interest, and from vvhom they know, that one day yet they may receive services. The chiefest Confidents of so great a Cardinal, deliuer, that his Lord∣ship very gladly accepted the noble Charge propounded

vnto him; howbeit vvith this condition, (vvhich by the Spaniards vvas presently rejected) that whensoever vvith the authoritie of the sacred Scriptures, vvith the Do∣ctrine of the holy Fathers, vvith the ordinances of the Cannons, he should make the Royall Councell capable, how the resolutions made in it, vvere disagreeing from the Lawes of God, and men; he alone then vvould haue power to hinder the execution of them; and all to the end, the World might know, That the Royall Theolo∣gian in that Councell was only to helpe the conscience of his King vvith the will of God, not to serve for a maske to establish the Dominion of Kingdomes over men; for it seemed too shamefull a matter vnto him, that such a one as he should be employed to au∣thorise the diabolicall impietie of the moderne reason of State, and to make most stinking Assa fetida appeare vnto simple people very excellent Muske.