The Spanish Monarchy invites the Cardinal of Toledo to be Secretary of State: who refuseth: and why.
TIs given out up and down this Court, that the high and mighty Monarchy of Spain hath invited the most illustrious Cardinal of Toledo for her chief Secretary of State, with a large Pension, to assist as her Divine in the Counsel-Royal, that so nothing be determined there, which may be against her conscience. This news hath filled all this Court with great admiration, every one knowing how much this Prelate did work against the interests of her King, in the re-benediction of the most Christian King Henry the fourth: Wherefore no man could imagin the reason why so sharp-witted a Princess should desire to make use of a person so little to be trusted in a business of highest importance.
Those that most profess the knowledg of the subtile Spaniards man∣ner of proceeding, did even in this, observe the old cunning of the Spa∣nish Kings; whose peculiar custom it is, never to give over, till with Pensions, with honorable places of Command, and with all courteous demonstrations of affection, they have brought over to their side, all those eminent persons whom they perceive to be estranged from their interests, and from whom they know, that at a pinch, they may receive services. They that are most inward wi•…•…h this great Cardinal, report that his grace cheerfully accepted of the •…•…oble charge propounded to him: But upon this condition, though, which by the Spaniards was im∣mediately rejected. For he said, that when by the authority of holy Scri∣pture, by the Doctrine of the holy Fathers, by the institutions of the Canons, he had made it evident to the Co•…•…nsel-Royal, that the results of it disagreed with the Laws of God and man, he would then desire but power to hinder the execution of them; all to no other end, then to let the world know, that the Kings Divi•…•…e was in that Counsel only to assist the conscience of his King, with knowledge of the will of his Lord God; not for a Vizard to settle upon him the Rule of Kingdoms over men: for he conceived it would be too shameful an action, that such a one as he should be employed to authenticate the diabolical impi∣ety of modern Policy, and make silly souls believe, that the nastiest