The new politick lights of modern Romes church-government: or The new Gospel according to Cardinal Palavicini revealed by him in his history of the Council of Trent. Englished out of French.

Reason XVIII.

There is not seen in any part of the World, where ever it be, a Republick that keeps up the Nobility so flourishing, and in such great number as the Christian Repub∣lick,* 1.1 nessun' altra republica come la Christia∣na conserva in tanto numero ed in tanto fiore la nobilità.

Nobility is the Nurse of civility, Honou∣rableness, Vertue, and Wit, che vuol dire la nutrice della creanza, dell'onorevolezza, della virtù, dell'ingegno. How does the Church do to keep up her Noblemen thus fashion? Why here's the Secret, 'Tis by means of her Riches; because that having great Dignities and great Revenues to set before all Noblemen, who to have them will but keep themselves unmarried, she wins them after this manner, and they thereupon resolve to profess continence to possess what the Church proposes to them, ciò auviene perche allettando nella Republica Christiana con le dignità e con l'entrate i nobi∣li à professar Celibato.* 1.2 Hence it comes to pass that the younger Nobility, have no need to share Estates with their elder Bro∣thers. Inheritances by this means are kept from being dismembred without which

the Rent charges upon the elder Brothers,* 1.3 would be intollerable, succede che gli patri∣monii delle famigli si mantengono uniti, là dove per altro gli usi della primogeniture rinscirebbono intolerablii. Now would all these great goods come to pass, if Church-means were bestowed on the poor? Is it not plain that this policy is worthy of a God incar∣nate, and of the blood which he shed to merit this carnal felicity for his Church, il go∣verno disegnato da Christo,* 1.4 il thesore della Chie∣sa essersi acquistato da Christo. If the Church were poor, should one see the flower of the Nobility, of litterature and of Virtue, consecrate themselves to the service of the Altar, if the Pope had not such ample re∣wards to bestow. Would the Church be honoured with that soveraign splendour, which Noblemen bring her by serving her,* 1.5 di sì ampii guiderdoni che dispensa il Pontefice risulta alla Religione quel sommo splendore, men∣tre il fiore della nobilità della dottrina, della virtù, si consecra agli altari di Christo. All these Noblemen do not love God enough to make themselves Churchmen gratis, they bargain with God, and give them∣selves to him to have the glory, and car∣nal felitity of the Church, which could never come to pass if the Church were poor,* 1.6 il che per l'umana debolezza non così auverrebbe nella poverta della chiesa, because that this kind of trading in Religion seeks perpetually its advantage, questo mercato della-religione sempre opera à suo vantaggio.

Notes

• * 1.1

  l. 1. c. 25.
• * 1.2

  Ibid.
• * 1.3

  Ibid.
• * 1.4

  l. 1. c. 25. l. 1. c. 9.
• * 1.5

  l. 1. c. 25.
• * 1.6

  l. 1. c. 25.