VVHat, Marforius, do you go away without bidding me farewel, as if we had never seen one another before?

Who calls me? what voice is that? methinks I see Pasquin alive in that Statue? but how is that possible since he is dead? with­out doubt it is some Phantasm, which would make me believe he was alive. I am very sorry I have no holy water to drive away the Devil.

Be not afraid, Friend, I am the same Pasquin who have been so long thy acquaintance; and therefore there is no need of holy water to make me fly away; who am most miraculously come to life again; for no Human Inventions have any force against the Decrees of Hea­ven, and I would have thee lay aside that false Opinion that so many fools have, who believe that holy water hath virtue in it to drive away Devils. This is but a jest, for were it so, the Pope's Nephews and other wicked Priests would run out of the Churches; for in Hell it self there are not worse Devils to be found than them.

But how dost thou know that? hast thou been in some parts of Hell? O God how I tremble! and the more I look on thee, the more I am frighted.

Be not so terrified, Brother, at the sight of an old friend; for true friendship ought to last in the other world. I am not now dead; I am alive again; but if I were dead, as I was lately, what reason wouldst thou have to be afraid of me? the dead neither kill nor steal, nor walk in the street in the night to assassinate any; they break not open houses to violate Virgins, nor combine to transgress the Laws. Whilst I was in the world I never was afraid of the dead, but often of the living, who were wicked enough not to spare the very dead; therefore I would wish thee to be of the same humour.

Well, I will be as you please, and although I have never kept company with the dead, yet I will now begin to practise it.

O take heed of that! for fear thou shouldst run into that great ignorance which so many thousand people are immerged in in this Age, who invoke the dead. Alas! this is but an invention of the Fryers to deceive the world, and to fill their Cloyster with the Alms that are gi­ven them, to intercede for the favour of this or the other Saint. I would have thee know that the departed which are in Heaven enjoy so great a beatitude, which holds them in so continual and holy a contempla­tion, that they can neither see the miseries, nor hear the supplications [Page 2]of this world; otherwise their felicity would not be perfect, which is a thing too wicked to be believed. And the dead who are tormented in the Infernal Pit, suffer such acute pains, that they think of nothing but their own sad infelicities: so that to call upon them would be a madness; for how can they give help unto others, that are not able to receive any help for themselves. For this reason I exhort thee to be sure to live well thy self, and concern not thy self so much with the dead.

But must I not converse with thee, since thou art returned to me with so much favour and kindness?

But I am not dead, I am alive, and my death was rather a mira­culous Extasy than any thing else, which the Heavens ordained for the confusion of those who would never believe me whilst I spoke and writ against the Vices of the Christian Church.

Tell me, how is it possible that thou which art a Stone couldst take a Soul, and then die, and now rise again?

And thou which art a Roman of Rome, how canst thou be asto­nished at this? it should be a much greater wonder to thee to see so many lazy Fryers who eat like Swine, and drink like Fishes, grow fat in the idleness of the Cloysters, and dare pretend to the enjoyment of Paradise. Nay, I know one who esteems himself already very near the coelestial glory, who is so fat, that I am confident he is much heavier than St. Paul's Statue, which stands upon St. Peter's Church. Nay, this is the least of the wonders; for thou knowest, or oughtest to know, that the Divines in general write that there is nothing to be found in the world to be of equal weight with sin: Nay, they will have Iron, Brass, Gold, to be as light as Straw in comparison of it. Dost thou not think then that to raise from the Earth but one of those good Religi­ous men, Seculars or Regulars (who are loaden with such enormous sins) it would be necessary to frame such a Machine as Sixtus Quintus did to raise up those great Pyramids to the top of St. Peters, where they now stand. Briefly, dear Brother, I esteem the foolish belief of some Christians an absolute Miracle, who seeing with their own eyes so many Priests keep Whores behind the Altars where they celebrate Mass, sleeping with the Catamites with so much liberty, that amongst the religious, Sodomy is now esteemed a Virtue, stealing the sacred Vessels for prophane uses, treating about Homicides, Whoredoms, Poysonings, and all manner of frauds in the same place where they say the Divine Offices, and then to imagine that such Hypocrites can fly to Heaven as easie as Birds do from one Tree to another, is a madness and a folly in those that can believe it. For my part, dear Brother, I think it would be a less Miracle to see a Stone flie to Heaven, than one of the wicked Priests of this Age.

Thou wast ever exceedingly learned in the particular vices which reign at Rome, and amongst the Religious, but now thou hast travelled into more remote Countries, thou must have made deeper searches. Tell me therefore all thy History.

With all my heart; we will sit down in this retired corner, and to satisfie thee, I will tell thee of my ancient Genealogy. My Father was Born in Rome of the noble Family of the Satyrists, in which he was instructed by his Fore-fathers with great accurateness till the Age of eighteen years, when he remained an Orphan by the death of his Pa­rents; after which he Married a Lady of the Noble Family of the De­tractours Maledicenti, with whom he lived twelve years without the hopes of Children. But whether it was by the means of devout Pray­ers, or physical Medicines, my Mother after that conceived with Child, and I was Born into the world and brought into it with me all the in­clinations and dispositions of those two Families of the Satyrita's and Maledicenti's, which remained so boldly in me, they both quickly dying after my Birth, left me so very poor that I was forced to seek out some Art to live by; and some advised me to be a Messen­ger, that I might understand by the practise of that I might become more skilful in the Affairs of the world, others advised me to become a Taylor, assuring me, the Scissors would be very properly placed in my hands to cut every Body clothes fit to their Backs; but I resolv­ing to follow my own inclination set up a Barbers Shop, finding in my self sharp desires to shave off the Beards of so many slovenly Fryers. At my first opening my Shop, whether it was my too much Youth, or too little Experience, or some other reason my Custom was not so great, but I remained many days idle in my Shop, which wakening my Poetical Vein, I fell into making of Verses, Songs and Madrigals which were soft enough, absolutely degenerating from the name of both my Paternal and Maternal Family, flattering every one so much, that though I acquired but little credit, yet a great number flocked into my Shop under a pretence of being shaved, yet indeed it was ra­ther to hear me recite my pleasing compositions; so that I exercised that flattering Art with no small profit for many years. From all An­tiquity Adulation hath been rewarded, till at last by the Prayers of some sincere Souls who abominate the Art of flattery, I was Metamor­phos'd into a Stone, that I might remain constantly in one place with a free faculty of discoursing and making Verses. As soon as I per­ceived this change, and severe chastisement, I immediately resolved to change my method, and to obtain pardon for so many faults commit­ted in my way of flattery, I began to correct the Vices of others to demonstrate my true repentance to so great a degree, that this my Con­version was in a short time published throughout all the City, and [Page 4]from all parts thereabouts a mighty affluence of people ran to hear me; whereupon the Learnedest people perceiving that no other compo­sitions were honoured like mine; all their works were put out under my name, and that none of their works might be known one from a­nothers, they passed them all under the Title of Pasquin's, as though it had been unlawful for any but Pasquin to compose Satyrs and Li­bels. Various accidents occurred unto me at this time; for the Ec­clesiasticks, against whom I most whetted my Poetry, were so incen­sed to see their Errors publisht by me, procured me often to be thrown into the Fire, that I might be reduced to a Flint Stone, to have removed me out of their sight, but they were stopt in their intentions by a Re­velation, that I had been transformed from a Man into a Speaking-Stone by the will of Heaven, to shew the world that the Vices of Men have been observed by the very Stones that have neither Life nor Senses.

I remember by this your discourse that I once heard a very fa­mous Preacher declare in the Pulpit that at the Day of Judgment the very Wood and Stones would speak and publish those guilts which had been committed in secret.

'Tis certain without all dispute, and I wish thee to believe it, that the Pasquinates of Rome are the very Image of the Day of Judg­ment, whilst the Stone speaks to reprove the Ecclesiasticks for their many failings. But to come closer to our time, I will tell thee, that when the Chair was empty by the death of Alexander, the common Exclamations of all Christendom concurred, as thou knowest very well, to bring in Witnesses to examine what things were laid to the charge of that Pope. Now I that was very well informed of all the things of the world, had a great desire to know what was the Opinion of him in Hell and in Heaven; and whilst I was tossed about with these thoughts, the violent imagination of Death and Hell turned my Brains, like the drunken Saints of the Cloysters, or whether the Heavens had a mind to give me more Experience in the things of both this and the other world, that I might with more certainty convince the Ecclesi­asticks of their guilt, I fell into an Extasie, and saw what I could ne­ver have believed, and was in places so different from any in this world, that I could never have imagined I should have returned to see thee again in this world.

Tell me then, I pray thee, all that befel thee, for I imagine it must needs be very curious, and every Novelty is pleasant.

I cannot tell thee, what the stroke of death is, but I know very well that I was greatly oppressed, and something within me forced my living Soul out of my Body, and so I flew immediately into the first Regions of the Air, where I found thousands of millions of Aeri­al [Page 5]Spirits, which buzzed about like Bees flying up and down to seek for a Hive; but I passed on without any impediment to the second Re­gion, where I was mightily puzzled, not knowing what path to take, and whilst I was tortured with this confusion, I saw a certain person at a great distance off, which I took for the Soul of some Fryar that was waiting for his Sentence, but I was mistaken, for he was either an Interpreter, or a guide for Strangers, who having seen me afar off, came to me to know what I desired, and to shew me the way. I was extreamly pleased to see him, and accosted him with great joy, and he answered me with all civilities, and intreated to know my name, which I presently told him, and prayed him to conduct me, to some full inhabited place: Because I was ever used to see a great number of people; to this my request he answered me, there were three ways to take my choice of; one led to Paradice, the second to Purgatory, and the third to Hell.

Is it true then that there is a Purgatory? and yet they—deny it with a Sword in their hands.

Who says they deny it? There is no body purges more than they; for they throw their Sir-reverences in every corner of their City. It is very true that in a Democracy it is impossible to shut either the Mouth or the Tail of the people, as you see in that City, where the civiller the people of high and indifferent Quality are, the more rude and boarish the Plebeians are.

What resolution then didst thou take when that stranger offered thee that choice of three ways.

You may easily judge that I prayed him to lead me into Para­dice, which he most willingly did, declaring that it was his most par­ticular Office; so taking to that path he bid me follow him, and I who knew not where I was, did not only follow him, but took hold of his Girdle to be the more secure, we passed over then a narrow Bridge, which was so exceeding high that it made our hair stand an end; after which we met with so many great Rocks, Clifts, Ditches and Precipices, that I could hardly believe that this was the way to Paradice, and I fancied we had lost the right path, but my companion assured me we had not; and I was a little better encouraged, because we presently saw a few persons of each Sex labouring to go on in the same hard way, and it was a great pleasure to see how they swate and toyl'd to beat the path.

This is a great sign that the Faithful must suffer and labour to obtain the glories promised to them.

Very certain! But to tell you the truth, I had the pleasure to pass through that strait path at the labour and sweat of others; in fine after a long Voyage we arrived at the Gates of Paradice, which were [Page 6]very little and strait: Nay more, there were three doors, every one of them straiter than the other. And at the first Gate stood two An­gels, who would minutely know every thing of us, because one was the Examiner, and the other the Secretary; and the Examiners Of­fice was to know what they could say, who pretended to enter into Paradice, and the other read the process of their Life. The Exami­ner then, as soon as they saw us, asked my Guide who I was, and he having told him that I was a Roman (I having in the way discovered my self to him) he began to laugh so loud that I was pleased to see him, but when he had left laughing, not being content with the in­formation he had received from my Conductor, he turned unto me and asked me these following questions, What is your name? What Countrey-man are you, and whence do you come? What have you done in the other world? What do you come to do in this? What good do you bring hither? What evil have you left there? What way have you passed? How many days have you been a coming? Did you come a foot or a horseback? and an hundred thousand such questi­ons; but the greatest concern was, that the Secretary at the same time asked me the Articles of my Faith, and an account of what I had done in the other Life, at which demand I was astonished, not having thought that in Paradice they had required such an exact information; and he perceiving my amazement, and that I had no Faith to shew no rea­sonable answers he dismissed me with these words, What then, you are one of those brave honest men, who having lived a long time in ignorance believe they may have the Gates of Paradice open at their pleasure. I am sorry Friend that you as well as many others have de­ceived your self, and come hither with the hopes of entring in with­out any difficulty, but are afterwards forced to seek for an Habitation somewhere else. Know then that here they look narrowly into the actions of others, and therefore the place is for some particular per­sons, and not for all; yet many enter who did not believe they should get in, and many kept out who fancyed themselves within.

This whilst I remembred my self that I had with me, I cannot tell how many Papal Indulgences signed with the Popes own Hand, which I took out instantly to shew him, esteeming them effectual to facili­tate my entrance into the place, but I found my self mistaken, for one of the Angels had no sooner perceived that this was a Pass from the Datory of Rome, but he began to cry out, Get ye gone from hence, get ye gone from hence, and so turned away his face from me, which I perceiving, immediately threw away my Indulgences, which did so please the Angels that they turned to me and said, All Indulgences were bought and invented by the Clergy only to draw Money out of the people; and that since the Popes had begun to be so prodigal of [Page 7]their Indulgences, the Monarch of Heaven had given order that the Chains of the Coelestial Gates should be doubled, to take away the hope of all those who pretended to gain Heaven by buying such like Indulgences, for God will have his Souls acknowledge the possession of the Heavenly Glory to his infinite mercies and goodness, and not to the power the Popes have Usurped in the World.

'Tis indeed a great enormity, for they speak so much of Indul­gences amongst the Christians, as if Paradice had been made only to be disposed of at their pleasures, and what is worse, they speak of Christ as if he had not died for our sins.

But whatever they think of, or pretend to in Paradice, I am sure that if the Souls which are in the other world could rise again, the first thing they would drive out of the world would be the Popes, because they occasion the Damnation of many, and the Salvation of none.

Didst thou stay a long time with these two Angels at the Gates of Paradice?

Above two hours, nay, If I should say three I should not Lie.

In that time if thou didst not see other Souls come in at that place there must needs be other Gates to come in at.

No, there is no other Gate to enter in at, nor any one that ap­peared there all the while I stay'd.

That's impossible, since they commonly say that Souls fly into Heaven by thousands and thousands.

These are the Doctrines of the Priests, which Lie like the De­vil, and fell abundance of these Fuz-balls by Owl-light to deceive I­diots, for no body else can possibly give credit to them, nay, I had been cozen'd my self to such a degree, that I thought Souls had gone into Heaven in as great crowds as they go to receive the Jubile from the Pope; but now seeing that for two hours there was no concourse of Souls at all. I begged of the Angel to tell me the reason of it, who told me that it proceeded from the too much Faith which the Christi­ans gave to the Popes; some being lost by believing nothing at all, o­thers by believing every thing, and gave me a reason for it, from the Seven Trumpets which St. John Records in the Apocalypse which must have done sounding before the end of the world; that Six of them were past in the time of St. Paul, which was about the 5000 year of the world, and therefore the last by the same computation should have been ended before now because it is 1600 years, yet the Trumpet had not done sounding by reason the empty places are not yet filled up. I then beseeched him again to tell me why they were so long a filling up, and he replyed, that there was no likelihood that they should be filled up whilst the Popes turned them out of the right way: And in­deed, [Page 8] Marforius, I would have thee know, that till that time that the Papacy was introduced into the Church, Souls flocked into Heaven, and the Heavens stood open to them: But since that was brought in, and the Romish Bishops began to ingrandize themselves above all per­sons, and to proclaim that it belonged to them to open and shut Para­dice; the Heavens grew angry, and have shut up their Gates so against them, that there is no hopes of getting in without being at enmity with the Popes; so that I fancy the world is to remain more than six thousand years more, if but one Soul only in two hours can get into Heaven.

But why were not the Gates then presently open to thee, which wast ever such an enemy to the Popes?

'Twas enough for me to be so near: Besides, there is something more required than that.

What didst thou do then when thou wast excluded out of that place? what way tookest thou?

I begged that they would at least permit me to go visit the Popes, because I was a Roman Citizen; but both the Angels answered me, there was no Popes had entred in there by the established Decree of the Eternal Father, since the 800 year after the Incarnation of his Son; i. e. since the corruptions of Popery crept into the world, to avoid all Idolatry, lest those who had been such fools to have been induced by the temptations of the wicked Priests, to adore the Pope upon Earth, should be in danger of shewing themselves such sotts as to worship them in Heaven: This was the answer that both the Angels made me; but one of them after spoke more clearly to me, saying, I know very well by this your Question, that you are a Roman Pilgrim, im­bibed with that perverse Doctrine which they teach in Rome, where 'tis believed that all the Popes as soon as they die mount straight to Heaven.

But rid your self, O Pilgrims! from this vain deceit, and know, that the Popes of the Vatican are incompatible with the Citizens of Hea­ven. Be content with this one example I will give you for all; that if Lucifer fell from Heaven into such a great Abyss for but once desiring to be like unto God, without being able to recover himself; how much more difficult would it be for the Popes to continue in Heaven, who make themselves superiour unto God? for Lucifer's sin was much less that sinned only by intention, whereas the Pope's sin is actual. I re­mained still more astonished than ever, and with humble prayers sup­plicated the Angel that he would be pleased at least to instruct me what path I might take to go to that place where they were, when he without answering me a word whispered to him that was with me, whereupon he bid me immediately follow him, and we two walked on towards certain obscure and solitary places, full of so many Clifts [Page 9]and horrid Rocks, that for my part I esteemed it Hell, and the rather, because I saw round about the Rocks a great quantity of Serpents, the most part of which had Fryers habits upon their backs; and now I began to lay aside my thoughts and desires of travelling on further, when my Comrade told me that there was no going back; for that way had a singular propriety to permit one to go forward, but never to return back; and he added, perhaps to comfort me, that the Popes had a particular place, which was neither Hell nor Paradice, but only a a Demy-hell: And whilst he told me this, Lo a great Castle pre­sented it self to my eyes, not above two miles off, but so spacious, that it was able to receive a million of Souls. Behold, says my Com­rade, there is Vatican of the deceased Popes. I marvelled at two things in it; first, at the immense height and vastness of the Tower; and secondly, to see such a Fabrick supported by a foundation so weak, that none imagine it could uphold it.

What dost thou tell me? How can this be? and what were these feeble foundations?

Of Meddals, of Fryers Cowls, of Monks Hats, Censers, Disci­plines, Hair-cloths, Chains, knotted Cords, Images Caps of a thou­sand colours, Sandals, Clogs, Shoes, Pontifical Mitres, Nuns Veils, red and green Hats, Girdles, Ropes, Saints Reliques, Bulls, Candles, Breviaries, Books of Divinity, Herbs, Pulse, Pasts, and such like things, which were all plaistered together with Clay and Lime; and this was the basis of the whole foundation of that vast Machine, that it was no small pleasure for me to see it.

There is no doubt then but this fabrick must fall into ruine, there being so great a disproportion between its weights and its foun­dation.

I believe so: and now being come near to the Walls of this Palace, we found them built well enough, and upon the top of it stood four Statues, which were the Images of Hypocrisie, Superstition, Pride and Ignorance: the two sides of the Gate were engraved, one with the Copy of Constantines Donation, with a particular inscription signifying that the Original was in their hands; the other side with some Tro­phies of those first Popes, who by degrees had brought Kings and Emperors under their feet. I sate down to laugh when I saw the Fi­gures of some Emperors engraven there, with their breeches in the Air, and their faces on the ground, kissing the feet of some of their Popes; and there were also other Sculptures, so obscure and ambiguous, I could not understand them. Now, whilst I was observing these things, my Guide was knocking at the Gate, but none answering him, he knocked the second time, and perceiving still that no body came towards the door, he began to knock in great fury that they made him wait so [Page 10]long: but I, who knew very well the nature of the Popes, that very late, if ever, give Audiences, was not scandalized at this delay. Yet my Guide, who was impatient to endure it, told me, that upon this ac­count, he would believe henceforward that the Popes were of a diffe­rent temper from Christ, who had said, Knock, and it shall be opened to you: Whereas the Popes, the harder one knocked, the faster they shut the doors; to which I answered him, that Christ had said these words to his Sheep, and the Popes spoke them only to their own Nephews, at whose first knock they ever opened their doors. But at last a certain Old man, with a hoarse voice, came to open the door, but he first opened a little window, through which he asked us who we were? my Guide answered, that I was a Roman Citizen, that desire to see those holy Mountains: The Old man answered, That I must first tell him my Name, and my Sir-name. When I told him, he no sooner heard the name of Pasquino, but with a discomposed face, and threat­ning voice he said to me, Thou art he then, that with so many railing Libels and Invectives, perverts the minds of our Proselytes, to the great damage of our Dominion, drawing men from our service, and counselling them not to worship as we do. Away from this place, for we will not admit in any scoffers, detractors, or back-biters. I answered him; My profession never was to invent Lyes, but to vindicate the Truth; and I would have perused other Arguments in my defence; but the good Old man, at the sound of that word of Truth, presently withdrew, and shut the window, without saying another word; which made me remember that passage of Pilate, who having asked, Quid est Veritas? i.e. What is Truth? never stayed for an answer, but imme­diately exivit foras, went out: From whence I concluded with my self, that it is the Property of the Popes to avoid the Truth; and then turning to my Comrade, I told him, laughing, that there was certainly in that Vatican many things fit to be scorned and derided; because they would let no body in that was capable to note and observe them. Nevertheless, being much troubled that I could not enter in, I asked my Guide, what we should do not to lose our time and our labour? he answered then, that he thought it best to go round about to see if there were not some other Gate in the custody of a discreeter Por­ter. Thus withdrawing some spaces from the wall to secure our selves lest they should chance to shoot at us, we went round to seek for some other entrance, observing in this time the structure of that Vast Mole. One whole day we continued thus wandring, without seeing any thing like a Gate; but towards the Evening we discovered some certain Caves and Holes, strait, but very deep, through which we thought we might have got an entrance, but it was not possible.

What Holes were these? but you did well not to enter through [Page 11]them, because you had run the hazard of being hanged for Thieves: for the Gospel tells us, They that enter not in through the Door are Thieves and Robbers.

Dost thou not know that the Popes have reversed all the holy Scriptures, being resolved to Act quite contrary to Christ: therefore none but Thieves enter into the Popes Palace Doors; and those that entred in by those Holes and Caves were brave men. Now, if thou desirest to know what these Holes were, I will tell thee what I think of them, and what I have read in some old Manuscripts; they were breaches made by Marcion, Montanus, Novatian the Roman, Sabellius and Arrius, who all strive their utmost against this Vast Mole to destroy it. But notwithstanding they sought several Ages, they could never get in, because the Popes ever drive them back. We then seeing it would be in vain for us to attempt to enter in by these Caves, followed on our way; but night overtaking us, and we being both weary and hungry, we lay down upon the ground upon our backs, and our mouths wide open.

If any of them had shit, you had been in a fine case.

Where they do not eat, dear Brother, they do not sh—Indeed, if I had been near the Roman Vatican, I had not dared to have slept with my mouth open, lest some of the Popes Nephews should have squirted into it, since they eat till they are ready to burst. For 'tis certain those Most Excellent Nephews have done so many villanies and insolencies against the poor Roman Citizens, that perhaps they would have compleated their good actions with so much stink; there­fore I am resolved never to trust them so much as to open my mouth in their sight.

Pray whence comes this, that you lolled with your mouths open?

To the intent that if any of that party should pass by us, they might take us for Priests, and so leave us to our selves.

Do the Prelates then in that Country sleep with their mouths open?

I know not how they sleep in those parts, because I have not yet seen them: but I know very well, that they are so far from sleeping, that they continually watch for the raining of Manna in the Vatican to fill their throats with.

I thought that the blessing of raining Manna had been peculiar to the Jews of the Old Testament.

Thou art deceived, it belongs no less to the Jews of the New Testament, but with this difference, that the Jews of the Old Testa­ment had their Manna when they came from the fetters of Pharaoh, and the Jews of the New Testament when they go in Prisoners into the Popes Chains. But there is another difference more notable, which [Page 12]is, that those antient Jews were brought by force into Pharaoh's bon­dage, but these new Jews voluntarily imprison themselves in the Popes bonds.

Who are these Jews you speak of, and what sort of Manna is it that rains upon them in Rome?

With reverence be it spoken unto thee, Marforius, thou art a very Ignoramus; Dost thou not know that the Jews of the New Testament are the Clergy of Rome, who, in imitation of the Antient Jews, who condemned the words of Christ, do not only condemn the words, but, the very works, and holy Scriptures of Christ, having expresly for­bidden the people to read them in any Language, but only that which is past their understanding? and herein is obvious the great difference between Christ and the Popes; since that when the Antient Jews would have crowned Christ King, he fled from them, refusing a King­dom from the hands of the Jews. But the Popes refuse nothing; but as soon as the Ecclesiastical Lords present them with a Crown, they receive it joyfully. And as for the Manna which rains upon them now, 'tis of a nature infinitely different from that other; for the old Israelites loathed the first Manna. But this makes the Ecclesiasticks still more hungry again; that Manna was given to a people almost starved, that wanted refreshment; but this other is never dis­pensed but to the fattest, and the richest, and consequently to such as have least need of it.

But what is this Manna? explain thy self quickly, for my mouth waters.

Thou mayest shut thy mouth at thy leisure, for none of it will rain upon either thee or me: but, shall I tell thee what this Manna is? 'tis Prebendaries, Pensions, Canonries, Abbacies, Bishopricks, Arch-Bishopricks, Patriarchships, and Cardinalships, and other such like things. Behold the Roman Manna, which is never given to any poor people, but to the richest; as thou very well knowest; some be­ing crammed with them, and others getting nothing at all. And I would also have thee know, that this Manna is of that nature, that the more one eats of it, the more he would eat; and the good Pre­lates of this Age are not such fools as the old Jews that desired to have exchanged their Manna for the Leeks and Garlick of Egypt: for our Prelates leave the Onions and Garlick, i. e. the labour and pains, to certain poor Curates, whilst they themselves enjoy the sweet­ness of this Manna, and ever hold their mouths open to gape for more.

I could wish heartily that sometimes a good Mess of Broth con­cocted in the belly were discharged into their mouths to fill them.

We want some of these Pottages you speak of; for the Prelates are like Dog-grass, which from one Root produces a thousand shoots. [Page 13]There are not so many Thieves in all Europe, as there are Priests in Italy alone, which stand gaping for Manna from the Pope. But now, to return to the thread of our discourse, my Companion and I rise early the next morning to pass on in our Journey; we had scarce gone two miles when we began to hear a horrible loud noise, which frighted us a little, yet hoping to find some end of our desires, we began to walk on; and in a very little time we saw one of the Towers of the Vatican thrown down to the ground, and abundance of Swedes, Danes, Germans, and other Nations climbed up upon it, and made great at­tempts; in the mean time many Spaniards and Italians that were with­in, endeavoured to repair the breach, yet could not hinder but a great number of people, all goodly persons, entred in, who couragiously com­bated to overthrow all the Vatican. But the Devils of Spain and Italy opposed all their attempts, and spoiled all: But when we were come close to this breach, I saw a certain French-man, whom I had known in Rome, and I asked him, What is this? and he told me, it was a Tower that Luther had overthrown, by which breach those Nations had entred in. I had a mind to shuffle in amongst the rest, but was afraid of passing over those Ruines, and the rather, because I saw the defence of the contrary part was very great; I turned about to consult with my Guide, but I could not see him, nor know how he was lost amongst that crowd of people, which made me the more astonished and confused, that I knew not what else to do but to intreat the French-man not to leave me. And he, continuing his usual Civility, seeing my desires so inclined to go in, bid me follow him, which I willingly did; but going on a little more than a hundred paces from the Tower thrown down by Luther, I met with a deep breach which went a great way in; and while I stood looking upon it, the French-man told me, I might go in boldly, for that was a breach made by Calvin, and enlarged by others: however, I was a while in suspence, but soon after, seeing a great number of English, Hollanders and Switzers go in, and with these a great many French, and High Dutch mingled, I took courage and followed them, and rather because the French-man lent me his hand.

In fine, you may meet with honest men in all places, and this French-man must be a brave fellow.

So he was; and the more, because he never shewed himself very passionate towards this Vatican, neither do I believe he would have shed many tears if he had seen the whole building thrown down: and so we entred through the mouth of that Mine, which was much grea­ter than one could have judged it; there being many Bryars and Bushes which hid it, that the bigness of it might not be seen, being laid on purpose that none might guess what it was indeed. But I must [Page 14]tell thee one thing, my dear Marforius, which is this, that though I was much tired in this Journey, and wearied with so much pains; yet going through this Mine I felt, I cannot tell you what refreshments, in despite of those Thorns which were round about the Entrance, which pricked me now and then on every side of my body. In the extremity of the Mine stood a person with a very lean, yet devout face, who held in his hand a Flag with an Inscription of one side with these words, Post Tenebras Lux, i.e. after Darkness comes Light; and of the other side, Venite ad me omnes qui laboratis, & onerati estis, & ego reficiam vos, i. e. Come unto me all that labour and are heavy laden, and I will re­fresh you. As soon as I had read these two Motto's, I was mightily comforted, and the good man asked me my Name, and my Sir-name: then I said within my self, I am gravelled again, for if this person should serve me as the other did, I shall be sure to be stopt; so that I was almost resolved to change my Name, but thinking better of it, I judged it fit to proceed with sincerity, therefore I answered him that my Name was Mr. Pasquino a Roman: he seemed to be extreamly pleased with that answer, only adding, that I needed only to have named my self Pasquino, because the name of Roman was not well liked here; after that he told me, that none was permitted to en­ter into that place of the side that he guarded, till they first confessed what he himself had been forc't to confess, and all the rest of his com­pany; I told him then, that I desired to be informed what was need­ful for me to confess; and he replied, tell me friend, which of the two dost thou believe to be Head of the Church, Christ or the Pope?

This was a hard Question; for my part I should have answered that they were both Heads.

That would have been the answer of a foolish, ignorant and wicked Christian; I wonder thou art not yet instructed better in this point. What! thou believest the Church hath two Heads as the Em­peror's Eagle. The Eagle of two Heads was the Invention of a Ger­man Poet, and the Church with two Heads was the Invention of the Roman Priests.

I cannot Reason so finely; I go on in a plainer way: but what didst thou answer him then?

I confess that I believed the Church had only one Head, which was Christ; nor would I ever believe there was any other Head, be­cause I would not run into such a diabolical Heresie: for the having so many Heads, and so many Bodies are proper to Cerberus's, Briareus's and Devils, and not to coelestial creatures; and therefore it was ne­cessary to believe as I believed, that the Church hath one only Head, and one only Spouse, and that is Christ our Lord; and that all others are Members of the Church, one of which is the Pope. As soon as he [Page 15]heard this, he rose from his seat, and came to embrace me with great tenderness, saying, Truly thy words shew thee to be that pleasant Pas­quin who I have so often heard spoken of with infinite praise; thou art heartily welcom; and when he had said so, he hugged me several times, and called me his Brother in Christ.

This title is not so common in the Roman Vatican, for the Popes give it to none but Cardinals.

It would be better for the Cardinals if the Pope would leave off calling them Brethren, seeing he doth not a little flatten their reputa­tion in this world; besides that he makes them perverse and wicked in the other.

How can this be? thou art either too obscure, or I am too dull to comprehend thee.

They that come nearest the Fire are the hottest; and they that come nearest to Clay and Dirt, are the most defiled: this is a general Rule in Philosophy, therefore it must needs follow, that those who draw nearest to evil are the most wicked. Now every one knows that the Popes are the fountains of all those evils which the Church hath suffered; therefore the Popes calling the Cardinals Brethren, they cannot avoid the reproach of having their part in every mischief. Moreover, the Popes are like Pitch, which defiles them most that roul in it.

What can then be said of Kings which the Pope calls his Sons?

This also is a great Cheat: the Popes believe they have given half the Heavens, and half the Earth to Kings, by giving them the title of Sons; and Kings think they receive the other half of the Earth, and the rest of Heaven, every time they call the Pope their Father: yet that title serves to no purpose but to lowre and vilifie Kings in the pre­sence of the Popes, and to render the Pope too proud and high in the presence of Kings; all the rest of it is nothing but smoke: and tell me the truth, my dear Marforio, whether doth the Natural and Divine Law teach a man to love his Children or his Nephews best? with­out doubt his Children: but this Rule is not observed with the Popes; for they rob all the Treasure of the Church, and apply to their own occasions; and when they die, give it all to their Nephews, without leaving any thing to their Sons. Ʋrban the 8th. Innocent the 10th. and Alexander the 7th. are great instances of this, who left more than se­ven millions of Pistols to their Nephews, and to the poor Emperor oppressed with the Turk nothing at all but the title of Son, I would curse him a hundred times a day to the Devil.

I beseech you do not fall into passion, but go on with the dis­course; how did the Caresses end between you and that honest man?

He perceiving me to be alone, for the French-man was gone [Page 16]back to his own affairs, promised me to be my faithful Companion, and conduct me to see all those places. First then, he carried me up a very high Ladder, on the top of which was a Terrace that looked to­wards Heaven, and when we were there, he bid me look up, and as I looked, I thought I saw the Mother of our Lord, shining with great glory, but I did not see any Pearls, or Jewels, or Gold, or Silver; which amazing me very much, and my new friend perceiving it, asked me what was the cause of it? whereupon I answered him, that having se­veral times seen the Madona of Loretto, loaded with Jewels, and Gold of inestimable value, I wondred how she was now deprived of those rich gifts; to which he instantly replied, that that Lady of Lo­retta was not the Mother of our Lord, but the Mother of the Priests; for she not only gives them money enough to buy them food, but al­so to feed their prodigality; neither are we to believe there is any correspondence betwixt the Mother of Christ in Heaven, and that Mother of the Priests on Earth; and possibly, I replied, the faithful, who give such vast Offerings and Alms, believe they put them all into the hands of the Mother of our Lord, and shall draw from her the re­muneration of graces. Would to God it were so, said he immediate­ly; but the mischief is, that the poor Fideles impoverish themselves, to enrich the Priests; so that being shamm'd into that false belief, they thereby commonly lose both their Moneys and Rewards.

I have been fifteen times at Loretto, to impetrate some blessings, which my Curate told me I should undoubtedly obtain, and every time I carried some Gift; I still returned with a desire of attaining that which I thought I should have attained; but that which is most material, my Curate seeing me ever return empty handed, he told me, it was through defect of my Faith. I durst answer him nothing then, because I was in the other world where the Inquisition reigns. But I said within my self, It's enough that the Priests have so much Faith as to take the Gifts, whatever becomes of the rest. But now I am in a place where Truth is unveiled; I am informed of all those Er­rors in which so many unfortunate poor people are plunged; and 'tis a wonder to see how the Christians can imagine that there should be Simony in Heaven, when the Popes have banished it out of the world; 'tis a Diabolical thing not to be forgotten, that the Popes have established and decreed a most severe Bull, that under no pre­tence of Alms, Donatives or Debts, any one should receive the least thing imaginable out of hope of obtaining any benefits or indulgencies; yet the Christians of Rome, deceived, alas! by the Roman Priests, com­mit solemn Simony, and indent with Heaven under the name of a Vow; some promising a pair of silver Candlesticks to our Lady of Loretto, some a Lamp to St Nicholas of Toledo, some a silver Statue [Page 17]to St. Antony of Padua, some this thing, and some that thing, to this or that Saint, upon condition of obtaining their request; and in case of not obtaining it, the Vow to become null. I know that in the Great Dukes Gallery in Florence, they shew an Altar-piece of Massy Silver, which was made upon the occasion of a Vow made by the Great Dutchess to St. Charles, but because the desired Grace was not obtain­ed, the Altar remains in the Great Dukes hands, mocking at the Vow, since the Saint had mocked at the Offering. This example made me remember another, which I did not fail to relate to my friend. That Roman Lady being barren, whose Husband was very desirous of Chil­dren, she recommended her self to the prayers of her Confessor, who was a Theatine Father, making use of all those means that are necessary for such a blessing. Finally, after two years use of prayers made in her own Chamber, the effect of the blessing began to appear, there being manifest signs of her conception; whereupon the Father Con­fessor being greatly pleased, and the Lady no less, they both possessed the Husband that it proceeded from a Vow made to the blessed Caje­tan; and thereupon the poor Husband was to make a silver Statue, which must be presented by his Wife to the blessed Cajetan: but the mystery was, that this Statue must be solemnly blessed by this Con­fessor, whilst the Husband and Wife were kneeling before him with so great a Devotion, that all the rest of the Fathers rejoyced.

Thou wilt make me never credit such like Vows again; but what did your venerable friend say to this?

He fell a laughing, but yet modestly; and I in the mean time begged of him to know where were the other Mothers of God; at which he laughed out, and said, What, dost thou think then that God hath many Mothers, or that there are many Gods? I told him no, I had ever believed one only God, and one Virgin Mother; but that which made me speak, was, that I had heard them at Rome discourse of the Mother of God, of the Rosary, of the Mother of God of Popolo, of the Mother of God of the Carmine, and of so many others, that the number of them is infinite. Truly, said he again, the people of Rome have great need of that Mother of God of Loretto, that she might lend them her Treasures, to ease them from the many insupportable Exactions which the Popes Nephews have laid upon them. It were better, said I, for the people, to find out some kind Madonna like her who obtained the Victory against the Turks, that by her means they might be once delivered from the Popes Nephews, which are worse than the Turks. Come, let us leave, said he, all these Mothers of God invented by the Priests, just as the old Poets invented a great number of Deities, and let us go down to see the particularities of this Vatican. No, I beseech you, replyed I, have a little patience with [Page 18]me, and help me first to the sight of the Saints, which are the Senators of Heaven, and the Advocates of the Earth; for I see none here, and yet they see so many in the world. This Question did so extreamly displease him, that chiding me heartily for such a folly, he proceeded to say, For ought I see, thou thinkest God is grown so old, that he hath not strength enough left to govern the world alone, and so calls in the Saints to assist him. I seeing him in a rage, endeavoured to pa­cifie him, professing it had never been my belief, but that I always thought God was the only Ruler of all things, without any help or assistance; but the Priests made the poor Christians believe that God operated nothing at all but through the intercessions of his Saints; 'tis no news to me, added he then, that the Priests joy in the Ignorance of the faithful, and they borrow for lending too much Faith to the Priests. 'hose who read the sacred Scripture, have no need to lose themselves by the Lectures of the Priests.

He was well acquainted with the Plague which reigns at pre­sent amongst the Christians in Europe.

After this he made me go down, and at the foot of the Ladder he asked me whether I was satisfied; to which Question I answered, that my Curiosity did but begin to be inflamed, whilst my Intentions were only set upon seeing where the Popes lived; therefore the longer I was kept from seeing them, the more violently my Curiosity increa­sed; yet the Romans (said he then to me) ought to be glutted with the sight of the Popes, having perhaps seen too many with their eyes, and touched too many with their hands; so that methinks they should esteem it high time to rid themselves of such Plagues, who infect the very Liberty of Princes, and disturb the Tranquillity of the People: yet since thou hast such an anxiety still to see the Popes, let us go, I will accompany thee not only to shew thee the way, but to take care of thee, lest thou shouldst break thy neck; for usually near the Papal Habitations, there are great Precipices, which are not seen till after one is faln down into them. Thus discoursing, we walked on, through a round Gallery, which looked liker the house of some Magician, than the Palace of the Popes; at the end was a most magnificent Hall of a quadrangular form, lofty, and of an admirable structure, but it trem­bled like a Bush. I would have stopt, apprehending the Machine would have faln down upon my back, and buried me in its ruines, but my Comrade encouraged me, saying, there was no danger yet, for the time of the destruction of that place was not yet come; invigorated by these words, I advanced further on, to see whence it could proceed that a Machine that was so beautiful, and built with such strong walls, should be liable to shake in that manner, as if it had been a little Tree newly planted in the midst of an open Field

There must needs be some mystery in that, because it is con­trary to the course of nature.

Thou must understand that this Hall is upheld by a multitude of Fryers and Priests, who kneeling with their hands upon their knees, bare it upon their backs, and they began already to put their hands upon the ground, which made them appear more like beasts than men. And because it was impossible for me to observe it without my kneel­ing, I made no bones of it, to satisfie my curiosity; it being very plea­sant to me to observe the posture of those wretched Fryers; for some of them knocked their Noses to the ground, and others endeavoured to bear themselves up, and others had a mind to lie flat down, to leave all the weight upon the rest of their fellows; others cursed those who had planted them to bear up that building. On the back-side there was a multitude of persons heaving with their shoulders against the Wall of this Hall, striving to throw down this building: but that which imports most was, that they did it with so great delight and force, that their sweat ran down all over their faces; being amazed at this, I asked my friend of it, who informed me thus; Those which thou seest uphold this Fabrick, are the Divines and Doctors of the Roman Church; and because the fatigue is great, they would be willing to be discharged of it, but it is impossible for them to be freed, being nailed there by their own fault. At first they bore it all upon their heads, standing upright; but afterwards being oppressed with the extremity of the weight, they bowed down their heads, receiving the weight upon their necks; but those being weakened, they shifted it all upon their shoulders, whereon they upheld the building a great while, until their strength failed them, and then they bowed down to the Earth, as you saw them. Those other who stand in a posture to throw down all this pile into ruine, are the Doctors and Divines of the contrary Religion, who labour stoutly for the destruction of this Fabrick, and would have done it before now, if it were not for the Assistance which they often receive from the benignity of Princes. When he had said this, he shewed at the four corners of the Hall four Princes, who were stretching their wits to prop it up, which was it that kept it upright; for still, as the others endeavoured to overthrow it; these staid it with the props which they held in their hands; neither can it be discerned which were the readier, the one to maintain it, or the other to throw it down.

What Princes were these who so much concerned themselves for the supporting of this place?

The Emperor, the King of Spain, and the King of Poland at three corners, and at the fourth many Catholick Princes joyned together as well Germans as Italians: but yet the greatest support is that which is given by the Emperor and the King of Spain.

I have ever heard that France, and the Republick of Venice, have brought a great many props to hold up the Vatican; how comes it then that you say nothing here of them?

Softly; you do not give me time to tell all this will come after; but since thou art in such haste to know it. I will tell thee that the King of France, and the Republick of Venice, defend the Vatican, as thou sayest, with Policy, that is to say, with moderation: and altho' some Ages past these two Potentates, without considering of the infi­nite charge, and the hazard they put their own States to, ran furious­ly to the defence of the Popes, when they saw them oppressed either with the ambition of Princes, or the force of Heresies: yet their principal end was, not to help the Popes to grow so proud (being wise enough to foresee that which afterwards came to pass, whilst these good Popes growing great, not to say fat, by the protection of these two Monarchies, spurned at the obligation, and like Mules kick­ed at those who brought them their provender) but only to gain themselves a name of Piety and Zeal towards Religion with the people; so that from that time they have gone with leaden heels to the assistance of the Popes; and I see them in this part of the Hall which I have described to thee, walking up and down with their props in their hands; and I observe it is their policy to see the place attached, but not conquered; they are pleased to see it tremble and shak'd, but not to be precipitated or cast down; and therefore they incite the Combatants to fight against it; and when they see the Vi­ctory inclining to them, they immediately set to their props, not ha­ving the heart to see the place thrown down.

Now I do not doubt but that place was the habitation of the Popes, those particulars which thou relates so clearly manifesting it, that it would be a gross simplicity to question it.

There is no great wit required to conjecture it; I presently ima­gined it before the good man told me any thing of it, and was imme­diately confirmed in my opinion.

Why then did not the King of Spain, and those other Princes which strive so much to uphold that place, arm themselves instantly to fight against the Enemies, it being ever better to subdue an Ene­my before they have had any success, than to drive them out again when they have got any footing?

'Tis certain the Spaniard and the Emperour would have disturb­ed the whole world, and turned it up-side down, as they have often done with their violent Remedies, if the King of France and the Vene­tian Republick had not hindred them. But those two great Powers judged the things of Religion according to Policy, and on the con­trary the other Princes judged of matters of Policy according to the [Page 21]Laws of Religion; for the King of France, and the Republick of Ve­nice know very well, that if the Hereticks had not mortified the Pope and his Ecclesiasticks, the Ecclesiasticks and the Pope would have been Hereticks against the Princes, and therefore they often help the Protestants at a pinch, not that they would defend their Religion, but that they might with their Religion mortifie the Popes, and by con­sequence be more humbled to the Catholick Princes. For my part I cannot say I ever received so much pleasure in so short a time, as when I stayed in the out-parts of this Pontificial Seat: for the King of Spain and the Emperor who upheld, now and then gave a kick to those Ad­versaries that sought to shake it; the King of France, and the Repub­lick of Venice, when they saw it, interposed, so that they put off most of the blows.

Dost thou take this to be well, to protect those who attempt the destruction of the Pontificial Majesty?

If the Popes seek to destroy the Majesty of the Princes, why should not the Princes be permitted to procure the mortification of the Majesty of the Popes? We must distinguish between mortification and destruction; for the French and the Venetians endeavour only the mortification, but not the destruction of the Pontificial Greatness, and in truth they much more benefit the Church, than the other Princes do, who would destroy the whole world to please the Pope. But when the concern is for the Church of Christ, then the King of France, and the Republick of Venice are more zealous than the Spaniards, who esteem themselves so Catholical. But on the other side, when the Popes In­terest is upon the Board, then the Spaniards are most zealous, and the French and the Venetians, if they do not stand out, are at least content with a natural heat, and upon this account, because the Zeal of the Spaniards looks more to the Interest of the Pope, than the Interest of the Church, and the Zeal of the others regards much more the bene­fit of the Church, than that of the Popes.

These Reasons of thine penetrate my heart, and make me think the Spaniards great Catholicks for the Popes, and great Hereticks to the Church, and the French and Venetians great Catholicks for the Church, and a little Heretical towards the Popes.

Very right: But now to return to our purpose, after I had ob­served all things without, my curiosity went on to see every thing within, but I durst not do it, though a Gate presented it self just be­fore my eyes, where was an ascent of three or four steps: but I waited to have the venerable person, who conducted me, to shew me the way, which he did, by going in first without much ceremony. As soon as we entred that Great Hall, we saw a multitude of Popes, and every one set upon a seat fixed to the wall. I who knew the great Reverence [Page 22]that is used in the Vatican of Rome, walked very softly, my knees almost trembling; nay, I will tell you more, I sneaked behind a pillar, to shew my greater Reverence to the place, which being observed by my good friend, who went up and down so boldly, that he began to laugh, and drawing near to me, said thus, Thou savours, Pasquin, too much of a Citizen of Rome, that is to say, art but ill instructed in the na­ture of the Vatican; and indeed the Romans are like Fish which live in the salt water, yet are themselves insipid; so these Romans just live, be­cause the Vatican suffers them to live, without understanding the na­ture of their Vatican; but I am not able to endure that such a person as thou art, so excellently well instructed in so many witty Subtilties, should still lie immerged in so gross an Ignorance. Know then, that to the modest persons that haunt the Vatican, it happens just as it does in France, to such as will needs stand upon their formality and civility at Table; for the French accustomed to their liberty of behaviour, eat all up, and the others rise hungry, and repent their starcht Modesty.

So that in France it seems they are no sooner set down at Table, but their hands must be put into the dish as quick as the rest of the company.

Most certainly, unless they desire to keep Lent, whilst the French keep Easter. But let me go on, I prethee, with the discourse my friend ran on in. Know, Pasquino, said he, that this bashfulness in the Vatican runs the same risque that it does at the Tables in France, where those that reach not out their hands, go without their Dinners; so that it is necessary in the Vatican to make use of the French boldness, that is, go confidently into all places, pry into the most reserved Writings in Ca­binets, ask impudently for any thing they have a mind to, speak freely what they intend to do, look out for their Dinners without being in­vited; in fine, quarrel with the Masters in their own houses, if they give them not more than they offer to ask. Thus the French comport themselves where-ever they are admitted; and thus must all people do in the Vatican, or else they must come out as empty as they went in. Fruits never fall from their Trees, till they begin to lose their sa­vour, and putrifie; so that those who make a Trade of them, must ga­ther them before they decay. Modesty in the Vatican ruines those that use it. They that would have graces, must be importunate for them; and those that would receive favours, must earnestly beg them; and they that would not be rejected, must be skilful to put themselves forward. Those that rule in the Vatican, are usually deaf; and there­fore it is necessary to speak aloud; or they are blind, and those that stand at a distance are not taken notice of; you must, if they be deaf, pull them by the Coat, tell who you are, and what you desire; and like Jacob with the Angel, not suffer them to depart till you have re­ceived [Page 23]the blessing; if they be deaf, take them about the neck, set your mouth to their ears, and cry out as the Jews do, when they call for their Messias, and repeat your note, till you have evident signs that all you say is well understood. Woe be to those that stand at the Vatican Gates, expecting that the Alms of some Benefit should be sent to them; for this is a place which can never be opened whilst the Popes keep the Keys themselves, unless it be those who can force it with Paul's Sword; since it is the nature of the Popes to despise those that over-value them, and to value those that despise them. The devout, the meek and the humble are openly neglected; the insolent, the rash and the proud immediately find Hats for their heads; because Cardinal­ships, Bishopricks, Abbys and Benefices, are never given by the Popes, but always stoln by the pretenders; therefore, my dear Pasquino, if thou wilt observe Modesty in that place, thou art certain to have nothing fall to thy share.

This discourse must much encourage thee, and inflame thy de­sires to go farther on.

It did so embolden me, that I got from behind the pillar, where I retired out of respect to the place; so that I walked in the midst of those Great Popes, strutting about with my hands on my Girdle like Bartholomew of Bergamus.

Methinks they should be enraged to see you in that posture; but perhaps none of them knew thee.

I think not, or at least they would not know me; and I was not scandalized at that, for I know it's the nature of the Popes neither to know, nor be familiar with any but those they have a mind to know. Besides, the Hall was great, and I was in the middle of it; therefore 'tis very possible that they might either not discover, or not observe me; therefore I resolved to begin on one side of the room, and walk on to the other; so drawing nearer to them, my venerable friend fol­lowing me, I began to look on the faces of those holy Fathers one by one; when one of them instantly seeing me pass near him, took out a pair of Spectacles and looked earnestly at me for a while, then taking them off his Nose, he put them into their case, and took out another smaller pair; and looked at me with those as long as he had done with the other, which I did not much wonder at, because I believed he was short-sighted; for he had two pair of Spectacles, one to look at a di­stance, and the other near hand; and he had committed an errour in taking the wrong first; but after, when I saw that all the rest of them did the same as we were passing before them, I could not but be ama­zed, because I could not imagine that all the Popes were so short-sighted as to need two sorts of Spectacles; but the good man that was near to me, perceiving my amazement, to clear my mind from so many [Page 24]wandring imaginations said to me, Pasquino, for ought I see thou art in no little wonder at this manner of the Popes looking at those that draw near them. Alas! thou shouldst rather wonder if they should look at any one as other folks do; for it is their nature to do every thing quite contrary to all others, perhaps to make them know that they are Gods, and not Men, seeing they don't act like Men, which they are, but like Gods which they pretend to be. The Spectacles which thou sawest them put on and take off, have their particular virtues; for the one pair makes things shew bigger and greater than they are, and contrarily the other makes every thing appear so little, that they mu­tilate the very nature of many: Therefore when they will make a Flie an Elephant, they put on the first pair; and when they will make an Elephant a Flie, they put on the second. I no sooner heard this dis­course, but my thoughts ran to the Roman Vatican, and I began to discourse thus with my self: Now I understand the reason why so many poor worthy and deserving Prelates who have served the Church with so much labour, and sweat for many years, are returned to their own Houses without any reward, but only having the faculty of going hastily out of Rome. And on the contrary so many scanda­lous paltry Priests, that deserve no other honour than the Gallows, who, as soon as they come to Rome, are seen suddenly to be promoted to the highest degree of Prelacy, to the great astonishment and heart­breaking of Christian people.

For my part I have been a thousand times Scandalized at such proceedings, and would have been glad to know the true cause.

Well then you may leave being scandalized if you please. For the Popes will never leave this practice.

You having then seen them both put on and take off their Specta­cles, leave me not thus confused, but tell me if you please how was it done?

To understand well the affairs of the Vatican, you must take pains to trace them, but I am sure you will not be at that trouble, be­cause you Expect it should be thrust into your throat with a little Spoon, and I who am very much inclined to lay open the Vatican de­fects, am Willing to undertake all the pains, and the rather because I am obliged to it by the friendship which I have professed to thee. Know then that when their most Illustrious Excellencies the Brothers of our Lord, or their Reverend Eminencies the Nephews of his Holi­ness, have a mind to favour some Petty Clergy man, fresh come forth from the lap of his Mother, who had never seen but the outside of the Court; what do they do but put a pair of Spectacles on the Popes Nose made with that admirable art, which shall make my Petty Clerk look like a Mighty great Doctor? So that the poor Pope de­ceived [Page 25]by that false perspective, believing him that might Doctor in­deed, the Petty Clerk comes out declared not a Bishop, or a Nuntio, but a most Eminent Cardinal; whilst the Prelates of the Court, most wor­thy of such honours, break their horns by dashing their heads together, to find out how this comes about; neither do they leave beating their brains, till they come to discover the virtue of these Spectacles. Now, because naturally the Popes Nephews include the Brothers also, incli­ned by a certain natural instinct, to vilifie the merits of the most deser­ving persons; What canst thou guess they do to put them by the Ho­nours due to them? As soon as they see those Prelates come near the presence of the Pope, with a whole bundle of services performed to the Church, and an infinity of Merits to obtain the deserved rewards of their fatigues, but put the other Spectacles on the Popes Nose, which have the virtue of diminishing things to such an extremity, that a Tower would scarce be seen thro' them at the distance of four steps; so that that Mountain of Merit which the good Prelate brings along with him, appears to the Popes eyes but as a little bush, so that he is sent away without any manner of Reward; and the worst of all is, that my Lords the Nephews laugh not so much to see the Prelate so ill used, as to see their Uncle well deceived.

The guilt then is not in the Popes which are deceived, but in the Nephews which deceive them.

The fault rather is wholly the Popes, who suffer themselves so to be deceived, and that upon two accounts; first for admitting their Ne­phews into the Vatican, and giving them the supream command of all things; the second is, for letting such kind of Spectacles be put upon their Noses, and be willing rather to see with those false eyes of their Nephews, than with their own true and natural ones. In the In­fancy of the Church the Popes saw with their own eyes, and not with their Nephews Spectacles; the merits of persons were measured ac­cording to their own nature, i. e. as the Prelates made proficiency there­in, by means of the services which they performed to the Church, and the Popes advanced them in honours suitable to the proportion of their services, which so edified the people, that they adored those holy Popes which proceeded with so much fanctity.

The Church hath now great need to see either the Popes of those times return, or those times themselves.

Yes indeed, for if it holds on in this manner, woe be to all Chri­stendom! for every thing begins to degenerate to such a degree, that all begin to be weary of serving the Church of God; and if we will but consider seriously the nature of the Roman Court but an Age back­wards, we shall find such great Extravagancies, that if a Book were made of the Metamorphoses of Rome, I am very certain it would bear the Bell away from those of Ovid; but this is not to be wisht, lest it [Page 26]should be the occasion of more sorrow, to the Weeping Universe.

I would fain know whether the Popes Nephews make use of the same kind of Spectacles which the Popes use.

Yes, they make use of both sorts, but being made by their Su­preme Authority, they always order those which are made for their own use, to be tempered much finer and subtiler, than the Spectacles of the Lords their Uncles.

I should be glad to know at what time, to what purpose, and to what persons they make use of those Spectacles.

Well, I will tell thee then what things are done at Rome, which thou shouldst know as well as my self; but this is the common misery of the Romans, who live at Rome and know not what is done in the Vatican, where they treat of nothing but the destruction of the Romans. The Nephews then make use of these Spectacles at all times, unless it be at certain days of Solemnities, when blindness prevails, a giddy madness flying up into their heads, they do act all things hoodwinkt, but at all other times, except those days, they put on, and pull off those Spectacles in this manner. When they would reward some Servant of their family, who has served them a great many years, they put on the Spectacles which lessen and contract the sight; in considering of their Services, and to take a view of what they should give them, they put on the other Spectacles, that magnifie every thing; so delighting them­selves, by esteeming themselves generous, they fancy they bestow much more than they have deserved: but always when they are to receive any thing themselves, they take the Spectacles which make every thing look very little; by which means they can never be satisfied; for when a Genoese Prelate, for they bid highest, comes and gives them fifty thou­sand Crowns, the Nephews instantly put on the foresaid Spectacles, which contract every thing that the fifty thousand Crowns hardly appear one thousand; by which means they remain with so unsatiable an appetite, that they are always craving more.

Now I guess I understand their thoughts, or to speak trulier, the reasons why my Lords their Nephews slight the Injuries which are dis­courst against them, being call'd Thieves; nay, the worst of Thieves, because they look upon all things which they steal with their lessening Spectacles, which makes great things shew as little or nothing, & cannot imagine there should be any cause of complaint, being matters of so little moment.

God be praised, Marforius, that thou hast once guest right, which I am mightily pleased with; for, 'tis true, that if the Popes Nephews should look upon all they steal in its own magnitude, they would not steal so much, because the Art of Thievery needs some concealment, that it might be exercised with such a closeness, that it could not be known to observers: but they rob with so great greediness, that Chil­dren [Page 27]may discern it, with those hellish Glasses which make Crowns ap­pear but Farthings hence they insult over the People after they have flead them, as if the People who were robb'd rather deserved to be pu­nished, than the Nephews who play the Thieves at the very foot of the Altar.

Yet we need to pitty those poor Nephews, tho they be Thieves, because the fault is rather in the Spectacles than themselves; and me­thinks the disease might be cured, by that sentence of Philosophy, Re­move the cause and you remove the effect.

They are worthy both of Compassion, and Punishment; of Com­passion, because they are induced to it by the Violent power the Devil hath over them; of Punishment, because they allow themselves to be tempted to do such actions, which make them Scandalous to the eyes of the whole World. When a Servant will Rob his Padron he never steals all his money at once, lest his theft should be immediately discovered, but ingeniously takes now and then a Pistol, and so would the Nephews of Popes do, if they had but so much wit, as to rob with that Moderation, that might keep them from being accounted publick Thieves: But I be­lieve they do not imagine, that they are great Thieves, or else think the world is blind, for otherwise they would not have exposed their reputati­on so grosly. The best remedy would be to take from them those accursed Spectacles, which make Pistols seem like Farthings, and so diminish ex­cessive thefts, Reducing them to such minute Atomes, that the very Confessors absolve them as if the theft were not of value enough to a­mount to a sin. But this is a thing not possible, whilst these Spectacles are incorporated to them, by the blessing granted unto them by his Holiness.

Let us then talk of something else; how did these Popes spend the hours of the day that you saw.

I am ashamed to tell thee, and yet I will, that thou mayst have thy part of the shame also. Some of them applauded themselves for what they had done, and others imploy'd their time in doing something worthy of Memory; now those memorable things were either appoint­ing the Cross to be adored in the Church, and that it should be set up­on a Pedestal representing Mount Calvary; in Commanding prayers for the deceased, in distinguishing the Canonical hours; in forbidding Marriage to the Ecclesiasticks: in making Hymn's and Canticles for the Church: in reforming the Breviary, in adding and diminishing the An­tiphona's, in blessing some Medals; in forbidding the eating of flesh in Lent; in diversifying the habits of Priests, and Friers; in appointing Lamps to be continually burning in Churches; in consecrating the Stones of Altars; in making the bodies of Saints to be transported from one Church to another; in decreeing that those of Religious Orders should abide in their Cloisters; in Commanding Pillars to be set at the Gates [Page 28]of Temples; in altering the Colours of the Sacerdotal Vests to Cele­brate Mass; in repairing old Church-yards: In Canonizing some dead Saint: in placing Images and Candlesticks upon Altars: in confirming privileges on the Mendicants, in allowing Hermitages to be built in de­serts that devout Travellors may be there more easily robbed; in for­bidding Marriages between those who have been Gossips; in multiply­ing the number of Bishops: in making the Relicks of Saints to be a­dored and kissed: in forbidding Religious orders wearing habits of silk: giving order that Hallelujah should be sung in Churches: in conjuring out Devils; in commanding Processions through publick streets: in appointing dying people to be anointed with holy Oyl; in forbidding those of Religious Orders to own any Subjection to Princes; in putting a Cross on the Popes Shooe: in decreeing Incense to Images; in grant­ing Indulgences some for years, and others for ever, together with an hundred such kind of juggles, to which they bent all their studies.

I doubt not but thy pleasure was great in seeing and considering them so prettily imploy'd.

I was in a strange toss, not knowing what to make of it, not so much for seeing the Popes busied with such trifles, as for seeing them disingaged from heaping up riches, and I really said within my self; how strange a thing is this! the Popes in Rome now think of nothing else but building Palaces for their Nephews, and pulling down those which o­thers have built with so much Sweat, to advance their own memories in imposing Taxes and Customs on the miserable people; in selling of Offices and Benefices to those who offer most money for them; in threatning Princes with War upon every petty account; in looking out for great Marriages to advance their own families, in charging Bishopricks with heavy Pensions; In giving liberty to their Relations to accumulate immense treasures; in robbing the Altars of Christ for to hang the Walls of their Nephews palaces. And after I had made some reflections on these particulars, I freely told my sentiments to the good man who accompanied me, who quickly answered me thus; Friend, the Popes never change their nature, always preserving the very same inclinations they had at first; though nature is altered in them, yet whatever small difference thou seest between this Vatican and that at Rome, it does not come from the nature of the place, but the alteration of time; for none of the Modern Popes enter into this place, for those which thou seest here were Popes of the Primitive Age, which were not used to theft, perhaps because the Church in those times had not treasures that could be stolen and therefore they imployed the hours of the day in such af­fairs as thou sawest them busy in But since the Popes have had much Wealth, and Estates to distribute, they have other thoughts, and apply themselves to those Exercises that thou speakest of, which are at pre­sent the business in Rome. So that 'tis sufficient to satisfy thee at present [Page 29]to know, that all the Popes which thou seest in this place are those who have lived holily, or at least moderately, and sworn Enemies to their kindred: But as soon as ever the news was brought to this place, that the Popes had changed their nature, and put on humane affections, and minded nothing else but inriching their Nephews, to the prejudice of all Christendom, Heaven thought it Expedient to shut its Gates against them, so that 'tis above two hundred years since any of them have come into this place. I was astonish't at this information, yet was curious e­nough to go round a second time, the better to observe every thing there; and truly amongst all the Popes faces which I saw there, I saw but three which I knew, which gave me the greater amazement, because I had well known at Rome all the Popes for two hundred years last past, from which time the Gates of that place had been barr'd.

And who were those Popes you knew?

Adrian the sixth, Pius the fifth, and Sixtus, the fifth. And having a more particular curiosity to look on them distinctly, I declared my Sentiments to my good Guide; thinking it very strange, how they had got in after the doors had been shut, but he who was better inform'd than my self, told me that these had got in after the shutting up of the Gates by singular favour, two of them for being enemies to their kin­dred, and the third which was Sixtus for having left the Church so ex­treamly rich. O then, cried I, Heaven looks more narrowly into the Acti­ons of the Popes than the men of the world do, for they dare not speak the least word against their Holinesses, though they see them rob all the wealth of the Church openly.

Heaven fears not imprisonment, as Men in the World do.

Seeing I saw not one of the last Popes in this place, particularly not Alexander the seventh, I grew furiously angry, for having wholly lost all my pains, which aimed above all things to be informed, not of the State of those Popes who had died with the repute of holiness but those who had expired with the Name of very Devils; and my fury raged more violently, because I had askt that man if he knew where the Popes of the two last Ages were, & he had replyed he knew not any thing of them at all, because the Lord God in the hidden secrets of his Justice had disposed of them suitably to the deserts of their works at Rome. But I notwithstanding my knowing very well, that they Me­rited Hell for their Tyrannies, and Extortions towards the poor people to inrich their kindred, yet would not at that instant Judge so rigorously, but I imagined they were in Purgatory.

There then you might look for them, for when the Purgation of their sins is past they would come thither to the others?

Thy Councel does not please me in this Matter, for I would ne­ver be such a fool to wait perhaps in vain thousands of years there, and specially whilst I was so uncertain whether they were in Purgatory, [Page 30]or indeed in hell; Nay, if they were really in Purgatory it were madness in me to wait for their coming out, the Popes having not only their own particular guilts on their backs, but also the sins of their Ne­phews, and of Many others sinners, whom they lead unto sin, therefore Purgatory must be a very hell to them.

What didst thou do then having lost thy longing?

I threw away all those thoughts which so tormented my head to see the Popes, and began to fix in my mind a desire to see their Nephews though it were requisite to go into Purgatory for it; which that good person observing, he was so scandalized at me, that he went out before me, and when we were in the middle of the last Gate of the aforesaid Vatican, he disappeared I do not know how, and I remained in an un­known place and where no body knew me.

Poor Pasquin, I begin to pitty thee, but what resolution didst thou take?

I was besides my self, and continued in suspence, for the space of a good half hour, when wandring about in a strange perplexity, just like one of those who know not whether they are of God, or of the Devil; in Heaven, or Earth; in Hell, or Paradise; when not knowing which Leg to set forward, I perceived there was but one way, so I de­termined to go on, and see the end of it. I bid farewel to the Vatican, and mended my pace for the quicker dispatch; and had scarce gone on two hours, when I found my self in a great Court, built about with lofty Walls, painted with sundry stories, of Martyrs, of Confessors, of Nuns, of Virgins, and of Hermits; at the very entrance into this Court, I met with a person of good Meen, with an ill favoured rough face, and a beard like a Capuchin, in the habit of a Switzerland Carrier, I look't a little while on him, and he did the same, looking wistly upon me; and I perceiving he carried a great bundle of letters, I could not refrain in­quiring of him, whither he was travelling, and from whom he was sent? who courteously answered me in few words, that he was go­ing with some letters to the Romans, which Christ the Redeemer sent unto them.

Without doubt this Messenger mock't thee, for heaven does not use to send such Hatchet-fac'd Ambassadors, as thou describest this man to be.

He had not so much reason to mock me as I have to laugh at thee, who wonderest at a thing so correspondent to truth; dost thou be­lieve that Heaven knows not that the World at present is much more corrupt than it was ten ages past? Experience is the best Tutor. The So­domites were so extream perverse that they would have defiled the An­gels who were sent from heaven to Lot, because they were fair, therefore heaven will not send beautiful messengers to the Romans, whom they account worse than those Sodomites, (not only the common people, [Page 31]but the very Ecclesiasticks which rule there) lest they should In­cur a worse hazard than those Angels did in that place.

But if this was so, how should it enter into thy fancy, that Christ should write letters to the Romans?

True it is, that Christ having written sufficiently by the hands of his Apostles, and Evangelists, which are indeed the true Interpreters of the divine will, Christians have not any need of other letters to guide their Souls: but of the other side if the rigorous orders wherewith the Inquisition forbids the reading of the sacred Scriptures, be con­sidered.

Softly; I must needs interrupt thee, for the Inquisition would have the Sacred Scriptures read, but it must be in the Latin Tongue, forbidding the Translation of it into the Vulgar.

Thou wouldst make a very fly laugh, with this thy Latin Tongue, what difference dost thou find between reading, and making a thing be read that one does not understand; or the allowing it to be read: This manner of proceeding is an invention of the Clergy of Rome, of those of them who would rule the consciences of the people, at their pleasure, and according to the dictates of their own Interests, which could not be done without hiding from the eyes of the People the sa­cred Scripture; which demonstrates all Errors, and needs no helps to lead and guide the faithful into the paths of Salvation: but because the to­tal banishment of it would be a turning of Christianity topsy-turvy, what have the good Clergy-men done? They have found out this good Policy for themselves, and Diabolical to others, to divide it into a hun­dred fragments and pieces, causing part to be read in Quires by the Priests, and part on the Altars by others of them, causing it be translated into the Latin Tongue, & forbidding it under most rigorous punishments to be read in the Vulgar tongue; which is the same thing as to banish it out of Christendom, for amongst three thousand Christians you will scarce find two who understand the Latin tongue, and perhaps those two are either such as least trouble themselves about heaven, or such as know not how to unite those broken, and uncontinued fragments?

Thou thinkest then that the prohibition of the Sacred Scripture in the Vulgar tongue proceeded from the Policy of the Church­men? But what would it import them, if it were read in the Vulgar tongue?

Dost thou ask what it imports them, Marforius? it would import their total Destruction, and Ruin, or at least the Ruin and Destructi­on of the vast riches they have usurped with so many subtile Arts.

I do not very well understand thee; prethee explain it a little better.

If the people read the Sacred Scripture in their Mother Tongue, as it was compiled by the divine Writters; that is to say, all the Epistles [Page 32]of St. Paul one after another, likewise those of St. Peter, and St. James, the Acts of the Apostles, the Gospel of the Evangelists; in fine, all that is contained in the Old and New Testament, the People would find so great a Consolation in the reading thereof, that they would rely on no­thing else, besides they would see with their own eyes in what their sal­vation ought to consist, and so would turn away from that false belief, which they have placed on their Ecclesiasticks, who seeing very well that the People do not know what is their duty towards heaven, because they do not read the divine Decrees, living like beasts, being led by their Noses, as they drag Asses into Forests, to load them with Wood; these Ecclesiasticks draw consequences levelled to their own Interests, Esta­blishing Laws against the Laws of Christ, and Decrees against the De­crees of God; so that the people who know not the Laws of Christ, nor the Decrees of God, think themselves saved by the Decrees and Laws of the Ecclesiasticks. Ask me not, Marforius, what it would import the People to read the holy Scriptures in the Vulgar tongue? for if they once tasted it, their desires would be more & more inflamed, & they would do nothing else but read it, whilst this opened their eyes to see the infinite abuses introduced into the Church by the Ecclesiasticks, and the diffe­rence they would find between the Laws of God, and the Laws of Men; in fine, they would clearly see their Errors, and know how they are de­ceived by the Church-men, who study with all Industry to keep the people under, by leaving them in Ignorance, for as long as they are kept without the knowledge of the holy Scriptures, the Priests will turn them and winde them at their pleasure, pursuing every way their own In­terests.

I could wish all these words of thine were scattered all over Christendom.

And I would have all Christendom furnish themselves with Bibles, and particularly New Testaments in the Vulgar Tongue, by which they would see in what state of perdition they are, and how they are abused.

I would have thee understand, that my eyes begin already to be much opened, and I now remember, that some months ago there came ten Bibles in the Vulgar tongue, five of which were for the use of five Cardinals. But let us return to our discourse, and tell me what could incline thee to believe, that Christ had not writ Letters to the Romans.

Thou knowest, Marforius, I am none of those wry Necks which Reign amongst Christians, especially among Fryars. There is nothing I hate worse than hypocrisy, therefore it appears very difficult to me to believe, that Christ after having left so many holy rules, and so many divine instructions in the sacred Writ would send new injunctions, as if Heaven was obliged to accommodate it self to the gust of men, and not men to the Decrees of Heaven; but then I said within my self; What [Page 33]mighty miracle would this be? The Messineses do believe they have received a letter which was Written by the Virgin unto them; and shall I that was born in Rome refuse to believe that Christ writ letters to the Romans? Perhaps the Messineses are more worthy than the Ro­mans? Perhaps there was Ink and Paper, found for the Virgin to write with to the Messineses, and none found for Christ to write to the Ro­mans with? Truly the Romans have far greater need of the protection of Christ than the Messineses have of the Protection of the Virgin yet the Messineses say that the Virgin offered them her protection in that letter; now behold what made me think it possible, that Christ should send an express from heaven to the Romans.

And I quite contrary should have believed that Christ had re­newed his Memory in Rome, with that particular Letter, that it might not be absolutely effaced, because the Romans think so much of the Pope now, that they remember nothing at all of Christ. But tell me, could not the messenger inform thee of some particularities?

Messengers, dear brother, are such who carry without knowing what they bear, or having any thing to do besides undergoing the Weight. Yet I could not forbear asking him some questions, but he excused himself, saying he had no time to discourse with me; besides, he could not tell any great matter unless it were what he imagined, and what an Angel had told him, which was that Christ exhorted the Ro­mans in these letters not to suffer themselves to be abused with so many false Introductions of Papal Statutes & that they should continually read the Sacred Scripture in the Vulgar tongue, for in that they would see the great abuses which were found in the Church his Spouse. The poor mes­senger could tell me nothing else, so he followed on his way, and I enter­ed into the Court, turning about this way and that way to view the Pi­ctures, which indeed deserved looking on, for the curiosity of the designs.

But what were those curious designs, you so magnify?

Of some Fathers who force their daughters to become Nuns; of certain Priests who select penitents, of Missionaries who manage the con­version of the Hereticks, of Prelates who Negotiate for Benefices, of Popes who dispense Indulgences: of Merchants who buy Mules for the Cardinals, and a hundred thousand of such kind of things; but that which delighted me most, was, to see the postures those persons were drawn in: and as I was walking round about, a Priest stood just before me, at least he appeared to be one to my eyes, who shewed me a great Gate, which was in the middle of one of the four Walls, which I had seen well enough before, but had no intention to go in at it, Judging it better to go in at another lesser door, which was in the other Wall over against the great one: when the Priest coming near me, without ask­ing me either how, or when, or whence I came, or whither I went, perswaded me to go into that great Gate which stood open, telling me [Page 34]it was my right way, and talking thus he led me on to the threshold of that Gate; but I knowing very well of what metal the Priests and Fri­ers are made, ever teaching things contrary to what the Apostles had taught, thought to have entered, in by the little Gate, (which the good Priest had turned his back to) not being able to imagine that the other Gate could Conduct me into any place of a good issue, because a Priest directed it, who ceased not to reiterate his intreaties, to have me go in at the great one; upon which making a little reflexion I reasoned thus with my self, What can this be? What can ever befal me worse than to go into Hell? And if it be so I should not be the first man which has been sent into Hell by the Priests: why do I then delay and lin­ger so long before I go in? What is my life more precious than the life of so many Emperors, and Princes, and Kings that have suffered them­selves to be led into Hell by the Counsel of so many Priests, and Fri­ers? But what do I say? What am I afraid of? This person can by no reason be accounted a Priest, for the Priests will scarce open their mouths to speak two Syllables unless they be paid for it before hand, with ready money; therefore this man that does not ask me a farthing cannot be a Priest, no not so much as a Frier.

The Argument was not bad; but what did you resolve at last?

I resolved to obey the Priest; and go in at the greater Gate, which I did; but see the ill luck on't, I was no sooner gone in, but the Gate shut it self, and the Priest remained without, and my self within. Then to tell thee the truth, I thought my self dispatch't, believing I had been Tre­pan'd; and the rather because I observed that the inside of this place, was very different from the outside, there being Light and Ornament, and here Obscurity and Confusion.

God knows how thy heart beat, seeing thy self in such a place, and without knowing of any body.

Truly I trembled all over, and would have been glad to have been near the Gate of the people in Rome. Yet seeing it was impossible to get out of doors that were shut, I began to knock, and cry out aloud to the Priest to come open them for me: but all in vain, for the Priest who staid of the other side, let me chatter and scold, laughing as if his sides would burst. If I had had any money I would have proffered him some, because these fine Gentlemen the Priests, are used to fetch Souls out of Purgatory, by the Vertue of money; and I in that darkness, shut up with so many great Chains, resembled a Soul in Purgatory, and ima­gined my self to be one indeed: Yet I left off crying any more, Misere­mini mei, being sure I should not have any relief, because I had got no money to purchase it.

My thinks 'tis a great shame to Christianity to have it said that the Religious will not fetch any Soul out of Purgatory without money.

'Tis so; and what is worse, every thing is masqued under the [Page 35]Cloak of devotion, and the Interessed Avidity of the religious Orders are come to such a height, that they are no more look't upon as abuses, having so bewitched the minds of the people that they believe those things to be Alms and Charities which are absolute Thefts, and Ambition of ruling. But I will stop no longer at this story of the door, but proceed to tell thee, that despairing of any hope of getting back I resolved to pursue my Voyage further, though to speak the truth, the further I went in, the more I repented the undertaking such a Jour­ney; being sure I should arrive very suddenly at Hell; because as I went on I perceived many signs of it, as sparks of fire, stinking of pitch and great heat in the ground to my feet, and huge showers of Cinders and Ashes, so that it was impossible for me to Imagine that that way could lead to any other place but either the Hell of the damned, or Vesuvius of Naples. That which most afflicted me was, that from time to time I seemed to hear languishing voices, howling of Wolves, Yelling of Goats, Neighing of Horses and other such kind of noises. Which voices, though it was impossible for me to see any person, seem­ed as if they had been just before me. And now being very weary of walking, my Spirits began by little and little by my great sufferings to fail, when coming to the end of that path, where I espyed the mouth of a great Dragon, so monstrously big that the Popes Coach with all his Nephews in it might very easily have driven in; which I coming as near to as it was possible, I saw two passages, one of which I imagined led to Hell, and the other to Purgatory; and whilst ghastly I was look­ing not without fear into that most horrid mouth, a certain person flash't before my eyes like him that had tempted Christ in the desert, which in plain words speaks him to be a devil, nevertheless I durst not give him that name, because I was not certain of it, neither had I indeed seen from whence he issued. When he notwithstanding came very courte­ously towards me, and asked me what I sought for, but in such an intelli­gent way that shewed me he was well informed of all my adventures since my departure from Rome, asking me only whither I desired to go; and because he saw I was out of breath he cheered me up, with such kind of Consolations, as the Capuchins bestow upon those whom they ac­company to their Execution; whilst having a little recovered my Spi­rits, I answered him in few words, that my intention was to go into Purgatory to Visit my Lords the Nephews of the Popes, if I might be permitted, believing in that place I should certainly find a great num­ber of them; I would have added further that I should willingly go on, and if I did not find them there, it would be a great delight to me, to pass in as far as hell to see them: but I forbore, thinking it better to say no more, being confident I might at any time find out the Gates of that place. When this reverend Devil understood my intention of go­ing into Purgatory to Visit the Popes Nephews, he began to laugh at such [Page 36]a rate as I had never seen any body laugh in the World, holding his hands on his sides as if he had feared bursting.

It would please me also to see the Devil once laugh: but what did he laugh at so heartily?

At my simplicity in imagining that the Popes Nephews were in Purgatory; so that being weary of his laughing which held him a good half hour, he with a smiling face spoke thus unto me; I know very well that thou art a Pilgrim from Rome where the people are abused by the Crafty malice of the Ecclesiasticks who make them believe that there is a place of Penance for those persons who are impenitent, and that the very Guilt is purged in Purgatory, without so much as giving an ac­count of the wickedness committed to any except a Priest. But I would have thee know, O Roman, that none enters into Purgatory, that robs the Church to bestow it on the World, but those who rob the World to give it to the Church. None of the Nephews of the Popes enter into Purgatory, though there be some to be found amongst them who Justly deserve it, because heaven is forced to send them all into Hell out of policy. I was now more astonished than ever, not being able to comprehend how it was possible to send the Popes Nephews into hell out of Policy; but this reverend Devil, having perceived my amazement, relieved me from my Anxiety by unridling the Aenigma presently in these words, Thou oughtest to know, being born a Roman, that all which the Popes Nephews possess are the very bowels & subsistance of the Souls in Purgatory; stealing out of the treasury of the Church that Wealth & Riches which is given by the People only to ease and alleviate with their alms those poor Souls who are in Purgatory; now if the Souls in that place should see the Nephews of the Popes enter into it, they would fall upon them and Revile and Tear them with these words; Ah Barbarians and wicked Enemies of our rest, Ah Cruel and Tyrannical destroyers of our treasures, you make our pains perpetual, which would have ended some ages ago. You cause us to burn still in these flames, you deprive us of the Divine Vision, you Enemies of Purgatory, that devour the substance, which our friends have given unto the Church, for the mitigation and relief of our pains. You build Pallaces with the Price of our blood. You hang your Walls with that Gold which was set apart, to have delivered us of these flames, you buy Coaches, and Horses with that mony which should have help't to have carried us up to heaven? You walk up down in Gardens with fresh fountains and fine Water-works, whilst we are hear broiling in these fires. Now since these reproaches would be cer­tainly given to the Nephews of the Popes of they should enter into Purga­tory, not to add Misery to Misery on those unhappy Souls which are in that place, the Popes Nephews are sent to hell, that the sight of them which are so justly Odious to those inhabitants of Purgatory might not so pro­voke them, though they deserved indeed to have come first into that [Page 37]place. This discourse most tenderly wounded my heart, nevertheless I could not forbear looking Earnestly on the Eyes of this Oratour, not being able to think he was a Devil. So much truth was there, in what he said, who whilst I was looking thus fixedly on him, went on, saying, I might have gratified my curiosity in seeing the Nephews of the Popes, by descending into Hell by that other mouth; but 'tis worth ob­serving, that he had so much inflamed my desires of seeing them, that I thought he must needs be either a Roman Inchanter or Sorcerer, or at least a German Witch; and when he perceived that I was resolved to obey his exhortations, he summoned an hobgoblin as black, and as ugly as the Devil, and whispered in his Ears, so that I do not very well know what he said, whereupon he entred again into Hell, and a Minute after that came out again, and brought along with him a Vessel very like those which the Priests keep their holy Oyl in, which they use at the Extream Unctions; and without making any great Compliments to me, he made me lye down flat upon the ground and anointed my body all o­ver with the Liquor which was in that Vessel. I instantly fancied that this was the Oyl of Extream Unction in Hell, in Intimation to me, that I should never return from thence; but the Devil bid me take Courage, for that Ointment had a certain Virtue, not only to Quench, but also to cause the very Ardour of the flames not to be felt.

If this remedy was in Rome a great many Priests would run to Martyrdom, because they love to see sufferings, but not to feel them; but what followed after this Ceremony of the unction was over?

The Chaplain of the function having received his Orders from the other, gave me his Parole, and courteously assured me that he would faithfully accompany me: So rising up on my feet I thanked him, as I did the former, who disappeared I know not how, so that I remained with this last Devil: Who expected that I should go first into hell, and I on the other hand thought he should carry me on his back; & having told him my intention, he answered me to it, that the Devil did not use to carry any body into hell, because it was forbidden by a very rigorous Edict of the divine Majesty, who had Establish't a decree in his Sacred Throne, that those who had a mind to go into Hell should go Voluntarily, with­out being carried thither by any one; whence the Devils had this ad­vantage, that they had not the trouble of carrying any Souls into Hell, for they came of themselves thither. I answered him I understood not how this was, and therefore beg'd his Pardon, adding that I the rather believed the reverend Devils had carried men into Hell, because that in the World, and more particularly in Europe, at every word when any dispute arises between men, they instantly say, The Devil take thee, so that I imagined it had been the Devils Office to have carried men into Hell, because men did so give one another unto the Devil. To which he re­plyed, that those Cursings did make the Devil the more inraged. See­ing [Page 38]men offer one another so frequently unto him without his being a­ble to lay hold on so fair an Opportunity, by reason God would have those men who so often wish to go into Hell, should go of themselves, that they might not have that excuse to alledge that they were forced to go thither.

'Tis a pretty Complement to go into Hell; thou then wert con­tent to go first without any Ceremony?

Why what would you have me do? I should have been better pleased to have been carried, but seeing the Devil either would not, or could not undertake the charge, I resolved to pass on first; true it is, that being entered into the Mouth, in which were two holes, and offering to go down by that which was on the right hand, the Demon cryed out with a loud voice, that I mistook the way, for I was to go on the left hand, which I immediately obey'd, and cast my self on that side, which slided me finely down in such a dainty manner, that I had no sooner set my feet in it, but I was at the bottom in the Twinkling of an Eye, descend­ing just like those who Glide upon Ice. The Devil helping me a little also, pushing me on behind, to hasten our Journey the better, that we might end it in good time.

I think the Devils do so in the world also; never driving any in­to Hell, unless they first press themselves forwards.

Most certainly; now both of us Precipitating our selves sliding on still, we came to the Shore of a large lake, which was extreamly A­gitated and toss'd, the Waves rising up above two hundred yards, and then precipitated down again with a hideous roaring which I wondered much at, seeing so great a tempest, and not being able to hear the smal­lest breath of any Wind. But the Devil who was with me told me that Water boil'd, by the great Violence of fire, which is underneath it, to whom I said then, that the flames of Hell must needs be very ardent, seeing they force the Waters to rise with so much Violence, which seemed to part into five parts, and yet held great correspondence, though the Nature, or Perhaps the Virtue, of one part of the Water, did not agree with the Nature, and Vertue of the other; the Devil proceeding on to inform me better, as followeth, the Water which thou seest, every one that goes to hell is necessitated to ferry over, and 'tis Expedient for them to steer so exactly that they may be sure to go through each of those divisions which thou observest: And if thou wilt know the cause of this Lakes being divided into five parts, I will tell thee briefly; that the first hath the Vertue to cause every thing to be forgotten, and thence is called the Water of Lethe; the second is nominated the Water of Phlegeton which signifies the Ardor of Torment; the Third the Water of Acheron which imports deprivation of all joy; the Fourth the Wa­ter of Cocytus which denotes Weeping; and the Fifth is the Stygian Lake, which is as much as to say Eternal Hatred and Misery.

But how is this Water past? do they swim or are there boats ready to waft them?

There is one boat, which is commonly called Charon's Ferry which is loaded with passengers twice a day, but it is worth noting that the Barque goes thither, but never comes back, for the said Waters are easy to be navigated in the return upwards; therefore there are a multitude of Shipwrights ever building new ones, a Bark serving only for one Voyage, being always broken in a hundred pieces at the other Shoar. I embarqued then in this boat, together with the Demon, for want of a better companion, but Charon would not take any other passenger in at this time, bestowing a thousand civilities upon me, and the Mariners behaved themselves with more than ordinary Courtesy, striving with one another who should be most serviceable to me; at the entring into this boat, there came an Intolerable stink to me of Pitch, of Bitumen, Sulphur and such kind of things, but above all of Assa faetida, to such a degree that I thought the Violence of the stenches would have poi­soned me, and thought what fools are they who would go to hell; when we were arrived at the haven an Infinite number of Demons came and met us, every one of them having Five or Six Horns on their Heads, and every one of them offered me his service, without any thing for their pains, which was the more Remarkable, so that I wondered very much that none should demand of me payment for my passage or freight, neither did any of them so much as ask a little drinking mony. So I blest God that had once let me see a Country that was disinteressed and free­hearted; the Devil who conducted me knowing my admiration, inter­rogated me whether frankness was not in fashion all over Rome; to which Query I answered thus: Since Meum and Tuum have been Intro­duced into the World, Taxes and Customs have been brought to such an Extravagance, that the People are forced to buy at dear Rates every thing which Nature had given freely to mankind: But this sort of Ty­ranny which is so universal in the World, seems to be most peculiar to Rome, where the Popes have introduced so many impositions and so ma­ny Customs, that the very deceased are not exempted, whilst those bo­dies are often kept unburied which have not left enough to pay the Priest his burying fees; in fine, those who travel in the World, had need be always with a purse in their hands; for strangers, besides their paying for the very roads they tread, & suffering a hundred Insolences from the watchmen who keep the Gates for the Officers of the Customs, are also constrained under the Notion of Alms, to pay for the kissing the Reliques of the Saints, for the very confessing of their own sins.

God forgive the inventers of these things, but what need had the Devil of this Information, if, as the Divines say, the Demons do already know all that is, or has been done in the World.

Thou art deceived, Marforius, for the Devils know nothing else besides those things which they are able to penetrate by the subtilty of [Page 40]their nature but the Roman Ecclesiasticks commit certain kinds of rogue­ries that the Demons have never been able to Penetrate into with all their Speculations; therefore 'tis requisite to know that where the greater Spirits prevail, the lesser Spirits give place immediately; besides, the Ne­phews of the Popes have invented in Rome more Tyrannical ways to draw money from the People, than the Devils to draw Souls into Hell; therefore the Demons may be called ignorants in Rome, because the Ecclesiasticks, and the Popes Nephews out-wit them; in fine, the Devil who was with me took great pleasure in my information, and gave me many thanks, tho in few words, by reason of the mighty com­plements which the other-Devils made me, who all conducted me Tri­umphantly to the true Gates of Hell, which opened without any diffi­culty, and before I could set my feet over the Threshold of the Gate, Lucifer, who had notice of all, sent me abundance of Pages, and Footmen to wait on me; but I thanked him, and beseech't him to reserve these favours for the most Eminent Cardinals, and Prelates who are used to be served by certain Pages and Lacquies, who are no whit inferiour in Craft and Wickedness to the courtiers of Lucifer himself.

Thou sayest true, and for my part I believe that this race of Ras­cals, are put to School in Rome, at the cost of the Lords the Cardinals, and Prelates, to fit them to serve with the greater assurance the Devil himself.

I believe the same, and therefore, rid my self of them, being bet­ter content to go Incognito without any attendance, than to be waited on by such beasts, although it would indeed not have cost me a farthing, whereas in Rome one is forced to pay not only for being ill served, but for being betray'd also; yet notwithstanding my refusing the attendance of those Servants Lucifer had sent unto me, I was not waited on with a jot less Majesty, and Grandeur, for an infinite Company of Devils set­ing themselves in Ranks on both sides, one behind another, saluted me as I passed through with so high Civility that I thought I was ano­ther Pope going to Monte Cavallo. I had scarce made ten steps within Hell, when a Person came towards me so full of Lace and Ribbons, and with low Congies pulled off, and put on his hat again, and then in­stantly began to untye my breeches, which I had tyed with double knots fearing they might have fallen down in my Journey; but he set him­self so earnestly to it both with his hands and his teeth, that I had some sport, to see him torment himself; that gave me some pleasure, but on the other side I sound I cannot tell what alteration in my self, con­cluding positively that this man was some Sienese or Florentine who was u­sed to Untruss the Boys Breeches in Rome; and therefore I defended my self as much as it was possible, objecting unto him my Age; but these reasons not causing him to desist from the Office he had begun, heating himself more and more with the resolution of prevailing, he put me into [Page 41]a mighty rage, which the Demon who was my assistant perceiving, he endeavoured to pacify me, by assuring me that that Person was neither a Sienese, nor a Florentine but an honest French-man. How! a French-man, cried I? and how long is it since French-men are become Sodomites? I have been told, that they love the easier pleasures and are seldom wil­ling to struggle hard for what gives little Satisfaction; their impatience makes them Shrink from trouble, and it seems more natural to them to Ruffle a Petty-coat, than to put their Teeth to a Cod-piece point? O answered the Devil again to me, there is great mystery hidden in this, which would please thee well to be inform'd of. Thou know'st the French study nothing else than to search & pry up & down wherever they go, so that they run about thrusting their noses into every thing; now you must know, our Lucifer who loves to imploy every one as his Inclination leads him, not to leave the French idle in Hell; since idleness is the Domestick E­nemy of that Nation, he allows them the Liberty to thrust their noses in­to the tail of all strangers when they first come into Hell, but from this du­ty they cannot exempt themselves though the humour of it should be o­ver, because the Devil knows not how to imploy the French otherwise.

This imployment would not much please me, though, because they are so used to it, perhaps it is no great toil to them.

Now I being well satisfied with this information let my points be untyed by this Monsitur, who being pleased with that, after he had a little looked in my face fell on his knees to my backside, and with a good grace began to nozzle his nose into my breech. But to tell thee the truth, Marforius, I was never more confounded, not knowing of a sudden how to winde my self out of such a complement, for the more I shrunk up my Buttocks, so much the more earnestly he pushed in his nose. Whereupon I resolved to end it, to let Scape a Rouzing Fart, which made above forty Devils that were about us fall a laughing; but the French-man was content rather to nose a little of the fume, than leave off rubbing his nose in my breech, to my no small-vexation, not knowing how to get rid of him; but fortune sent in another stranger whom the French-man set upon to perform the same function; and I be­ing delivered from this encumberance, pass't on with my companion, and the further we went the more sport we had to see the French man go up and down to give the nose in breech to every new comer.

Let's talk no more of such a Subject, but relate if you please some seriouser thing.

Thou speakest of Gravity, just as I am about to talk of those peo­ple who are graver than their Pyrenean Hills. You must know then that the sight of this French-man stirred up a Curiosity in me to see the Spaniards, not being able to fancy that the occupation, or rather pains of them should be any thing inferiour, or less curious then the pains and imployment the French practised, and endured. The Demon had no sooner sounded my thoughts, but he made me take the way on the left [Page 42]hand, over against which stood a very high Gate wide open, broken, and so ruinous, that it perfectly lookt like an old tattered Ensign: At the entrance of this Gate I had like to have broke my shins; all the Stones did so totter, being out of their right places; on both sides lay two vast heap of Chains, Logs, Iron Manacles, Ropes, and other such like Instruments, all black and rusty, by which mark one might easily know that they had not been used of a long time. The extent of this place was so great, that the Eye could not look to the end of it; whence I imagined that this was Lucifer's own Man­sion; but one of the Devils, who was upon the Guard, took me out of this fancy, by telling me, that this was the Spaniards Apartment, which stirred up my curiosity to know what those heaps of Chains, and Ropes, which were thrown so carelesly on the ground, signified; to which Question, the Devil, who was on the Guard there, answer­ed me in this manner; The Spaniards, who, whilst the fortune of the house of Austria lasted, were formidable in the world, had put the Dominion of Hell into great jealousie, that our Prince, fearing lest, as the Spaniards were resolved to domineer over the Uni­verse, sometimes bringing a Kingdom into their subjection, and sometimes a Repub­lick, so they would also, by the same policy and ambition, subdue Hell it self, and re­duce all the Infernal Vassals to their obedience, was resolved to prevent them: But it was not so easie for them to tyrannize over Hell, as it had succeeded to them in Lord­ing it over Europe. For the Devils, who are ever studying to preserve their own Liberty, soon perceived their unbridled ambition, and brought a quick Remedy, hampering the Spaniards in such Chains and Fetters, that they durst not so much as attempt the least violence, although the force neither of Iron, nor Chains, is able to take from them the Pride which they ever maintain outwardly—But the Princes of Europe no sooner percei­ved this torrent of Pride, which flowed from Spain to the damage of the Universe, but they all united together to lowre that Spanish Pride, which corroded with the Venom of Jealousie, the Quiet of all Principalities: No sooner did they begin to joyn Forces to despoil them of those States, which they had so over-hastily invested themselves in; no sooner did they begin to sow Discords, by popular Revolutions, to deprive them of those Kingdoms, which they had so tyrannically usurped from other Kings; In fine, no sooner were the Spaniards seen languishing and dying, from proud, to become humble, and from haughty to become wretched, being pointed at by those very people who obeyed them at the holding up of their finger: But Lucifer imitating the Princes of Europe (who had not only laid aside their fears, but made them tremble in the Center of their own Countrey) ordered the Chains should be taken from their necks, and the Fetters from their feet, and they should be let loose, being secured they could never regain with all their Policy, the Power which they had lost.

This seems to me rather a discourse of a good Politician, than a wicked Devil; but what, did you not then see the Spaniards?

Yes, I saw them, why should I not, since I went in for that purpose? After then the Sentinel at the door had informed me of these particulars that I have told thee, we passed on further, and entred into a great Hall, open on all sides, but covered over head, which Roof or Cieling was supported with many Pillars round about it. I saw the Spaniards there stretched upon the ground, kissing the Earth with their mouths, over whom were many French-men hung by the Arms, as if they had been upon the Rack: But that which was most curious in the fight, was to see the French endeavour earnestly to stretch out their feet to touch the shoulders of the Spaniards, not valuing the break­ing of their own arms to have the satisfaction of treading upon them, and the Spaniards shrinking from them as much as they could, rubbing their bellies on the ground, as Ser­pents, to avoid the trampling with the feet of their Enemies, so that I could not dis­cern which was the greater pain, that of the French, which trod upon them, or that of the Spaniards, who were trodden upon. There were mingled up and down several Ita­lian and German Princes, and some Embassadors from England, from Swedeland, from Denmark, from Venice, and from Holland, and Switzerland, who were almost burst with laughing to see such a Scene; but the best of all was, to see them use all their craft to egg [Page 43]on sometimes the Spaniards, and sometimes the French: To the French they spoke softly, in this manner; It is a shame, that you who have seen your selves so many years ill used by the Spaniards; that you cannot revenge your selves fully for all that they have done against you: What, have not the French then wit enough to reduce the Spaniards into such a calamitous condition, as the Spaniards have formerly reduced the French? Sa, sa, take heart, you generous French-men, stretch out your legs, sprawl out your feet, endure a little more pain of your arms, lose not this opportunity: For if the Spaniards should at this time get from under you, they would not fail with their subtle crafts, to seek for ways to get over you again: Then to the Spaniards, with a low voice, they discoursed thus; What a shame is this, that you should suffer your selves to be thus trampled upon by the French, who were formerly trod upon by the Spaniards? What, have you the heart to see the name of the Spaniards thus vilified? What, are you able to see that Spain, which other whiles hath made all the Nations of the World to tremble, be affright­ed with the name of the single French Nation? If you would but begin to kick at the French, which tread upon you, you would find an hundred hands ready to help you: It concerns you to begin the work, and us to find out means to compleat it; we, who have been favourable to France, to bring down Spain, would now be favourable to Spain to bring down France: Lose no time then; for an inveterate distemper corrodes the bowels of them that have it: You must either recover your lost honour, or be content to lose all you have left. The French have already brought you to such extremities, as to ask twice for Peace out of Charity; and if you do not do your utmost to defend your selves, you will be forced to beg your lives as an Alms. You will find those that will supply you with Men and Moneys, both secretly and openly; and what would you have more?

Provided the Effects correspond with the Promises, every thing will go well: But I am afraid of somewhat, whilst the other Princes, who egg on the Spaniards and the French, very often leave them both afterwards in the Suds.

There is no doubt, but that the Policy of other Princes will not only roast, but kindle, the fire to roast the Spaniards in the Fat of the French; but because these two Monarchies are so situated by nature, and the distribution of Politick Interests, that the one cannot be diminished without the augmentation of the other; so that all the Poli­tick Reason of other Princes requires them to keep these two Monarchies in an eaven balance; wherefore every time they see one of them falling, they run immediately to lend them their hand against the other: And, in truth, it is a curious thing to see how the English, Venetians, Hollanders and Swisses, and the other Princes of Italy and Germany labour to raise up the poor Spaniards; one lifts up one leg, another another; some one arm, others another; some hold up his head, some hold him out a Rope: In fine, some with one thing, and some with another; all endeavoured to raise up the oppressed Spa­niards; but with all this they do nothing; and, to speak truly, how can they, because they fear so much the rising Fortune of France, that they dare not declare themselves openly in favour of the Spaniard, whereby the help they bring him, serves to little pur­pose?

I know not how Affairs go in Hell, because I was never there, but am sure they are otherwise transacted in Europe; Policy and Religion being so jumbled together, that the Interest of Religion is very often obstructed, by the Interests of Policy.

He that prescribed that Recipe—must be a Fool of a Physician, and I am angry, Marforius, that thou shouldst talk so like a wise man of Gotham; for how, prethee, can the discoursing of Princes and Religion agree together? since the Religion of Princes, must ever serve, or be used as Antimony is by the sick, and sometimes by the healthy; which when taken in small quantity, exactly weigh'd, and prepared curiously, restores health to the Infirm, and confirms it to the Healthy: But the least Grain, taken too much, without due weight and preparation, poysons the stomach, and kills the body: So Religion, by Princes, must needs be but little used, and very well weighed; for a little too much is sufficient to disturb the quiet of any Principality. Nay, I will say more, [Page 44]that as Antimony is not commonly given but in desperate cases: So Princes ought not to stick too close to the Interests of Religion, but in those Occurrences, when they can­not possibly do otherwise. Bethlem Gabor understood that prescription exceeding well, and therefore when the French Embassador went into Germany, to tell him, that tho' Indeed it was true, that Policy required the King of France to humble the House of Au­stria, and that a more opportune season could never be found to do so, than at that time; yet the Interest of Religion did oblige the King to go off from that League he had made with the said Gabor, to the prejudice of the House of Austria, for fear of see­ing the Catholick Religion destroyed in those parts: To which proposal Gabor answer­ed in these few words; Tu Princeps, & de Religione curas? Is your Master a Monarch, and is he scrupulous in matters of Religion?

This Example doth not much satisfie me; for this Gabor was worse than any Turk, and, amongst Christian Princes, there are other kinds of Principles.

Hear, Marforius, what I have to say to thee upon this particular; it is more dis­pleasing to God, when a Christian does good works, and afterwards repents the doing of them, than if he had not done them at all; he being fitter to be excused, who hath omitted doing good, but he is worthiest of punishment, that repents of his good deeds. Now, amongst Princes, the same Reason is current; for they had much better lay aside some Maxims of Religion, than to embrace them a while, and repent of them after­wards. When the King of France besieged Rochel, the Spaniards, against all Maxims of Policy, solely upon those of Religion, sent their Army to help the Most Christian King, which much weakened their own Force, and made the Party of the Most Christian King their Enemy stronger, which, a while after, the Spaniards well perceiving, repented ex­tremely what they had done, biting their Nails for rage at it. Thus they got little with God, nothing with the King of France, and least of all with the World, losing that blast of Fame which they thought to have gained in Christendom, as soon as it was rumoured about, that they repented what they had done. Of these Examples one may find a thousand; and it is certain, that Princes ordinarily repent of all those Maxims of Re­ligion which they make use of sometimes, for I know not what reason. And it would be much better for them never to embrace them, than to repent so suddenly of their so doing; losing the favour of Heaven by their Repentance, and what they might have got by the Interests of Policy. The French are not so simple as the Spaniards, and they never touch the Affairs of Religion, but with the tips of their fingers.

But, methinks yet in the time of Bethlem Gabor, they have hugged Religion in their arms.

Alas, how thou art couzened! Those Maxims of Religion served them only in appearance, to cover some particular private Interests, which were a foot then in France, designing to oblige the Infanta of Spain to yield to, I cannot tell you what Marriage; without which consideration, the Maxims of Policy would have infinitely out-stript those of Religion. The French are not so scrupulous; they love rather never to embrace the Maxims of Religion, than embrace them, and repent of them, as the Spaniards do. Whilst Cardinal Richlieu lived, who perfectly understood these Rules, the Pope's Nuncio, tho' he often set before him the War against Geneva, and always proposed the great Maxims of Religion, the good Cardinal continually answered him thus; Provided the Maxims of Religion do not ruine the Maxims of State: And in this man­ner he dismissed the Nuncio, who never went further with him, because he saw him much more steered by the Maxims of State, than by those of Religion. Maxims of Religion are really gross Victuals, and fit for common people; but those of State are curious bits, and only fit for Princes; to whose Tables gross Meats ought never to be brought, but in times of great necessity, it being unfit to fill their stomachs with that, which is only good to fill the bellies of the ruder popularity. That such Meat is good to satiate common people, I grant, but to nourish Princes, I deny, because the same food which serves for nutriment to the People, would hurt Princes when they would make use of them; because, a stomach which is accustomed to delicate Meat, is not able [Page 45]to bear grosser food: In fine, the best Princes leave Maxims of Religion to Monks and Priests, as food proportioned to their temper, and reserve for themselves Maxims of State as food proper for Princes.

Before I forget, prethee tell me what pains the Germans suffer in Hell?

The same pains that are endured by Tantalus, which is, to be very thirsty, with­out having any Wine to quench their drought; so that it is a curious thing to observe their going up and down in Hell, to look out some place to plant Vines in; and al­though they endeavour it with all possible diligence, they have not yet, nor ever will succeed in their design; because the Devil, knowing perfectly well, that it is natural to the Germans to esteem any place Paradice where they find good Wine, tho' all the Dae­mons in Hell were in the place; therefore they ever find an opposition to these de­signs.

Since there are so many Lakes, surely they should do them the favour to make them Ferry-men, rather than let them perish with thirst.

They would never accept that Office, because they have taken an Oath never to be drowned but in Wine, which they will not break to die in the Water.

Well, follow on thy Voyage, and let us say no more of the Maxims of Religion; Princes having more need of it than we.

Thou art in the right; after we had observed the French and the Spaniards, we walked about that spacious place a little while, where we saw several deserted, in which we met some poor Spaniards full of Lice, with bare Breeches; and I, being full of cu­riosity, asked one of them his name, to which he replyed haughtily, I am called Don Lopez of Lopis; at which I was extremely astonished to see, that neither Lice, Poverty, Misery, nor Hell could humble the Spanish Pride; therefore I intreated him to tell me, what good that Title did him? to which he answered, that it shewed him to be a Spaniard, loving rather to be known to be of that Countrey, tho' a Beggar, than esteem­ed a French-man, tho' rich: Which Opinion being heard by a French-man who passed by, he said, Keep thy Title; for that Feather of a Title will be the last thing that the French will take away from the Spaniards; in which time, turning my Eyes from this object, I had passed but a few steps on, when I found my self very near the Gate, through which I had entred; whereupon, making haste to get out, I unexpectedly heard a noise, a rumour, a screeching, a fearful cry, which said very mournfully, O miserable people! we are lost; Oh our poor Princes! where are you? Oh our beloved Liberty which art gone! when shall we ever recever thee again? I believed these had been Souls new come into Hell; but a Devil himself, who was in great pain, told me, that those who made that horrible noise, were the Italian, and German Princes, who apprehended they should lose all, because the French had gone on so far, that, in fine, they had set their very feet upon the necks of the poor Spaniards, and the Embassadors of those Princes wandered up and down like Flies to procure Leagues, but to retard a little the immense Victories of the French: But it was pleasanter to me to find a certain Daemon (who understood Politicks well enough) seeing the said Embassadors run sweating up and down, cry out unto them with a loud voice, O with reverence to your Lordships Character! you are very Fops; you should have cured your disease at its birth, and not stayed till it was grown old, and difficult to be cured. In the mean time, I said to my As­sistant, Let us go on to dispatch our business, and leave the care of these intanglements to the Princes, that are like to lose by it; so mending our pace, we went out of that place, and came into a large path, crouded with an infinite company of people, who were travelling, and bemoaning their most bitter destiny, cursing the very Earth that had sustained them; which made the Daemons rage so much the more, that with great diligence and care, they employed every one in his Task, and administred torments and punishments, according to the Sentence passed upon every one for his faults: But I, who was not to suffer there with others, but only to consider the punishments of others, went away with the pace of a new-made Gentleman, observing every thing mi­nutely; and although the sight was very terrible in it self, yet I found some pleasure [Page 46]in the variety of that Tragical Scene, because they were so equally proportioned. A­mongst others, I observed a great company of naked Women, who held one another by the hand, and wringed one another hard: behind them went an innumerable croud of Devils, with Iron Rods in their hands, threatning them, and forcing them to re­turn back; at which I was much astonished, not knowing how to find out the reason, why the Devils would not have Women be in Hell. But the Daemon that was with me, eased me of this doubt, telling me, that they were married Women, of which kind of persons, the Devils held there was more need of in the World, than now in Hell. To tell you the truth, this first reason did not satisfie me, thinking it too obscure; and I told him, I could not believe that married persons were more necessary in the World, than in Hell; because these, who were condemned to such pains, had incurred them by their wicked life, and the World was eased by the abatement of that mischief; for from the diminution of wickedness ariseth the increase of goodness. Then the Devil, who laughed all this while at my words, gave me this answer; I did not tell thee, that Wo­men were necessary in the World for the good of it, but for the advantage of Hell, which draws a double profit from Womens living in the World; and I'le tell thee how; first, for the custom of bearing Horns, which is grown so common amongst the De­vils, that it's now thought a shame for any one to be without them; and because we Devils have no Wives, who will take the pains to fill our heads with Horns, we are forced on that account, to multiply the number of married Whores, as much as it is possible in the World, knowing no other way how to maintain this fashion which reigns amongst us, introduced by the fantasticalness of those Painters that will needs have us Horned, which hath occasioned our taking care, that among the whole Female Sex the Painters Wives should afford us the greatest supply of that sort of Animals; and now, as soon as any Woman's Liberality hath planted Horns on her Husband's fore­head, a hundred Devils are ready to cut them off; whence no Horns are ever seen up­on the heads of men, though their Wives be the greatest Whores in the World. This agreement being made between them, that the Men should preserve the Roots, and the Devils wear the Branches. Secondly, We are as ambitious as the Spaniards and there­fore endeavour to draw the noblest prey's into Hell, and because Women are esteemed vile, and abject Beasts, therefore we procure with all our power their continuing in the World, by whose means also the number of the damned is always multiplying: nor let this seem strange which I say unto thee, O Roman! It being a very great truth, that Women are causes of the absolute destruction of Men. How many poor Husbands are forced to steal, that they might have the liberty to kiss their own Wives, who will not sell Matrimonial kisses but at the weight of Gold? How many are constrained to despair, to see their multiplicity of Children exceed the conveniency of their Fortune? and that which is worst of all, that they are Children given to, and not begotten by them. How many men call upon the Devil all the day, because they cannot see their Wives by night, they being engaged by promise to their secret Friends? How many Murders are committed for Women? How many Bankrupts are made by their Luxury? How many Altars are profaned by their pleasure? How many Poysons are prepared by Women for their Husbands, being counselled to it by the unbridled lusts of their Lovers? In fine; let the Women therefore stay in the World, since it is a great truth, that one Woman there brings a greater profit to the Daemons, than a thousand can do in Hell.

This Devil was no fool: But let us leave these wicked Women with a mischief, and pass on; Whither wentest thou afterwards?

We entred into a place which was all fire, round about which were many Devils in the shape of Satyrs; upon every one of which sate a person courted by many Devils, which served as an Apollyon, but such an Apollyon, as was agreeable to the quality of that place. One put certain fiery Spurs on their feet, others blew in their ears the hissing of a Serpent; this incensed them with Sulphur and Pitch; and another gave them Venom and Poyson to eat, and every one was mighty busie to shew themselves meritorious Courtiers of those persons on horse-back in the form of Women, upon those Satyrs; [Page 47]and there were millions of these persons all served in the same manner: but that which I found most strange, was, to see them all without eyes; and my amazement was so great, because I knew not what it signified: my thoughts this while boiled with infinite imaginations; and I searched about for the reason of such a change: I believed that these might be that sort of Men, who with many lascivious looks had fallen in love in Churches, in the presence of the Sacrament of the Altar, as is seen every day in Rome; whence I esteemed it a very suitable punishment for such kind of persons to be depri­prived of their eyes-sight. Again, I imagined that these were such as had been curious in prying into the actions of others, and as a Castigation fit for that, I supposed they were condemned to have their eyes pluckt out: But none of these thoughts satisfying me, I begg'd a particular account of the most complaisant Daemon, that I saw there, who answered me thus; Those whom thou seest us serve with so much Infernal Magnificence, are the most Reverend Fathers of the Inquisition, to whom we are much obliged, having with their rigorous Tyranny forbidden the Reading of the Sacred Scriptures in the Vul­gar Tongue; which is that, which most perfectly instructs those Men, who understand it in their duty, and turns them from evil, filling and replenishing Heaven, and dis­peopling Hell; which we here being very sensible of, have found out this invention; viz. to oblige the Popes under other pretences to introduce the Inquisition into the Church, and to assist the Inquisitors continually, to serve us as Instruments to accom­plish our main design, which is the peopling Hell, and dispeopling Heaven of its Inha­bitants, which our good Friends and Companions the Fathers Inquisitors help us not a little in, whilst they are the cause, that many thousands in the World live in utter Ig­norance by being prohibited the Reading of the Sacred Scriptures: So that the people, not being able to know their duty, wander out of the way, believing they live well, when they live wickedly. Besides this, the Fathers the Inquisitors forbid the Reading of all Books, which discover the Vices of the Ecclesiasticks, which is the ground of two mischiefs, the one in obliging the people to imagine the greatest enormities and defects of those who should be Looking-glasses to the common people of Christendom to be Virtues; the other in flattering the Ecclesiasticks, who being safe from receiving any affront or shame from the people, who are forbidden by a rigorous Edict, either to speak ill, or to think ill of the wickedness of the Ecclesiasticks, they remain plunged in gluttony and lust, and an hundred thousand dissolutenesses contrary to the Laws of the God of Heaven. In fine, the profit which the Inquisitors bring to this place is incre­dible, whose eyes we therefore put out, lest they should read that themselves which they debar others from; for they would be sure, if they did but look into those Books which they prohibit others, to renounce the Inquisition themselves, and perceive the error which brings so many to Hell, and so much mischief to Christianity.

Truly I believe, that this restraint from Writing against, and Reading of the Vices of the Ecclesiasticks, makes them not a little proud, believing themselves greater than they are, in despite of what they know themselves to be.

The Inquisition was not introduced by those Popes, who piously ruled the Church, but by those Ecclesiasticks who would live in the Church, as Sardanapalus did in the World: whilst the Church-men were holy, and zealous in the Divine Service, and Edifiers of the people, there was no speech of the Inquisition in the Church; and yet the Heresies, against which they say the Inquisition was set up, had more vigour at that time than they have now. But, no sooner did the Ecclesiasticks begin to degenerate from their Pristine State, nay, from the very nature of their Character, but they be­thought themselves of bringing in the Inquisition, to bridle the mouths of the people from publishing those Vices, which they had embraced with so much licentiousness: an evident sign that the end of those, who invented the Inquisition, hath not been to throw down Heresie, but to keep the people in awe, that they might not so much as murmure at the impiety of the Ecclesiasticks: Whereat the Religious taking courage, do sin with so much liberty, that sin in them seems to be grown to a natural habitude; and [Page 48]the poor people dare do no less than sanctifie the Vices of the Ecclesiasticks, lest they should fall Victims to the cruelty of the Inquisition. If the people had liberty to speak and to write against the Scandals, which the Ecclesiasticks commit in the face of the Church, assuredly these things would be amended, that they might not be reproached, and trampled upon by the people: but the Inquisitors will not endure it, wherefore I do believe they have made an agreement with the Devil to fill up Hell with damned Souls.

I have heard, that the true reason of forbidding Books, is nothing else but an in­terest of the purse, and of the brain: of the brain, because by keeping others from read­ing, they enclose amongst themselves that which ought to be in common to all; by which means picking out from forbidden Books what the Labours of deceased Authors have composed, they make use of them to enrich their own Sermons. And I my self knew a certain Inquisitor that passed for a famous Preacher, who extracted all the fine juice of his Sermons from some forbidden Books, changing nothing but the names, and I know not what figures: And indeed in the prohibited Books, the finest concep­tions in the World are to be found, to expose Vice, it being necessary to make that common, which the Inquisitors intended a secret; and for the pecuniary interest, men are afraid of prohibited Books, because some scrupulous persons, out of fear of Excom­munication, as soon as they hear of an Edict against any Book, carry it to the Inqui­sition, and the Father Inquisitor, or his Vicar, after they have drawn all the juice our of it, sell it at a dear rate to some stranger; finding, to colour such a sale, a hundred pre­tences, which all the Inquisitors abound in.

If thou hadst ever observed, my dear Marforius, the particularities of forbidden Books, as I have done, thou wouldst be astonished. Dost thou believe that those Popes are zealous of the Honour of God, and that the Cardinals fear God, or those Inquisi­tors, who exclaim against those Books which publish the Vices of the Church-men. Alas! the Popes, who have zeal in their hearts; the Cardinals, who have Souls pure from the ordures, which corrupt the Ecclesiastical State; and the Inquisitors, who walk in the ways of our Lord, mock at those Satyrs, and Libels, and Histories, which correct the Vices of others; saying, with a heart full of zeal, We must correct Vices, and so take away from Detractours the cause of their murmuring and writing. Behold all that ho­nest Prelates say, when they hear talk of prohibited Books, and why so, but because they find not their Consciences offended by those Books? The Horse, who feels the Spurs in his sides, bounces, runs away, and throws his Rider. The same thing falls out with the Ecclesiasticks; for those who find their Consciences prickt with the prohibited Books, leap, exclaim, run up and down, clamour, and, one would think the Devil were at the tail of them; but those who are not spurr'd in their Consciences, knowing very well that the Books do not speak of them, having given no occasion, laugh at every thing, feigning to know nothing, not needing to take notice of that which doth not at all concern them.

'Tis certain, the thing is just, as thou sayest; and I know a German Canon, who goes crying up and down the Streets, and the Courts of Cardinals, against all those Books, which reprove the Church-men's Vices, and not without reason, whilst in every page of the prohibited Books, he finds the picture of his Life, he being a Sodomite, a Simoniack, a Cut-throat, a Seducer, a Whore-master, a Pimp, scandalous, and a sworn Enemy of his Breviary; therefore seeing he cannot correct himself, because his nature is too much de­praved and inclined to evil, he beats his brain to smother all those Books, and those Authors, who describe him just as he is.

I know what Canon thou speakest of; I am acquainted with him; he lives in Rome; but the greatest of his Vices is, that he is a great Spy.

Thou hast hit him: it is the very same. But I pray thee let us return into the Chamber of the Inquisitors.

No, I am just going out of it; for with these Kinds of People, the less you have to do with them, the better: So that as soon as we had observed this magnificent In­quisition, [Page 49]I went forward, going out at another very little door, and so narrow, that I was fain to draw in my very breath to get out the easier; the way, tho dark, con­ducted me to a much more obscure Gallery, where was a Man walking, and mourning in certain Accents, which forced compassion; whose despairing sorrow, made my very heart melt, and the more, because I could discern nothing but his voice, and the motion of his body. Besides, when he perceived me to draw near him, he burst out the louder, saying, O wretched me! that I should ever have Damned my self for the evil actions of others! which made me believe he was some poor Confesser; since the Con­fessors usually damn themselves by taking upon them other folks sins: so I endeavour­ed to console him, as if he had been such a one; but he weeping more bitterly, thus an­swered me; What, a Confessor! I am a miserable Book-seller, who am condemned to these torments, for having Traded in other men's Works: Then drawing a little nearer him, I began to call to mind who he was, and I no sooner knew him, but I began to admire the Effects of the Divine Justice, because he was one of those Stationers who Print and Sell the most scandalous, profane, railing, and wicked Books, that the Devil himself could have suggested. In fine; his Shop was a Brothel-house of the wickedest and most lascivious sort of Books. Notwithstanding, I seemed to pity him, not to put him into higher despairs; but he easily perceived that my compassion was but feigned; where­upon he said unto me, What should one do? This is the usual misery of our Profes­sion, that we Stationers are not condemned like other men, for our own wicked works, but suffer these Acute Torments, for the wicked works of others. He would have run on, but a Devil stopt his mouth, by burning leaves of old Books at his nose, which made an insufferable stink; at which I said within my self; If Book-sellers be condemned to such bitter pains, for only selling such Books, what the Devil shall be done with the Authors who Compose them?

Was there no other Stationer then but this? I very much wonder at that, and the more, because ordinarily the Book-sellers and the Authors understand one another very well; so that I should have thought they might have been altogether.

I am also of that Opinion, that there were more Stationers in this place, but no great number; for there are but few that meddle with such fort of ware, and those most commonly such, who have a large Conscience, that is to say, none, or an interested one; but yet there are some, who do it to serve their Friend; but that service is never separate from interest. Then, as to Authors, I will tell thee, that having asked the poor Stationer, if he did not know whither so many Authors went, who blot so much Paper with their scribbles, he made me lean my ear to an Iron wall, which was on the right side, with a little window in it, which I no sooner drew near too, but I per­ceived a braying like that which Asses make, but much louder, and more lamentable; so that I was amazed, and wholly besides my self; and the rather, because the Devil told me, that all these were Authors of Books; and this intelligence encreased my confusion; for, it seemed to me, that there were more Authors of Books in Hell, than men in the whole Universe. Whilst I earnestly endeavoured to thrust in my head fur­ther, to see if I could discover any of my acquaintance; a Daemon, who kept that Gate, entreated me, that I would be pleased to come in; and I answering him, I would: He opened the Gate, which, tho' not very large, I entred in convemently, together with that other Daemon who had the charge of accompanying me. At the first I imagined that there were divers Orders of Authors, and by consequence, divers punishments; there­fore I sought for Divines, Philosophers, Historians, Politicians, Mathematicians, Lawyer's, Ro­mancers, Casuists, & Antichristian States-men, in several Apartments. But not seeing any dif­ference, I asked the reason of the Daemon, who answered me, that amongst Authors they could not make a difference of persons, or of matter, tho' the matter and the persons were different, because in Hell, Authors are condemned, not for the Works they had Printed, but for the end that moved them to Compose them. Then I prayed him to inform me of the end; he told me briefly; that Authors had no other end in writing, but Interest and Ambition, which were the very two Puries sent by Lucifer into the [Page 50]World, to draw thousands of Souls into Hell; and because these two Furies did make their Nests in the breasts of Writers, we see more of them in Hell, than of any other persons: Add to this, that there must needs be more Writers damned, than other persons, because they all write to make others be damned. Besides, they spend their time, some in seeking out new conceits, inventions and speculations, and others in lies, fancies, and impostures; whereby they have no sense left to know the pure nature of that God, whom they feign only to adore in outward appearance.

I believe that Writers are damned, because they empty their brains too much in desiring to teach others, that there remains not a dram of understanding in them, to know their own duty, whence the most of them become vicious.

I believe so too: Now, whilst the Daemon was informing me of these things, I went up and down, observing the quality of those pains which these miserable damned Au­thors suffered: And first, they constrained them to eat all those Books they had made, and then, without waiting for the natural time of digestion, they drew them all out again at their breeches. I found this proceeding very unreasonable; and told my sen­timent to one of those Devils, who answered; I was a very fool to undertake to give Rules to Hell; adding further, that this was a chastisement proportionable to their de­serts; because, as these Writers brought forth their Books as soon as they had begotten them in their fancy, without ripening them in their Judgment; so it was very conve­nient they should shit them out before they were maturely digested. The other punish­ment was, that the Devils held certain Iron Combs, with which they did not only comb, but tear the hands of those miserable Authors, that it forced compassion to see and hear them cry out in despairing terms; O cursed be the day that I ever took Pen in hand! Oh cursed be he that sold me the Ink! Oh cursed be the Paper that I made use of! Oh cursed be those Book sellers that bought my Manuscripts! Oh cursed be the Standish that stood upon my Desk! I wondred again at these Curses, and said to the Daemon; Methinks these damned Souls deceived themselves, for they ought rather to curse the time taken up in their Studies, and lost in their composure, and not the Pen and Ink, which are but the accessory Instruments: To which the Daemon answered me, That I was more out than they, because the Authors could not curse their Studies, because they knew very well they had never studied for them: Wherefore they would not rave against that Occupation which they had never used: But that which most im­ported, which he told me with the best grace, and I did not find to be false, tho' he was a Devil, was, that it was very certain, that the greatest part of those that write, ne­ver went to any other School but that of Imagination.

But tell me, did not the Devil give thee an Answer particularly to the Curry­combs with which they curried the hands?

He told me, that in this last Age, the Art of Writing was reduced to a certain itch in the hands, whilst the Authors writ with their hands, but not with their hearts, with words, and not with judgment; and therefore the Devils studied how to take off that Itch from their hands, because their hearts and their judgments had no guilt in the composing of so many sopperies which are Printed in the World. Whilst the Devil was thus informing me, I did not forbear going forward, that I might the better ob­serve the torments of these most miserable Authors: when I heard my self called by so doleful a voice, that I was forced, tho' I did not intend it; to draw near, I knew him to be Ferrante Pallavicino, which was nothing strange to me, because I had ever imagined, that he having lived like an Heretick, and written like an Atheist, he could have no other Apartment but that where Atheists and Hereticks are doomed together. He who still kept his usual nature, no sooner saw me, but delighting to vent himself with his Friends, began to say to me; O Pasquin! how I repent me, (tho' I know how little repentance signifies) for having written such large Volumes of Satyrs. Who could ever have thought, that a man who never had any other end, but to correct the Vices of the Ecclesiasticks, and bring back the Church into the purity of its Primitive Institutions, should be rewarded with suffering such bitter pains? What [Page 51]else is found in my Books, but the contempt of Vices? and yet the correcting them hath brought me nothing but mischief. I answered him, Those who write to correct the vices of others, need first to punish their body severely to correct their own. St. Paul disciplined himself in the night, and then in the day exclaimed against the vices of the people: from whence the Church received great benefit. But what fruit canst thou bring with thy satyrizing against the vices of the Barbarini, if thou wallowest in thy dissolute­ness as Swine do in the mire? In fine, my dear Seignior Ferrante, they who would write to purge others, had need first to purge themselves.

Might it please the Heavens, that all Writers were like to Pallavicino; for he writ with a Foundation, and with Learning, whereas others write without either of them.

That which I said to Pallavicino, I said to all others that heard me; it being cer­tain, that they had much more need of it than he: and truly I was displeased to see him in such a place; therefore, knowing I could give him no relief, I turned away, and had gone but a very few steps ere I found my self in a place, which I took to be the Arsenal of Hell, seeing the Devils were so intent in forging Instruments to torment the poor Souls which were there; and tormented them with so much despite, that the very sight of it were sufficient to terrifie half the World. At first I imagined that this was Judas his Hell, and the Crucifiers of Christ, not being able to imagine that there could be any others that should deserve so great punishment: But having asked one of those Devils which were at work, he slouted at this fancy of mine, and said to me, What, Judas! What, Judas! These are Physicians, Chyrurgeons, Apothecaries, Poyso­ners, Assassins, and Executioners, and such sort of people; against whom we find our selves obliged to use all our strength, to revenge so many wrongs that they have done to us. What wrongs, said I? nay, you are rather beholden to such kind of per­sons, who bestowed all their industry to dispeople the World of Mankind, to stock Hell the sooner. Look, cryed he, here is a Roman come to instruct the Devil in his own Trade! We are not angry that these Executioners of the World do labour to empty it of Men; but we are much displeased to see them destroyed before their time; for, it is more delightful to us to have Souls come continually fresh and fresh into Hell. And yet the Physicians with Prescriptions, Apothecaries with their Doses, Chyrurgeons with their Bleedings, the Poysoners with their Doses, the Assassins with their Trea­cheries, and the Executioners with their Axes, do so much, say so much, contrive so much, that they kill more Men in a day, than we tempt in a year. It seems an incre­dible thing, that one Physician is more able to dispatch a Body, than fifty Devils are to gain a Soul. But that which most concerns us is, that we would have Men live a little longer time, that they might so much the more multiply the number of their sins, that Hell might also multiply the quality of their punishments; but for all this, Phy­sicians, Apothecaries and Chyrurgeons must have their will, who are wont to kill folks from the Cradle. Before this great croud of Rascals swarmed in the World, Men lived an hundred, and two hundred years, we enjoying all that while the pleasure of seeing them sin daily: But, since these Devils of Physicians, Apothecaries and Chyrur­geons were introduced into the World, Men are rarely seen to live to eighty years, they killing them so very young. Yet they do not design directly to kill them, but to pro­long their sickness, that by the length of time they might multiply the number of their Fees; but by seeking to spin out the disease, they destroy the Body before the time. But hear whether we have not reason to envy the fortune of these human slaughterers: we are all destinated to Murder; that is, we Devils the Soul, and Doctors, Apotheca­ries and Chyrurgeons the Body by all ways imaginable; now we who kill the Soul, which is the more Noble part, have nothing; and they who kill the Body, which is the Inferiour part, are paid with a liberal hand; This would make, not only the Devils, but the very Saints mad also, to see a Physician paid so well, that with one word kills a Prince; and we Devils bestow so great fatigue to destroy a Soul without the least gra­tification. In fine, it extreamly pleases us in Hell, to torment the Souls of those, [Page 52]that with so many herbs, weapons and poisons torment the bodies of Men.

Let's go to other matters, Pasquin; for, the farther we get from Physicians, the better; for they stink above ground of the odour which remains of the Urine and Ex­crements which often catches the Nose.

That little ill flavour cost the Patients Purse a good deal of Money, Brother. We passed then from that place into another, much more spatious, girt round with very high walls of fire, so that it seemed impossible to get thorough them; where­fore I had resolved only to look on the outside; so, coming as near as I could, I be­gan to hear more doleful, frightful, and despairing Voices; therefore being very desi­rous to know the Voice of any one of them, the better to understand the Quality of the damned, which that place was full of, I stopt a little, and listned with all attention, yet could hear nothing but a confusion of Voices, which cryed, O that I had said over the Divine Office! O that I had gone in good time into the Quire! O that I had not robb'd the Treasury Church! O that I had celebrated Mass with Devotion! O that I had not writ so many false Letters to my Superiors! O that I had lived more retired in the Cloyster! O that I had ne­ver brought Whores and Catamites into my Chamber! O that I had not Gamed with Seculars! O that I had not defrauded the Alms-boxes! O that I had refrained from giving so many pub­lick Scandals! O that I had not been so Mortal an Enemy to the Breviary! O that I had not had so much hatred to Obedience! O that I had not been so ambitious of Offices! O that I had not so often broke Lent! O that I had contented my self with the Religious life I entred into! O that I had not busied my self with worldly Affairs! O that I had not kept that Infamous Wo­man in my house, under the title of a Niece! O that I had been more assiduous in the Cure of Souls which was given me in charge! O that I had not sold the sacred Utensils to put into my Purse! O that I had not transformed my self from a Religious person to a Merchant! O that I had been more meek and humble! O that I had not been so slothful in the service of God! O that I had not made a mock of Hell and Heaven! O that I my Soul had been divested of worldly Passions! O that I had not done this and that! These were all the sounds which eccho'd in my ears, which quickly made me understand, that this was the Hell for Priests and Fryers; so that informing my self at large of that Daemon who attended me, and he assuring me it was so, I prayed him to do so much for me, as to help me to get in, that I might make my boast, that I had seen the Priests and Fryers tormented in Hell, who do so torment all the People in the Universe, and, more than that, under pretence of their good.

For my part, I could have bated that curiosity, and have given such a Race of People to the Devil.

So one might have done, but all men cannot: However, the Daemon satisfied my curiosity; for he found a hole, which lookt like that of a Sink, at which we went in, finding never a door, which obliged me to ask him the reason of it; and he an­swered me, That as the Fryers went out of their Cloysters by an out-let of their own boring, without the leave of their Superiours; so they went into Hell without any ones perceiving them, there being only some certain holes for Priests to go in at; to which I answered, That I wondred there were any holes in the Mansions of Priests and Fryers, since they studied nothing else but to stop them.

But how could you get in at such a strait hole? were you not in danger of sticking in the midst of it?

Alas! the holes that the Priests go in at, are big enough for a Horse. Now when we were got in, I was at my wits end, because indeed I thought I should have found nothing but Fryers and Priests, or at least Priests, Fryers and Devils together all clothed alike, without any difference: And that which made me think so, was, the uniformity I knew there was between the Religious and the Devils; because, as the Devils study nothing else but to enrich Hell with spoils; so these Religious do nothing but procure the stuffing of their Cloysters with other peoples goods: Besides, I have ever heard those Women, who used to have a commerce with any Fryer, reproached with being Hackneys to the Devil, an evident sign that the Fryers are very Devils. But I found [Page 53]it quite contrary to what I thought; for, the Fryers, and the Priests, were in the same Habits they had used in the World; and the Devils, who tormented them, were dressed in the Habits of Women and Boys; which I wondred more at, than what I had seen at first, and enquired of the Daemon the reason of it, who told me, I ought not to be scandalized to see the Religious suffer in their own Habits, for having committed many of their Knaveries and Scandals, under the security of the Respect which is given to that Habit, it being but just they should suffer under those Habits, which had cloaked so great guilts and wickednesses.

To speak the truth indeed, without reflecting upon the Religious, who really fear God; the Habit cloaks great Vices, and hides intolerable sins; but what particu­lars did the Daemons tell thee concerning their being transformed into the shape of Women and Boys?

They told me, That this was done to make the Religious to endure the infer­nal pains with the greater courage, and gave me this reason for it; That the Devils, knowing the nature of the Religious inclined to do all manner of wickedness, and suffer injuries, villanies, affronts, scorns, and torments, for the love of Women and Boys, thought sit to metamorphize themselves into those species, which had had the greatest praedominancy over them. Mean while I went on visiting those miserable damned persons, to my great amazement, knowing an infinite number of these Fryers, whom I had seen in Rome, passing for so many Macarius's and Hilarions: Particularly I ob­served one Cappuchin, who suffered intolerable pains, to whom I drew near, to see if he were the same that I had known in Rome, and found him to be the very man; who had the reputation of eating nothing but roots of herbs, seasoned with ashes, disciplining himself all night before a Crucifix, and spent all the day in Prayers and Orisons; and, in fine, was esteemed a Compendium of Miracles; seeing him in that place, held up my hands, with all those gestures usual to those who behold some won­derful thing fallen out contrary to the course of Nature; which the Devil perceiving, said thus unto me; O stranger! if thou didst but know, of what Leaven the Religious are moulded, you would not think it so strange to see them suffer what they so justly deserve. Hypocrisie, which is so hateful to Heaven, hath made its Nest in the Cloy­sters of the Religious, which never do any good, they are not forced to, and contrary to their Sentiments, which are naturally disposed to wickedness; but I will tell thee no more, because, under the name of Hypocrisie, all their lewdness is comprehended, couzening the World with Exteriour Goodness, and Heaven with Interiour Wicked­ness. To which I only replyed, That I would take an Oath I would never believe again the false Appearances of the Religious.

And I will promise there the same; but I prethee tell me, whether any of the Order of Saint Dominick was in that place?

Whether there were any there! Alas! there was so great a number of them, that the Arithmeticians could not be able to count them; yet I could not possibly know any of them, by reason of the punishment they underwent, so different from all the rest.

But how so? Did every Religious Order then suffer a distinct pain?

Yes; and the pain of the Dominican Fathers was, that a Devil rid upon every one of them; and it was good sport, to see those good Fathers scrambling along-upon all four, and the Devil sitting astride them with a Whip in his Paw, lashing their buttocks, and at the same time checking them with his Bridle which the poor Beasts had in their mouths. I had the curiosity to ask what was the reason, why these Fathers only were appointed such a punishment? to which Query the Daemon answered me; that these Fathers were so accustomed to lord it over all the World, that they were prouder than all the rest of the Fraternities put together. So that Lucifer emulating the Pride of the said Fathers, had condemned them to be so humbled in Hell, because they had been so exalted on Earth: And I, having begg'd again to know why they were so whipt on their buttocks, and so hard bridled in their mouths; he added, that it [Page 54]proceeded from the great indulgence they had given their back-sides, which had never had any scourage of Discipline, which all other Fryers are wont to have. O! said I, this is new to me, tho' I am sure enough, that these Fathers have Pride radicated in their very bones, yet I never thought that their Pride prevailed against their Discipline. Yes, replyed the Devil, because the Effect of Discipline is to mortifie the body, and these good Fathers used to strut up and down in Cities like Peacocks, turning their breeches first to the right hand, and afterwards to the left. I, who had seen these Fa­thers walk up and down in that manner a thousand times, said no more, but that his description of them was very true. Yet I supplicated to have a further information of the Bridles that they had in their mouths, and was answered, that they being used to stop the mouths of all sorts of persons, by their Tyrannical Tribunal of the Inquisi­tion, so that it appeared to the World, as if the liberty of discourse was banished out of Christendom, by the Authority of the holy Office, which the said Fryers held in their hands, purposely to stop all folks mouths; therefore in Hell they are condemned to suffer the same punishment, which they make others endure upon Earth. Besides, they deserve to have the Bridle put in their mouths, for having tattled so much against the immaculate Conception of the Virgin. I would not stop any longer to observe the torments of these Fryers, but went on, to remark the sufferings of others, which were of a different nature. The Franciscans were disputing Precedency with one ano­ther; every Order amongst them desiring to be the first; and at the same time the Cappuchins, and the Reformed, who had been of the poor Orders, were reviling and railing at the Conventuals, who defended themselves, by proving that their Poverty was compelled, and fastned on their Habit, and not in their heart; and the Recollects, who were neither of the poor, nor of the rich, were enraged against both of them, and left not a Curse that was ever found out, unuttered against them [...]; but the most to be noted was, that the Devils, who still fomented this discord, when they saw them well heated with disdain, interposed and ran in between them, and with certain Iron Bars parted them, and ended the Fray, saying, Remember that ye are Minorists. 'Tis true, the Recollects were exempted from this punishment, but the Devils, in lieu of Bastinading them, as they did the others, hung them up by the throats; and I, having desired to know the reason, was answered, that they justly merited to be used like Thieves, for having stollen so many Convents from the other Franciscans; the whilst I turned to the other side, and saw the Augustinians, who suffered torments equal to the Franciscans; so that I cared not to fix any longer on such Objects; and the rather, because they were so near unto the Minimes, which are the Franciscans of St. Paul, the last Order that came into the World.

How is it possible? What I are those Fathers, who are all Charity, in Hell?

Why, they go the surer into Hell, for having relyed too much upon their Cha­rity, as one of those Daemons told me, who was entrusted to torment those Fathers, and their torment was to eat the flames of fire, which was a sort of meat, that I per­ceived very well, was not a little nauseous to them (tho' they were obliged to it) by their making such ill-favoured faces, as sick men do, that are to take a loathsom Potion; and they had reason, for the Devils used no great Ceremony towards them, in putting such Viands in their mouths, but threw the flames in with Pots and Kettles, without either Ladles or Spoons. I thought at first, that the Devils had done this on a good design; to wit, to digest so much Oyl, so much crude Herbs, so much Fish ill drest, so much unwholesom Pulse, and so much other Lenten fare, which these Fryers used to stuff their bellies with in their Cloysters: But the Daemon, which I spoke to thee of before, told me, that amongst all the Religious Orders, these had the greatest need of being inwardly heated, all the fire of Charity being extinguished in their hearts, by having too much inflamed the Walls of their Cloysters with the Device and Emblem of Charity; and so priding themselves in setting up such a Motto, that it is set over the very doors of their Kitchins, and Privy-houses; and at the rate they inflame their Walls with Charity, they exhaust it out of their hearts, neither regarding the Religious, nor [Page 55]the Poor, driving all from the Gates of their Cloysters; so that we have taken a re­solution to enkindle their hearts with all the warmth our fire can give them. The Daemon saying nothing further about this particularity, suffered me to go wandring on in the Rode, where I met with nothing but Fryers of all sorts, on whom I atten­tively fixt my eyes, not out of any Devotion I had towards them, but only to see if I could find any Jesuits among them, on which all my thoughts were bent; but the more I pryed about, so much the greater was the confusion of my spirit; that, having already seen thousands, and ten thousands of Franciscans, Augustinians, Carmelites, Do­minicans, Regular Canons; in fine, Monks and Fryers, of all kinds, notwithstanding I had not seen one Jefuite: whereupon I threw my self, without either fear or wit, into the midst of these miserable wretches, to find them out: At last I discovered at a great distance certain black Habits like unto those of the Jesuits, and so I turned my feet that way, hoping to find them in that place, but found my self much deceived; for these were the Theatines, and the Sommaschs, who do likewise make a profession to imitate and Ape the Jesuits; and drawing near to one of these Fathers, to inquire some news of the Jesuits, he could tell me nothing at all; but complained after a strange rate against those Fathers, saying, That they the Sommaschs and Theatines were ob­liged to the Jesuits, for their being in Hell, seeing the most of them were damned for following of the Jesuitical Maxims. Mean while I imagined that the Jesuits being neither Priests nor Fryers, nor of the World, nor Religious men; that perhaps they would be placed in the middle between both: Whereupon, after I had well observed all the Fryers and Monks, and all the Religious of every other sort and Order, I passed calmly on into the Priests Apartment, but their number was so very great, that I was forced to stay above two hours, before I could get in, and yet in that place there were only Mass-Priests, for the others were intermixt with the Fryers. Then I began to stare every one in the face, and asking every one of them whether he were a Jesuit, they answered in such a manner, as if I had injured them mightily By that Question; so, having seen the Priests, the Canons, and the Abbots tor­mented (all of them) with very sharp pains, I past to the residence of the Bishops, and the Arch-Bishops, having lost the very hopes of ever seeing the Jesuits; for they did al­ways so contemn the Bishops and Arch-Bishops, scorning such dignities, as things infe­riour to their Merits; that it could not be thought they would endure them to be there amongst them; so that despairing that I could not see the Jesuits in Hell, I set me down upon a Stone, beating my brains, and studying with my self, where the De­vil these Jesuits should be. Perhaps, said I, these Fathers pawn the Souls of the dead, to guard the Treasures they have got by so many Stratagems from the living. Per­haps by the power of the Moneys which they possess in so great an abundance, they have bought the Inheritance of Heaven. Perhaps the Devils leave them in the custody of the Women, who made profession on Earth to be such civil Guardians of that Sex. Whilst I was roving thus within my self, the Devil, who conducted me, being sensible of all, and knowing very well the great passion that I had to see the Jesuits, could not contain from deriding me, yet, not having the heart to see me in so much suspen­sion, told me, that he had found a way how to satisfie my curiosity, but it was re­quisite to go very cautiously; for the seeing of the Jesuits in Hell, was esteemed a matter of State, because the Devils kept the said Fathers there, meerly out of policy. I replyed, I would do all things he esteemed necessary; whereupon he went before me, and bid me follow him, and so we entred into a very spacious way, which was set on both sides with great numbers of Devils in ranks one over another, and clothed like the Guards of Kings; so that I gathered from thence, we were going to the Pa­lace of Lucifer, Emperour of Hell, which was too true; for, we had gone but a very few steps further, when we came to the Gate of the said Palace, which was guarded by a good number of Souldiers, divided into three Companies of Guards; yet we had no difficulty in getting in; tho' 'tis true that great Lucifer's Ushers and Grooms met us in the Hall, and told us, that they had precise Orders, to carry no Embassador [Page 56]into their Prince, without telling him, who it was, that asked for Audience; and for what cause they required it; and therefore the Devil, who was with me, acquainted them with my request, which was to obtain a licence from his Infernal Majesty, to give me leave to go into the Hell of the Jesuits.

It would not quit the Charge of exposing ones self to the sight of so great a Prince of Darkness, to gain a sight of these Fathers, who boast themselves to be the Light of the World: For my part, I would e'ne have been satisfied to hear that they were safe in the Devils Clutches.

The Appetites of Men are very different; I, for my part, would go willingly into Hell, to have the pleasure of seeing one Jesuit in Purgatory. Now, when I was introduced into the presence of Lucifer, who sate upon a mighty high Throne, made of burning Coals, interwoven with certain flames, which threw out sparks on all sides, like a Smiths Forge, I tendred my request to him, which he readily heard; but asked me so many Questions, that I began a little to repent I had ever thought of the Jesuits; discerning very plainly, that he derided my curiosity; nevertheless he rose up, and with his own hands took three Keys which lay under his breech, and gave them to three of the most Diabolical Counsellors, that waited about his Throne, commission­ing them to conduct me to the residence of the Jesuits, and so I was dismist by Lu­cifer, without saying any more to me, but, Go satisfie your foolish curiosity; and I immediately began to follow those Devils who carryed the Keys, who, without going out of the Royal Palace, conveyed me thro' certain very deep Dens, all full of Asps and Basilisks, from whence we past into so strait an Alley, that we could scarce go in it one after another; in the middle of which, there was a door, which was opened with one of the three Keys; and, at the end of this Lane, there was another door, which was likewise opened with the second Key; and, entring in there, we found a Draw-bridge guarded by four huge Devils, to whom one of the three Counsellors spoke, commanding them by the Authority of Lucifer, to let us go in; so they fail­ed not instantly to let down the Bridge, which we passed over; and, not far from thence, we found a great Gate, which was also kept by Lucifer's Guards, shut on the out-side with a great Chain, which was also opened with the third Key, and by the Counsellors own hand; who knocked two or three times, and, at the last knock, one within came and opened a small Wicket, thro' which he spoke to the Counsellors, but I could not hear what they said; but, in fine, the Gate was opened to us, and we entred in, and after that Gate was shut again very safely: Another lesser Gate was opened, where we were let in, attended by a dozen of Halberdiers; but two of the Counsellors stay'd behind, and only one of them went along with me. We had scarce set our feet with­in that place, but we began to see so prodigious a number of Jesuits, that I could ne­ver have credited it: They all stood with their hands and feet chained up, and with Padlocks in their mouths, that they could not speak; nevertheless, they suffered no other torments but that of flames, which indeed were very great, but there was not one word heard; for those Devils, which were there to look after them, had no other form, than of the most poysonous Serpents, so that there was a most exact silence ob­served. I was so presently satisfied concerning the Jesuits, that I askt to go out, and resolved to lose the very memory of them; therefore I knockt at the Gate, which was opened, and we returned back in the self same manner that we came: But my cu­riosity engaged me to beseech one of those Counsellors, as we travelled, to know what was the cause that made the Jesuits be kept in so strict a custody in Hell; deprived of the very satisfaction of conversing with the other damned Souls? To which Question, the Counsellor answered me, in Political Sicknesses 'tis convenient to make use of Violent Remedies, to exterminate the arising evil, else the Wound rankling, might render the Disease incurable. Now, we who perceived from the very first that the Jesuits appeared in the World, that they had no other design, than aspiring to the Uni­versal Monarchy, whence to arrive to the end of their intention, they have not for­born trying Impossibilites, joyning the Morals, Speculatives, Rhetoricks and Politicks [Page 57]together, to gain upon the minds of Princes and People: and tho' at first fight it does appear as if they had obtained their design; yet nevertheless, if you search into the bot­tom of what they have done, you will find that these Fathers have obtained the abso­lute Monarchy over all the Kingdoms of Europe, whilst they command the Princes in counselling them, and impose Laws on the People in confessing them, and lord it over other folks wealth, in seeming to despise their own. All these things being perceived by our Lucifer, who watches over the free Monarchy of Hell with an accurate Vigilancy, that he may not fall into that Error which the Princes of Europe have, and daily do fall into, who suffer themselves to be ruled, nay, domineer'd over by Jesuitical Subtilties and Stra­tagems, has determined to keep them thus fettered and deprived from all manner of Commerce, that the Jesuits might not attempt to become Monarchs of Hell, like as they have made themselves Monarchs of the World. Truly, I found my self all melted into tears at this discourse, giving up my self to weep for the misery of the People, or rather of Christian Princes, who are so contented to sell their own Liberty, coming short of the wit of Hell, who know much better how to maintain the Liberty and Au­thority of their Monarchy, than these Princes and People have done theirs. In the mean time, being come back to Lucifer's Palace, the Counsellors being about to take their leaves of me, they all said to me, That now I was returning to the World, I should re­member Princes, and endeavour to open their eyes a little better, because the Jesuits had their eyes ever open; and watching to ruine every Monarchy, and support their own, which I promised them I would do, so I took my leave of them, and as I passed out by the back Gate of Lucifer's Palace, into a large Street, I heard such horrid yellings and howlings, as would have struck terrour into the most courageous heart: this noise sur­prized me, because I could not imagine these to be the Jesuits; but, as I went on a little further, I perceived, upon several Apartments, a different Banner, which seemed to look rather like the Ensign of some Secular, than Religious Order.

What were these then? and what Account did the Devil thy Guide give thee of them?

They were several Societies of Men, that by Hypocrisie and Deceit, under a Veil of Piety, had cunningly defrauded their Neighbours, and several Trades-men, under the pretence of honesty and fair dealing, cheated those that used to Trade with them; and upon these wretches the Policies of Hell ordered severe pains to be inflicted; and be­sides, I could easily distinguish them, by observing the Banners of every several Com­pany. There were Vintners and Ale-Drawers, Mercers and Drapirs, Brewers and Bakers, Pewterers and Goldsmiths, Grocers and Dyers, and above an hundred several Companies, as well of Retailers as Whole-sale-men.

But pray tell me what order is taken with the Vintners in Hell, who torture Men upon Earth with their Sophistications and base Wine? methinks they deserve severer punishments than other Men.

Oh! the Devils know them too well, to let them escape due Chastisement; they are a company of Rank Rascals, and are used accordingly: Nay, it has been often de­bated in Hell, to have them suffer the same torments that are inflicted upon the Phy­sicians, Surgeons, Apothecaries and Hang-men, and to have them turned amongst them; for in truth they are as great slaughter-men, as any of the rest; but for some Politick Reasons it hath hitherto been forborn; for these Vintners bring advantage to Hell, and by the fumes of their bad Wine, many Men are exasperated to commit Murders, and other Villanies, and, by that means, send Griss to the Mill; therefore, for these good services, they are allotted an Infernal Habitation to themselves, being very numerous.

But did you not go in, and see some other Trades-men, as well as the Vintners, and how they were employed?

O yes! the Devils had prepared work enough for them, as you shall hear. The Mercers and Drap [...]rs were compelled to fold and unfold Artificial flakes of fire conti­nually. The Brewers were purboiled in their own Coppers, instead of Mault. The Bakers were thrown into heated Ovens, and taken out again piping hot, but not so [Page 58]well savour'd as their new-baked Loves used to be. The Pewterers and Goldsmiths had their share of torment also, for all their false Allays of Copper, Lead, and other Metals, being separated from the true Gold, Silver and Pewter, were melted and poured down their throats scalding hot, to cool their covetous thirst after unlawful gain. The Grocers were kept as relishing Pickles, and delicious Sawces, hasht and cookt up by the ex­perienced Daemons, and choicely preserved as Rarities and Ragousts for Lucifer's own Table: But, amongst the variety of Trades-men, I was the most of all amazed to be­hold the Dyers, who being thrown into their own Caldrons of variety of Colours, came out such motly creatures, that the Devils themselves knew not what to make of them; this very Trade had its different punishment; and every particular man had his torments suitable to the Cheats he had used in his Vocation.

Truly, my old friend, thou hast given me a notable Account of the Devil's pro­ceedings against wicked men in the other World; but go on and tell me what hap­pened afterwards in thy Voyage.

Whilst I was advising with the Daemon my Comrade, which way to take, I heard a buzzing noise, as if some great house had been on fire; every body ran about in con­fusion, and some leaped down three or four steps to get out the sooner; so I followed the Crowd, and the Devil my Companion with me, but neither of us knew whither we were going; but running with the multitude, and pressing in the throng, he met one of his Fellow-Devils, and asked him what was the matter; who answered him, that Don Mario, was just now come to Hell, which made every one run to see him make his entrance, and give him a kind reception: When I heard this news, I rejoyced, and said within my self, Ha! ha! the Popes Nephews are not far from this place, since Don Mario is come hither, expecting to meet them: So I ran with all possible speed, lest I should lose such an opportunity; but I was absolutely confounded to see and ob­serve the mighty honours which were done to the said Don Mario; for it appeared to be a Solemn Triumph, whilst Lucifer himself went out to meet him, and vouchsafed to conduct him also, into the Apartment of other kinsmen of the Popes, which were all courted by so great a number of Devils, that I dare truly say, there was in that one Apartment more of them, than in all the rest of Hell. This extraordinary honour which I saw done to Don Mario, and to the other Nephews of Popes, and the Myriads of Devils that I saw so busied to serve them, moved me to the curiosity of Asking a Dae­mon, who cryed out with a louder Voice than any else, Long live the Nepotismo: What was the reason of all this? who answered me thus; That the Devils had much more rea­son to give greater services to Relations of Popes, than to the rest of the whole World; that they might not sin by Ingratitude, because the Nephews of the Popes were the cause of so many Souls dying in despair.

What did he mean by this? the point seems to me a little too speculative.

Not so much as you think; and I am of the opinion he had reason enough; for indeed, to speak the truth, the Nephews of the Popes do torment Prelates, Religious men, Priests, Fryers, Nuns, Nobles and Plebeans, with Grievances, with Violen­ces, with spightful actions, with taking Offices from the best deserving, to give them to the best Chapmen; and with a hundred thousand of such kind of tricks, by which they reduce the greatest part of Christians to despair, and by that drawing much profit to Hell, who therefore assist, and honour the Nephews to inflame them the more to Persecu­tion, now instantly after I had seen Don Mario in Hell, I began to think of returning back to Rome, being certain I should find much more quiet there; whereupon I told my Sentiment to the Demon who had bin allotted me for my Companion, who made me fall I cannot tell you how, into a profound sleep, which when I wakened out of after hours, I found my self in Rome where thou seeft me. Behold then in what manner my decease and revival hath hapned; but as I have made thee a relation of the affairs in the other World, do you now give me some account of what hath passed at Rome, since my departure.

What relish canst thou have in hearing discourses of this World, after having seen [Page 59]such great things in Hell? Thou oughtest to be content with the knowledg of things un­known to all, without searching into such as are notoriously manifest to the very scum of the People. There is nothing at present done at Rome, that is not publick throughout the Universe.

This is a disease which is now so gangren'd that it's past all cure; but for me who am just come from so distant a Country, every thing is new, for in that place below, the voices from here above do not penetrate.

I could tell thee a great many things, my dear Pasquin, if the time would permit me, but it growing now late it would be well for us to retire, to avoid those accidents which are apt to befal such as wander up and down in the night, besides, thou, being just now come from such a fa [...] Countrey, shouldst be glad to take some rest.

But tell me something however; How did the Election of the New Pope take?

Truly, as we have had hitherto very just reason to blame the Vices of some; now we may, for an Universal Consolation, praise the Virtues of others, it being the office and part of a good Christian to praise goodness, and blame wickedness. If the Roman people have groaned for these 12 years under the miseries that Alexander the Seventh, and the Family of Chigi hath plunged them into; now they may enjoy their full felicity acquired by the Election of Clement the Ninth, and the introduction of the Family of Rospigliosi into Rome. For 'tis most certain, that the Papacy, for the safety of Christen­dom, and the benefit of the Roman people, could not have fallen into any other hands, but of Cardinal Rospigliosi's, who therefore was pleased with great reason to invest him­self with the name of Clement, to shew, that all the Zeal of his Soul should be levelled to govern that people with Clemency, who had been lorded over till this hour with Un­merciful Tyrannies of others The first dawnings of his Papacy shined forth in discharging the Oppressed people of so many Taxes, and in placing Justice upon the Throne, from whence she had been driven, during the most wicked Government of the wretched Mi­nisters of Alexander: And 'tis clearly seen, that the Operation of the Holy Spirit directed in the Election of this Person, since he was scarce created Pope, when the languishing strength of his body, afflicted with a thousand indispositions, began to recover a con­firmed health; insomuch as that when he was a Cardinal, and had but very little labour and toyl, he was hardly able to walk; now he is so indefatigable in all business, that he feeds as it were on troubles and pains, verifying in himself, that holy saying of the Evan­gelist, Bonus Pastor animam suam dat pro Ovibus suis, The good Shepherd lays down his life for his Sheep.

O Marforio! 'tis the end is to be prais'd; for Alexander also began in this manner, and yet in a very short time, from a Shepherd of Souls, he became the Hang-man and Executioner of the people, leaving Rome in a worse state than it was left by Nero.

The Corruption of Alexander did not come from himself, for he was of a nature almost incorruptible, at least experimented pure, in his own manners and dealings, for a very long time; but it was derived, and came from the perverse nature of his Kindred, who never in their lives shewed so much as an inclination of doing good; but this rea­son signifies nothing in the particular of Clement the Ninth; for he hath not introduced a Don Mario into Rome, clothed with a thousand Humane Imperfections; but a Don Ca­millo, endowed with Angelical Virtues, a Don Camillo, who generously strips himself of what is his own, to bestow it on the Poor; not a Don Mario, who Tyrannically spoils the Poor to clothe himself: He hath not introduced a Cardinal Chigi, an ignorant young man, unexpert in all Affairs of Government; but a Cardinal Julius Rospigliosi, a per­son of infinite worth, and a Capacity balanced to maintain the Quality of a Favourite Nephew, having by the height of prudence, and persuasion of his Uncle, renounced the Title of Cardinal Padrone, declaring he would much rather serve than domineer. He hath not introduced a Don Augustine, who, as soon as he came into Rome, set himself to abuse and deal hardly with the Roman Nobility; but a Don Vicenzo, who contemning the ease, sloth and solaces of Rome, hath esteemed it a greater Glory to go meet with Death from the Infidels, than to enjoy in the Court that Vanicy's idle breath which the [Page 60]Nephews of other Popes did so delight in. In fine, from this Papacy there is nothing to be expected but universal happiness and good, the Pope and the Nephews both ex­treamly endeavouring it.

God be praised! It is fit truly that a great Tempest should be succeeded by a great Calm; the people then is contented with this Pope.

Most infinitely contented, and the Prelates also; tho 'tis true, that amongst these there are some Male-contents may be found; for, 'tis the great misery of Rome, that there are more prelates, than Dignities to be dispenced; I speak of considerable Dignities; and every one believe themselves most meritorious, without any excep­tion, whence 'tis impossible to satisfie one, without disgusting another: yet the Pope nevertheless with the highest prudence, strives to oblige some with Favours, others with good words, and all his Kindred do the same, being every one of them of sweet and complaisant dispositions.

This is one of the greatest happinesses that could come to Rome, being continually in time past, ill treated both in word and actions.

Amongst other things, the Nephews do not appear to be so greedy of Usurping over the Pope, as the other Nephews to this day have been, which whether they feared to have lost him, or whether they feared, that being much frequented by others, their inward corruptions, by that means, should come to be revealed. They kept him hid, as it were, in such a strange manner, that he was with much difficulty permitted to give Audiences to publick Ministers: But this reason doth not prevail now at this present time, whilst the Pope, knowing himself to be truly the Universal Father in despight of thē wicked Hereticks that deny it, hath given express order unto all his Family even to the meanest, that they should introduce every person that will come into the publick Audience, which he gives once a week, receiving every one with a paternal affection, who praise God as they return to their houses, that hath vouchsafed to give them a Pope, who both deserves, and worthily bears the name of Universal Father.

Really I do not know now the other Popes could pretend to the Title of Universal Father, if they made themselves so only in particular to their Nephews. Let us therefore give thanks to the Lord our God, who hath been pleased to give Christianity an Uni­versal Father; but how treats he with the Crowned Heads, and other Princes?

With the very same difinterestedness, which he used whilst he was a Cardinal, walk­ing in a very even path, to give no Jealousie either to one body or another; so that every one sees themselves obliged to confess with truth, that he is the Universal Father. He is extreamly inclined to the Peace and Tranquility of Christendom; whence he uses all means imaginable to make Peace again between France and Spain; and every day recommends unto the publick Ministers their labouring and striving with their ut­most Industry to preserve a good Union and Correspondency betwixt those Princes; his Pastoral Zeal is known by the Ardour that he shews in succouring the Venetians, who so long a time have fought with so great Glory against the common Enemy of the Church of Christ; nay, not being content to succour them with the Patrimony of St. Peter given by himself, he solicits the Princes of Christendom daily with reiterated Intreaties, who can do no less, seeing so great an Example in the Pope, but open their treasures, and assist that Republick liberally, who is as the Bulwork of the Freedom of the Christian Church. In fine, the Hereticks themselves confess, that this Pope came from Heaven, not being soely Elected by Men; his ways being directed altogether to­wards the Honour of God.

What. does he then shew himself so wholly intent on the publick good? But what say his Relations then? are not they jealous, that what he spends for the ser­vice of the publick good, diminishes the advancement of their particular Family?

The Kindred of the Pope cannot indeed complain against him; neither can the Pope complain against his Kindred; for they are of a nature easie to be contented, ha­ving not hitherto shewed themselves greedy, altho' many opportunities have been of­fered unto them; tho' always before the Nephews of the Popes have ever shewed as if [Page 61]it were the temperature of their Nature. And Pope Clement also loves his Nephews as much as one ought to love the Body; and the Church as much as one ought to love the Soul; which, to speak plainly, shews his heart is much more set upon the good and advantage of the Church, than that of his Kindred; he concedes those Emo­luments to his Nephews, and furnishes them with those profits which proceed from those Dignities and Offices which the Church by Antient Custom did use to dispence to the Kindred of the Popes, but he will not suffer them to burthen the people at all; neither are they the least inclined to it, and most particularly Don Camillo, who is so ge­nerous, that he had rather die poor, and leave a good name, than rich with an ill fame behind him.

The Chigi were not so scrupulous, especially Don Mario's Lordship.

Let's speak no more of the graces of Don Mario; for I tell thee, the Government of the Chigi's was the Government of the Devils, and that of the Rospigliosi's a Govern­ment of Angels; the Rospigliosi's are delighted in studying the common good of the people, whereas the Chigi's grew fat with their blood and destruction. If the Nephews of other Popes had been content, as the Rospigliosi's are, to have enjoyed the usual Rents of those Offices and Charges which are fitting in all respects for the Popes Ne­phews, without tyrannizing over the miserable people, by so many Taxes imposed upon them, the Church undoubtedly would have been much more peopled with Ca­tholicks; and Heresie would have been destroy'd by the very Hereticks. And there would not either have been so many infamous Manuscripts kept in Rome, nor so ma­ny Satyrical Books printed.

But on the mention of Books, prethee is there any new ones come out since I was seen here?

If I would name all the Books, and all the Pamphlets which have come to light lately, there would be certainly such a vast Catalogue of Books, as would swell into a Volume bigger than the Book of Martyrs.

Who the Devil shites all these Scriblers? and where do they inhabit?

I know not that; but it's certain, that as soon as any Gentleman that is a stran­ger comes into Rome, an innumerable company of black Coats, out at the elbows, come about him, all striving to fasten upon him their satyrical and infamous Manuscripts, which they sell at good penny-worths, applying all their wits to feed their bodies, tho' to the damnation of their souls; and, because the most part of strangers of Quality that come to Rome are Hereticks, they, by this means, return back into their own Countreys loaded with Manuscripts, and they impart them to Book-sellers who are their Friends, who finally as Enemies to the Church of Rome, make no scruple to Print what the Romans themselves are not ashamed to write. But the greatest shame of all is, that the very Hereticks are more scrupulous than the Catholicks themselves, the Catholicks writing such very infamous things, that they blush to read them.

I know not what to say to it, but pray God to pardon those who give the oc­casion.

'Tis the Corruption of the Age in which we live, whilst men have such depraved Gusts, that they know not, or rather will not read any other works but Satyrs, as wick­ed as they are infamous, and those who have no other way of living, but by belying either themselves, or at least their own Consciences, writing any thing that will de­light the Men of the Age.

But how comes Rome only to be the Mother of all these Satyrical Books? Is it because the Romans have less Conscience, or more leisure than other people? For my part I know not what to make of it.

'Tis because they are more sly and cunning than others; for these things require twice the wit and subtilty of others: And yet if thou didst know how much also others writ, thou wouldst not lay all the blame on the Romans: for in France and England it self, but the two last years there have been Printed above seventy Books all Satyrical, against the chief of that Kingdom, and some of them so filthy, that they nauseate the [Page 62]Reader; tho' tis very true, that the French have a peculiar dexterity in knowing how to Jest with Satyrism, taking it absolutely for a kind of Gallantry of wit, and the grea­test revenge is to scorn it. Of Spain then I say nothing, because Satyrs there run as the Post-horses; in every corner there is one to be had; but the worst is, that there are no Satyrs so sharp as those which come from a Spanish Pen, by reason that that Nation being very pious and devout, when they be corrupted, they become venom and poyson, because the corruption of the best is ever the worst.

If this be so, then we need not wonder that the Romans are so very skilful in Composing Satyrs; for they can be good or bad according to Time, Place or Occa­sion.

For my part, I believe the Romans do not write out of malice, but out of pure necessity, and stab out of revenge; for, 'tis too true, that the most part of those who sell Manuscripts in Rome, are certain necessitous Priests, and certain discontented Cour­tiers, these being spurred on by revenge, and the others by want; and because the Julio, which is given them for saying Mass, is not sufficient to live upon, they give themselves up to doing things, which perhaps are contrary to their very nature; and therefore every thing they do looks supernatural.

But what Books are come out since the time that I have seen thee? name me one.

There is the Putanismo as jolly in the invention, as it is foul and infamous in its matter, and which lashes the Court most, where it was made and composed. More­over, there is Mercury turned Post-boy, and whipping and lashing very hard. There is also the Monarchy of Spain in its Rise and Declension, which is a very pleasant Treatise in form of Comedy, set off with a curious Prologue, which smites the Spaniards hip and thigh: Yet, to speak the truth, they may make some good use of it, tho' the Au­thor was none of their Friends. Moreover, there is the Model of the Jesuitical Govern­ment, with an Instruction to Princes of the manner by which the Jesuits govern them­selves to advance their Society to a perfect Monarchy, which touches them to the quick; especially an Amphibological and Persuasive Letter of a Jesuit to a Gentleman his Disciple, with the Gentleman Disciples Answer to his Master the Jesuits Letter, The Ca­binet of Princes, consisting of four Concerts, that snip and piece every thing as the toy takes them. Then the Speaking Animals is also to be seen, a very rigorous piece, that sufficiently shews it was produced by some learned head who speaks not like an Ani­mal, tho' he treats and handles all like Beasts, as if there was never another Man but himself. There are sundry Relations from several Princes Courts, which Treatises seem licked over with Honey, but have Gall in their Entrails.

Alas! all these are small pieces, the Manuscripts of which I have often seen.

May be so; but there is also the Cardinalismo, which is divided into three Vo­lumes; and, for my part, I believe there never was any thing seen which was more disjoynted without beginning or end, without reason or foundation, only a meer heap of Lies and Railing.

It was not then done by the Author of the Nepotismo; for that was not so abo­minable.

The stile was like enough to it, both being but ill Composed, and to say truth, groundless; yet nevertheless the Nepotismo hath something that sparkles at the first sight, but as for the Cardinalismo, it is not possible to relate the absurdities that are in it; and I know not how the Devil any Man can be found, that will take the pains to read it, being so far from reason, and carrying a Lye in every sentence of it. Were it a plain Satyr, it might pass, but the mischief is, that it corrupts all History, turning and bring­ing it into a formal Satyrism.

Is it not like the Just Balances of Cardinals, which is full of a thousand filthy im­purities?

The Just Balances, tho' Satyrical, hath something agreeable in them, because they are a sort of guessing or divination of what they say; but the Cardinalismo praises [Page 63]those Cardinals it ought to blame, and blames those it ought to praise, giving and taking Offices and Dignities at its own pleasure. In fine, if it was said of the other, that there were as many Sentences as there were Words, of this it may be said, there are as many Fooleries as there are Words.

It will then have a great Effect upon inquisitive Men reading it, it will spoil the humour of reading such kind of Books; but is there no more?

There is the Conclaves of all the Popes, which stinks extreamly, but History makes it so; and tho' they be but fragments of things long since past at Rome, yet being now all gathered together, they very much move the curiosity at this time of many persons to read them. But above all, there is a little exquisite piece that much pleases me, which is called The Counts Defence of the Rights of Princes, where a Marquiss is feigned speaking Satyrically against the Chief Potentates of Italy, and all Europe; and the Count refuting the Marquiss's Arguments, maintains the Princes; all which is contained in Eight Dialogues. In the first is discoursed the Advantages that Spies bring unto Prin­ces: In the second is discoursed all the concerns of the Duke of Crequi, Ambassador of his Most Christian Majesty, his Negotiations and Transactions in Rome, and of the heads he published touching his Pretensions: In the third is discoursed the Interests about Portugal, shewing how the Pope is obliged by Political Reasons to admit them the Nominations of their Churches: In the fourth the King of England's Marriage with the Infanta of Portugal is discoursed of: In the fifth is discoursed the Peace made by the Emperour with the Turks: In the sixth the King of Spain is praised for yielding the Precedency of his Embassadors, to the Embassadors of the Most Christian King, with the Reasons for it: In the seventh the Prudence of the King of France is discoursed in buying the Signiory of the Duke of Lorain, shewing that he did no body any Injury: And in the eighth it's proved, that the Venetians did not do ill but well, to continue the War against the Turk.

The piece ought to be profitable, treating of Noble Subjects, and adapted to sa­tisfie curiosity.

There is nothing better, Composed, and more Political, but those who are prickt do not approve it, yet they cannot forbear to read it, finding Honey mixt amongst the Stings.

When Satyrs are well Composed, the very Stings themselves are sweet.

I believe at the present they are beginning to leave off Satyrising, at least against Rome; for 'tis certain, if they do not cease now, they will never cease at all.

But why wilt thou have this happen at present? what reason induces thee to believe so?

Because we are now in the Age of Clemency, and Christian Religion is ruled by a Head who is all Clement in effect, much more then in the name of it.

Truly there is nothing that humbles, and brings back the most strayed persons to Agreement, so well as Clemency: Therefore if the Chief Bishop will practise that, as thou sayest he does, he will gain much more than many others have done who have used Violence.

God pardon those who have so invenom'd the Pens of others, that they have been very often extream cruel against that Mother who feeds them. The good Religious Men cannot suffer any injury from the pricks and stings which are given to wicked ones. They who write have no design to offend those Ecclesiasticks, who live soberly and holily, and with the greatest Edification possible towards the people, of which sort there is an infinite number, as there is likewise an infinite number also of those, who forgetting the Obligation due to their Vows, rebel against their very Superiors; but the good Re­ligious cannot possibly fear receiving any detriment in their own Reputations, by the Satyrs against others, tho' they should have come from Hell it self. God hath left us the example of poor Lazarus, and the rich Glutton before our Eyes, that we might slie from the rich Glutton, and follow Lazarus, who was set before us that we might follow his steps: Therefore it is necessary sometimes to expose those that are addicted to Vice, to put them in mind of their duty; but this does not reflect upon good Men, but on the contrary, makes their Virtues more estimable.

The truth is, were there no distinction made in the Church between the good and the bad, the virtuous and the vicious, between vile corrupted Popes, and those that are not so, between Cardinals deserving that high Charge, and those that merit a Halter, between truly devout and hypocritical Christians, the Church must of neces­sity soon fall to ruine, should we extol those, who by their wicked examples rather scandalize their Neighbours, than endeavour to preserve the honour and reverence due to Religion? Should we attribute to such men the praises they only deserve, who sweat and labour, and undergo a thousand hardships, not only to sanctifie themselves, but to beget a respect and awe to Religion it self? It would be a thing impious and inhumane, if the lazy and negligent Minister may pretend to a recompence equal to the pious and laborious; what have they to do but to study to become like the others? 'Tis better therefore to publish the Vices of lewd men, that either they being made ashamed, may turn from their wicked courses, and enter into the paths of Virtue; or at least that by this means the holiness of the just may shine brighter.

The mischief is, that those wretches finding a sting in their Consciences, wince and kick at reproof, like a Horse that has a Nettle clapt under his Tail, or a skittish Jade when he feels the Spur.

Well bred Horses that go on readily in their way, are never disquieted with Spurs, tho' the Horse-men ride with them never so close to their sides.

'Tis very true indeed, that many do abstain from doing ill, rather for fear of being reproached by the World, than any true love of God.

Perhaps there will be no more necessity of pricking and spurring to provoke ill people to do well, and turn from the ways of wickedness, not to wrong the Clemency that thou speakest of, which I also highly commend, as a most necessary Expedient in this Age, where we see the nature of Men scorns and disdains in their very Souls the Violences of others.

The Head ever governs all the other Members, insomuch that whilst the Church had virtuous and holy Popes, and zealous of the Salvation of the People, the other Re­ligious also were so many Examples of Virtue, whence we ought to hope that God ha­ving been pleased to bless us at this time by sending his Church a Pope enriched with so many Virtues, who, like a Pellican, tears out his own bowels, for the love of his people, the other Prelates and Religious who are Members of the Church will be animated unto good, and by the Example of the Head, who is so good, will edifie the people, and do their duties in all virtuous and holy works; so all Satyrism will cease, and all Pens will be employed with the utmost Abilities to magnifie those good and religious Ecclesiasticks, which they formerly reviled for being wicked.

Then we shall not need to talk any longer, my dear Marforio, but turn our Eves from those wicked Objects, promising unto God for the time to come, to praise those good Religious so much the heartilier, for having formerly blamed the bad ones.