The PAPACY .

INnocent the Eleventh , Vicar of Jesus Christ on the Earth , and Bishop of Rome , formerly Benedict Odescalchi , was born in the year 1613. at Como in the Country of Millain ; was created Cardinal under the Title of St. Onuphrius , in the year 1645. by Innocent the Tenth , whose name he bears by way of acknowledgment .

He was elected Pope , Anno 1676. the 21 of September , being the day and Feast of St. Matthew ; was exalted the 4th of October following : Cardinal Maldachin , first Deacon of the Sacred Colledge , performed the Ceremony of the Proclamation .

The 8th of November this Prelate went from St. Peter's Church to St. John Laterans , where he receiv'd at entrance the two Keys , the one of Gold , the other of Silver , from the hands of Cardinal Chisi , who is Archpriest , after having first kiss'd the Cross , which his Eminency presented him . There were carried in this Cavalcade , according to custom , the vacant Hats , which were at that time to the number of six . There was vacant a twenty third place in the Sacred Colledge , by the death of Cardinal Bernardino Rocci , which happened at the end of the month November , 1680.

The Arms of his Holiness's House are in a Field Argent six Salvers Gules , three in chief , two in flank or in fess , and one in point or in base : These surmounted by three Bars of the same , debrused with an Escutcheon Argent , charg'd with a Lion Passant Gardant Gules : Lastly , a Chief , Or ; thereon a single Eagle display'd , Sable .

His Prophetick Motto was , Bellua insatiabilis ; because this Pope has in his Arms the Eagle and the Lion , insatiable Animals , with Salvers ; or else because he has continually with him in his principal actions Cardinal Cibo , which signifies Food ; who follows him in his Chappel , in the Church , in the Consistory , and elsewhere . See the Allusion . Wherefore after that Innocent had declared his Eminency his first Minister and Secretary of State , some person writ , Verè bellua in satiabilis , quia sine Cibo nunquam vivere potest . We may and ought better to understand insatiable of the salvation of Souls , and in a word , of his Zeal for the House of God , conformably to the Motto of the Royal Prophet , Zelus domus tuae Comedit me : and to see the glory of God , the onely thing that can satisfie , as the same King and Prophet says , Satiabor cum apparuerit gloria tua . The Prophetick Motto of Pope Vrban the Third , called before his Exaltation , Lambert Cribelli , was , Sus in Cribo , because his Arms were a Sow in a Sieve , and that he was of Millain , where its Founders lighted on a Sow covered the one half with Wooll , and the other with Hair ; whence is come the word Mediolana & de Medio-lanum . The Prophetick device of Eugenius the Fourth was Lupa Coelestina , the Wolf Coelestine , because he had for Arms a Wolf , and had been a religious man of the Coelestins . The four Evangelists are mystically represented under the Figures of four Animals ; St. Matthew has for Emblem a Man , St. Mark the Lion , St. Luke the Ox , and St. John the Eagle . These are the four Animals that the Prophet Ezekiah saw in a Vision , which carried the Throne of God . Jesus Christ is called the Lion of the Tribe of Juda ; Vicit Leo de Tribu Juda.

The Papal Scutcheon , which is Gules , consists of a long Cap , or Head-piece , Or , surmounted with a Cross pearled and garnished with three Royal Crowns , with the two Keys of St. Peter placed in Saltier .

Boniface the Eighth was the first that wore the Tiara with a double Crown , and Vrban the Fifth made it triple in the form of a Cap , adorned with a triple circle of Gold , for some Mystery that is contained in it : They call it the Regnum , because it denotes the dignity and power of Priest and Emperour . The Popes never wear it on their heads in doing their Office ; it may be upon the Altar , but they make use of Miters : the Tiara serves but at the Coronation of the Pope , and other Solemnities going and returning from the Church . It was typified by that of the great Priest of the Hebrews , of which Josephus says , that it was called Aurea Corona Pontificis in triplicem fabricata seriem .

No Pope in his Exaltation has dar'd to take the name of Peter , through respect to the first Vicar of Jesus Christ .

The ordinary place of Residence of the Popes is Rome , pleasantly watered with the River Tiber , which divides it into two unequal parts .

The day of their Coronation , the Master of Ceremonies kneeling on the ground , burns Flax in their presence , and says to them thrice with a loud voice , Pater Sancte , sic transit gloria Mundi : Holy Father , behold the continuance of this fire , thus passes the glory of this world . It is reported , that they say to them also in this Ceremony , Non videbis dies Petri ; that is to say , Peter lived twenty five years , you will not live so long : And in reality it is observ'd , that since S. Peter no Pope has ever passed twenty five years in his soveraign Pastorship , whether he were elected young or old . Adrian the First , and St. Sylvester the First , Romans , and Vrban the Eighth a Florentine , came nearest to it . Adrian hold the Government of the Church twenty three years , ten months , and seventeen days ; the other two about twenty two years each , and then they were fain to leave the World . Vrban the Eighth was of the Noble Family of the Barbarins .

As soon as Innocent was rais'd to the supreme dignity of the Apostleship , he resolv'd on twenty eight Articles of Reformation , which were sign'd by all the Cardinals ; and he caused a Consistorial Bull to be made of these Orders , that the Popes his Successors might not so easily derogate from them . His most Christian Majesty having been well inform'd from a long time of his merit , desired his Election , though he were a natural Subject to the King of Spain .

His Holiness lessen'd above half of the Officers and Domesticks belonging to the Houshold of the last soveraign Pastors . Being made acquainted that the Venetians had made choice of four Embassadours of Obedience to come and complement him according to custom , he signified to the Senate that he dispenc'd with their Civility , and thankt them for having admitted his House amongst the number of the Nobles of Venice .

He sent to the King of Poland sums of Money to maintain the War against the Turks and Tartars , and assisted that Kingdom with his own Purse even before his Exaltation , and daily does surprizing and admirable things . It 's a truth known at Rome , that Benedict Odescalchi during his Cardinalship , often threw Purses of Money in cognito into houses of persons in want . A Gentleman of Liege having been robb'd , and desiring his assistance in his necessity , he gave him a Bill to receive 4000 Crowns , having first told him that he had seen him somewhere . The Gentleman thinking that he should not be paid so great a sum , presented him the Bill to know whether his Eminency had not mistaken in writing it ; he answered him , You will be readily paid it ; and do not divulge what I have done , I wish I could do somewhat more .

The 19th of October 1679. his Holiness held a Consistory , where he gave in charge to the Cardinals Barberin , Cibo , Ottoboni , and Albritio , to inform themselves aright of the desert of persons to be raised to the Episcopal dignity ; and exhorted Princes who have the Nomination to Prelateships , to present persons endowed with Pastoral qualities .

The 4th of December 1676. his Holiness caus'd a Bull of Vniversal Jubile to be publisht in Rome , at the entrance of his Pontificate , in which he gave fifteen days for obtaining it , on condition that they should pray to God to grant his Person all necestary assistances for the well-government of the Holy Catholick Church ; and that they should beg also , that he would inspire Christian Princes to live in good peace and concord , and what else is exprest in the Bull : because at Rome they gain the Jubile before it be sent into the States of other Christian Princes ; Innocent the Eleventh sent the Bull of the great Jubile into France , and elsewhere , which continued two Months in the Diocess of Paris , which received these two Jubiles at the same time .

Clement the Tenth his Predecessor granted to the faithful three universal Jubiles ; the first was at his coming to his Pontificate ; the second in savour of the Polanders , to implore the Divine Assistance against the Turks ; the third was the great Jubile of the Holy year , fixt and ordinary , which happens now from twenty five years to twenty five years .

The Fourth of January 1677 , the Body of Innocent the Tenth being taken up in St. Peters Church , with the ordinary Ceremonies , and carried into that of St. Agnes , Innocent the Eleventh gave order for budding him a most magnificent Mausoleum .

The twenty fifth of February of the same year , his Holiness made an exhortation in the Apostolick Palace , to all the Curats of the City of Rome , concerning the necessity and indispensable duty of Teaching the People .

The Third of March he Blest and distributed the Ashes , and heard Mass celebrated by Cardinal Ludovisio , and the Sermon of one Father Theatin .

The Twelfth he Instructed the Preachers to preach the Gospel with simplicity , and without far-sought Embellishments : and in reality , it 's a vain thing to study points of Wit and Flowers to adorn that which shines enough of it self . Good Friday he heard the Sermon of the Passion of the Son of God , which was made by the Father Recanati , Capuchin .

The Ninth of November his Holiness caused the Corn to be seiz'd , whereof some particular persons had made Magazines , to sell it at an excessive rate , and to make an advantage of the scarcity wherewith many places of Italy were afflicted : his Holiness labouring for the comfort of the poor , regulated its price , and distribution after such a manner , that drew publick Blessings upon him .

An. 1678. the Ninth of June , the Pope made a Decree , strictly forbidding the Prelates of the Congregation of Riti to take other fees in Canonizations than those specified by this Decree ; which much moderates the Charges that have been usually made in these Ceremonies .

The Ninth of July his Holiness received , to his extream comfort , the news sent him by the Nuncio of Turin , that by the Cares of the Dutchess of Savoy , above Four hundred persons in the Valley of Lucern , within her Territories , were brought back into the bosome of the Church , and particularly the Minister Danas , who made his Abjuration in the Cathedral Church , in the presence of their Highnesses .

The Fourteenth of August his Holiness caused two Edicts to be publisht against the Luxury of Cloaths : Queen Christian of Sweden began the first to put them in execution , the Roman Ladies presently followed her example .

In the same year Commissaries were appointed by Innocent the Eleventh , to examine some Bulls set forth by his Predecessors , concerning some Office and Indulgence , to consider whether these Bulls were observed according to their tenour .

An. 1679. at the beginning of the year , a Decree was passed in the Vatican for retrenching from Cardinals a multiplicity of Places , and for bestowing them on others who had not any ; it being not just that one should have all , and the others nothing .

The Pope some days after appointed Commissaries for examining the Bull of Sixtus the Fifth , who determined the number of Cardinals to Seventy ; and the report was , he had a design to reduce them to Fifty , in case this change might be found advantageous to the Church . The Council of Constance limited them to Twenty four . Pope Sixtus the Fourth to Thirty . Alexander the Sixth to Fifty . Leo the Tenth to Sixty five . Pius the Fourth to Seventy six ; and Sixtus the Fifth to the number of Seventy , answering to the Seventy Elders given to Moses , for his assistants in the Government of the Synagogue ; time was , there were but Twelve , according to the example of the Apostles .

The Etymologie of the Name Cardinal : his Institution and his Habit.

THe word Cardinal comes from this , that the first and principal Churches of Rome were call'd Ecclesiae Cardinales . St. Austin calls the principal Donatists , Cardinales Donatistas . The first Cardinals were so call'd , because they were the first and Chief Priests of their Churches .

They were appointed in so many streets of the City of Rome , for taking care of the poor , under Pope Sylvester . After the death of this Prelate , whilst things were calm in the Church , they took upon them the care of the Baptism and Burial of the Faithful , and always reserv'd to themselves the Jurisdiction they had on the Priests and Clerks of their Parish , when the Popes sent them abroad as Legates . They continued in this state till Gregory the Seventh , at which time Henry the Fourth Emperor of Germany was excluded from the Election of the Popes , who were chosen by the Clergy and by the People , just as Bishops were . Claudius Vaurus says on this subject , in his Book Intituled The Court of Rome , that when these Priests , Cardinals , Curats of Rome , were Consecrated Bishops , their dignity of Cardinal became void , as inferiour to the Episcopacy . Nevertheless , in succession of time seeing themselves Bishops , they desired of the Popes to leave them the Title of Cardinals : the honorary Title of Cardinal has been given since to those that assist the Pope with their Councels in the Government of the Church .

St. Bernard , in a Letter that he writ to Pope Eugenius , calls them Collaterales & Coadjutores Pontificis , de toto orbe Judicaturos , de toto orbe diligendes , conformably to the words that the Pope pronounces at their Creation , in these terms ; Maximâ dilectissimi filii , & Excellentissimâ dignitate donati , estis ad Consilium Apostolorum vocati consiliarii nostri , & Conjudices orbis terrarum , eritis Successores Apostolorum , circa thronum sedebitis .

According to the same Claudius Vaurus , they never wear Velvet nor Sattin , and are ordinarily cloathed but of two colours , Red and Violet : they are in Violet during Advent and Lent , from Septuagesima , except the third Sunday of Advent , and the first Sunday of Lent , days mixt of joy and sadness ; in which they wear the colour of dry'd Roses , participating of red and violet ; they are also in violet every Friday , on Vigils , at the four times , and the day of the Commemoration of the Dead , and wear no robe of silk . There is an exception to this Rubrick , because they were the red colour at the four times after Pentecoste , on all the double Feasts that fall on Fridays out of Advent and Lent , on the Vigil of the Nativity of the Son of God , on the Creation and Coronation of the Pope , in what ever time it happens ; on the Feast of St. Peters Chair at Rome , and at other solemn Feasts , and on days of publick joy , for victories obtained , and the like things . The Cardinals that are Monks , wear always the colour of their Order , except the Hat , and the Red Cap.

We do not comprize the Cardinals Jesuits amongst the Monks , because they are none . Cardinal Bellarmine , the ornament of the Purpurated Colledge , was habited with Red , as the others according to the time that then was ; with this difference , that he wore the Habit of Jesuit underneath .

When a Cardinal is created Pope , he has 24000 Duckets of Revenue every day .

The Continuation of the Actions of Pope Innocent the Eleventh .

IN the Month of March of the fore said year , 1679. he caused all the Bishops of Italy to be writ to , and enjoyn'd them to examine with great care all those that presented themselves to receive Holy Orders , and not to give them but to fit persons , and when the Church had need of them .

He presented Medals of Gold and Silver , with his Picture on them , to the Captains of the Dutch Vessels that brought Corn to Civita-Vechia .

According to the ordinary custom , though tir'd , on Holy Thursday , in the Dukes Hall , he performed the Ceremony of washing the feet of Thirteen poor Forreign Priests , habited with white Cloath ; to each of which his Holiness gave afterwards a Medal of Gold and of Silver , and waited on them some time at Table .

The Twenty first of June , he sent to his Internuncio at Brussels , the Sum of 60000 Livres , for the subsistance of the Colledges which the English Catholicks have in Flanders ; and sometime after , 60000 Crowns to be distributed to the Catholicks of England retired thither .

An. 1679. the fifteenth of October , the Pope visited the Church dell Anima , of the German Nation , where he granted a Plenary Indulgence in form of a Jubile , to pray to God to deliver from the Plague the Town of Vienna in Austria , and the other Towns of Germany .

The Seventeenth , the Pope called before him the Congregation establisht by Clement the Eighth , for the Examination of Bishops for Italy , and there caused to be examined the Father Gaetano Mirabello Theatin , whom he nominated for the Archbishoprick of Amalfi ; Dom Carlo Berlinguier , whom he nominated to the Archbishoprick of St. Severin , and Dom Francisco Mogale for the Bishoprick of Isola : during their Examination , they answered always on their knees to all the questions that were made them by the Cardinals , Prelates , and Divines , that were of the Congregation , and afterwards they were precognized in the first Consistory for their due capacity . In France , by the Concordat betwixt Leo the Tenth , and Francis the First , those that are nominated to Bishopricks are not examined , because they are all Doctors or Licentiats in Divinity , in one of the Laws Canon or Civil , which is a mark of their Capacity ; they make only a Profession of their Faith betwixt the hands of the Popes Nuncio , or of the Metropolitan : Princes destinated to the Episcopacy , are dispensed from taking the Degree in the University , nevertheless they are the first to study .

At the beginning of the year 1680 , his Holiness caused all the Preachers to come to the Palace , and exhorted them to preach particularly by their Example .

Singularities , and curious and remarkable Actions of some Popes .

ST. Clement the First instituted the Colledge of Apostolical Protonotaries for writing the Lives of Martyrs , and of all the other Saints . Claudius , surnamed Vaurus , writes , that in his time a participant Protonotaries place was sold for 7000 Crowns of Gold , and that it yielded of yearly Revenue 3 or 4000 Crowns : that the participant Protonotaries , which are in number twelve , are ordinarily Masters of Requests for both Seals : that they have rank and place in the Popes Chappel , are cloathed with Violet , wear the Rochet , and the Hat , with the Violet Band and Border ; have precedency of Prelates which are not consecrated , are present in the half publick Consistory , at the Canonization of Saints , and other great Actions of the Pope ; have power to give the Cap of Doctor , and to create Apostolical Protonotaries without the Walls of Rome . The same Claudius Vaurus says , that if the Apostolical Protonotaries are not much esteemed in France , it 's because they are somewhat idle in performing their Function ; though haply this idleness be not blamable in them , because there is want of matter for them to exercise themselves , there being but few Martyrs and Saints at present within our Kingdom , that oblige the Protonotaries to write their Lives .

St. Cletus was the first that inserted in his Letters these words : Salutem & Benedictionem Apostolicum .

St. Anacletus ordained , that Ecclesiasticks should wear their hair short ; and confirmed by a new Decree , that Bishops should be consecrated by three other Bishops . Telesphorus , a Grecian by Nation , enjoyned the use of singing at Mass the Canticle of the Angels , Gloria in excelsis Deo ; and impower'd Priests to say three Masses on Christmass-day .

St. Zephyrinus made the Decree of receiving the Communion at least once a year ; and not to proceed in Law against a Bishop accus'd of any Crime whatsoever , without the authority of the holy See .

St. Lucius ordained , that a Bishop should be always accompanied with some Priest , to the end that his presence should oblige him to lead a regular life .

St. Sylvester the First , the thirty fourth Pope , was the first that erected an Altar of Stone ; which he consecrated , and anointed with holy Oyl . Before him they were made of Wood , and portable , by reason of the persecution that the Christians underwent under the Pagan Emperours ; which was so great , that the thirty three first Popes suffered Martyrdom . He was raised to the Pontificate in the beginning of the Empire of Constantine the Great , who embracing Christianity , gave joy and tranquillity to the Church , and a secure Settlement after so many troubles and afflictions . This Emperour after he was baptized , enlarged the Christian Religion , built Churches , made Foundations for entertaining its Ministers with splendour , and freed the Clergie from Taxes : He transported the Seat of his Empire into Thracia , to the Town of Bysantium , called since by him Constantinople .

St. Damasus suppressed the Corepiscopi : they were Priests whom the Bishops were wont to send into divers Villages and Burroughs of their Diocesses , with a particular power to preach the the Word of God , and to establish Ecclesiastical Discipline . They were called Corepiscopi . They were suppressed , because they went often beyond their Commission , doing Functions that belonged but to the Bishops themselves . Some of them had the Episcopal Character .

St. Gregory the Great was the first who qualified himself Servus servorum Dei , the Servant of the servants of God . He took this Title , to check the boldness of John the Faster , Patriarch of Constantinople , who took the Title of Vniversal Bishop . The Emperour Phocas condemned the Arrogancy of this Prelate , declaring by an Edict the contrary , according to the judgment of the ancient Fathers and Councils , who own'd the Church of Rome to be the Head of all others .

Pope Boniface the Third , according to the common opinion , introduced the use of Bells in the Church , Anno 606. The learned Genebrard ascribes the ●●vention to Pope Sabinianus , who ordained , Anno 604. that they should be rung at Canonical hours , and at Mass . The Bell is called Campana , from a Province of Italy called Campania , where it 's thought they began . They were introduced into Greece , Anno 865. by those that the Venetians sent to the Emperour Michael . Baron . 865. the Bell is made speak thus : 1. Laudo Deum verum . 2. Plebem voco . 3. Convoce Clerum . 4. Defunctos ploro . 5. Pestem fugo . 6. Festa decoro . Those that have a mind to know more , may read Paluoti .

Sergius the First caused the Agnus Dei to be sung at Mass .

Adrian the First ordained that the Papal Bulls should be seal'd with Lead , and not with Wax , for the longer continuance of the Seals .

Leo the Tenth made the famous Concordat with Francis the First , Anno 1515. according to which it is permitted to the Kings of France to have the Nomination to Bishopricks and Abbeys . These Benefices are called Consistorial , because their vacancy is propos'd in the Consistory to be provided for . The Pope reserves to himself a years Revenue from each of these Benefices ; and it is that which is called the Law of first Fruits , which is paid when the Bulls are taken up .

Gregory the ninth caused the Book of Decretals to be couch'd in writing , containing the Constitutions of the Popes , to serve for the Canon-Law , which is read in Catholick Universities .

Paul the Third obliged the Jews to wear the Yellow Cap , to distinguish them from the Christians .

Gregory the Thirteenth reform'd the Kalendar , Anno 1582. by cutting off ten days in October from the fifth of the said month to the 14th inclusively : so that after the fourth of October the ten days following were leapt over , and they counted the 15th the day after . England , Sweden , Denmark , and other Northern Countries that disown the Pope , do not make use of this Kalendar , which is called otherwise the Gregorian year ; but retain the ancient way of counting . Thence it is , that when Catholick Countries are at fourteen in the month , the others count four , and say in their dates , the ancient or new Stile . Famous Astrologers and Mathematicians were employed in reforming this Kalendar , to take care that the points of the Equinoxes and Solstices should not change place for the future , which had caused a disorder in the day fixt for the Feast of Easter , which ought always to be the Sunday after the full Moon of the Equinox of March. Pope Victor the First made a Decree to avoid concurring with the Jews , and others who were called Quarto-decumans , because they celebrated it the 14th of the Moon on whatever day of the Week it happened . The Decree of this Prelate was confirmed in the first General Council of Nice . Anno 1679 , the Elector of Saxony caused a form to be presented to the Diet of Ratisbone , for agreeing on a Kalendar to be received throughout the Empire of Germany .

Gregory the Thirteenth ordained that the Cardinals of Religious Orders who wore a black Cap , or of the colour of their Order , should wear it red like the others . It was Innocent the Twelfth who gave the Cardinals in the Council of Lions the red Cap , as an Hieroglifick that they ought to pour forth their bloud for the support of the Church ; as it results from the words which the Pope uses in putting it on their heads , in these terms .

Ad laudem Omnipotentis Dei & Sanctae Sedis Apostolicae , ornamentum accipe Galerum rubrum , Insigne singulare dignitatis Cardinalatûs , per quod designatur , quod usque ad mortem & sanguinis effusionem inclusivè , pro exaltatione Sanctae Fidei , pace & quiete populi Christiani , augmento & statu sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae te intrepidum exhibere debeas . In nomine Patris , & Filii , & Spiritus Sancti .

His Holiness sends the red Cap with a Brief to those that are not present at Rome in the Consistory .

As to the Hat , it is given kneeling , from the hand of the Pope , unless a person be employed in some important Embassie to the holy See ; in this case the Pope sends it to the Cardinal newly created , to authorize him the more , and render him more venerable . His Holiness's Courrier that carries the Hat from Rome , carries with it the form of the Oath of Fidelity , and delivers all into the hands of the Prelate appointed to perform that Ceremony , which is splendid . You must observe , that Cardinals that have not received the Hat , cannot be Legates of the holy See till they have first taken it , as the above-mentioned Claudius Vaurus informs us .

In the Ceremony of opening the Mouth , that is to say , in the permission the Pope gives to new Cardinals to opine , and to give their Votes and Suffrages , he says to them , Aperimus vobis os tam in collationibus quam in Consiliis , atque in electione summi Pontificis , & in omnibus actibus tam in Consistorio , quàm extra qui ad Cardinales spectant , & quos soliti sunt exercere : In nomine Patris , & Filii , & Spiritus Sancti . Amen .

You must observe , it was in use above an Age , that if a Pope died whilst a new Cardinal had his mouth shut , he might enter , if he please , into the Conclave ; but he could not be elected Pope , nor give his Suffrage for any person , unless the sacred Colledge ( the See being vacant ) by a special Act of Grace gave him an Active and Passive Voice ; as it did to Cardinal Conty . Pope Pius the Fifth has declared since by a Decree of the 26th of January 1571 , That this closing of the mouth does not deprive the new Cardinal of his power and principal Function , which consists in the Election of the Pope .

Gregory the Fifteenth brought in use the Election of Popes by secret Suffrages , that the Cardinals might be more free in giving their Votes . Formerly 't was said , Non fit bis in die Scrutinium : Now it is performed in the morning after Mass . and in the Evening after the Hymn of the Holy Ghost .

Vrban the Eighth gave Cardinals the Title Eminentissiums ; he caused the body and writings of Marc. Anthony de Dominis to be burnt after his death , for an example : Dominis was Archbishop of Spalathra , anciently Salona in Dalmatia .

Alexander the Seventh received Christan , Queen of Sweden , into the Communion of the Catholick , Apostolick , and Roman Church .