_Prudentio_ Son of this _Pietro_ under the Papacy of _Lucius_ the second, and _Pepone_ and _Panuccio_ Sons of _Prudentio_, under the Papacy of _Innocent_ the third, effected great things in defence of the Church, which was greatly afflicted with the Schism of the Emperors.
The Grandfather of _Paul_ the third was _Ramecio Farnese_, who overcame, subdu’d and destroy’d all the Rebels of the Holy Church, which in great numbers molested the State Ecclesiastical, and almost all Christendom, he being Captain of the Papal Army in the time of _Eugenio_ the fourth, who indeed was a very worthy _Pope_, if for nothing else, yet for the good intention he had to reward the valour of this great Captain; and I think he rewarded him abundantly by this testimony which he gave him, _The Church is ours_, _because Farnese hath given it us_.
In short, in the Civil Broils, which continu’d for above four Ages between the _Popes_ and the Emperors, the Family of _Farnese_ with incredible valour and felicity reliev’d the drooping state of the Holy Church.
Nevertheless the last _Popes Urban_ and _Innocent_, ingrateful for these benefits, went about to ruine this well deserving Family. Now if they persecute those who with their own Blood and Fortunes have serv’d the Church, what man will ever serve it for the future?
These two Cities were indeed separated from the Church, and given to the _Farnesi_, who at first found great opposition, and became Masters of it with great difficulty, and that not before the time of _Pope Julius_ the third, in the year 1550. which _Pope_ gave them investiture in despite of _Charles_ the fifth, (who could never be perswaded to consent) and assigned them a considerable summe of money for the keeping them.
Within this last forty years the _Popes_ have persecuted these innocent Princes in that manner, that without the assistance of Forreign Crowns, and some of the Princes of _Italy_ they had been exterminate before this, and received so notable a loss, that had it been compared with what they had received from _Paulus_ the third, it would doubtless have been found they had received less than they had lost: from whence it may be justly said, they have not enjoyed that Principality which they possest, as a feud of the Church, in that peace and repose, for this last half age, as they ought in reason to have done. For those _Popes_ that gave it them first, gave them also priviledges to enjoy it without molestation: and therefore those _Popes_ that have of late troubled the _Farness_ with so much expense, ought in reason (if there, be any such thing in _Rome_) to have forfeited their feudale Rights.