But they deceive themselves, and this Error confounds their Treaties; whilst the _Popes_ have nothing but the bare Title and outward shew of Universal Father, acting all things according to the dictates of their own will and interest.
Were the _Popes_ really Universal Fathers, they would love all alike, and deal with all without affection or hatred: But truly, I know not how they dare assume that Title, especially those _Popes_, who, without any need of the Church, have made it lawful to themselves to begin Wars, hinder Peaces, persecute Nations, and make Leagues against Crowns, Commonwealths, and Princes, perhaps (nay without perhaps) better deserving of the Church, and affected to the publick and universal tranquillity.
I know that if the _Popes_ would deserve the Title of _Universal Father_, they out to be Universal towards all; and if at any time to be particular, it should be either out of absolute necessity of Reason of State, or some great importance to the honour of the Church. Thus did the Primitive _Popes_, but within these last hundred years things are altogether transform’d; for the waies of the _Popes_ are directed to the advancement of their Families; whence every _Pope_ has often chang’d his thoughts and purposes, and made shew of one thing outwardly, and meant another inwardly; not for that reasons of State (but the reasons of their own Families) so requir’d: which latter are commonly more dear to the _Popes_ than the former. The Ministers of Princes understand what I mean.
’Tis not possible for the most expert Minister at _Rome_ to succeed well, and with his Master’s satisfaction, in the things which he negotiates there. Before I give a reason whereof, I will relate what I read three daies ago in a little book, whether Historical or Fabulous I know not, but much to the purpose.
They say, _Pope Paschal_ the second took a conceit to have an Astrologer divine his thoughts. To which end he sent for an Abbot very intelligent in the Art of Astrology, and demanded of him, _What himself thought_?
The Abbot surpris’d at this odd-proposal, desir’d time to answer, and returning home fell to study an Answer; but, not being able to find one fit and proper to the Question, he remain’d much troubled and melancholy.