Of these examples, I believe, I could make half a dozen Volumes in folio, and all of persons that are now living; but I will not weary the Reader with the Lecture of them; Let it suffice for him to know, that _Urban_ never gave any thing for a recompence, to those that had served the Church except his Nephews had first refused it; and they refused so little, that in the end, all _Urban’s_ rewards amounted to nothing.
If any body could brag of a considerable fortune made under the _Barbarini_, it was a sign, that such a one had serv’d them, and not the Church.
Thus in the year 1641. the Pope made _Ascanio Filomarino_ Cardinal, and Archbishop of _Naples_, though the service he had done the Church, did scarce deserve him a simple Canonicat, so far was he from meriting an Archbishoprick, yet _Urbin_ promoted him, because he had done most eminent service to the _Barbarines_ family: And indeed, in this _Urban_ cannot but be thanked, for enriching the Church (though his design were not such) with a person adorned with so many excellent qualities, which made him worthy of the Popedom it self, having, since this his elevation, edified, not only his Flock, but all _Christendome_, and rendred most singular service to the House of _Austria_, in the revolt of _Naples_, and the business of _Massinello_, in the year 1647.
If the _Barbarines_ pretend to the contrary, that they have advanced and promoted those who had a true zeal for the Church, they will do well to produce their names: But I desire my Reader to take this precaution, and observe, that if any body was rewarded, under pretence of having served the Church, there was the Cheat; for they that pretended most to serve the Church, were they, that in effect did work the _Barbarines_ designs and interests to an issue: Upon this account, in one promotion, were made Cardinals the following Prelates, _Gio. Baptista Pamphilio_, who was since _Innocentius_ the tenth, _Gio. Francesco Palotta_, and _Gio. Francesco de Contiguidii da Bagno_; the first, because he had been Nuntio in _Spain_, the second in _Germany_, and the third in _France_; yet the Pope could never be brought to make _Monsignor Visconti_, who was Nuntio in _Polonia_, Cardinal, for all the great instances of that King, though the said _Visconti_ was a most worthy Prelate, and one who had done the Church more service in his Employment, then all the other three together; and yet for all that, he remained excluded, while the others were admitted to that honour.