_Alexander_ the seventh, who now lives, was one of those for a time, and from him we may conclude of the thoughts of the rest; for in the beginning of his Pontificat he shewed himself to be so averse from his kindred, that some thought him a Saint, or at least a man much above the frailties of humane nature. _Don Mario_ his Brother, _Don Agostino_ his Nephew, and the Cardinal that now is, did every day offer up their prayers to Heaven, for a change in their Uncles inclination; the Ambassadors of Princes and the Cardinals, did nothing but weary themselves out in alledging to his Holiness the necessity of introducing his kindred, that it would be not only honourable, but of great advantage to the State and Church. Yet the good Pope remaining unshaken in his opinion, was resolved to deny all their Instances, nay, often would be exceedingly scandalized at those that pressed him to it, saying, he could not in conscience condescend to their desires; as one day being importun’d upon the same occasion by Father _Palavicino_, a Jesuit, and his Confessor, who now is Cardinal, he answered him in these words, _Your obligation_, _father_, _is to absolve from sins_, _and not invite to commit them_. Of this humour hath not been _Alexander_ alone, but in the lives of the Popes there are many other such examples, as that of _Adrian_ the sixth, and _Pius_ the fifth, who were wont to say, _that they would make it their task to perswade the world that they could live without kindred_. Now I would fain know, from whence proceeded in them this humour, so opposite to the others? if from an aversion and a kind of hatred to their relations, then certainly it was a sin, since we have as a Commandment from God, _Despise not thy own flesh_; if to make shew of an apparent zeal, that was worse, for they were guilty both before the world and God Almighty; if out of a design of first bestowing kindnesses on their Friends before they gave themselves up to their Nephews, it was a preposterous charity, which ought to have begun nearer home. It remains then to conclude, that certainly these Popes, who made this profession of disowning their Relations, did it, because they were really perswaded, that the errors of their predecessors did proceed from this principle of admitting their kindred to a share in the government, and therefore they thought fit to free themselves from so great an imputation.