Nor is there much need to believe that the _Popes_, who shall succeed _Alexander_, will be apt to imitate _Innocent_ the eighth. For in the whole Colledge of Cardinals ’tis not possible to find even but one of the like _disposition_; and I am confident there may be found above fifty of the humour of _Urban_, and above as many more of that of _Innocent_ the tenth, as also no less number of that of _Alexander_ the seventh; although there be not in all much above threescore Cardinals. They would think it a sin to imitate good Examples for this reason, if for no other, that they have seen the same imitated by few. And the truth is, good examples are so scarce, that the _Popes_ have not had, these forty years, time to seek them; the same being in a manner hid from their eyes, and strangers to the City of _Rome_, from whence goodness seems utterly banish’d, and wickedness recall’d thither with promise of great rewards. Great Volumes might be filled with the History of _Sixtus_ the fourth, who was the man, that first made his Nephews absolute Lords of the Church: If I should set down all the good and evil committed by the said _Pope_ during his Reign. But it would be superfluous, since all the Church receiv’d by that _Pope’s_ actions, is summarily contain’d in the Introduction and Advancement of his Nephews. A thing extremely scandalous to all Ages, and withal so mischievous that ’tis impossible ever to be laid aside; in regard the _Romans_ themselves are so accustom’d to it, being like Lepers, that feel neither the Iron nor the fire which corrodes their bowels. It comes here into my mind, that travelling once from _Rome_ to _Loretto_, in the same Litter with a very aged _Roman_ Gentleman, I fell to discourse with him about sundry things pertaining to the Papal Government; and particularly I had the curiosity to ask him, How it could be consistent with the spirit of true _Romans_ to suffer so patiently the Dominion of the _Pope’s_ Nephews, who were so addicted to scrape up wealth, affront most Princes, overturn all things, and tyrannise both in Temporals and Spirituals, with an authority so absolute, uncontroulable, and even contrary to reason, that their Government seems rather Turkish than Christian? He answer’d me with a smile, _That the Romans were become callous_, that is insensible; alluding to their spirits, which alike endure all things from the hands of Nephews, who by several waies tend to the destruction of whatever they meddle with.