This intricate procedure in so important a matter was the cause of great disorders, the _Spaniards_ distrusting the words of the _Barbarini_, and the _French_ giving little or no credit to the offers made by them. For Cardinal _Antonio_ never ceas’d to assure _France_, _That_ Lamego _should not fail to be receiv’d as a publick Embassadour_; and Cardinal _Francesco_ continually promis’d _Spain_, _That his Holiness would never admit a Portugal Embassadour_. And accordingly by this course the _Barbarini_ wholly disgusted the _Portugal_, little satisfied the _Spaniard_, and nothing at all the _French_, and brought the City it self into danger by that fray which happen’d between the two Embassadours, with the death of some Courtiers on both sides, and the declaring _Lamego_ irregular and depriv’d of all Ecclesiastical Benefices, according to the usual penalty of Homicide. A thousand other Examples might be brought of like nature, but I must omit them to pass on to the actions of _Innocent_ the tenth, who had reduc’d the Court to such a confus’d state, that no body knew where, nor how, to begin any Negotiation; whereupon a Minister of the Duke of _Parma_ said one day, _That ’twas easier to make a bed for a dog_, _than to understand the humour of_ Innocent. The Government of _Urban_ was the best in the World in comparison of that of _Innocent_; for _Urban_ delighted to negotiate with Embassadours, but the other avoided their presence as much as possible he could; and when he receiv’d them, ’twas after so disobliging careless manner, that few car’d to confer with him. No hours were so tedious to him, as those wherein he was to give Audience to a publick Embassadour; for he little car’d to be troubled with the important affairs of Christendom, or those of the Papacy it self. His particular Maximes were to deny all favours, to answer all sutes with a Negative, and never to resolve upon any thing that might advantage the Church, or weaken its Enemies. What others avoided, was in him predominant; that is to say, He lov’d that which was worst. If he possess’d any vertue, he employ’d it not to the benefit of Christendom, but of his own Family; as on the contrary he did his ill qualities to the mischief of the Church and the City. At first indeed he seem’d so desirous of knowing all affairs both publick and private, that ’twas hoped, his Government would prove the happiest that ever was to the Church. But this vigilance caused no small hurt in general; for when the Subjects of the Ecclesiastical State, Prelates, and forreign Ministers, conceiving the same to proceed from zeal to Justice, had brought and delivered their Memorials, in hopes of a speedy Answer, it prov’d all but loss of time; for they never were call’d, nor admitted to any answer at all. Whence, the _Pope’s_ way, of denying all and resolving nothing, being understood, it became an ungrateful employment to have any thing to do at _Rome_.