From this Pope sprung the house of _Borgia_, and was by him encreas’d and advanc’d to that grandeur, whereof we have spoken in other places. It was divided into two branches, one whereof remain’d in _Spain_ in possession of its ancient honours, and the other came into _Italy_; where it became so great by the many Principalities conferr’d on it by the Pope, that it seem’d likely to flourish to eternity. But on the contrary, in less than half an Age, it decayed so fast, that ’tis above fifty years since the Family of _Borgia_ became extinct in _Italy_. ’Tis true, the Branch in _Spain_ continues in some splendour, and possesses at present the Principality of _Squillace_, which was given by Pope _Alexander_ to his Family. But this Principality is no great matter, _Don Ferdinando Borgia_, the present Possessor little caring for it, for the same reason, as some think, of being purchas’d with the money of the Church; and glorying only in his possessing what his Ancestors had got by their valour, and himself gets by the good service he performs to the Crown, which reckons him one of the chiefest men of _Spain_. After the Introduction of _Nipotismo_, the Family of _Picolomini_ had another Pope, to wit, _Pius_ the third, who lived so short a time, that he was fain to leave his Kindred _Picoli huomini_ (small men) indeed; although they have kept themselves in the rank of Nobility, by having receiv’d considerably from the Church, but only for eminent services perform’d to the same. We have spoken sufficiently of the House of _Rovere_, and though _Julius_ the second, who was of it, might induce us to speak of it here again: yet for brevities sake, we will pass to the Family of the _Medici_, which was indeed amplifi’d by, but not first rais’d by _Popes_, but rather the_ Popes_ rais’d by it. _Leo_ the tenth did his utmost to render his House potent, not in _Rome_ only, but also in _Florence_; where it was one of the chiefest of that Commonwealth. But what this _Leo_ could not, _Clement_ the seventh (of the same Family) effected, having with the Emperours assistance enthralled his own Countrey to make his Nephews Princes.