_How_ Sixtus _the fifth was made Pope_, _and how he was inclined to favour his kindred_. _Of the short life of_ Urban _the seventh_, Sixtus _his successour_. _Of the election of_ Gregory _the_ _fourteenth_. _What was his inclination to his Nephews_. _Of the election of_ Innocent _the ninth_. _Of his proceedings and death_. _Of the election of Clement the eighth_: _and of what he did for his kindred_. _Of the desire of_ Leo _the eleventh_, _successour to_ Clement, _to make his family great_. _Of the election of_ Paul _the fifth_. _Of his life and actions_, _and how he advanced his kindred_. _How_ Gregory _the fifteenth succeeded to_ Paul _the fifth_, _and of his great affection to his kindred_. * * * * * NOW we must look back, and return to _Sixtus_ the 4th, who first opened a door to the _Nipotismo_, and who by introducing his kindred, brought at the same time ambition and riches into Rome; the riches were for his Nephews, and the ambition he left as an inheritance to all Church-men; and it is now one of the greatest mischiefs that oppresseth the Church. ’Tis not to be wondred at, that I begin the History of the _Nipotismo_, from the time of _Sixtus_ the fourth, since he was the first that delivered up _Rome_ and the Popedom in prey to his Nephews, to the wonder and astonishment of the whole world. He was then the first introducer of the _Nipotismo_, and so indulgent a one, that to favour his kindreds interest, he had forgot himself, and the Church, thinking of nothing, but of the means how to advance them to their satisfaction, from whence the murmurs of the people were so great in _Rome_, that many Confessors were fain to give over their Function, that they might not hear the peoples complaints against the Pope and his kindred: So that it was spread through _Europe_, that _Rome_ had as many Popes as _Sixtus_ had Nephews. This Pope, immediately after his election, made two Cardinals; _viz. Peter Riario_, whom many suspected to be his Bastard, having alwayes been educated, with great care by him, in the same Monastery; the other was _Julian_, son of _Raphad de la Rovere_, brother to the Pope, and had been first Bishop of _Carpentras_, then was made Cardinal by his Brother, and at last came to be Pope, under the name of _Julius_ the second, as we shall relate in due place. _Sixtus_ gave to the Cardinal, _Peter Riario_, all that was in his power to give, adding Abby upon Abby, and revenue upon revenue, till he had made him so rich in Church lands, that he lived most splendidly, and seemed to be born to waste a greater fortune; Plays, Balls, Dances, and such pastimes, were the ornament which he bestowed upon his Ecclesiastical dignity, being perswaded, that pomp and vanity were becoming the majesty of a Cardinal.