_In the dayes of_ Innocent _the eighth_, _some body made a Book_, _intituled_, The Abuses of the Churchmen, _very satyrical_, _for in it were all the Ecclesiasticks Vices_, _but none of their Vertues_, _which indeed was somewhat severe_: _This Book was put into the_ Popes _hands_ (_who by judging things without passion_, _shewed himself to deserve his elevation to so great a dignity_) _for having read it in the presence of some_ Prelates _of the_ holy Office, _he turned to them_, _and said_, This Book speaks truth; and if we have a mind that the Author should be found a lyar, we had best reform our selves first. _I wish to God_, _that in this our Age_, _there were many such_ Innocents, _and that all men were of so sound a judgment_, _as to profit by good things_, _and laugh only at ill ones_, _or rather avoid them_: _For my part_, _I think_, _that if ever there hath been a Book in this world free from a flattering design and interest_, _that this is one of those_; _for the Church of God will profit by it_, _the_ Romans _will draw no small pleasure nor less __advantage from the reading of it_; _and_, _I hope_, _that it will be a kind of Looking-glass to the_ Nephews _that are to come_, _whereby they may guide their actions_, _and steer their intentions to a better course then their Predecessors_. _There passed_, _not long ago_, _by this Town_, _a certain_ Prelate _of_ Tuscany, _to whom I gave a sight of this_ Manuscript _before it was printed_; _he took such delight in perusing of it_, _that he entreated me to hasten the publication of it_, _with these words_, For Gods sake, Sir, inrich _Rome_ with so great a Treasure as this is; bestow so good an example upon Princes Politicks, and illustrate all _Christendome_ with the demonstration of so much zeal: _This was the opinion of a sincere_ Prelate. _But besides_, _it is most certain_, _that the_ Nephews, _as well those that now bear sway_, _as those that are out of date_, _and those that are to come_, _if they will judge without pre-occupation_, _will find_, _that this History is of no small concern to the promoting of their interest_, _considering_, _that the good which is said of them doth much surpass the ill_, _and_, _that it demonstrates how necessary a thing the_ Nipotismo _is to the_ City of Rome. _I do not pretend to any thanks or retribution for the good that shall happen to them_; _neither would I be content_, _that the harm_, _if there __be any_, _should reflect upon me_. _As for the Book_, _Reader_, _it is in thy hands_, _and must stand or fall by thy verdict_: _I therefore only desire thee to pronounce sincerely_, _whether it be not as necessary for all_ Europe _as for the City of_ Rome. _I promise thee another Work_, _much more worthy thy curiosity_, _and fit for any body that hath a publick Employment_, _which is_ Il Cardinalismo, _a Work_, _which speaking in general only of that Dignity_, _doth yet nevertheless now and then descend to particulars_.