Sarnelli his grand vicar. He continued in the Sarpi became strongly bent on embracing his same capacity under Orsini, after the Cardinal profession, notwithstanding the opposition of had been promoted to the archbishopric of his uncle and his mother, who had other Benevento; and he accompanied him to the con- views for him; and he accordingly took the claves which were held after the deaths of Pope habit of the Servites in 1566, at the age of 14, Innocent XI. and Alexander VIII. In 1688, we made a tacit profession of the order in 1568, find him possessed of the abbey of the Holy Ghost and solemnly renewed it in 1572. On entering at Benevento; and in 1692, Pope Innocent XI. the monastery, he exchanged the name of nominated him Bishop of Biseglia in the pro- Peter by which he had been baptized, for that vince of Bari. He died in 1724, about the of Paul. When he had attained only to his age of 75. He was the author of "Lettere 20th year, he defended some theses in natural ecclesiastiche," in 9 vols. 4to., 1686, &c.; philosophy and divinity before a general "Il Clero secolare nel suo Splendore, overo chapter of his order at Mantua, with such della vità Commune clericale," 1688, 4to.; ability and learning as astonished the whole "Diæcesanæ Constitutiones synodales, S. Vi- assembly, and drew from them the strongest giliensis Ecclesiæ, editæ in Synodis celebratis testimonies of their approbation. This display Annis 1692, 1693, and 1694," 1694, 4to.; of extraordinary endowments recommended "Bestiarum Schola ad Homines erudiendos ab him to the notice of William Duke of Mantua, ipsa Rerum natura providè instituta, &c. de- who, after obtaining the consent of Paul's cem et centum Lectionibus explicata," 1680, superiors, nominated him his chaplain; and at 12mo.; and a variety of biographical, chrono- the same time the bishop of that city appointed logical, topographical, and miscellaneous ar- him reader of divinity, cases of conscience, and ticles, which are enumerated by Moreri. M. canon-law in his cathedral. While he conSARPI, FRA-PAOLO, known in England by tinued at Mantua, he perfected himself in his the name of FATHER PAUL, an illustrious Ita- knowledge of the Hebrew language; and he lian ecclesiastical and political writer in the 16th also applied with great ardour and success to and early part of the 17th century, was born the study of history, from which he derived at Venice, on the 14th of August 1552. essential benefit in his future life. Before two His father was a merchant who proved unsuc- years had elapsed, however, he became comcessful in business, and died without being pletely weary of a court life, and longed for able to make any provision for his wife and the tranquillity which he had enjoyed in his young family. In these circumstances they cloister. At the age of 22, therefore, he refell under the care of Ambrose Morelli, mater- nounced his appointments and returned to nal uncle of the subject of this article, rector Venice, with his mind enriched by those stores of the collegiate church of St. Hermagoras at of literature and science, the acquisition of Venice, and master of a school in which many which would have reflected credit on the pupils were educated, whose proficiency re- labours of a long life; but intent on enlarging flected great credit on their instructor. It his sphere of knowledge by an unrelaxed apwas under the vigilant and severe eye of this plication to his studies. What renders this the uncle that young Sarpi was initiated, and made more surprizing is the circumstance, that he a rapid progress in various branches of learn- had to struggle at the same time with the ining. Possessing great quickness of apprehen- firmities of a constitution naturally tender and sion, a temperament and disposition peculiarly delicate, being compelled to observe the formed for application, and a most retentive strictest abstemiousness, and live by regimen. memory, in a short time he made astonishing advances in an acquaintance with the Latin tongue and polite literature; and at the age of 13, he attached himself with ardour to the study of philosophy and the mathematics, and to that of the Greek and Hebrew, languages. He received lessons in philosophy from John Maria Capella, a monk of the order of Servites, in high repute for his skill in this department of science, under whom he applied with such success, that the tutor boasted of having a scholar to whom he could impart no further instruction. From conversation with this monk, VOL. IX. Paul, having been ordained priest when only 22 years of age, without any regard to the regulation of the council of Trent enjoining that order not to be received before the age of 24, soon acquired so high a reputation for abilities and virtue, that Cardinal Borromeo Archbishop of Milan, known afterwards by the name of St. Charles, frequently consulted him, and availed himself of his assistance in surmounting the difficulties attending the plans of reform which he had projected for his church. To be distinguished by the esteem and confidence of such a great and good man, was no little E honour to our Servite; but it contributed also to excite against him the enmity of the envious and malignant. By some person of this description he was accused of heresy before the inquisition at Venice, for denying that the doctrine of the Trinity could be proved from the first chapter of Genesis. Disdaining to defend himself before that tribunal against so ridiculous a charge, he appealed to Rome, where he was honourably acquitted, and the inquisitor was censured for his ignorance and presumption. The result of this process served only to render his merits more conspicuous, and to increase the respect which was entertained for him. He now passed successively through all the degrees of the University till he had taken that of doctor of divinity; was admitted a member of the celebrated college of Padua; and at the early age of 26 was chosen provincial of his order for the province of Venice: a circumstance without example in the history of the Servites. At the same time he was appointed to teach divinity to his fraternity. In these employments he acquitted himself with the greatest activity, integrity, disinterestedness, and prudence, and by his general behaviour rendered himself amiable as well as respectable to those who were under his government. In 1579, in a general chapter held at Parma, though so young a man, he was appointed with two others, both greatly his seniors, to draw up new regulations and statutes for his order. 'During the intervals of leisure from his various public engagements, he prosecuted with ardour the study of the mathematics, natural philosophy, chemistry, and anatomy, and, besides acquiring a profound knowledge of these sciences as far as they were then understood, The made some discoveries which his modesty would have prevented from being known, had not others communicated them to the world. Such were his curious observations on the eye, of which the celebrated Fabricius ab Acquapendente availed himself in his treatise "De Visu." It has been contended that he was also the discoverer of the circulation of the blood; but, though it may be granted that he was the first person who discovered, and led the way for the author just mentioned to describe, the valves of the veins, yet it is sufficiently apparent from that description that he was ignorant of the true use of them, and our countryman Harvey's claim to that discovery stands unrivalled. When Paul was about 31 years of age, he was elected to fill the important and honourable post of procurator or attorney general of his order, which obliged him for three years to reside at Rome. In performing the duties of this appointment he discovered such extraordinary talents, that by the command of His Holiness he was called upon to assist in congregations where matters of the highest moment were agitated. The excellence of his character, and the amiableness of his manners, secured him also the esteem of Pope Sixtus V., Cardinal Bellarmine, Cardinal Castegna, afterwards Urban VII., and other eminent men. Having returned to Venice at the expiration of his office, Paul gladly resumed his studies, entering upon them before sun-rise and continuing them all the morning. His afternoons he spent in making philosophical experiments, or in conversation with his friends. He was now, however, obliged to remit a little from his usual application: for, by too intense study, he had already contracted habitual infirmities with which he was troubled till old age. These rendered it necessary for him to drink a little wine, from which he had abstained till he was thirty years old; and his having in that respect departed from his usual abstemiousness, he was afterwards accustomed to say, was one of the things of which he most repented. He lived almost entirely upon bread and fruits, and used very little other food till he was fiftyfive years of age; and even then he was obliged to restrict himself to a small quantity, since the least degree of repletion subjected him to violent pains of the head. His studies were likewise sometimes interrupted by disputes and intrigues among the monks of his order, to which, however averse he was from being involved with either of the contending parties, the posts which he filled would not permit him to be wholly indifferent. In whatever steps he took, however, he was actuated by the most perfect disinterestedness and integrity, and suffered no partiality towards individuals to divert him from his duty to the community. His honourable conduct, as might be expected, excited against him the enmity of some of his unworthy and envious brethren, and among others of Gabriel Collissoni, with whom he had lived in habits of intimate friendship. This man, while Paul was at Rome, had been guilty of corrupt practices in the monastery, which he was sure would be detected upon his return. He, therefore, artfully endeavoured in a letter to persuade him to remain in that city, observing, that there alone could his merits be properly rewarded, and suggesting means by which he might make his fortune; to which Paul returned an an swer in cypher," that there was no way of advancing himself to the dignities of that court, but by such scandalous means as he held in the utmost abomination and horror." Upon Paul's return to Venice, and discovering the proceedings of Collissoni, he exposed them in their proper colours, and he resisted the pretensions of the author, when he stood candidate for the dignities of their order. Out of revenge on Paul for the part which he took, Collissoni had the baseness to betray the confidence of private friendship, and to lay Paul's letter in cypher before the head of the inquisition at Venice. The inquisition, however, did not judge it expedient to commence a criminal process against Paul; but ever afterwards regarded him with a jealous eye, as a secret enemy to the court of Rome. He was also charged with being too familiar with Jews, and with those Protestant heretics from all parts, who, attracted by the fame of his exalted abilities, visited him at Venice. So unfavourable was the impression which these accusations produced against him at Rome, that Pope Clement VIII. refused when solicited to nominate him to the bishopric of Melipotamo, and afterwards to that of Nona, declaring that his intimacy with persons of those proscribed classes had rendered him unworthy of the episcopal dignity. These solicitations were most probably made without the knowledge of Paul, who preferred repose and study to the honours and engagements of public life. About this time he paid particular attention to the study of history, ecclesiastical and profane, and also of the Holy Scriptures, especially the New Testament, which he knew almost entirely by heart. And that he not only committed it to memory, but likewise used the greatest care and diligence to become thoroughly acquainted with its genuine sense and meaning, together with that of the other sacred writings, the manuscript notes which were crowded into the margins of his copies of the Old and New Testament, the Breviary, and the Psalter sufficiently proved. Soon after the commencement of the 17th century, the state of public affairs at Venice afforded signal opportunities for the exercise of Father Paul's learning, abilities, and intrepidity. Among the decrees passed by the republic, one prohibited the establishment within their dominions of any new hospitals or monasteries, or any new order or society, without permission from the senate. Another renewed a former decree, which forbade all the subjects of the state either to sell, alienate, or dispose of any immoveable property in favour of the clergy, without permission. About the same time the senate caused certain ecclesiastics to be imprisoned, who were guilty or accused of enormous crimes, in order that they might be tried before the public tribunals. These proceedings brought on serious disputes between the republic and Pope Clement VIII.; and no sooner had Paul V. his successor ascended the papal throne, than he declared that he could not, without dishonour, suffer the republic to make such attacks on ecclesiastical immunities, and that he was resolved to compel them to revoke their decrees, and to set their prisoners at liberty. With this view he sent a nuncio to the senate, who communicated to them his demands; with which, in conformity to the advice of their ablest jurists and divines, and particularly Father Paul, they firmly refused to comply. to comply. After various negociations, during which the papal threatenings produced no change in the resolution of the senate, and the arrogant pontiff would not make the least abatement in his claims, at length the Pope issued out a bull of excommunication against the doge, the republic, and their dominions, on the 17th of April 1606. Incensed, but not intimidated, by such a step, the senate immediately recalled the ambassador of the republic from Rome; prohibited all the Venetian prelates from receiving or publishing the papal bull, ordering all those who had copies of it to bring them to the magistrates; and ordered all the rectors of churches and superiors of monasteries to carry on divine service as usual, without paying the least notice to the Pope's interdict. To these orders the greater part of the clergy submitted; and the recusants were banished from the territories of the republic. This quarrel with the Pope soon called into the field a host of writers, on both sides of the question. Among others Father Paul, who had been appointed theologian and one of the counsellors of the republic, finding that not only many of the people, but even some of the senators, were filled with consternation by the papal interdict, thought it his duty to dissipate their groundless terror, by drawing a comparison between the pontifical authority and the rights of sovereigns in their own states. With this view he drew up a treatise, entitled, "Consolation of Mind to tranquillize the Consciences of good Men, and to prevent their entertaining any Dread of the Interdict, published by Paul V." As this work was designed for the sole use of government, it was not published by the author, but locked up in the archives of the republic; whence a copy hav ing some years afterwards been clandestinely obtained, it was published at the Hague in 1725, both in the Italian and French languages. In the same year an English version of it appeared at London, under the title of " The Rights of Sovereigns and Subjects, argued from the civil, canon, and common Law, under the several Heads of Excommunications, Interdicts, Persecution, Councils, Appeals, Infallibility, describing the Boundaries of that Power which is claimed throughout Christendom by the Crown and the Mitre; and of the Privileges which appertain to Subjects, both Clergy and Laity, according to the Laws of God and Man." But on this occasion Father Paul did not confine himself to the composition of the work above mentioned, which was for the use of the senate. As a means of contributing towards the public tranquillity, he thought it also necessary to encourage and enlighten the general mass of citizens; and for this purpose he published a translation of " A Treatise on Excommunication," by Gerson, both in Latin and Italian, with an anonymous letter prefixed to it, in which he exhorted the priests regularly to perform their functions, without any apprehension that by so doing they should violate their duty. No sooner had this work made its appearance, than it was condemned by the inquisition; whose judgment Cardinal Bellarmine undertook to support, in a strain of reasoning adapted to make impression only on timid and superstitious minds, prejudiced in favour of the paramount authority of the Popes. The fallacy of this reasoning our author ably detected in "An Apology for Gerson," which fully justified that writer's doctrine, and the proceedings of the Venetians in the present contest. To the succeeding champions for the papal see, among whom were Baronius and Bzovius, Father Paul made an unanswerable reply, in a piece, entitled, "Considerations on the Censures of Paul V.;" in which the author's argumentative talents, erudition, and moderation are eminently displayed. Father Paul had also a share in some other treatises in this memorable controversy; particularly in "A Treatise on the Interdict," published in the names of seven divines of the republic. At length the court of Rome, perceiving that its cause was daily losing ground, while the credit of the writings which opposed its claims was proportionably increasing, thought it advisable to diminish their circulation and influence, by preferring the charge of heresy against their authors. Accordingly, after the inquisition had con De demned the "Considerations on the Censures of Paul V.," as containing rash, calumnious, scandalous, seditious, schismatical, erroneous, and heretical propositions, Father Paul was cited by a decree, Oct. 30. 1606, under penalty of excommunication, to appear in person at Rome, and justify himself from the excesses and heresies of which he was accused. spising, however, the thunders of the Vatican, he refused to submit to the citation, the inva lidity of which he proclaimed in a manifesto addressed to the inquisitors; and he offered to maintain the cause which he had avowed, as well as to defend himself against the articles laid to his charge, in opposition to the advocates for the papal claims, in any place where he could be assured of personal safety. This noble intrepidity, while it rendered him the object of the most bitter hatred at Rome, deservedly secured to him the increasing respect and esteem of the republic, whose cause he so ably defended, and was highly applauded in most foreign countries, Catholic as well as Protestant. The Pope, finding that his menaces had not the effect of bringing the republic to submission, was desirous of an accommodation, lest, in imitation of the Protestant states, it should break off all connection with his see; but he was not willing to make the first advances, for fear of appearing to condemn his own conduct and to disavow his pretensions. pretensions. The republic was likewise desirous of peace; but would take no steps to secure it, which might seem to sacrifice its honour or its rights. In these circumstances different foreign princes offered their mediation; and Henry IV. of France, by employing Cardinal Joyeuse in negociations with both parties, brought abouta reconciliation between them, in the year 1607. Had the division between the Pope and senate continued much longer, it is not improbable but that the Venetians, by the advice and boldness of Father Paul, would have been encouraged to separate themselves from the Romish communion. Such a result was expected, and might have taken place, according to Welwood, had the negotiations of James I. of England with the republic been wisely conducted. That author informs us, in his " Memoirs," p. 34, &c., that "there appeared at that time a wonderful disposition in that state to work a reformation in the church, and throw off the papal yoke. In order to advance it, King James dispatched Sir Henry Wotton his ambassador to Venice; and hearing that Spain had declared for the Pope, he declared for the Venetians; and acquainted Justiniani, their strongly urged to be upon his guard against them. Trusting, however, to the accommodation which had taken place, and the rectitude of his own conduct, he lived in a state of secu rity which gave his enemies favourable opportunities of carrying their plans into execution. Returning to his monastery on the evening of the 5th of October 1607, he was attacked by five assassins armed with stilettoes, who wounded him in fifteen places, and left him for dead upon the spot. Very providentially, not one of these wounds proved mortal, though three of them were exceedingly dangerous: two of them through his neck; and the third made by the stiletto's entering his right ear and coming out between the nose and right cheek, after being driven in with such force, that the assassin was obliged to leave his weapon in the wound. No sooner was the senate informed of this assassination, than, to shew their high regard for the sufferer, and their detestation of such an horrid attempt, they broke up immediately, and came that night in great numbers to his monastery; ordered the physicians to bring them regular accounts of him; and afterwards knighted and richly rewarded Aquapendente, for the great skill and attention which he discovered in curing him. It could not be de ambassador in England, that he would not only assist them with all the forces of his kingdom, but engage all his allies in their defence. At Sir Henry Wotton's arrival, the breach between the Pope and the republic was brought very near a crisis; so that a total separation was expected not only from the court, but the church of Rome; which was set on by the learned Padre Paolo and the seven divines of the state, with much zeal, and conducted with much prudence. The ambassador at his audience offered all possible assistance in his master's name, and accused the Pope and papacy of being the chief authors of all the mischiefs in Christendom. This was received with great deference and respect to King James: and when the Pope's nuncio objected, that King James was not a Catholic, and so was not to be relied upon; the doge took him up briskly, and told him," that the King of England believed in Jesus Christ, but he did not know in whom some others believed." King James had sent with Wotton his "Premonition to all Christian Princes and States," translated into Latin, to be presented to the senate; which Padre Paulo and the other divines pressed might be done at the first audience, telling him they were confident it would have a very good effect. The ambassador could not be prevailed with, alledg-termined with certainty who were the instigaing that he had positive orders to wait till St. James's day, which was not far off. This conceit of presenting King James's book upon St. James's day spoiled all; for before that day came, the difference was made up, and that happy opportunity lost. So that when he had his audience on St. James's day, all the answer he got was, "that they thanked the King of England for his good will, but they were now reconciled to the Pope, and that therefore they were resolved not to admit of any change in their religion, according to their agreement with the court of Rome." But, notwithstanding this reconciliation, in which Father Paul was comprehended, the court of Rome did not forget who were employed by the senate in defending the authority and rights of the republic, and lost no opportunity of wreaking its vengeance upon them, under various pretexts. Above all, it could not forgive our author's attacks on the Pope's authority; and some of its fanatical adherents were persuaded, that it would be a highly meritorious action to make away with a man who had been accused and condemned for heresy and a revolt against the church. Father Paul received intimations from various quarters, that designs were formed either on his liberty or his life, and was tors to this atrocious act; but strong circumstances afford reason for concluding that they were some of Paul's enemies at Rome: such as the asylum which the assassins met with in the palace of the Pope's nuncio, their reception at Ferrara and other parts of ecclesiastical states, and the sums of money which at different times they received at Ancona and elsewhere. And that the Father himself entertained no doubts upon that subject, appears from his saying pleasantly to his friend Acquapendente one day while he was dressing his wounds, that they were made Stylo Romana Curiæ. As his escape seemed almost miraculous, it was thought proper to preserve the bloody instrument which was left in his cheek as a public monument; and it was therefore hung up at the foot of a crucifix in the church of the Servites, with this inscription, Deo Filio Liberatori. This design against Father Paul's life was not the only one attempted by his enemies. One plot was laid by some monks of his own order, to murder him at night in his apartment, to which they had procured false keys; but it was accidentally discovered, and the reality of it confirmed by the seizure of letters. Various other schemes were also laid for cutting him off; and he was even cautioned to be upon the watch against |