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The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

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146<br />

HISTORY OF THE POPES.<br />

Bonelli, he turned in consistory to <strong>the</strong> newly-made Cardinal<br />

and spoke <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice and dignity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cardinalate, making<br />

it clear that this high position called for a blameless manner <strong>of</strong><br />

life ; let Bonelli, he said, look upon his undeserved dignity<br />

as an occasion for showing a greater gratitude to God, humility,<br />

meekness, fear <strong>of</strong> God, obedience, and charity to his neighbour. ^<br />

For <strong>the</strong> most part, it must be admitted, <strong>the</strong> l<strong>of</strong>ty tone <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong>se pontifical allocutions had in <strong>the</strong> end to be adapted to<br />

very everyday requirements. Thus, in 1566, Pius V. took<br />

<strong>the</strong> opportunity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> approach <strong>of</strong> Advent to make " a<br />

magnificent speech " urging his hearers who bore <strong>the</strong> purple<br />

to sanctify <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> preparation for Christmas by prayer<br />

and fasting, but he had to end by reproving <strong>the</strong>m for gossiping<br />

and disputing in <strong>the</strong> churches to <strong>the</strong> scandal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> people.<br />

He himself gave a shining example in <strong>the</strong> sanctification <strong>of</strong><br />

Advent, and he insisted that Bonelli, and requested that <strong>the</strong><br />

o<strong>the</strong>rs, should do <strong>the</strong> same. As far as I know, wrote <strong>the</strong><br />

Imperial agent, Pacheco and Gambara follow his example.^<br />

A little before Christmas he exhorted <strong>the</strong> consistory to <strong>the</strong><br />

imitation <strong>of</strong> Christ, as He had shown Himself when He came<br />

upon earth, by <strong>the</strong>ir obedience, poverty, sound doctrine,<br />

^ " *[Die mercurii 6 martii fuit consistorium secretum]. . . .<br />

In fine dicti consistorii . . . [frater Michael Bonellus creatus<br />

cardinalis] . . . genuflexus audivit quedam que S*"^^ Sua dixit<br />

circa <strong>of</strong>ficium et dignitatem cardinalatus et viram inreprehensi-<br />

bilem quam agere debebat hortans euni ut eo magis Deo gratias<br />

ageret essetque humilis, mansuetus, Deo serviens ac hominibus<br />

obediens et gratus, quanto quod nullis ipsius concurrentibus<br />

meritis ad tarn grande fastigium et tanti momenti dignitatem<br />

promotus fuisset, et alia similia." Firmanus, Diarium XII., 31,<br />

p. 63, Papal Secret Archives.<br />

* * Ciregiola to Cardinal Ferdinand de' Medici, November 29,<br />

1566, State Archives, Florence. *Strozzi, November 30, 1566,<br />

State Archives, Vienna. On November 30, 1567, when four <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Cardinals were gossiping during <strong>the</strong> mass <strong>of</strong> Advent, <strong>the</strong> Pope<br />

made <strong>the</strong>m a sign ; see Firmanus, *Diarium, Papal Secret<br />

Archives, loc. cit.<br />

* *Strozzi, December 7, 1566, State Archives, Vienna.

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