ART. VI.-FATHER PAOLO SARPI.

1. Opere di F. Paolo Sarpi, Servita. 8 vols. (Helmstat, Verona, 1763.)

2. Storia arcana della vita di Fra Paolo, Servita, scritta da MONSIGNOR GIUSTO FONTANINI. (Venezia, 1803.) 3. Biografia di Fra Paolo, Servita, di A. BIANCHI-GIOVINI. (Bruxelles, 1836.)

4. The Letters of the Renowned Father Paul. Translated out of Italian by EDWARD BROWN. (London, 1693.)

5. The Rights of Sovereigns and Subjects. By Father PAUL. Translated from the Italian, with Life. (London, 1722.) 6. Life of William Bedell, Bishop of Kilmore. (London, 1685.)

7. The History of the Council of Trent. Written in Italian by PIETRO SOAVE POLANO. Translated by NATHANIEL BRENT. (London, 1620.)

THE name of Paolo Sarpi is well known to students of ecclesiastical history as the author of the famous History of the Council of Trent, but to many, perhaps, his wonderful character and life work are less known. And yet there is no figure in the Church annals of more modern times that better deserves close study and attention. Sarpi is conspicuous in that famous band of candid and learned men, who, from the days of Robert Grosseteste to those of Von Döllinger, have uttered effectual protests against the mischiefs induced on the Church by the usurped tyranny and baneful autocracy of Rome. Like others of that distinguished company, Sarpi had to pay the penalty of his love of truth in calumny, persecution, and attempted assassination. But the powers of his genius and the sweetness of his character cast a spell on many around him, and if there were those base enough to traduce him, there were others found to celebrate his striking virtues and his amazing wealth of learning. Posterity will not be unmindful of him, and the bitterness of detraction has even served to increase the greatness of his fame. With us of to-day the name of Sarpi is inseparably connected with the History of the Council of Trent, but with his contemporary admirers and friends this was not the case. That work was never distinctly and openly owned by Sarpi himself, and though published under an anagram1 which represents his

1 Pietro Soave Polano, Paolo Sarpio Veneto.

name, and unquestionably his work as to its chief parts, yet there is reason to believe that it was somewhat altered from his MS. by Marc Anthony de Dominis, Archbishop of Spalatro, who superintended its publication in London. Of this more will be said hereafter; but it may be well here to quote a passage from the enthusiastic Life of Sarpi by Fra Fulgenzio, which curiously illustrates the sort of half assent given by Sarpi's friends and admirers to his authorship of the history.

'Afterwards an opinion prevailed in many places, and in Rome it was published for an undoubted fact, that he was the author of the History of the Council of Trent, related in eight books and published in London in the Italian language, and afterwards translated into all the chief languages of Europe-a proof that it was no ordinary book. It may be that Rome inferred this from knowing that for many years Father Paul had employed himself in collecting with great care all the documents which he was able to procure either by friendship or by payment, without sparing himself fatigue, which referred to the celebration of the said Council, and this not only in Italy, but also abroad. It was also held as a proof, though but a trifling one, that the inscription Pietro Soave Polano gives anagrammatically Paolo Sarpio Veneto. But of this sort of coincidences (incontri) the number is infinite, and the trouble of investigating them useless. Be that as it may, I am of opinion that the learning of the Father cannot fairly be judged from his writings, except with great discretion, such as that of the clever artist who from one solitary nail can picture the greatness of the lion. And this is so, because, in the midst of those dissensions, it was the object of the Father in his written works rather to pass over in silence those matters on which there was agreement, than to speak of them.'1

Peter, son of Francesco and Isabella Sarpi, was born in Venice, August 14, 1562. His father was a merchant, but more devoted to arms than to trade, being of a fierce and turbulent character. His mother was gentle and devout. Peter inherited from his father shortness of stature, from his mother a mild and tender disposition. His education fell to the care of his uncle Ambrogio, a learned divine; he received instruction also from the Servite Fathers, and was so much attracted by them that at the age of fourteen he took the Servite habit, and assumed the name of Paul. As a youth he showed the most extraordinary ability in every branch of learning, and at the age of twenty took part in a public disputation held by the Servites at Mantua, and so distinguished himself that William, Duke of Mantua, appointed him his theologian. At Mantua he soon established the reputation of the most learned and able preacher of the day. He was not,

1 Vita di Padre Paolo (printed in vol. vi. of Sarpi's Works), p. xlv.

however, drawn away by his public duties from an intense application to study, and the quickness and thoroughness with which he mastered the most difficult subjects were the wonder and admiration of his contemporaries. At Mantua he formed a close friendship with Cardinal Ercole of Mantua, who was one of the papal delegates at Trent, and from him he learned much of the interior working of that famous assembly. At the age of twenty-two Sarpi was ordained priest, and soon afterwards, on the invitation of the saintly Cardinal Borromeo, he went to Milan, where his eloquence and learning procured him the highest honours. So great a reputation, so quickly achieved, did not fail to raise up enemies against the young ecclesiastic. Sarpi was several times denounced to the Inquisition, but he not only succeeded in clearing himself from the charges made against him, but brought down on the Inquisitors a severe reproof from Rome for their ignorance in taking proceedings. During this period, and indeed through all his life, Father Paul suffered grievously from ill-health, but nothing could daunt his intense devotion to study, and his fame rose to the highest pitch. In 1579 he was recalled to Venice by the heads of his order, that he might undertake a difficult and important work for them. Together with two others, he was appointed to recast and remodel the statutes of the Servite discipline. For this purpose he was obliged to repair to Rome, where he resided some considerable time; and during this period he appears to have first devoted himself to those physical studies in which, as well as in theology, he obtained so high a reputation. Sarpi is allowed to have been the original discoverer of the valves in the veins, thus coming very near to the great discovery of the circulation of the blood. He was now made procuratorgeneral and advocate of his order, and did not cease to contend skilfully for its privileges at Rome. He gained the friendship of the greatest of Roman controversialists-Cardinal Bellarmine-with whom he ever continued to live on intimate terms, though violent passages of arms took place between them. A saying of Bellarmine to him at that time is worth recording from its bearing on after events. Speaking of the exaggerated claims made by some for papal omnipotency and infallibility, Bellarmine said, 'These are the things which have caused the revolt of Germany, and will cause that of France and of other kingdoms.' After three years' residence at Rome, Father Paul proposed to return to Venice, but an attempt was made by a false friend to induce him to remain at Rome and to make use of the great renown which he had

obtained and the influence of his powerful friends in order to reach the cardinalate. This advice was given, not with a view to Sarpi's interests, but in order to keep him away from Venice, where the giver of it-Gabriel Colissoni-had been guilty of many malpractices towards the Servite order, which he knew the acuteness of Sarpi would readily detect. To the treacherous advice thus given to him Sarpi replied by a letter written in cipher, in which he spoke freely of the base intrigues prevalent at Rome, and without which none could hope for promotion, and declared himself utterly disinclined to seek for advancement by such means. This confidential letter was afterwards betrayed by his false friend to the Roman authorities, and hence the bitterness and injustice Father Paul had to contend with throughout his whole life from that unscrupulous Court whose true character he had rashly delineated. Sarpi returned to Venice in the fulness of his powers and genius; and his enthusiastic biographer, Fulgenzio, gives us a sketch of him which certainly is not lacking in warmth and appreciation.

When he

'The Father had the most subtle and quick senses that perhaps were ever found in anyone; an eye of sight most acute and most swift; the most perfect sense of touch, so that he could distinguish things which seemed impossible to be detected. It was something absolutely marvellous how in composite dishes he immediately distinguished what was good from what was hurtful with infallible certainty. And when the time came that he found it necessary to guard himself against poison, he was not the least alarmed, being confident that in any food the exquisiteness of his taste would give him warning; and in drinking, where the chief danger lay, he had a still more keen discrimination. From this sharpness of senses followed the wonderful clearness of his impressions. entered a room he carried away with him in his memory the exact remembrance of even the most trifling objects. When he read a book (and he read almost all) everything in it remained stamped upon his mind. And his humility was such that, when anyone commended this in him, he would declare that it was his chief fault, putting it down to a weak impressiveness and imperfection. He thus knew not only the canons and decrees, but the times in which each was made, the sources from which they were drawn, the causes which brought about their being made. He was familiar with all the intricacies of ecclesiastical suits, and all the complicated procedure of the tribunals. From this extraordinary keenness of intuition came his wonderful knowledge of persons, in which he excelled everyone. He penetrated into the secrets of men, and read their characters as though they had a window in their bosoms. Hence he was prepared to deal readily with all, penetrating in an instant into their designs, and always ready to give an immediate reply to anyone on any

subject. In theology, in mechanics, in mathematics he was equally at home.' '

1

This period of the life of the Father is described by his biographer as being one of great happiness. Living in his convent the strict ascetic life prescribed by his order, his reputation was nevertheless so great that his advice and direction were sought by all. He divided his time carefully between study, devotion, and conversation, in which he eminently excelled. But soon the clouds began to gather round him, portending the storm which afterwards burst so heavily. A dispute arose among the Servites as to the appointment of coadjutor to the general. Gabriel Colissoni, who still preserved an outward friendship for Sarpi, was nominated by Rome. The general refused him, as he was notorious for his immorality, and denounced him at Rome. Sarpi joined the party of the general. Then Colissoni produced at Rome the damaging letter before spoken of, which he had treasured up, and accused Sarpi also of intimacy with Jews. This was remembered at Rome; and when Father Paul soon after was proposed by the Republic for the bishopric of Nona the Pope refused to allow his consecration.2 The reason assigned was the intimacy of the Father with heretics. His biographer here thinks it necessary to explain that the Father could not absolutely avoid all communication with heretics, inasmuch as the fame of his learning led all the illustrious foreigners who visited Venice to desire to make his acquaintance and to enjoy his conversation. But as to having any bent towards heretical opinions, he says he was far from it, being of the strictest orthodoxy. Being thus put under the ban of Rome and excluded from the more prominent positions of the Church, Father Paul applied himself with renewed energy to his studies. At this time he especially gave himself to moral philosophy, studying Plato and Aristotle, and (according to his biographer) all the Schoolmen, both nominalists and realists; at the same time carrying on his physical researches. It is asserted that in addition to all this he knew the New

1 Vita di Padre Paolo Sarpi, Opere, vol. vi. pp. xxi. xxii.

2 This is the account given by Fulgenzio; but Bianchi-Giovini, Father Paul's latest biographer, gives an altogether different reason for the Papal refusal-namely, the support which had been given by Sarpi to the Republic in various disputes between it and Clement VIII. He feared that this brother, becoming a bishop in a diocese of the Venetian State, would be for continuing always Venetian, and that, however easy it might be to crush a friar, it would be much more difficult to oppose a prelate who to the greatness of title should add amplitude of learning.'-Biografia di Fra Paolo, vol. i. p. 146.