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THE REIGNS OF SIXTUS IV AND INNOCENT VIII.
The rule of Sixtus was as vigorous as it was scandalous.

To say--as has been said--that with his succession to St.Peter's Chair came for the Church a still sadder time than that which had preceded it, is not altogether true.

Politically, at least, Sixtus did much to strengthen the position of the Holy See and of the Pontificate.

He was not long in giving the Roman factions a taste of his stern quality.