knew that the old Papal game of pitting France against Spain in the peninsula could not be played on the same grand scale as formerly.

This policy had been pursued with results ruinous to Italy but favorable to the Church, by Julius.

It had enabled Leo and Clement to advance their families at the hazard of more important interests.

But in the reign of the latter Pope it had all but involved the Papacy itself in the general confusion and desolation of the country.

Moreover, France was no longer an effective match for Spain; and though their struggle was renewed, the issue was hardly doubtful.