Predictions. For, the Cardinal died this very Day, being the Fourth of the last Moon in the Year, at his Palace in this City, being not full Fifty eight Years of Age.
I am not very Credulous of Apparitions, Ghost, and such like Themes of vulgar Su∣perstition: yet, 'tis evident, the Cardinal neither lived to see the Common New-Years Day, nor the Fifty-eight Year of his Life, as, they say, the Queen's Ghost foretold him.
Some that have been Curious in examining his Pedigree, tell me, that his Progenitors were allied to one of the Kings of France. How∣ever, 'tis certain, that he was descended of an Ancient and Honourable Family, of above Five Hundred Years Standing and Eminence in that Kingdom.
He had his Education in the Ʋniversity of Paris, where he attained the Degree of a Do∣ctor of the Sorbon; a Dignity much esteemed in France, and most Parts of Christendom, except in Rome; which Court is Jealous of the Sorbonists, because they have sometimes De∣creed in Prejudice of the Pope's Authority, and the Grandeur of the Roman Court.
After this he was made a Bishop, then Al∣moner of France, next Secretary of State, in which Station he acquitted himself so happily that the King procured him the Dignity of a Cardinal. There are none of the Ministers of the Divan but know, that a Cardinal is one of the Princes of the Roman Church.
During these several Stairs of Preferment, he had signalized his great Abilities, in Nego∣tiating