The history of the government of France, under the administration of the great Armand du Plessis, Cardinall and Duke of Richlieu, and chief minister of state in that kingdome wherein occur many important negotiations relating to most part of Christendome in his time : with politique observations upon the chapters / translated out of French by J.D. Esq.

Politick Observation.

IF Marriages serve to augment the Power of a King, certainly those Alliances which are made with neighbour States, for reciprocal assistance in War, do no less contribute towards it, provided they be well established. Two States well uni∣ted, are undoubtedly stronger then one alone, and as an ancient Author saith, if an enemy should prevail against one, yet two would be able to oppose him. Partner∣ship is that which inricheth Merchants in Trading, and Alliances enable Princes to make forraign invasions with their Forces, and if there be such profit to be made out of it, I suppose they are very necessary; for the divine wisdome hath so dispo∣sed all Kindomes, that they have all need one of another. Aristotle saith, nibil p••r se subsist it, nothing is able to subsist by it self onely, and if in the Microcosm, every part is needfull for one another, not excepting the most noble. God hath also imparted Power to Soveraigns, with such equality, that they are never able to increase it, without mutual assistance from one another. Upon this foundation it is, that all Alliances are established. It is absurd to beleeve, that the bare friendship of Princes, can be a sufficient Bond, seeing that it is interest which onely ties them effectually, as is apparent to all men; for that they usually break them, when once they appear against their concernments. If ever there be occasion to unite them together, it is chiefly when there is danger of a common enemy, and that they would hinder his growing strength, and prevent him from making attempts upon their bordering neighbours, and consequently upon themselves.

In fine, it was upon that score that the I••alian Ambassadors perswaded King Antiochus to league himself with them against the Romans, representing to him, that if he did not keep them in continual exercise, they would render themselves Masters of his Allyes, and then enter upon his own Country too: And it was for the same reason, that the Princes of the house of Orleans finding themselves too weak to make head against the Burguignions, allied themselves with the English, though otherwise they hated them; and that Ferdinand King of Naples, allyed himself with Lewis Sforza Tutor to John Galeazzi his Nephew, and Laurence de Medicis, that they might oppose the French, who then threatned them.