The Reception of the Cardinal into the Administration of the STATE.

THose eminent qualities which raised the Cardinal from above the pitch of other men, induced the Queen mother to present him to the King her Son, to assist his Councels, which qualifications, had not been alone sufficient for the Admini∣stration, if not accompanied with Fidelity. Although this Vertue seems to have lesse splendor then others, yet this is it which is so needfull a quality, that the grea∣test Souls are not proper for that condition if their Ambition, Covetousness, or their private interest, are able to divert them upon any occasion whatsoever. But in whom did it ever appear with so much splendor, as in the Cardinal, who did al∣waies make it his end, never to seek for Honour and Wealth but in his Majesties service? Which his Majesty had very singular proofs of, by his management of those important Affairs, whilest he was Secretary of State, and he had one most ample particular assurance of it, in his removal from the Court; during all which Page  4time, his Majesty could never find that he held the least intelligence with the Queen Mother, or those Grandees of State, to make Cabals contrary to his Authority, though he had understanding enough not to be ignorant of some means which serve to imbroyl things on such occasions. At first he was contented to Officiate like a good Prelate in his own Diocess, without medling in any publick affairs, but those which are common to all good French men, who have any knowledge thereof; and being afterwards removed into Avignon, he had no other intention, but of con∣versing with his Books, and such vertues as are required in those of his Coat; testi∣fying by this great reservedness, that he was so much the more worthy of those im∣ployments, which had formerly been conferred upon him, according to that of the wise Polititians, There are none fitter to command, then those who obey with mo∣deration and fidelity; the reason is, in obeying they learn to command, and that all men do willingly submit to them, who being private men have lived modestly and in-offensively. But how could the King be capable of the least suspicion of his Fidelity, after that one Procedure of his which was seen by the whole Nation, when he was recalled from Avignon, to divert the Queen Mother from those de∣signs, which they who had advised her to with-draw from Bloys to Angoulesm, did perswade unto her? It was no little honour for him, to see that they who had so ill created him, did yet believe he had sincerity enough to serve them in such an occasion as that was. He got an accruement of Glory too, by his Loyalty in his quick dispatch to that great Princess, and by declaring to those Grandees then with her, that whatever opportunities he had to make them repent of those injuries they had done him, yet he would never deceive or betray them.

The Queen Mother was in a good Hold, the greatest part of the Princes and ma∣ny Lords offered her their service; insomuch that would he have joyned the facul∣ties of his mind to those forces which they might have raised, he might have held them so much play, that they would have found themselves intangled. It seemed he was invited to testifie a sensible apprehension in the Queen his Mistresses behalf, he having received from her hands many signal favours in recompence of the services he had done unto her, and that then he had nothing to hope for but her good opi∣nion, so much had those Gentlemen thwarted him. But neither the resentments of former indignities, nor his indeavours in his Mistresses behalf, nor the hopes of a greater Fortune, nor the consideration of his own interest, could ever so little shake him in his Fidelity. After he was arrived at Angoulesm, and that his own merit had restored him to that place of esteem, which he formerly held in her Majesties good favour, he proposed no other end in his discourse, but to set her right with the King. He presently assured her, that he suffered in the disasters to which her enemies had brought her, and not resting barely there, he made use of this com∣passion, to insinnuate himself more effectually into her soul, and to gain a greater power over her spirit, that he might improve to advantage the charms, which his complaisant humour had given him, and shewed clearly to her, that if she thought it her mis-fortune, not to be Mistress of his Majesties Person and Councel, her con∣dition would be much more to be deplored, seeing she was no better then a Slave to the designs and Wills of those who hurried her into broyls, and that she could not chuse a worse party into whose hands she might commit the management of her own interest. Hee made it evident to her, that Arms were but a weak means in France to restore people to the Government, seeing his Majesties have been ever Victorious; they who provoke him doe but totally destroy themselves. Of this truth, he produced several examples, which are recorded in all Revolts from time to time: Lastly, he convinced to her, that she might with ease re-assume that Au∣thority from whence she was fallen, would she but re-unite hers with the Kings in∣terests; that if shee should not obtain all at the first dash, shee ought to expect some thing from time, but with confident assurance, that the King her son had such natural resentments for her, that they alone would force him, to accord her whatever she could with reason expect, though he were not invited to it by her pru∣dence, or the Counsels of those who had the honour to be her servants. That du∣ring Page  5her separating her self from his Majesty, she could hope for nothing but scorn and debility, whereas she should no sooner oblige his Majesty by restoring to him, her heart and affections, but she would find her self attended back to the Court, honoured and obeyed by all the world as she was formerly wont to be. These were some of those reasons which he laid before her; and true it is, that his Pru∣dence animated with his Fidelity, induced her to resolve upon that Accommodati∣on which hath so long kept their Majesties in a strict union, and France in so sweet a repose.

His Majesty did better understand then any other person, all the particulars of the Cardinals negotiation, and apprehended so great an esteem of his Fidelity, that he thought no consideration able to undermine it; and seeing that one, accompa∣nied with many other eminent qualities, hee was easily convinced, that he had not in his whole Kingdome, a person more capable or worthy of the Administration then himself. Who can describe with what dexterity the whole face of Affairs were changed, which before were managed but lamely and by halfs? Whereas hee conforming himself to those inclinations, which carried his Majesty to great de∣signs, perswaded him to set them forwards, and assisted him in their execution. Formerly all affairs were carried without secrecy, so that strangers had all the in∣telligence of their resolutions; which they dis-appointed and obstructed, before they were in a forwardness to be set on foot. But this great Minister, knowing secrecy to be the Soul of Counsel, and that none are better then those which continue un∣known even after the execution, brought forth every day wonders effected by his Prudence, of which the Grandees themselves had not so much as a thought. In∣deed it was so much the easier for him so to do, his Majesty being the most secret Prince that ever was. Formerly, every one was impatient at the obstacles and de∣lays of the Marquess de la Vieville; whereas after his establishment, all those who had any affairs to negotiate or represent, for his Majesties service, were over-joyed that they were to Treat with a Minister, whose Countenance was a Throne of sweet∣ness and bounty, and whose words have so powerfull a Charm, that they still went away satisfied, what ever difficulties were proposed by them. Besides, they were constrained, as it were to pay him all respects; and the Gravity too, which the Gra∣ces have bestowed upon him, is so agreeable and taking, that the respect which it begets in the soules of men, never thwarts that love which is due unto him, and that love doth not at all hinder them from fearing to displease him.

The ancient Allies of this Crown, formerly left for a prey to their enemies, be∣gan to be confident to him, as soon as ever they had known him, and finding that his Genius did not terminate in a meer defensive, they betook them to their Arms, not onely to oppose those unjust Usurpations, which were made upon them, but also to assault and set upon those who had began them. In short, as he never declared himself to be for any Faction; but on the contrary, shewed himself much averse to all Rebellions; both the Grandees of the Kingdome and Hugonots too, were not long to learn that it would become them for the future, to live within the limits of their obedience: And lastly, not being able to away with any Mutiny, he soon be∣gan to make them take some course of living, which is the surest foundation of Peace in a Kingdome: so that every one had the content to see France flourish, both at home and abroad, and to acquire its former lustre, which hath alwaies made it ac∣knowledged to be the first Kingdome of Europe.