the Cardinals Soul, which penetrates into the Ages to come, presently discovered to his Majesty the dangers of this nature, and made him apprehend the other the more easily, in regard his Majesty was not ingaged in them, but onely by the weak∣nesse of those who had the management of affairs. He made it quickly apparent to him, that they who shew themselves so over-affectionate of Peace, do by little and little weaken and decay the State, without being aware of it, that they do mol∣lifie the Courages of the people by a sloathfull repose, who by such waies are ex∣posed to the violences of strangers, who have in the mean while exercised themselves in Arms, and acquired force enough to make an attempt upon their neighbours. His Prudence imitated that of a discreet Physitian, who that he may perswade his Patient to take such things as may be convenient for his sicknesse, discourseth to him the causes of his indisposition, and then leaveth in to himself to judge if they be not proper for him.
Sir, said he one day to his Majesty in a particular Counsel, though a King who looks after nothing more then quiet, hath reason to bestir himself when he finds his Ministers, have brought his State into disorder, because there do every day arise to him new causes of discontent; yet he who seeks Glory ought not to be much trou∣bled at it, for that such disorders are the Ground-works upon which he may raise Trophies as marks of his Prudence and Generosity; so your Majesty need not be at all troubled for those defects which have happened to your Estate, by the faults of those whom your Majesty hath imployed, who though they have been very affecti∣onate to your service, have not however had Souls high enough to second the Ge∣nerosity of your intentions. You may easily remedy all this, according as you have designed, there need only wel to know the Causes, and to apply such remedies as may be agreeable, and the State will soon be in safety. Your Majesty may command me any thing, for that I dedicate all my cares and all my indeavours to you, and I can∣not have any greater pleasure, then to sacrifice my life to your glory. And seeing you do me the honour to hear me discourse, what I think to be most considerable in the State of Affairs. I shall not imagine my self deceived if I shall tell you, that I have observed four things, which are the principal Causes of the weaknesse and dis∣ability of this State. The first is Forraign, and is nothing but the unbridled Ambi∣tion of the Spaniard, which makes him aspire to the Monarchy of Europe, and car∣ries him on to attempts upon your neighbouring States, which are as the out-skirts of the Kingdom, of which too he hopes to be one day Master, when he shall once have fortified himself upon the Frontiers, and made it destitute of succours from its Allies. The other three are Domestick and at home, which serve for supports to all Rebellions and Revolts, which are like a Lyon bred up in the Kingdom, from whence nothing but mis-fortunes can arise. The second is, the excessive licencious∣nesse of the Grandees, who do so much detract from your greatnesse, by so much as they assume to themselves more then they ought. The third is, the want of dis∣ciplin'd Troops who should ever be on foot to oppose any enterprizes, which may be made against your Majesty or your Allies. The fourth is, the want of conside∣rable Foundations in the Treasury, to commence War upon occasions, and to sup∣ply them as long as need shall require, I suppose that these are the original Sources, from whence do flow those most dangerous mis-fortunes which threaten France, and I imagine, if your Majesty can but drayn them up, there is nothing more to fear: But on the contrary, all sort of Prosperity and Glory to your Majesties Crown much to be hoped for. The Attempt which the Sieur de Soubize made upon Bla∣vet, whilest you were succouring the Grisons, testified sufficiently to your Majesty that those of their Party, would take all advantages, whensoever your Forces should be entertained in Forrrign parts. Those Civil Wars, which the Princes do yearly renew, are those which reduce your Majesty to that weaknesse, that you can∣not enterprise any thing abroad, nourishing the people in disobedience, and giving means to the Grandees to partake of that honour with your Majesty, which is one∣ly due to your Majesties Scepter. In the same manner, the Usurpations which the House of Austria makes upon all the neighbours of France, will in fine give them