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.

Politique Observation.

HE who revolteth against a great King, seeketh his own ruine. He cannot hope for Glory from his enterprise, seeing hee is neither accompanied with Prudence nor Justice, and he cannot expect any profit by it; for besides that, the weaknesse or indeed impossibility, unto which he is reduced by the quality of a sub∣ject, he forceth as it were his Soveraign to punish his Rebellion, by making him lose both his Life and Estate. Mahomet Prince of the Turks, had all Rebels in such de∣testation, that he cut off two Falcon's heads for having stooped at an Eagle, the King of Birds, that he might by this teach his Subjects, who durst have the rashnesse, to follow that example, that they must expect the like punishment; for both Prudence and Justice oblige a Prince to chastise those, who shall take up Arms against his au∣thority.

Some Grandees puffe up themselves, with the Greatnesse of Alexander: who with a few Forces which he drew out of Macedon, overthrew the Power of Persia; as also with that of the Romans, who from being at first Masters but of one City, became Lords of the whole World: But they ought to know, that nei∣ther the one or t'other of them, were presently set upon by any great Prince, but extended their Power by little and little, ever proportionating their Attempss to their Forces. It is true, Fortune and their own Courages did not a little contribute to their successes; but seeing Christianity teacheth us, that this same Fortune is not any thing else but divine Providence, with what reason can he who revolts against his own King, hope for favour from heaven, whilest he doth act against the Laws, and indeavoureth to subvert that order which this Divine Providence hath establish∣ed in all Kingdomes.