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.

AMbitious Princes can never raise their designs so high, as that God who hum∣bleth the Proud, and abates their power, should exempt them from divine Justice; which is pleased to pull down the mighty. His Providence doth always confine the••r force, by keeping their Interests and those of their neighbors, in an equal Ballance, for the tranquillity of the people. He who is born with a fix∣ed and contented mind, and is satisfied with those limits which he may justly pre∣tend to, and in the protection of his Allies, is not subject to these misfortunes. Ho∣nour and glory never depart from him: whereas he who resteth not within his own bounds, but attempteth all ways, tryeth all means to extend them, is usually liable

to ruin, for that every one runs upon him, to oppose his designs, and God too is delighted to abase him. The divine wisdom cannot be enough admired in this par∣ticular, which having placed two great Kingdoms near one another, maketh the one serve to moderate the ambition of the other, and to break the neck of his de∣signs, for the preservation of his neighbours: It usually endeth in nothing when one shall take from another to enrich himself. The divine wisdom doth bound in the ambition of such, and brings all their designs that way tending to confusion. It is true, God is sometimes pleased to chastise a Soveraign, and permits another to destroy him, but it is but seldom, whereas he doth commonly throw down him who raiseth himself upon the ruines of others. Darius was so insolent, that he caused himself to be stiled, the King of Kings, but what befell him? Did not A∣lexander, whom he had scorned and undervalued, take away his Life and Estates too? In the same manner it was with Arphaxates, King of the M••des, who after he had brought divers Nations under his Empire, and built the famous City Ec∣batan, became so proud, as to think nothing was able to resist him; but how quickly God did let him see the contrary, by suffering him to be chastised and conquered by the King of Niniveh? How is he delighted to shew by these examples unto So∣veraignes, that Humility in their conduct, is that which makes their designs sub∣sist, and end in glory; whereas Ambition exposeth them to misfortunes, losses, and utter ruin?