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 Obseruation.

AUthority is the soul of a Kingdom: A State cannot but be happy, when he who governeth it knows how to rule as he ought, be it either in not ordaining those things which are improper, or by bringing his Subjects to be obedient; so that as a Physitian endeavoureth most of all to comfort his Patients heart, a Ministers ought to study no one thing more, then how to encrease and strengthen his Masters power and authority. But if he hath once suffered himself to be dispossed of it, he hath lost the Rudder by which he steered his vessel, the yoke wherewith he kept the people in obedience, the splendour which made him be honoured with re∣spect, How will he be afterwards able to retain his subjects in their duties, seeing they will slight his Authority? And how shall he be able to receive respects from them, when as he is no longer Master of that which should preserve it in their souls? Authority is to a Soveraign the same thing that Light is to the Sun: And as that fair Star would not be respected by man without that splendid lustre which dazeleth our eyes, so having once lost his light, he is no longer admired or respected. The Princes of the Blood divide it amongst them, and make it evident, that the dis-esteem and weakness, whereunto he is fallen, serveth for a footstool to them to advance their own power. The Governours of Provinces too, they take some share, and thus every one acteth as best pleaseth himself; every thing is attempted without controul, and they do not fear to endeavour the getting of that by force, which they cannot by justice. The Publique Monies are turned aside, the people oppressed, and at last all things brought into confusion. Theopompus King of the Lacedemonians answered a certain man who told him, Spa••ta was governed with a good Discipline, because the Kings knew how to command, That it was rather, because the people knew how to obey: But for my part, I imagine that the hap∣piness of a Kingdom proceedeth from one and t'other; and that both of them are dependent on the Authority which giveth Soveraigns the Liberty of well com∣manding, and the necessary disposition of Subjects to obey them. Which if it

be true of Kingdomes in general, it is most assuredly so of France in particular, seeing the Government of it hath been so absolutely established upon a King, see∣ing there is not any thing more proper for the setling of any State whatsoever, in its due order, then to restore him the self same qualities, with which he took his Birth.