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.

THat Minister who would attempt any great designs abroad, is bound to settle all at home, by a strong uniting of the Royal house. The harmony of the prime Qualities is that which preserves our bodies in a convenient health: If one should assault the other, the Natural Justice is violated, and the Union dissolved; which once so, the whole frame falls to nothing. Who knoweth not, that the Union of Grandees, especially those of the Royal Family, is the most sure founda∣tion of Peace and Welfare to a State? They may not be disjoyn'd from their King,

neither may any one of them attempt upon his Crown, but Justice will be offended, and their Union broken, which once so, the State is soon exposed to manifold dangers and misfortunes. This was the opinion of Misipsa in Salust, and Cyrus instructing Cambyses his own Son, advised him alwaies to be in friendship with his kindred, and to give them such advantages as may content them, because it will make him be well beloved by his Subjects, who imagine that a Prince, who doth not affect his own Kindred, deserveth not the affections of any others; and will also give more assurance to his Government, by defending him from any insur∣rections which might be made by them. And this is the more considerable, as Ta∣citus saith, for that it is ordinary with the people, to have a particular affection; for the Kindred of a Prince, when they shall see them hated without any just cause or reason, exemplyfying the Love which the people of Rome did bear to Germani∣cus, which increased in them by the hatred which was born to him by Tiberius; and it cannot be doubted, but that the particular affection with which the people love them, may give them great advantages to embroyl the State, and may serve for a strong prop to their revolts. It cannot be avoyded, but that Princes nearly rela∣ted to a Soveraign, must have some hand in the Government of Affairs, and must partake with him in the Honours of the State; how can it then be done in a good order, unless they live in a fair correspondence with one another? What way can a vessel goe, when as they who guide it, do some row towards the Poop, and others towards the Prow; despising the Pilots orders, so that the vessel becomes ex∣posed to be wracked. And what may there be expected from a State, where the Princes of the Blood Royal, who have the Government of the Provinces, fall off from his Majesties designs and interests, engaging themselves in Factions and Par∣ties? Doth it not by this means absolutely expose the State to Civil Wars, which being left at random by this disunion, becomes a prey to strangers, who will be sure to take advantage of it?