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.

IT is impossible to prevent that the splendour of an extraordinary vertue, ho∣noured by a Prince with a great power, should not raise up the Envy of those who have never so little Ambition in them. The Sun doth not more naturally attract divers vapours from the earth, which afterwards become Clouds and darken his light, then a grand Minister doth ordinarily see his own merit, and the great∣nesse of his Genius draw upon him the hatred of the Grandees, that they make use of factions and divisions against him. We have elsewhere said, that Fortune was never yet seen to defend them from this infelicity, and I shal now adde that the cheef and ready way for great men to exempt themselves from the blame and the troubles which envy may stir up against them, is to manifest, that their medling in affairs of Publique concern, is free from all manner of self-interest, which may easily be done, by their desiring to withdraw themselves from the trouble of Go∣vernment, to lead a private life. This moderation will stop the mouths of the most imbittered men, who after this, cannot find any thing to object against the power wherewith they are honoured, and are forced to convert their hatred into admiration. Lucullus finding that the glory of his Triumph, had laid him open to the hatred of some leading men in the Common-wealth, withdrew himself from the management of Publick affairs, to spend the time in studying of Arts; but he was instantly intreated by the wiser sort, not to follow his own inclinations in that particular, and at such a time, for it was not unknown, that he was only able to curb the ambition of Pompey. And Augustus (as Suetonius reporteth) did often de∣sire to quit the Empire, when he found how difficult it was to deal with the people of Rome. The Pope St. Gregory the Great, in the like manner, knowing that the course of his life, did offend many persons, who could not indure that his exam∣ple

should oblige them to live retiredly and reservedly, and had designed to chuse another Pope in his place, he declared to them; that he for his part should be ve∣ry much afflicted to find any storms arise in the Church upon his score, and that he would much more willingly surrender the Government, then see any Schism arise amongst them. But this his modesty and humility, represented him so venerable a person, that those very men, who did not resent his Government, were obliged to acknowledge the greatnesse of his worth. Lastly, although it be commendable in a great States man to make shew of such moderation, to the end he may silence that Envy to which he is exposed; yet a King is bound to make some difficulty in ascenting to his retirement, on such an occasion. No Counsel can better bee followed, then that of the wise man (who said) he who hath found a faithfull servant, ought to cherish him like his Soul, and to esteem him as a brother; and it cannot be denied, but that to deprive a Kingdome of the assistance and guidance of a Soul highly generous and understanding, were to take away the Sun from it, and to fill it with horrour and confusion.