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.

A Prudent Minister, never proposeth one only end in his Actions, but imitating as much as in him lieth, the series of the Divine Prouidence, aspires to many things at the same time, that he may not do any thing which is vain, or to no purpose; His Eye is not alwaies fixt where his mind is; so, though he be not sure of effecting what he saith, yet he is still ready to execute what he thinks: He is ac∣quainted with all the Turnings which lead to the Conclusion of his Designe, and with all Trap-doors to carry him to his wished for end, without giving to the world any just cause but of esteem and admiration. This being one of the sublimest points of prudent Policy, by which he never goes less then his Word. It is true, this kind of Prudence is not proper but for a grand Genius, and such as are of ex∣traordinary fine and subtile spirits: But who so is endued therewith, may well vaunt, that he hath an assured means to prevent several inconveniences, and to give a happy issue to divers affairs, without which it were impossible to accomplish ei∣ther the one or th'other. After all, he ought to be vigilant and careful, that his Prudence be accompanied with Fidelity, that he may be exempt from all blame, and that will render his conduct as it were Invincible, and will acquire him more respect then without; so that no one being able to penetrate into the moity of his Designes, they will however trace him in many places, where he is not, but will never find him in any, where he is not prepared to defend himself.