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.

NOthing doth more alarum the common people, then the noise of new impo∣sitions: they think it is to take away their lives, at least to make them insup∣portable, if you do but diminish a little of their subsistance, which is the reason,

that the poorest of all are most prompt and ready for sedition, they being desirous and greedy of novelties; and as Tacitus in his Annales hath observed, they have more to get then to lose, by such revolts and turmoils. Every one indeed ought to pity their poverty, but the obedience which is due to Magistrates, and the re∣cessity of contributing to the publick charge, renders them culpable without excuse. Those who lead them on, and incite them to their mutinies, ought most principally to be punished, for that they are the Broachers and Authors of all the mischief. Thucydides speaking of the resolution which was taken by the Athenians, to put to death all those of Mytilene who were able to bear Arms, and to keep the rest in slavery, by reason of the Rebellions which had been raised amongst them, saith▪ Justice doth not tie up a man from punishing the heads and principals onely. It is not at such a time proper for a Soveraign to make his Clemency appear, which is one of the best Rays in his Crown. He ought so to pardon offences, that he do not by it give way to, or allow of that liberty which the people assume to them∣selves, who will be quickly quelled, if their Ringleaders be but punished. To par∣don all were an excessive liberty, and would breed a like licentiousnesse, and to chastise the most culpable, is an effect of Prudent Justice. Impunity authoriseth li∣centiousnesse, and seems to give them leave to run into the same lapses, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 too much rigour and severity, is enough to cast a Nation upon desperate resoluti∣ons and extremities. It is a good way of reducing them to their due obedience, by sending some grave personage amongst them, as T. Livy hath observed, whom they hold in some esteem and respect; because Reputation, and a good beleef, is as the Soul of all other Reasons; for that very cause it was, as the same Author reports it, that the Romans sent T. M. Torquatus, unto Sardigna, when they were upon the point of giving up themselves to the Carthaginian Protection. The quick and timely dispatch of such person, is of great consequence too, for that Rebellion are like flames, which do increase every day more then other, if there be not great care to extinguish them in the beginnings.