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.

AS it is glorious for a Minister to prevent the force of the Enemies by a con∣trary force, as we have said, so is it very honourable to prevent the effects of their Prudence by an opposite Prudence. He ought to be like a good Pilate, who have attained great experince at Sea, can discover a Tempest before it comes, and prepears all that is necessary to resist it: or I will compear him to a wise Physician, who preserves those he takes into his care not only from sickness, but even from the danger of falling-sick, and to say the truth therein consists one of the highest points of Politique wisdome; and I have alwayes esteem'd that one of the greatest services, he can render that Governes a State, is to prevent by his Prudence; the craft from which the Enemy pretends to draw advantage, to avoid his undermining by a

Counter-mine, and by his good conduct, to slight all the works of his industry: Pru∣dence without doubt acquires great glory, when it surmounts force. Thucydides in his History prefers its victories before all others; Prudence it self, which ought to be so much more honoured as it cuts the evill in the roote; and preserves an Army oft times from running the hazard of a combate, weaken in such sort the Forces of an Enemy, that he has not the boldnesse to dare an encounter; as the Cardinal hath made appear in several occasions.