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.

The King falls very sick, and disposeth of his State-affairs.

DUring the Treaty, God Almighty (who hath not made Princes of any other temper, then other men) permitted the King to fall into a violent disease, the issue whereof being incertain, put the affairs of the Kingdom into a strange con∣fusion. But as all the sicknesses wherewith he doth afflict men, are not to destroy them, (his love alwaies guiding and conducting the order of humane affairs) so he would not deprive France of a King, who was so necessary for them, nor the Church of her eldest son, who fought for her Liberty. He restored him his health, and imployed the sickness, to let him know, that he was liable to the Laws of hu∣mane frailty, as well as the least of his subjects. He gave him this occasion to make known that vertue and extraordinary Piety, wherewith he had invested his Soul. His Courage evidenced to all the World that he did not fear death, but consider∣ed it as an easie passage from the miseries of this life, to the eternal happinesses of Heaven; his thoughts were not fix'd upon any thing, but how to render his Soul worthy of the divine mercy which he did hope to obtain. The onely regret which he testified, was, not the leaving his Crown, but the having com∣mitted offences, which humane weaknesse cannot avoid, and for which he desired pardon of God, which (all bathed in his tears) he begged those who were present to assist him in.