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.

WHen Eagernesse hath laid such deep roots in the mind of Princes of the Blood Royal, that they cannot be eradicated by any possibility, it will then be absolutely necessary to prevent their forming into Factions, which usually arise from such beginnings. There will unavoidably great changes soon follow in a Kingdome, where partialities have any sway amongst them. The very least dis∣order which can happen between the Heavens, is capable of reducing the Universe into its first Chaos, and the dissentions of those who are neerest related to the King, are able to bring a whole State into Confusion, to tie up the hands of Soveraign Authority, and to expose all as a prey to Forraigners. The opinion which is held that it is proper to nourish several parties and bandyings amongst Grandees, whereby to make them lesse able to resist their Kings Will, ought not to be understood of Leagues and Combinations to be headed by those of the royal Family, which may attempt to impose a necessity on the King, to do what even they shall think fit; for such a division would lead a Kingdom into utter ruine, and undermine the most solid foundations of Monarchy. It is no whit lesse inconveni∣ent to let Princes alone in any bad intelligence, for their over great union hath pro∣duced sad effects; it alwaies ought to be limited by the respects and obediences which they ow their King, for admitting it to be otherwise, their Factions being like impetuous winds, the popularity which is gentle and calm (like the Sea) would receive their impressions with ease, become furiously inraged, run into all disor∣ders, and put a State into desperate hazards. On such occasion no persons ought to be respected. As the very greatest are not exempted from those punishments which the Laws have enacted for the Factious; so their enterprizes ought to be cut

off and destroyed the sooner by reason they are more to be feared then others, on the score of the power which they have to work upon the minds of people. It is true, ••••e means which conduce to it are very dangerous, and on such occasions it is, that a great Minister of State ought to testifie his zeal and generosity, by taking the power out of their hands who abuse it, as Arms from a mad man. It is neces∣sary to resolve upon one of these three things, so to reconcile them that they may rest in a true ••riendship, which is almost impossible, at least very difficult amongst Grandees who are once offended with one another. And this way ought not to be chosen but after a long time of consideration, that the assurance of it may be of some continuance. The second is more rigorous, and withall more certain, which is to take off the lives of the Factious; to which however I should not advise but in case of extremity, and after all other means have taken no effect, by reason of the respect which is due to the Royal Family. I esteem the third and last to be most ag••eeable, which is to banish them and take away from them the means of doing any more harm. They who are so dealt with, cannot with Justice complain of it, seeing they have deserved it. It is unreasonable to suffer such persons to remain in a Court, who make open profession of comptrolling their Kings Actions, of bla∣ming his Conduct, of setting limits to his Authority, of raising Wars and revolts in his State. Princes though of the Blood Royal, are not exempted from Obedi∣ence and Subjection to the Laws of the Kingdom. It belongeth not to them to give Orders for the government of affairs, That Prerogative is inseparable from the Crown, and they who would design the assuming such a power to themselves▪ by other ways then those of his Authority, deserve to be catechized as Rebels. Do we not all know, that, that which heretofore brought this State into the danger of falling into the Spaniards hands, was the too great condescention of Henry the third, towards Monsieur de Guise, who was but a stranger Prince too? Certainly, France had not been exposed to those extream mis-fortunes which it hath suf∣fered, had he but had the good luck to have held his hands from those enter∣prizes.