Aspersions charged on the King, refuted.
IT was indeed somewhat strange that these Libellers should attempt to defame a man, whom the ablest wits have recommended to be of as great a Soul as any these many Ages: But it is incredible, that their malice should strike at the Kings own person, endeavouring to represent him as uncapable of Government. I could willingly complain of all French men, who seeing such indignities done unto their Soveraign, whom after so many years they had reason to know for the most Just, most Valiant, most Generous, most Prudent, and most Mercifull Prince that ever swayed the Scepter of France; did not take up their Arms, to punish those Libel∣lers in other Countries, but that they may not undertake any War without his Ma∣jesties permission. What reason could be alledged, that he should passe for a King without Conduct, who had vanquished the English in so many encounters, taken Rochel, forced the Alps, twice relieved Cazal, suppressed his Rebellious Sub∣jects, bounded in the ambition of the house of Austria, setled religion in divers Provinces of his Kingdom, secured the Pope from the Spanish oppression, gave peace and liberty unto Italy; by his Victories became the Arbitrator of Christen∣dome and whose Arms strangers did apprehend with fear and terrour? It cannot be said of him but that he was the most courag••ous in his undertakings, the most Pious in his Conscience, the most Just towards his Subjects, the most Daring in any dangers, the most Prudent in his Councels, and the most deservedly to be admired for all his Actions, that ever yet reigned over us. Have we not all seen, how his zeal and courage for Religion hath ingaged him to expose his person, the most flourishing years of his time, his Nobility, his Treasures, and in some kind to hazard his own State, and all to abate the Insolencies of the Church's enemies? It might indeed have been said, that some other besides him, had atchieved all those glorious Actions, which we dayly see before our eyes, provided any enterprise had been done without him: Had he not in his own person ordered Battels, had he not personally appeared in sundry dangers, and had he not been actually assisting at all his Counsels, to resolve what orders were most proper to be followed? But the one is as visibly apparent as the other; and he who would beleeve their aspersions must necessarily be born among the Antipodes. All Europe was so sufficiently con∣vinc'd of his Majesties rare and divine endowments, as not to suffer themselves to be surprized by the calumnies and devices of such wicked imposters; and all such as have had the honour to know, though but a little of the Conduct of affairs, have had ground enough to admire those great lights of Nature, and particular blessings of Heaven, wherewith his Majesty was stored; by means of which, they who were of his Counsel, have seen him take such expedients, as could not but be so many marks of an extraordinary Prudence.