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.

Prosecution of the Subject.

THose crimes wherewith the Cardinals honour was taxed were so frivolous, that we need not any longer detain our selves upon them, especially seeing all wise men knew them to be groundlesse. Easie it is to speak ill of the Governours of a State, as the Queen mother her self once said, to some who complained of her Agents▪ during her Regency. Every one takes the liberty to discommend their Conduct, because Man is naturally an enemy to Government, and propense to judge the worst of his Governours, whose actions indeed may appear in their true Colours, but not the causes, inducements and circumstances of them, they remain lock'd up in secret. Revilings are the rewards of their watchings, and let their actions be never so advantagious to the publike good, yet private particular persons shall never be satisfied or pleased with them unlesse they advance their private and particular Fortunes, as well as that of the publike. Never was yet Minister other∣wise rewarded; and for this very reason, whatever was said against the Cardinal, was regarded by wise men; but as the effect of a furious faction, who could not meet their particular advancement in his Conduct, which he little esteemed after he found their ends to be guided by their interests, without consideration of the Kings Honour, so that it will be needlesse longer to insist on this particular dis∣course.

Shortly after the Queen mothers and Monsieur's departure, the King unwilling to hinder their Officers from going after them, was well inform'd that divers abu∣sing that Liberty accorded unto them, did carry Letters under the notion of Offi∣cers, and packets of correspondency, for the continuing many Intreagues still on foot. Whereupon, his Majesty to suppresse that disorder, ordained that they should have fifteen days time to retire themselves either unto their persons, or else to confine themselves unto their own houses, inhibiting any one either to go or come (the time once expired) without his particular licence, under penalty of being declared disturbers of the publike peace▪ of being punished with confiscati∣on of their Estates, and the ••osse of exemption from payment of Tributes, which they then enjoyed; it being unreasonable that under the intent of favouring some who did not abuse their liberty of going to discharge their Offi••es, others might without com••trol foment and carry on the divisions in the Kingdom, which cost so dear to extinguish,