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 Justice of the Kings Alliance with the King of Swede.

THere is no doubt but the Alliance of the most christian King with him of Swede, for the defence of their common confederates was very just, seeing the War it self undertaken by the King of Swede was just, and that all Alliance contracted for the support of a just War, is in it self justifiable: Yet there was no device un∣assayed by the house of Austria, to induce the World to condemn it. The first reason by them alledged in discredit thereof, was, that it was undertaken in the defence of Heretick Princes; but what reason was there, so long to have invaded the States of other Princes under the pretence of Religion? After Charles the Fifth, had joyned the Imperial Crown to his Kingdomes of Spain and Italy, with the Provinces of the Low-Countries; he thought that having forces enough to re-conquer all those Countries, which formerly belonged to the Roman Emperour, he might with justice attempt it; as if Kingdomes were the division of force, and as if birth and succession of many ages were not bars enough to stop ambition. Now as Germany is the Bulwark which serves all he States of Europe to defend their liberty, as Henry the Second, King of France, writ unto the Princes of the Empire in the year, 1552. he resolved to over-run it, concluding that having once mastered it, he might with ease invade France, England, and the rest of Italy. The Emperor who reigns at present knew as well how important it was, seeing in his letters sent to Zuinga chief Counsellour to the King of Spain, he particularly nameth it the foun∣dation of the Authority of the House of Austria. Germany indeed doth so abound in men and riches, that it is alone able to entertain Armies, and those, great ones, for ever; nay, to supply the very Indies in case of a defect. This is the true ground of the War, and that which obliged the King of Swede to assist it, although the Spaniards pretence was, the rooting out of Heresie. It is long since, the great St. Leon, writ to the Emperour Theodosius, that men palliate their Passions with Reli∣gion: but much more reasonably may it so be said of the Austrian Princes (as Mariana hath well observed in his History, that being it which makes so great an impression upon the people. The World sees by experience, how advantagious it was to them, when Ferdinand usurped Navarre from his own Neece; they them∣selves have seen, that it wanted but little of putting our Scepter into their hands, during the League. It is the best title by which they hold part of both the Indies, where they have put to death not only lawfull Princes, but at least fifty Millions of people, with such cruelty, that they have died the earth with blood, and made Heaven to groan with horrour, and well will they now make use of it to despoil the German Princes of their estates. But who is ignorant of their injustice, seeing that as the true Religion gives no right to Empires, so force cannot deprive him of it, to whom it falls by succesion.