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.

An Answer to the Spaniards who blame the Alliance between France and Sweden.

THe second reason which they alledge in condemnation of the Alliance of France with Swede, was, that it was contracted with an heretick King, an enemy of the Church, and one who exerciseth great cruelties against the German Catholiques: But this scruple of Conscience which they pretended, aimed at no∣thing else but to force our Arms out of our hands, that in effect they might the easilier despoil the ancient A••••••es of this Crown, who are only able to curb their Ambition. It is a very frivolous objection, and I do the more wonder at their condemning the Alliances of Hereticks, it being their practice time out of mind, not only to admit them, but Infidels likewise into their confederacies Do we not know how in the time of the Florentine Counsel, and of the Emperour H••nry the second, who designed to make Spain Tributary to him, that King Ferdinand con∣tracted an alliance with the Moors, that he might by them be assisted against the Emperour, against the Councel against the Popes Leon the ninth▪ and Victor the second, his enemies? Do we not know that they have attempted all possible means to contract alliance with the Turk, and that they have already effected it with the Persian, who is of the same Religion? Do we not know that they are allyed with the Indian King, who openly worshippeth the Divel? Do we not know how Charls the f••••t ••eagued himself with the Lutherans, that he might the better make war upon us, and that by the advice of the Theologians, as Bannes rep••rteth it, who about the second of his Commentaries saith▪ It is no more inconvenient to make use of Infidels, then of Elephants and Horses? Do we not likewise know how Aurelius King of Spain, who slew Troila, leagued himself with the Moors

and Saracens, and paid them yearly a Tribute of an hundred Catholique children, as Mariana reporteth it? Do we not know how Alphonsus sir-named the grand, leagued himself with the Moors, on condition that he should deliver his Son Ordo∣nius to be brought up amongst them? They who have taken the pains to read their Histories, may meet with divers such examples. We are not ignorant of the an∣cient alliances which they have had in Germany, the King of Denmark, the Dukes of Saxony, Brandenburgh, and others, and which have been but lately renewed, though they are all Protestants.

Now what reason can there be to blame alliances with Heretiques? Were it not to plead against their customs? And why should they alone assume this Liberty, seeing they only object it to authorize their own ambitious Designs, and for our parts we only designe by it the preservation of our Allies in the lawful possession of their estates? It is a right which our Kings will the hardlier relinquish, seeing the holy Chair is so much concerned in it, who ought the more be defended from the oppression of the House of Austria, because they have too to much disco∣vered their Designe, of setting on foot their ancient Titles to the Empire, for the recovering those lands which the Popes have heretofore received from the bounty of our Kings. We are not ignorant how he contrives to invade Italy, which af∣ter the reducing of ••ermany would easily be brought to passe. Our Kings who have alwaies undertaken the Churches Protection, as having the honour to be her eldest Sons, cannot endure it; because after the temporal is once subdued, they will soon be intermedling with the Spiritual, which would produce an immediate Schisme. This one, was the weightiest affair which hath a long time befallen the Church; and that alone consideration were enough to vindicate the alliance with the Swede. If in processe of time any disorders have succeeded upon this Treaty, well may they be imputed unto the proseperities, which had made a Prince become insolent, but not unto the effects of his Majesties alliance with him, who had no other designe besides the establishing of the German Princes. Religion was not interessed in the least in the Articles of agreement, it having been expresly conclu∣ded between them, that no alteration should be made in any of those places, of which his Arms should make him Master. Those disorders which he committed against the Church were accidental, like unto those medicines which weaken Na∣ture, yet cure the disease; in regard of which, no one ought to be deterr'd from assisting his Allies: As the weaknesse caused by Physick ought not to fright us from receiving it, because strength and health will the sooner return after it.

The King hath already given satisfaction for some of those injuries suffered by the German Church, and he will be glad to establish the rest, after the ambitious madnesse of the House of Austria shall be somwhat more reasonable. But admit∣ting Wars could be unjust by reason of injuries done unto the Church, how would the Spaniards save themselves? What could they sayd for themselves in that expedi∣tion of theirs against Monsieur de Mantua, where the Lutherans by them introdu∣ced, omitted no kind of Sacriledge which could be perpetrated against the Church? This reason therefore cannot be right for their turn, it will only serve to lay their own injustice before them, which is but too notorious, from many other conside∣rations. It cannot then be hence concluded, whether a War be just or not•• There are moreover another sort of people ignorant of affairs, who alledge the King might have made a Catholique League, which would have wrought the same ef∣fect. To which I answer, his Majesty would have been very glad to have found it so; and the reason why it was not effected, was, because it was never propos'd. Some Religious persons indeed, more Devout then Prudent, did make some over∣tures, but they were the more suspected, because made by those who were Sub∣jects to the House of Austria, and such men who are una••quainted with the reach∣es of the Spanish Ministers, and are as commonly deceived, as frequently dis∣owned by them. These good Fathers were but ill spokes-men, in matters of Pro∣positions, being intrusted to say nothing satisfactory, and somtimes what they say is contradicted; so that in fine, themselves conclude themselves to have been de∣ceived; which is all the satisfaction to be had by them.