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.

IT is dangerous to be wilfully obstinate in any Design, and to be deaf to their counsels, who by their wisdom may force the ill consequences and successes thereof. Those great men, who suffer themselves so 'to abound in their own sense, are commonly the causers of great evils; they beget disorders, and ha∣ving fallen into any adversity, do ruine not only themselves, but their friends and partakers. Though Alexander wanted neither courage nor success, yet was he blame-worthy, for so obstinately refusing the advices of the sage Egyptians, who counselled him not to go into Babylon, for that they found by their Art he would there die: For despising their opinions, he went thither, and was there poysoned by Thessalus his Physician. Somtimes it is prudence to change resolutions, especi∣ally such as are unjust or rebellious. It is only proper to Mountains not to run back∣ward, but it is a wise mans duty to break the course of his conduct, if evil, and to steer a contrary way, which may be more propitious; to change from bad actions to good and better, though never so often, cannot be accounted Inconstancy, nei∣ther will any wise man be so wedded to an ill design, as to persist in it. A prudent man receiveth counsel with joy, and maketh use thereof as occasion requireth, knowing it is not lightness to forsake an error once found so to be: He had much rather confess his indiscretion, then persist in it; and he knoweth that somtimes to be vanquished, is to be victorious. In fine, Stubborness is then especially inexcu∣sable, when it ingageth a man to fall off from that obedience which is due to his

Soveraign. No one what-ever may take up Arms against Prince, upon what pretence soever. God hath placed the Sword in the hands of Kings, nor may any of their subjects draw it, unless by their Princes authority. Grandees are so much the more to be blamed for raising of troubles, by how much it is honourable for them to be makers of peace. They who raise seditions, and think to hide them∣selves under a pretence of the publike good, do but deceive themselves; for there is not any man so simple who will believe insurrections to have been really made upon that account; and every one knows, that the first contrivers were set on work either by ambition or interests. But admit the State were in disorder, it is then no more tolerable for the Grandees of the Kingdom to give the Law unto their Sove∣raign, then for the members of mans body to rule and direct the Head and Heart, those chiefer parts. Marcellus who heretofore lived in Heathenish darkness, said, Good Princes are to be begged from the Gods with vows and prayers; but be they what they will, they ought to be loved, honoured, feared. This was the opinion of an Heathen. But if any Nation have less excuses for rebellion then others, it is doubtless the Christian, whom God hath both in the Old and New Testament sundry times commanded to be obedient unto Kings, to be respectful unto Superior Powers, nay patiently to suffer their very disorders and Tyrannies.