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His Majesties choice of Learned and Religious Prelates at the Cardinal's request.
THe Church ought necessarily to be governed by Bishops, whose Doctrine and Piety may serve for a guide to the people to instruct them in the ways of Heaven. The State receiveth no small advantage by them. Hereupon, the Car∣dinal did very wel resolve to perswade his Majesty not to bestow any Bishoprick, but upon persons well-deserving, who might be capable of serving God and the State, es∣pecially not to grant them unto children or persons of a licentious life, or such as lay under any ignominy as had formerly been practiced; so that in a few yeas the face of the Clergy of France was much altered, being replenished with persons of abi∣lity and virtue. This was put in execution in all vacant places, after the Cardinal's promotion to the Ministery. I shall forbear to speak of it, till the History of this year, because it furnisheth us with many examples. The Cardinal propos'd unto his Majesty, to be admitted into the Bishopricks of Languedoc, whose Pastors had been deposed, Le Sieur Cohon, for Nismes; the Sieur Grillet for Ʋssez; the Sieur Vilazel for St. Brieu. His Majesty whose Piety is no lesse illustrious then his Ju-Justice, which rendreth him venerable to all his people, being well satisfied of their merit, concluded them fit for that honour. The were persons who for above ten years past, had appeared in the most eminent Pulpits of Paris, to the great admiration of their auditory; and whereas the Doctrine of Preachers ought to be animated by a good life; their conduct had testified for them, that they had no lesse vertue and eloquence then zeal for his Majesties service, to preserve the people in the obedience they ow him, as Gods Lievtenant on earth.