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.

That it is great discretion not to precipitate accommodations, where there is any danger in the State.

IT is great wisedom not to hasten any Treaty wherein there may be any danger to the State, It is most certain in general, that precipitation is an enemy to wise counsels, that instead of ending affairs it imbroileth them, and that it hath alwaies been receiv'd for an ill servant, because being blind and without foresight, it seldom makes any Treaties which are not disadvantagious; but most particularly true it is, in such Treaties as are concluded where the parties are not well dispos'd to keep a Peace though they seem very plausible at first sight, yet are they seldom of long continuance, by reason of the sharpnes remaining in their minds when they are con∣cluded, which coming to increase by some new discontents, division presently re-as∣sumeth her first place, and thus instead of any satisfaction from it, there oftentimes arise more causes of repentance. In effect they ought to be the further from end∣ing affairs, because the easinesse of concluding them, hath often begotten more distrusts among great men, than if there had been great difficulties in the making their peace. Hatred doth easily revive among Princes, and they sooner forget any thing then injuries they pretend to have received, which though for some time they dissemble, yet are they never deficient to testifie their resentments, when they find opportunity proper for it. There were heretofore divers accommodations made be∣tween Lewis the Eleventh, and Charls Duc de Borgogne, which seemed to settle their States in peace, but as they were oftentimes made more by necessity on the Dukes part, which rather forc'd him then inclin'd him to live in friendship with the King; the main business was still to be begun anew; nor was any thing but death able to

give a period to their divisions. How often hath the house of Orleans and Bour∣gogne been reconcil'd, yet alwaies to little purpose, because the Princes not laying by the hatred which was between them, did presently fly out again upon the least cause of suspicion. Henry the Third, wrought nothing upon the Duke of Guise by pardoning him, for he forbore not to prosecute the enterprizes which his Ambiti∣on suggested. They who are little acquainted in State-affairs, are not very solici∣tous of the great trouble which is in making Peace between Princes, but think that it is enough so they are made friends; yet it may so fall out that great inconveniences may arise from want of care, when civil Wars break out again, which they re-in∣gaging in may indanger the whole State, at least afford Forraigners great advanta∣ges. It is much better that Grandees should continue out of the Kingdom in dis∣cord and impotency, that in the Court or in some Province, where they might easily raise Cabals and insurrections I think that rash considerations may not more fitly be compar'd to any thing then to too quick a digestion, which as Physicians say, replenisheth the body with many crudities, the cause of divers diseases; and it of∣ten happens that such considerations like jealousies and new differences, serve only to sow the seeds of civil Wars; so that better it is to defer the resolution of them for some time, than to precipitate them into a short continuance, and a production of new broils.