more inviolable than the word of a Prince it were an offence to doubt of his fidelity or to desire his ratification by Oath The Genius of a Prince was heretofore held in such veneration that another swore for him now to desire that he himself should swear were to decline that respect which is due unto him However the Infidelity of some hath made it a custom that all should confirm their Treaties by Oath when they are of any great importance which Oath is the strictest tye which they can be bound in The Laws look upon it for so venerable that they never permit it to be broken what ever advantage happen by it Perjury is condemned as a double sin because it not onely violateth that Religion which is due to God who is invoked as a witness but also Faith which is the most sacred Bond of humane society Which Laws too do oblige Princes much more then other men to keep their Oaths because if they once forfeit their reputation of being faithfull they have not any thing left them which is considerable Christians ought to be most precise in this point if they would not be put to the blush at the many examples of Pagans and Infidels It is much to be lamented that most men make no difference between deceit and dissimulation that they make no bones of infringing their Oaths if they may but get any thing by it they do much rather incline to follow the opinion of Marius though discommended by all the Sages of Antiquity who thought the Art of well-lying a great piece of vertue and that it was an Index of a good Wit then that of the Common-wealth of Rome which was so religiously faithfull for their words that Ptolomey King of Egypt left his young son their tuition and protection without the least apprehension of suspition Neither was he deceived in his confidence for after they had administred his government with integrity as soon as he came of age they delivered up the Kingdome into his own hands The Renewing of the Alliance between his Majesty and the States of Holland AT the same time that the English Embassadours arrived at Compeign the Sieurs de Nortwijck de Paw d' Esten extraordinary Embassadours from the States of Hollaâ—d came likewise thither to desire his Majesties Assistance and the renewing of the ancient Alliance The League being ended and the enemies of their Liberties beginning to execute the designs which they had hatch'd for their ruine The King who hath never lesse inclination to assist his Allies then to keep his own People in obedience received them with all kind of favour and forthwith gave them great hopes of obtaining their desires His Majesty knew that their Protection was Honourable that there is nothing more glorious for a Soveraign then to shelter under his Power those who are oppressed that what Assistances he gives them are most assured signs of his greatnesse and generosity and withall that it was full of Justice The History of Holland had taught him that the Princes of Austria by their altering the Fundamental Laws and oppressing the publick Liberty of those Countries had thrown themselves out of that Power which they once had over them that the Hollander had reason sufficient for their Authority to shake off the yoke of their obedience by those Laws which are as ancient as the quality of the Earl of Holland An ancient saith that Power is full of equity which is imployed in defence of the weak and feeble and there is not any thing more just then to conserve to ones Allies those Liberties which belong to them time out of mind and by the Fundamental Laws of their Country This in particular was so much the more assuredly just for Princes who possesse a Country by Treaty with the People and upon Conditions cannot infringe them and not lose their Authority and especially if they break Covenants which doth absolutely discharge such Subjects from their obedience The Hollanders were acknowledged for Free and Soveraign People in the Treaty of the League made Anno 1609. by the Kings of Spain and Arch-Dukes of Flanders And in the same quality have the Kings of England Deâ—mark and Sweden the most part of the Hans Towns the Common-wealth of Venice and many Princes of Germany ever treated with them whence it appears a work of Justice to aid them in main taining their Franchises A work of Justice so much the more certain for that liberty hath been ever esteemed a just cause for a War every one concluding it more glorious to die then to live in servitude from which his Birth and the Priviledges of his country have exempted him Besides these important reasons the King was no lesse informed of the especial advantages which France might make by defending of them that it is above threeseore years together that they have obliged not onely this State but the most part of Europe to assist them to ballance the Power of Spain and so to find his Armies imployment in that Country that his designs elsewhere might be frustrated besides that it was now much more necessary in regard the Garisons were to be established in the Valtoline and it would concern the State to make him some diversions that might entertain his Armies elsewhere withall he found that if he did assist Holland with these succours it would ingage them to do as much for him when occasion should require it which was no inconsiderable thing as Henry the Great found by experience when he was by them assisted against those unjust oppositions which were formed by the League to thwart and cross him He himself too might fall into the same necessities seeing the prosperity of Kingdomes is like a Calm at Sea which as it is often over-blown with storms so that too is no less subject to interruption by civil or forraign Wars These reasons were indeed too too weighty to reject that people demands And his Majesty whose greatest pleasure consists in doing such things as might testifie both his Justice and Courage gave all sorts of Assurances to their Embassadours of a strong succour and thought good to make a Treaty for the renuing of the ancient Alliance His Majesty gave the Cardinal power to conclude on the Conditions with them and this great Minister who had not a little fortified his Majesty in that resolution having determined them concluded it in the moneth of June at Compeign by which he bound himself to deliver them by way of Loan three Millions and two hundred thousand Livers in three years On condition that they should re-imburse them three years after the War was ended That they should neither make Peace or League with any one what ever without his advice and interposition That if he had any occasion of Ships of War they should furnish him either for sale or hire at a reasonable Price That in case he himself were ingaged in any Wars they should repay him one half of the said
the Parliament of Paris as conceiving it to concern his reputation to make known the Truth of those passages not only in Burgogne but through the whole Kingdom Now Cogneux together with divers others of that Cabal having gained some principal members of this Court by informing them with all things though quite contrary to the truth had ingaged them so far in their designs that they publikely exclaimed against it as violent for such reasons as had been sent unto them which were as frivolous as false They had raised such a confusion in that honourable Company surprizing them with false informations and untruths that it was debated whether the Declaration should be ratified or not whereas they ought to have remembred that such Declarations as regard the Government of State are sent unto them only to be registred proclaimed and observed by his Majesties Subjects and most commonly they are not acquainted with the true reasons which induced his Majesty to make them The debate was so hot and great that their opinions being equally divided the Declaration remain'd unconfirm'd and unproclaim'd Whereupon the King being upon his return to Paris was forc'd that he might not let such a disorder pass unpunished to command the Parliament unto the â—ouvre with order that they should come on foot as guilty and in a posture to receive that rebuke which they had incurred whereby he might give them to know that to discuss State affairs did not concern them at all that he only sent this and other Declarations of the like nature unto them to be proclaimed inrolled and caused to be observed by his Majesties subjects and that they ought to have been more readily disposed to have passed this Declaration in particular there being a very great difference between a bare Commission to form an Indictment against any one and to adjudge it and between a Declaration published by his Majesty for the information of his Subjects concerning those persons against whom he complains with what reasons he hath so to do and for what causes it is that they are guilty of high Treason for that in a Declaration his Majesty assigns them a certain time within which they may obtain his pardon if they have recourse unto his Grace and moreover for that after all this not any formalities are omitted which are necessary in the processe of Criminals before their Condemnation This was effected in the Louvre the King sitting in his Counsel and the whole body of the Parliament being on their knees before him where after that the Lord Keeper of the Seals had in his Majesties name given them to know that it was not in their jurisdiction to determine concerning any Declarations of State which should be sent unto them the King with his own hands tore the sentence of * Vpon the equal Division of their Members debate they Registred that Division as a Sentence Division which was Registred as a Record and commanded that the Order of his Conncel whereby it was declared void should be entred in its places with prohibitions of intermeddling for the future in debating Declarations of the like nature And lastly for the punishing the fault of the whole Body in some particular Members the Presidents Gayon Battillon and the Sieur Lesne Counsellour were commanded by Order from his Majesty to withdraw themselves for some time from Paris and suspended from executing their Functions in regard they had discoursed too freely and without respect concerning his Majesties proceeding and the Government of the State which notwithstanding his Majesties goodnesse was such that lasted not long for they were soon after recalled and restored unto the Parliament and to the discharge of the Offices of which their integrity and merit had made them very deserving and from which they had been restrained not without the grief of all wise men who were sorry to see that they had blemished their reputations by a zeal too rash and inconsiderate Politique Observation PArliaments are no lesse bound by the Laws of Prudence then those of Justice not to separate themselves from the King in State-affairs I say they are obliged to it by Justice for for them to judge of such affairs were to assume a Power which belongs not to them their first creation was by Kings and that only to do Justice unto the people as the President de la Vaquiere told the Duke of Orleans Chancellour who in his Masters behalf moved the Parliament that they would press his Majesty to come to Paris and make use of their advice in certain weighty matters The self-same answer did the same Parliament make unto Louys de Bourbon after his taking of Orleans and sending his Declaration unto them Francis the first prohibited them from intermedling in affairs of that nature in the proceedings commenc'd against the Chancelly du Prat and after him Charles the ninth did as much in prosecution of the Arrest which had been issued out for the summoning the Prince of the Blood and Peers of France to consult concerning such complaints as tended to the good both of King and State Thus his Majesty having impowered and intrusted them with the hand of his Justice that they might only preserve his Subjects right each to other they may not intermeddle in any other businesse without particular Order from his Majesty who can only confer that Authority upon them But how can they with any reason dissent from his Majesty in State affairs especially in this particular of Declarations which are sent unto them to be proclaimed when as they are not acquainted with the many circumstances which induced them without the cognizance of which it is impossible to make any true Judgement Were not this to determine things without judging of them as also to do it without lawfull power so to do But if they complain of their want of Authority the Stars might as well murmur against the Sun for not imparting a light unto them as glorious as his own They ought to recollect unto their memories that that Power which makes them considerable is no more natural to them then that of the Stars that from the King it is that they receive all their Marks of Greatnesse and Badges of Authority and that from him alone all those rays do proceed which make them shine in the eye of the people And if Magistrates would but look a little neerer into themselves they would easily perceive that they have not any power but what is derived from their Kings it is from them that they hold their Authority and which lasteth no longer then their Will and pleasure Hence it is that all Bodies corporate are bound to take their confirmation from all new Kings who shall succeed to the Crown whereby they might learn that as they were created for the good of their Soveraign so their subsistence depends meerly upon his Will and Grace Peradventure they wil pretend that what they do is to conserve his Majesties Authority but why do they
one of the greatest marks of their Authority God entrusting them to dispence Justice hath not only appointed them to chastise the people but likewise to make Laws and Statutes which may serve for a Rule of their Government Hence the Lawyers say That Princes Will is Law Democracy ascribeth this power to the People but Monarchy restraineth it to Kings only and acknowledgeth no Laws but what are signed by their Majesties Now as the power of making Laws is in them so is that of changing and adding according as they shall think fit if they had not this power we should have no other Laws then those of Nature imprinted in the heart of man by the meer instinct of reason or such as were made by the first Father of Mankind All the Volumns of Theodosius and Justinian might be burnt and those of our Kings too as so many attempts against the liberty of the people because they have been but of late Creation there being none so ancient but what did once savour of Novelty Were not this to put the people into an extream licentiousnesse and to shut our eyes against reason which teacheth us that the Kings of this age have no lesse power then those of old who in their Laws have included what-ever they thought necessary and which could not tye up their Successors hands from following their examples left unto them It is a vulgar error to imagine that to alter Laws must needs be dangerous Without just consideration indeed it ought not to be done but when there happens any such to be the alteration of them cannot but be advantagious it being impossible that the first Law-makers should foresee all inconveniences which being so their Successors have power to change or abrogate them as occasion shall require Absolutely to reject Laws because they are new is but a Cynical humour seeing the antiquity of them cannot be a just denyal to the use of several others which have since been ordained neither can novelty be a sufficient reason to impower those which are at present in use Vlpian saith Kings may change any Laws into better and Cicero pleading against Verres very boldly saith That the ancient ought to be left and the new received when there is a probability of advantage by it All France hath commended Hugh Capet for changing that law which called all the male children to the succession of the Crown and stiâ—l will approâ—e of those changes which tend to preserve the Royal Authority in its luster The Cardinal is created Duke and Peer of France THe King having established all things so firmly in France that none of the factious Caballists could trouble the Peace and restored the Princes and People of Italy to their Liberties by the Treaty of Queraâ—que it was but just that the Cardinals services should be rewarded with some new Titles of Honour in regard those important affairs had been managed by his discreet counsels No one can doubt but that the Quality of Duke and Peer was his just due seeing he had so gloriously acted the part of a Duke and Peer which as the French History relates is either to govern the Affairs of State or some particular Province by his Majesty's Order or else to command his Armies Was it not in these two employments that his prudence and courage so eminently appeared that all Strangers were no lesse terrified then the true Frenchmen rejoyced His Majesty who admires more then any one the eminence of his Genius having made the greatest experiments of him was not defective to confer this honour upon him His Majesty dispatched his letters unto him which carried in them an extraordinary recommendation it being seldome conferred on persons of his worth and after so many glorious actions They were confirmed by the Court not only without any difficulty but with high eulogiums and a particular acknowledgement of the good offices he had done in France In fine he went to take his Oath at the Palace on Sept 15. accompanied with Monsieur le Prince the Dukes of Montmorancy Chevreuse Rets Crequi Vantadour and Montbazon the Marâ—schal d' Estree Vitry and d' Effiat and many other Lords who desired to follow him to testifie by their presence how great an esteem they had of his services which rendred him worthy of so eminent a quality The Chambres were all assembled and coming into the great one he took his Oath to serve his King well and faithfully in his highest greatest and most important affairs to do Justice impartially both to poor and rich and to behave himself in all things like a most vertuous most generous and most magnanimous Duke and Peer of France and then he took his place beneath all the rest of the Dukes Amongst these great honours I cannot omit one remarkable passage that as the greatest Genius are the most modest and scorn inferiour men who esteem of nothing but an extraordinary honour so he would not pass by the great Gate of the Palace where many thousands attended him but by a private door where he might not be seen because he desired not to be publikely commended as the custome alwaies was on such occasions and indeed the most eloquent of the Barreau would have found themselves gravelled to have done it his Actions and Qualities being above expression Politique Observation A King ought never to forget the rewarding of extraordinary services with marks of honour for glory is the Nurse of Vertue and reward ought to follow all Actions accompanyed with Courage and Valour so that it is unjust not to reward those advantages which a grand Minister procureth to the Crown It is likewise true that honourable Qualities cannot more justly be conferred on any then those that do honourable actions seeing the most significant names are given to Subjects only in consideration of their ordinary Actions Now the name of Duke most properly belongeth to him who leads an Army in War and manageth affairs of State in peace under the King's Authority In this sence the primitive Gauls took it and it is most conformable to the Etymologie of the word Those are the Offices which Justâ—nian ascribeth in his Institutes to a person of this Quality Ancient Authors do not observe that this was taken for any constant Honour until Diocâ—esian and Constantine in whose time the Governours of Provinces and Frontiers and Generals of Armies were called Dukes and Masters of War as may be seen in Amienus Marcellinus Tacitus indeed who lived under Trajane called Generals of Armies Dukes but it was only a temporary Quality which lasted no longer then their Commands It was under the later Emperours and our first Kings that this qualification was annexed to any particular person and made permanent as may be seen in Gregory de Tours the most ancient of our Historians where it is observed how Kingâ— â—â—ntram gave the Dukeship and Government of the whole Kingdom for five years unto Eudistus At that rime indeed this quality was not so fixed but
their Protector and he strictly requireth all Kings the lively Images of his power to do justice unto them Upon this just ground are the Ordinances of France founded which severely punish like the Roman Laws all such Governours and Commanders as oppresse the poor to satisfie their own covetousnesse and our Kings have made the greatest persons of the Kingdom the Objects of their Justice whever they have been convicted of Tyrannical violence What reason is there that poor men who have enough to do to satisfie the necessities of life who undergo great inconveniences in quartering of Souldiers and in effect bear the greatest but then of War should be forced to satiate the unbounded Avarice of a Governour or General Were not that to bury them alive or to force them to despairs Despairs the more dangerous because they are a soil in which great men usually sow the Seeds of their discontents to raise divisons and beget civil dissentions Is not the King more injured therein then any other whatever Is he not truly the head of his Subjects the heart of their lives and fountain of their souls Which being so is it possible to exhaust their blood and substance without weakning and destroying him Besides in case any sudden necessity befall where shall he look for assistance And in case of an invasion will they not be easily ingaged to a Revolt upon hopes of more gentle usage The Marshal de Marillac's Death THe Marshal de Marillac's Indictment was finished with all due formality he was first conducted to St. Menehoust thence to Vâ—rdun the Theater of his Crimes and where the proof of them would most easity appear from thence he was carried to the Castle of Ruel where the King commanded judgement to be given by the Lord Keeper and 22 Judges elected by his Majesty for their integrities and known abilities His kindred solicited for him as often as many and with what liberty they pleased They used their utmost indeavours to ingage the Judges to save his life nay they threatned them partly by recommendations partly by menaces sent from persons abroad the most potent that could be interessed in his protection The discussing of the Informations Interrogatories and Pleas by him used to save his life too up two moneths times in the Court All the Commissaries were perfectly instructed of every proceeding it being permitted them to deliver the full and ample extract of all his charge and defence unto those who solicited in his behalf He was so favourably dealt withall that one of the Commissaries who had drawn up the information was not received as Judge nor divers others against whom he excepted at which the King was not a little offended It was permitted that one of the Judges who pleaded unto his fellow Brethren nothing but reasons of lenity and all arguments which might induce them to acquit him was admitted to sit as Judge though by the strictnesse of law he might have been excluded The King himself proceeded with so much Clemency that there was not any one appeared on his behalf to solicite his condemnation but on the contrary his Majesty called all the Judges before him and that he might give them free liberty to act told them he expected no other Justice from them but such as they would willingly shew unto his meanest subject To be short before they proceeded to judgement he was twice demanded after the longest Interrogatories that ever were heard it having lasted three whole days if he had any thing to say for himself unto which he answered no. Here was as much favour and lenity shewed as possibly could have been desired towards a person designed to be saved But what likelihood was there to defend him from the penalty of the Ordinance in 46. ratified in Parliament which declareth that whoever purloineth the Treasure shall be punished by confiscation of Body and Goods Upon what accompt could he be exempted from the penalty of the Ordinance de Blois which commandeth that all the Heads and Members of Companies found to have exacted monies to avoid quartering in Houses or Villages shall be punished with death without hopes of pardon with this additional clause that though his Majesty should by his favour or the importunity of others be induced to pardon it yet the Lord Keeper is prohibited to Seal it and the Judges required not to regard it Could the Judges possibly have eluded that Law which tieth up the Kings very Mercy Moreover what could they find in the Prisones or his Crimes which could invite them to favour him who had not made himself considerable in any his imploiment wherewith the King had honour'd him but by the extortions he had imposed on the people Are not all Magistrates bound to imploy their utmost care in defence of the poor who have no relief but Justice Whereas his Robberies accompanied with such endlesse impositions made him worthy of death and did they not likewise oblige his Judges to be the more severe towards him The State could not receive any losse by his death who had never done any remarkable service for his King or Country but who on the contrary was the chief instrument to perswade Monsieur to come into the Kingdom with his Sword in his hand Could it with reason have been expected that the Cardinal whose services are indeed considerable enough to obtain his Majesties pardon for any offendor should use his power with the King to beg his pardon who had consented and peradventure proposed to destroy him at least promised his assisting hand in so execrable an action Can it be denied but that after such strong and weighty reasons it had been injustice to afford him any favour Whereupon twelve of his Judges conforming their opinions to the rigours of the Law adjudged him worthy of death declaring him attained and convicted of purloining the Treasure or publick extortion exactions falsities counterfeits cheats over-charging and oppressing the Kings Subjects Two days after viz. upon the 8th of May he was beheaded at la Greve wither he was carried from Ruel Politique Observation HAppy is that State where the Laws are strictly observed was the saying of an Antient and it â—ay truly be called Happy indeed because the Laws inhibit any thing repugnant to the Publike good cherish what-ever is conducing to the advantage thereof for that the true happiness of a State consisteth in the privation of those evils which may afflict it and in the enjoyment of those things which contribute to its advantage When the Laws are despised then are the people oppressed then the Usurpation of another's Right Disobediences Revolts Violences and all the crimes which are the plague and ruine of a State are in agitation whereas as Justice on the other side consisting only in the due observation of Law cutteth off these enormities and secureth every one in th' enjoyment of those goods which Fortune hath bestowed upon him Th' Emperour Justinian writ very fully and well unto the Pretor of
be concealed from him which once comming to his knowledge he ought in a trice to dispatch forces to that very place where the Insurrection is designed to be The onely sight of them may perhaps break the neck of the whole design and if not so yet they will at least prevent the enemies Troops to joyn together and wiâ—l cut them in pieces one by one before they will be in a capacity of attempting any thing whatever Without thâ—s diligence he will soon find the State and his own reputation exposed as a Prey An Eye watching over a Scepter and the Lyon King of Beasts who sleepeth not but with oyen eyes were the Hieroglyphicks which the Egyptians made use of to expresse fore-sight and to teach Grandees that it oughâ— to be inseparable from their Authority if they would not have their people exposed to great mis-fortunes both by Domestick and Forraign Wars The Sun which governs the Elementary World in the highest Heavens goes every day from one end of them to another that hee may make all here below sensible of the Effects of his Influences and that Minister who hath a State in charge ought to imploy all his cares all his mind upon every City upon every Province and indeed upon the singular houses of every great man that he may know what is done there and apply a remedy to their contrivances Me thinks they of Syracuse gave a notable example of this kind of Conduct when they had received intelligence that the Athenians would war upon them and that they already were upon the Sea with a Puissant Fleet making towards the Coast of Sicily Hermocratâ—s a great States-man was not backward in exhorting them to give necessary Orders for their defence and to presse the Senate accordingly Whereas Athenagoras on the other side descried it as much and shewed them sundry reasons why the Athenians could not arrive to the end of their design and demonstrated to them that it was impossible indeavouring to disswade them from making any preparation of War But the Senators somewhat wiser then himself followed Hermocrates his advice and resolved to give necessary Orders for defence that they might not afterwards be forced to do it in a huddle or to continue in the danger They began to discusse the business that in case the news of the Athenians Fleet were true it would then be needfull to make some preparations if it were false those preprrations would no whit dis-advantage the City And that last of all it is better to suspect then to slight dangers but not to shew the least Fear by doing any Action unbecomming a Generous Courage The Duke of Rohans Attempts in Languedoc with the Process in the Parliament of Tholouse against him and all his Adherents ABout the same time in the end of April the Duke of Rohan having contrived several Cabals in the Hugonot Towns of Languedoc began the Warre and got together about two thousand men near Castres the chief place of his Retreat and where he had a full Power by means of those Consuls whom he had procured to be elected He gave out that the Rocheloiis had taken Arms and sworn a League with the Churches of his party that he might by this pretence get a like Interest in some other Towns which he had an eye upon and accordingly he went to Puilaurens Ruel Soreze St. Pauls Leviate Briteste and made the Consuls swear to the Confederacy afterwards came before the Gates of Lavaur to surprise it but his design took no effect The Cardinal having sent out Orders from the King to the Governours of the Provinces to fall upon him as soon as ever he should appear in the Field The Count of Carmain Governour of Foix was presently upon his skirts and impeded not onely the Progress of his Rebellion but also getting into Ruelle and Soreze after the other had forsaken them he so dealt with the Consuls that they confessed their fault and protested not to take part with him any more And as the Authority of Parliaments on such occasions ought to uphold the Courages and Fidelities of those who Conduct the Kings Armies so that of Tholouse was not wanting to command the Souldiers who were assembled with the Duke of Rohan to separate themselves and to give Orders to the Nobility and Commonalty to fall upon them to forbear all sort of Commerce with those of Castres and to translate the Royal and Ecclesiastique jurisdictions and the Receipt of the Kings Monies unto the Town of Lautrec with command to all the Judges and Officers to come thither as well to prevent the Kings monies from falling into their hands as also to preserve Justice in its Integrity and to diminish the Force and Power of that Rebellious City The same Parliament too granted an Arrest for the seizure of all the Goods any waies belonging to those who were revolted both to punish them and deter others who were ready to follow them The Half divided Chamber of Beziers half Hugonots and half Papists did as much and declared according to the Kings Edict of the 25th of January the same year the said Duke to bee guilty of Laesa Majestatis to be a troubler of the Publick Peace as also all his Abbettors and Adherents and Prohibited both Cities and particular persons to hold any communication with him and injoyning all his Majesties Subjects to fall upon any Troops that should injure them to cut them in peeces and to pull down the Houses and Castles of such Noble men as were of that Faction But the Order which the Cardinal perswaded his Majesty to send was more powerfull then all those others for the preventing the further progress of this Rebellion seeing it was accompanied with an extraordinary diligence The King sent a Commission to the Marshal de Themines whom his Majesty sent to those places to observe what passed to raise such Troops as were already in the Province and to advance such others as might form the Body of an Army which might cut off the growth of this Rebellion in its Cradle The Marshal had the Marquess de Ragny and the Count de Carmain for Marshals of the Field and that no longer time might be lost he soon after came to the place where he had designed the Rendezvouz for the whole Army and upon his way forced the Castles of Blauc and Dovac which served for Retreits to those who were revolted After the Companies were assembled together and a review taken of the whole Army he made his Forces before Castres to Plunder the Country The Sieur de Ferrieres who commanded the Rebels horse made a Salley upon the Marshal as soon as he came within view of the Town but they were forced to turn back again with more hast then he came out and not onely so but himself and three or four more of his own party were lest wounded upon the place The Pioneers and Plunderers played their parts under the Protection of the Army which
countenanced them in it and notwithstanding the many shot and skirmishes in which many were hurt and slain both of one side and t'other they did their work so exactly that there was not a Tree Vine or Stalk of Corn standing any where neer the City In this interim the Duke of Rohan attempted to become Master of Sommieres and led up his Army to it and comming thither just upon day breaking hee approached it by one of the Gates which being soon thrown down made way for his entrance but thinking to surprize the Castle too Masillac the Governour of it repelled all his Attempts with such Courage that having received the succours of ten thousand foot which the Sieur de Valensay had sent to him from Montpellier the Duke was forced to retire to Anduze where he was not well received After this the Marshal de Themines went without more adoe to besiege St. Paul and Miatte which lie upon the River Langoust between Castres and Lavaur when he had Quartered his Army before St. Paul he forced it in few dayes and rifled divers of the Inhabitants that were got into Miatte but they had small hopes of any comfort so they sent to the Marshal to desire Articles which being granted he entred and took possession of the Town But all this was nothing worth if he did not attempt to fight the Duke of Rohan and cut off his Forces so he resolved to follow him and over-taking him at Vianes in Albigeois he set the Army into Battalia to fight him The Duke was Quartrred in Vianes and about two thousand of his Foot were at Peyresequade which is at the Foot of the Mountains whereon Vianes is scituated The Count de Carmain went to view them and having reported to the Marshal the Condition in which he found them it was resolved to fight them The Marshal with his Sword in his hand marched in the Head of the Army The Marquess de Cragny and the Count of Carmain took their Stations one upon his right t'other upon his left hand and at the same instant the whole Army couragiously advanced towards the Enemy with so much Resolution that nothing more could have been wished but onely that they had made a little more resistance for that there was not one single man of them saved for whilest those who made the first encounter were at it the rest got into Vianes who were however so closely pursued by the Marshals forces that the Regiment of Normandy was hard at their heels entring into the Town with them Thus he remained Master of Peyresequade where there were about one hundred and fifty of the Rebels Souldiers killed and hurt all which the Duke of Rohan beheld from a Fort in Vianes where he then was from which time forwards he began to despair of doing any great matters for the future especially since he saw himself so closely followed and that the Cardinal had taken such a course in Languedoc that the King could have raised more men in twenty four hours then the Duke in a whole moneth Politique Observation HE who revolteth against a great King seeketh his own ruine He cannot hope for Glory from his enterprise seeing hee is neither accompanied with Prudence nor Justice and he cannot expect any profit by it for besides that the weaknesse or indeed impossibility unto which he is reduced by the quality of a subject he forceth as it were his Soveraign to punish his Rebellion by making him lose both his Life and Estate Mahomet Prince of the Turks had all Rebels in such detestation that he cut off two Falcon's heads for having stooped at an Eagle the King of Birds that he might by this teach his Subjects who durst have the rashnesse to follow that example that they must expect the like punishment for both Prudence and Justice oblige a Prince to chastise those who shall take up Arms against his authority Some Grandees puffe up themselves with the Greatnesse of Alexander who with a few Forces which he drew out of Macedon overthrew the Power of Persia as also with that of the Romans who from being at first Masters but of one City became Lords of the whole World But they ought to know that neither the one or t'other of them were presently set upon by any great Prince but extended their Power by little and little ever proportionating their Attempss to their Forces It is true Fortune and their own Courages did not a little contribute to their successes but seeing Christianity teacheth us that this same Fortune is not any thing else but divine Providence with what reason can he who revolts against his own King hope for favour from heaven whilest he doth act against the Laws and indeavoureth to subvert that order which this Divine Providence hath established in all Kingdomes The Spoil made about Mountauban by the Duke d'Espernon THE Duke of Espernon was neither wanting in the Testimonies of a good Conduct or successe in the Pillaging of Mountauban According to the Orders which he had received he made his Approaches near it about the beginning of June though there were good store of Souldiers clapped into the Town for defence of it this being next to Rochel the greatest prop of the Revolted Party His design could not be brought to any good effect untill after several skirmishes and sustaining divers Sallies out of the Town That of the fifteenth of June gave them some advantage over him for they then killed ten of his and carried with them as many Prisoners amongst whom were the Sieurs of Miraude de St. Omer but they were soundly payed with Interest too in those following conflicts especially in that of the twenty seventh of the same moneth when they left about two hundred dead besides wounded on the place and about forty prisoners shortly after the Duke caused a fair Meadow to be mowed about a quarter of a League from the Town to draw out the Rebels but they had not the Courage to make any more Sallies as as yet But understanding that the Duke had layed up good store of Corn about a League off they contrived to surprize it by the help of a dark night hoping that it would fall out for their advantage Now some Scouts of the Dukes about the Town having perceived what passed gave intelligence of their being gone out so they were quickly snapt The Fight indeed was hot but at last la Roche who commanded them being hurt with three Carabine shot and taken Prisoner too they presently fled and left about one hundred dead and wounded on the place Insomuch that not being able to Reap any Wheat or Hay thereabouts so exactly had every thing been Pillaged that at last they began to bee in very great necessities Politique Observation AMongst the several wayes to reduce a Rebellious Town under Obedience the devastation of al fruits which are upon the earth neer thereabouts is one of the best and most absolute The Losses which the Rich receive
against them The knowledge he had of her inclination still to conserve that power to her self was a great impediment to his work And the King in whose hands the onely supream power resides was so much the more jealous of it for that it is ordinary with Grandees to be suspitious of their powers and that with so much the more reason for that Justice doth not permit that one should divide the command with them The Cardinal meeting with things in this conjuncture used his utmost industry to overcome the Queen Mothers inclinations being assured that it would be afterwards easie to dissipate those suspitions of the King He insinuated into her soul with all sweetness and address the truth which ought to be the foundation of their good correspondence letting her see that she ought not to think it any strange thing that the King should desire to be Master or that all Affairs were revolved by his order for that by his birth the Laws of the Kingdom did give him that Authority which no one had any right to deprive him of He used indeed his utmost address to impress this truth in her letting her see that she ought not to pretend to any part of it That the King quitting all his suspitions would give her more then she could wish seeing he was so naturally inclined to pay her all manner of respects The Queen Mother who did then much esteem of his counsels did beleeve him and she received such advantages by it that by letting his Majesty see by her conduct that she did no longer think of the Government he restored her into so absolute an Authority that she had all sort of power in the management of Affairs This was a very great advantage procured to her by this grand Minister and which surpassed all those favours which he had at any time received from her Majesty The State too did not receive less profit by it for that this good correspondencie which united the Affections of the King and Queen Mother did put an end to all those Cabals which had formerly divided the whole Nation so that the Forces of it would not now fly out any more into parties but remain entire to oppose the Ambition of Strangers The Cardinal that he might the more confirm this Union and make it the stronger perswaded the King to take Father Suffren for his Confessor who had been so for a long while to the Queen Mother assuring himself that this good person whose soul was so affectionately inclined to Peace replenished with Piety and voyd of Ambition being the Depository of the secrets of their Consciences would not be a little conducing to the dispelling of those little suspitions which might arise between them and that he would have somwhat the more power in regard women are naturally addicted to be perswaded by their Confessors Next to the Queen Mother Monsieur was the most considerable person in affairs as also the most capable to raise Divisions in the Kingdom as many Princes of his Place and Birth had done who not being able to stay for command untill the time prescribed by the Laws both the Nature and the Kingdom run out at the perswasion of those who were near them to seise on the Government The Cardinal therefore was no whit less industrious to tye him too unto the Kings Interests There was no great need of any extraordinary diligence to bring it to pass Justice having infused into him with his birth all those inclinations and dispositions which were proper for him to have towards his Majesty All which the Cardinal very well knew Neither was he ignorant That Princes of his condition are usually carried away from their duties by those who are attending near upon them so that he likewise made himself sure of the Colonel d' Ornano who had the honour to be nearest to his person and upon whose advice Monsieur did more relye then any others Now knowing that this soul naturally ambitious was not to be captivated by other tyes then those of Greatness he perswaded the King to bestow on him a Marshals Staffe of France conceiving that this Qualification would force him to become his Majesties very faithful servant Monsieur the Prince had the honour to be the first of those of the Blood Royal and the Cardinal thought it no lesse expedient to gain him and satisfie his humour by giving him a part in Affairs and the content which he might pretend to in his Interests He had a great conflict with the Queen Mothers spirit but at last with a handsom address he let her see that there could be no certain quiet and repose in the State without a good understanding between the King her son and him and that it was to contribute to his own greatness not to leave the Prince in those discontents whereunto he had been reduced and which might in time carry him on to the making of Cabals and raising of new emotions But whatever reasons he could then alledge she would not be induced to assent to his coming to the Court nevertheless the Cardinal so dealt with the King that his Majesty in some Letters to him gave him extraordinary expressions and testimonies of his Favour sometimes by asking his advice as occasions should present as also by taking a particular care for the expediting of his Affairs which was accordingly effected and the King writing to him assured him of his kindness towards him and desiring his opinion of the Affairs of the Valtoline of the Hugonots and the War of Italy By this he received an entire content and satisfaction so that from thence forward he began to order himself with more affection to his Majesties Inclinations then formerly he had done This strait union which the Cardinal tyed in the Royal Family was an assured foundation of the Nations Peace and cut off all hopes that any troublesome spirits might have to embroyl it Politique Observation THat Minister who would attempt any great designs abroad is bound to settle all at home by a strong uniting of the Royal house The harmony of the prime Qualities is that which preserves our bodies in a convenient health If one should assault the other the Natural Justice is violated and the Union dissolved which once so the whole frame falls to nothing Who knoweth not that the Union of Grandees especially those of the Royal Family is the most sure foundation of Peace and Welfare to a State They may not be disjoyn'd from their King neither may any one of them attempt upon his Crown but Justice will be offended and their Union broken which once so the State is soon exposed to manifold dangers and misfortunes This was the opinion of Misipsa in Salust and Cyrus instructing Cambyses his own Son advised him alwaies to be in friendship with his kindred and to give them such advantages as may content them because it will make him be well beloved by his Subjects who imagine that a Prince who doth not
de Conty his Prisoner of War who concluded the Treaty of Peace with Charles de Bourgogne A Prince is obliged to it if it were only by the Compassion which a noble Courage ever hath of them who are overcome Haloyoneus Son to Antigonus having after a victorie lighted upon Heleneus Phyrrus his Son in a sad deplorable condition cloathed with a Mantle unbefiting his greatness embraced him with all possible kindnesse and having so brought him to Antigonus his Father he did the like But withal he told his Son he had not done all which he was bound to do in leaving that cloak upon his shoulders And at last having restored him to an honorable attendance and treated him with great kindness and humanity he returned him safe to his Kingdome of Epire. The Siege of Rochel AFter the King had obtained this signal victory against the English he bent all his thoughts towards the besiedging of Rochel that with their Wals he might destroy their pride This town as others was at first but little yet the Port being commodious it grew great by Commerce and so insolent after heresie had set its standard there that they would make those priviledges which our Kings had from time to time granted them passe for contracts and to destablish a kind of Commonwealth in the State They durst not openly declare this pretention to the King by their Deputies but their manner of proceeding was an assured proof of it a procedure the more insupportable in that it was the support of all factions both of the Hugonot party and the Grandees of the Kingdome upon any discontents Their Rebellion was become natural and shortly after this they auguented their Crimes by calling in the English to protect their offences Some rich Merchants indeed there were who having somewhat to loose would have been contented to be quiet but on the otherside it was filled with store of Sea men surely and proud as also very poor who having nothing wherein to employ themselves proposed that they might be at more ease to make an insurrection in the Town concerning their priviledges In order to this design they made a Manifest to spread abroad their complaints as a poyson in the minds of the Ignorant People of the Hugonots party which might induce them to take up Arms and to shake of the yoak of obedience This resolution of theirs took them off from paying any respect to the King They drove out the Sieur Doux Maistre des Requests sent by his Majesty to them in quality of super intendent of Justice with so much violence and outrage that they threatned to throw him into the Sea They openly assisted the English in whatever was within their power They solemnly buried the English Lords and Gentlemen and such French Rebels as were killed at the Landing on Ree They sent Londriere with three hundred men to second the English when they found themselves too weak in Ree They received Madam de Rohan the Mother and the Sieur de Soubize who assisted at their assemblies and enflamed them more and more There was no reason longer to suffer these things unpunished The King about the beginning of August when they declared themselves so openly for the English made his approaches upon the Town several companies of the Regiment of the guard with two other Regiments and two hundred Horse were sent before it The Duke d'Angoulesme began to work upon the Fort De La Moulinette to lodge Forces there as well as in that of Fort Lewis They requested the Sieur de Commings Captain of the Regiment of the guard that he would come to their assembly to advise upon some means of accommodation and as they saw no Declaration of an absolute siege until the English were forced from Ree they thought to be excused as heretofore by renewing their Protestations of fidelily But their words were not to be believed All their proposals tended onely to comfirm their resolutions against the King His Majesty thereupon after the defeat of the English took his last resolution of forcing them to acknowledge their faults and to live within their bounds by a strong siege The Order of the whole circumvallation was prescribed by his Majesty he raised 13 Forts and several redoubts upon the Trenches the circuit of which were three Leagues or there about all out of musquet or falcon shot but not of Cannon The Kings design was by making these works to compel them by famine and necessity to surrender neither did they much trouble themselves to hinder their work by their Sallies upon hope of being easily releeved by Sea forsomuch as they were soon finished by the care of the Cardinal and the Marshals de Scomberg and Bassompierre His Majesty being well assured of their faithfulnesse would not imploy any other persons indifferently as formerly had been done in Charles the ninth's time and that so inconsiderately that the very Commanders of the Siege had no desire to take the Town This circumrallation thus finished cut off all releef by Land and it happened that having supplied the English with a good part of their provsions they had been quickly brought by necessity to surrender had they not been assisted by Sea But shortly after they were so close blocked up there too that they durst not shew their heads Politique Observation IT is equally base and inconsiderate to suffer the insolencie of a City which not contented to revolt against its Soveraign alone doth also call in strangers to uphold their Rebellion After the reducing of them by fair means hath been tryed to no purpose then ought all forcible means be used to bring then within their bounds That King who is deficient in this particular will soon find himself exposed to scorn both in his designs at home by his neighbours and in prosecution he will inevitably find both one and the other take up arms against him His neighbours if they know his aversion to war and how unwilling he is to appear in the field will soon rush in upon him and a party once accustomed to revolts and permitted to attempt against the Soveraign authority will soon shake off the yoak of obedience He ought therefore equality to be disposed both for peace and war He ought to intend nothing more than the chastising of Rebels upon such an occasion The expences dangers and cares ought not to be considered by him It is equally dangerours for a Prince to be more inclined either to war or peace Hence Marius was blamed because he exercised not his authority in times of peace by which means he could never keep the Common-wealth in quiet Perseus lost his Kingdome by slothfulness and to much loving of mony desiring rather to keept in coffers than to expend it in paying Souldiers necessary for his defence Thus he lost his Kingdome and his treasures were ransacked before his face Pipin had never been so bold as to have put his Masters Crown upon his own heads had Childerick loved arms
his presence as his predecessours had used to do who have ordinarily deposited their power into the hands of this assembly as being the chief of the Kingdome and that to which they have alwayes given most power and authority with intent that the people might the more readily give obedience to them Now this Parliament consisting of a great multitude which cannot be without many diversities of opinion some of them made Remonstrances to his Majesty upon several of the Articles presented to them and beseeched his Majesty would grant them time to consider of them The Lord keeper in his lofty humour thinking nothing like his own judgment was offended with them who would contradict what he had resolved on and believing he had another Egerian Nymph which would not let him conclude on any thing but what was conformable to the will of Heaven he perswaded his Majesty with his utmost power not to grant them the time they desired for deliberating on the Articles proposed to them But his Majesty who knew that the greatest Monarques ought to accompany their Authority with Meekness as well as Justice granted them their desires of six month's time to consider of them and to draw up their Remonstrances which however were to be referr'd to his Majesties disposition and judgment Politique Observation AMongst the many and sundry powers which are in the Persons of our Kings as so many Glorious Rayes which encompasse their Majesty Justice is one and one of the greatest Suster The Scepter which they carry in their hand is an Index of it and seems to say that their will is the Rule by which their subjects must be govern'd whence a Lawyer defining Law confoundeth it with the will of the Prince declared to his subjects It is true they hold Justice in their left hands that they may remember their Commands ought alwayes to be accompanied with Equity But besides all this they are not bound to give an accompt to any one It is onely God from whom they receive t heir Scepter and it is to him only that they are to be accomptable for the Reason of those Laws which they establish Their power is high and so absolute that there is no refusing of what they ordaine and indeed their Laws are of force and power not so much because they are Just as because they are by them commanded However Prudence obligeth them to be advised by their Parliaments whensoever they would make any Laws or Ordinances This was the ancient form as History observeth when any General Ordinances were to be established and this is it which maketh the people receive them with the more submission and willingness for nothing is so acceptable to them as that which carrieth the least shew of absolute Soveraignty and besides Kings do no lesse Rule their people by Prudence then Power Now this Prudence requireth that nothing ought to be acted but by the deliberation of those who are to give a Credit to it for the observation and obedience which is expected to be payd unto it All our Kings have allowed their Parliaments to make Remonstrances and give their opinions as occasion should require Indeed they have alwayes done it with great submission and respect as being a thing without the limits of their power Sâ—lomon the wisest of Kings saith It is a folly to play the Wise man before a Kings presence in the seventh of Ecclesiastes and Quintus Curtius did much extol Ephestion that giving his opinion or Judgment before Alexander he alwayes did it with such great respect that every one who beheld him might know he did not speak as his due but as an Honour permitted to him and no more Some Kings it must be acknowledged are not thus absolute but are dependant either upon their States or people and the reason is because they first accepted of the Crown upon such and such conditions But the thing is not so with ours they are onely accomptable to God for what they do and do acknowledge no other Superior in any thing which relateth to their Temporal Government as St. Gregory said of our French Kings they are saith he as Eminently above other Kings of the Earth as they are above inferiour men The King before he goeth into Piedmont findeth the Hugonots in Languedoc ready to rise he compelleth them to lay down their Armes and to declare in form before his Parliaments and Judges that they will live in all duties and obedience hereafter ONE thing more remained to be considered before his Majesties Journy into Italy which was this The Hugonots in Languedoc could not resolve to live in that absolute submission which they owed unto his Majesty notwithstanding they saw the proud Walls of Rochel thrown down before their faces which might have served them for a sight of fear and confusion His Majesty was advised of what assistance they had demanded from Spain England Holland and other places That several of those Town 's accorded to them for their security were resolved to revolt and resist his Majesties Armes if he should attempt to ruine those Walls which were the Protectors of their Insolent Rebellions Whereupon the Cardinal perswaded his Majesty that it was obsolutely necessary to reduce those places to their obedience and his own mercy before he passed into Piedmon as also to make a Declaration importing an express Command to all Heretiques who either were or had been in actual Rebellion against his Majesty that they should lay down their Armes return to their duties and make Declarations of their future obedience in ample manner and form before his Parliaments or the Judges Presidiaux dwelling next unto them and that all Towns should send their deputies to make protestations of their fidelity promising them on the word of a King that upon their so doing they should quietly enjoy their goods and the Liberty of their pretended Religion but protesting that if they should refuse so to do and continue in their obstinacy and Rebellion without regard had unto his grace and mercy that he would then proceed to punish them as for de crimine laesae Majestatis from the greatest to the lowest ordaining and requiring that their goods and persons should be proceeded against accordingly and in the utmost rigour of his said Declaration His Majesty caused his said Declaration to be read in Parliament himself being present which put a stop to all the Hugonots affairs until after the taking of Suze Politique Observation HAppy is that Kingdome whose people live under one Law and the same Religion for the least Diversity which is in either of those two parts breedeth unfortunate disorders in the whole If any should be so unhappy as to fall under either of those Afflictions they may learn how to remedy it by this Declaration of his Majesty which produced most admirable effects in hindring the progresse of the present Rebellion It cannot be denied but that Kings have an absolute power to compell their subjects who are Heretiques
should presse his Imperial Majesty to command the Comte de Merodes to withdraw his forces from Italy and the Grisons and than he should satisfie his Majesty for that want of respect to his Embassadour The Sieur de Sabran acquitted himself very worthily of that employment he used his utmost prudence to justifie his Majesties proceedings and intentions and to convince unto the Emperour that the King his Master had not done any thing in prejudice of the Empire He further informed his Majesty that the King had not drawn his sword untill the Spaniard had besieged Cazal contrary to reason and justice and that his most Christian Majesty was bound to protect the Duke of Mantua by the Treaties of Cambray and Veroins neither did he omit any thing for the getting of satisfaction for the violences of the Count de Merodes But the Emperor being prepossessed by those of his Counsel that Embassy came to nothing and all the answer he could get was that the Duke of Mantua should be righted if his Majesty did withdraw his Army out of Italy with all that he could not but wonder that his Majesty should interest himself with the Princes under his obedience without taking notice that his most Christian Majesty was obliged by diverse treaties to succour him and that it would be a great dishonour to him if he should not now assist him considering he was more exposed to danger than ever by reason of the Emperours and Spanish Forces then in Italy and designed particularly for his ruine Politique Observation IT is an honorable employment to be the Mediator of Peace between Princes but he is more to be pittied then envied who takes that office upon him whilst their first heat is not yet over It is with such Negotiators as with Physitians and as these who are called upon the amendment of a disease aâ—e happier then the others so those likewise are very fortunate who are intrusted in treating a Peace between Princes when they are a little cooled and the great expences of War have discomposed them and when they are a little wearied out by continual Cares The first Emotions of anger are like clouds which obscure the light of reason and hinder the apprehension of the great benefits of Peace not permitting them to lend an eare to it Anger it self must make them feel those pains which accompany it that they may at last be sensible of the Just Cause they have to hate it and by consequence be the easilier appeased It was the continual inconvenience of War which induced Frâ—ncis the first to have a liking to Peace Neither had Charles the fifth or Philip the second ever embraced it during the advantages which they made by the Treacheries of some French had they not been tyred out by the vast expences great cares and dangers to which a forraign War exposed them In short Princes ought never to be so ex-asperated in their differences as not to seek the good of Peace by some means of agreement by their mutual giving one another to understand their Intentions by their Ambassadors He who undertaketh to carry all things by a high hand forceth all others to flye no extremities which are accompanied with great Evils The distance which is between Princes is oftentimes the Cause of misunderstandings between them but their Ambassadors acquainting each other with the Justice of their Intentions doth not a little allay their Anger 's and dispose them to sweetness The Wise admit not of any injustice and though they are free from obedience to others yet will they be subjected to reason They know true greatness doth not so much consist in the power to do what they will as what they ought Neither do they measure their greatness by the licentiousness of satisfying their own passions but by their power to do that which is Just It is their glory to make it appear that though they can do all yet they will not act any thing but what is commendable Whence it comes that first putting themselves in the wayes of reason they do not afterwards scruple to sollicite others to do the like Thus likewise is it not an act of Lowness but of great Prudence and Civility which Princes owe to each other Prosecution of the Subject I Return to the Comte de Merodes amongst the Grisons whose actions there did not much surprise the King too well informed of all the passages in Europe to be ignorant of other Princes designs They onely obliged him to give order to the Marshal de â—reqâ—y to inform Monsieur de Savoy that it was contrary to the treaty of Suze for the execution of which he was bound by word and deed to joyne his Forces to those of his Majesty and to summon him to declare himself in this occasion The Duke of Savoy having sollicited their invasion need not have pretended time to inform himself of their design yet that was it which he fled to to hide his infidelity after the knowledge of which he promised to give his Majesty all satisfaction The Marshal de Crequy that he might put him to it indeed gave him some time which once past he pressed him for an answer which was this That the Surprisal of the Prisons passages had nothing of dependence in Monsieur de Maâ—tua's affair yet however if the King of Spain might be satisfied who desired the French should withdraw out of Italy as also from Suze he made no doubt but to obtain of the Emperour that he should withdraw his Forces though offended with the King for intermedling in those differences which he had with the Duke of Mantua his Vassal but did not all this while discover any thing of his own particular designs because he could indeed pretend nothing not comprised in the treaty of Suze The Marshal acquainted the King with this answer who commanded him to reply unto the Duke of Savoy that this answer of his did not at all relate to the obligation under which he was by the treaty of Suze that is of joyning his with his Majesties Forces and therefore to continue summoning him to declare himself but withal to assure him that if the Emperor should invest Monsieur de Mantua he would recal his Forces from Italy and Suze his Majesty having no other design but the hindring the invâ—sion of the Duke of Mantua's Estates his Ally and under his protection by the â—reaty at Vâ—rvins it being unreasonable that the Emperour should out him of those Dâ—…iâ—… to which he was Lawful Heir and that as concerning any difference between the Dukes of Mantua and Savoy he had endeavoured to accomodate them by proposing convenient expedients between them both Nothing could be replied to so just reasons neither said he other thing to Monsieur de Crequy but that he would remain Neuter â—nd become a Mediatour of Peace without replying as to the obligation of the treaty at Suze and without considering how prejudicial it might be to him to sit still
which he had often been accused So that it was but reasonable to destroy these ungratefull wretches who would have ruined the Genius of France by accusing him of Ingratitude It is an ordinary effect of the Divine Justice to cause those evills to fall upon them which they would pull down upon him and to permit that they become really culpable of those crimes which they would falsely lay to his charge Politique Observation THere is no injury so unpardonable as ingratitude which renders men so much the more blame-worthy for that they are impeached by good Offices An infamous life hath three steps first to forget kindnesse secondly not to recompence them the third to render evil for good The first is the effect of a great neglect The second may sometimes proceed from a want of ability But the third can proceed from no other cause but a black deformed malice So though the first cannot be excused yet it may be born with The second was in so great detestation by the Egyptians that they caused such as they found culpable to be proclaimed by the City-Crier to the end that no one might afterwards do them any kindness thinking it very reasonable that he should lose all his friends who had not been carefull to retaliate like for like to him who had obliged him But the third hath alwaies been had in so great an abhomination by all men that they thought only death was fit to expiate it that the earth might quickly rot such an execrable creature as it had brought An ingratefull man is worse then a Traitor a Traitor being only to blame for having fallen back from those promises which he was tied to by his Parole But an ingrateful person is not onely deficient to what he was obliged to perform by promise but by the obligations and favours which he had received At least the most moderate of men could never indure it seeing they are like those vapours which the Sun having exhaled from the earth do indeavor to obscure his splendour They deserve to be punished especially when their treacheries are prejudicial to the good of a State as here they were when they attempted this destruction who next to the King was the greatest prop and support of the Kingdomes Felicity Is not the attempting to destroy such a Minister who is the first instrumental cause by which he hath arrived to so high an accrument of glory as striking at the very person of the King himself I should much blame that Minister who would indeavour and make use of his power to obtain a Remission for such a Crime There are some injuries which it is noble to pardon and there are others amongst which I rank this for which the Publick Interest requires vengeance Mercy is not contrary to Justice but Justice is governed by Mercy which serves forâ—ts guide Too great Lenity breeds too great Licentiousnesse and makes both the Prince and Laws to be little esteemed of It is more noble in a King to pardon then to execute the rigour of Justice but it must be to such persons whose Imprudence may not augment their licentiousnesse of doing evil and whose Crimes arise rather from their weaknesse then from black detestable Villany A Treatise of Peace between the Emperour and Duke of Mantua DUring his Majesties sicknesse and their beginning of these Intreagues the affairs of Cazal were finished upon the Treaty aforesaid The Duke of Savoy Mazarini and Colalte received news from Germany that the Sieur de Leon who was employed by his Majesty for a Peace to the Emperour had concluded a Treaty and shourtly after the Sieur of St. Estienne brought it to Generals with Letters from the Sieur de Leons and an expresse promise from the Emperour that he would install the Duke of Mantua in his Dutchy and Marquisate of Montferrat with consent that the Town Castle and Cittadel of Cazal should be delivered into his hands This was as much as could be desired for the foundation but the circumstances how to do it were difficult it being agreed by the Treaty that the Emperour would invest the said Duke only within six weeks and that fifteen daies after he would withdraw his Arms out of Mantua and the King of Spain his from Cazal and other places of Montferrat This did much trouble the Generals because this Article did much oblige them to remain in Italy two moneths longer with the Army before the Spaniards would leave Cazal which stay they could hardly make because the Plague was very rife in the Army and they had victuals but for certain days these two reasons would infallibly force them to break up before half the time were elapsed which should they have done the Spaniards might with ease become Masters of Cazal who had not subscribed to it with their usual designs because they had liberty to hold the advantage they had got whenever the Treaty should be brought These just considerations were debated by the Generals who believed his Majesty would never ratifie it so they resolved not to regard it but to march with the Army with all speed before Cazal The Spaniards being inform'd of this resolution were so much surprized by their apprehensions of the first stock of the French who at the first onset fight like Lyons They presently sent back Mazarini who had brought them the news to assure them that they would observe the Treaty of Peace and that to put it in execution they were content to permit the importation of a whole years prouisions into the Cittadel of Cazal But the Generals having once heard that they began to be in fear concluded especially the Marshal of Schomberg that they should presently advance to Cazal thinking that their appearance only would force the Spaniards to quit the Siege forthwith without staying till the end of the two moneths which was accorded by the Treaty Politique Observation IT is very difficult to Treat a Peace which may have an assured end in a place far distant from Armies whilest they are enemies Great distance maketh many things be unknown in point of particular Circumstances and of the present State of the Armies which do many times hinder the execution of what is resolved on It is with those who transact affairs at a great distance as with Astrologers who do contemplate here below the Stars of Heaven perceiving only that which is most apparent in them without being able to observe many particular Qualities So those see nothing but the Lump of businesse and are most commonly to seek in the particular and present disposition of affairs without the exact knowledge of all which nothing can be certainly resolved on which shall surely be put in execution It is good to sound at a distance the inclination of him with whom a man doth treat but when it once comes to resolve on particular Proposals a man ought to know every particular passage if that be omitted there doth most commonly happen some one thing or another
he treated in Piedmont and Savoy the fidelity wherewith he had guided himself in those Treaties wherein he had been imployed since the beginning of the War The intelligence of Forraign affairs which had made him happy and considerable in several encounters The good order which he kept in the Army whilest he was super-intendent of Justice and the eloquence which he had testified in his younger daies in several Charges Now that so many good qualities might not be let lie without honour and so many noble actions without reward his Majesty as I said thought fit to impose the Charge on him of having a care concerning the Affairs of War making it evident by his judicious choice how exactly well his Prudence knew to make use of persons according to the particular qualifications of their minds The quality and good parts of a Secretary of State THe Charge of Secretary being as it is one of the most important of the Kingdom It is needfull that the Person with whom it is intrusted should be indued with qualities accordingly He should have Experience to manage both at home and abroad the affairs in which he is imploied He should be well acquainted with the particular humours of Princes strangers and Grandees of the Kingdom as also of their several interests and pretensions Eloquence in discourse is necessary for him because the King intrusts his Pen with him to write to all Monarchs Princes Parliaments and Estates and generally to people of all sorts For it is not enough barely to let them understand the will of his King but he should do it in fit and proper terms for a King that is with Majesty and the Elegance of a Masculine generous stile without any thing of bombast or affectedness I know nothing so absurd as to make a King speak beneath his Majesty As for that which concerns Eloquence though to write Letters in the name of some barbarous King which are not so exactly digested may be tolerared yet it would be extreamly found fault with in France where neatnesse hath made her Throne and doth particularly inhabit and where our Kings have nothing but what is eminent and of the best The very name of Secretary of Estate doth sufficiently shew how much Fidelity and Secresie are required in him he ought principally to be blessed with these two qualities because should he discover such things as are intrusted with him there could not but great inconvenience follow it The King pardons the Duke of Vendosm AFter that the King had evidenced in the course of this yeer an invincible courage to reduce his enemies under the Law an admirable Prudence in the good Orders both of Peace and War A constancy not to be shaken in resisting the Artifices of seditious spirits A Justice full of Courage to assist his Allies and in a word all other vertues which are proper ornaments for a Kings Crown he would conclude all with an action of Clemency in pardoning the Monsieur de Vendosm after some assurances of his repentance and fidelity for the future in relation to those Crimes for which he had been till then kept Prisoner in the Boys de Vincâ—nnes and gave him liberty but on condition to go pass away sometime out of the Court and Kingdom Politique Observation IT is an act becomming the greatness of a Prince to pardon the faults of Grandees when there are no longer any apprehensions of danger to the State and when they are washed out by an humble repentance The most generous are still the most mercifull and they esteem it as honourable to forget an injury as to remember a kindnesse That Emperour was highly commended by all Antiquities who being to sign a Warrant of Condemnation wished he had never learnt to write And Solomon who hath left to all Kings a perfect example of Wisedome saith it is the glory of a man to passe by offences However a King ought to be mindfull that he do not too soon recall into his Court a Prince or Grandee who may be provoked by that Justice which hath been passed upon him least the opportunity of revenge which he may meet with in affairs do carry him insensibly to a relapse Opportunity is a charm which ingageth men ere they think of it The least disgusts which they shall receive will revive their old grudges and it is impossible for a great person to conserve any Love for a King from whom he imagineth he hath received some harsh usage and once not loving him he is above half disposed to raise embroils whenever occasion shall serve It is very difficult to join close together that which hath been once broken asunder and a reconciliation in point of friendship is not stronger then the glue which joyns crackt vessels which are easily broken asunder by a small blow An imaginary wrong or a small displeasure should not make a reconciled Prince fall back again when he is replaced in his first station of affairs They who imagine that just punishments are soon forgotten do much deceive themselves It is as much as a Stoick would say that he had forgot injuries but Princes are far enough of from such maximes so that the safest remedy for all their evils is a removal from the Court that no meeting with any who are used to ingage people in Intreagues they will be as it were forced to keep within their limits when as peradventure their passions would make them flie out again ANNO 1631. JT is much more pleasant to behold the Heavens twinkling with a thousand several stars or shining with the glorious light of the Sun which rejoiceth the earth with its splendour then to look on it ful of Prodigies flashed with lightnings ful laden with Clouds shaken with Tempests and covered with the Vail of an obscure night Just thus without all peradventure was it much more agreeable to consider France in the splendour of her Victories which she obtained in the fore-going years in the enjoyment of a happy quiet caused by the submission of the Grandees of the State and by uniting of all the people all things being established in excellent order under the Conduct of so wise a King and every one living with Peace in his own profession then to contemplate her full of factions troubled with Combinations and threatned with a general dissolution by those intelligences which the chief persons of the Kingdom held with strangers But as the Laws of History oblige me to write them impartially both in one relation and t'other so I look upon my self as compelled to give an accompt of those turbulencies wherewith she hath been assaulted that by those glorious actions of the King and those Prudent Counsels of the Cardinals the way of securing and warranting an estate from those dangers whereunto it is commonly exposed by civil Wars may be learn'd Though the Queen Mother had reason to have rested satisfied knowing her self to be the happiest as well as the greatest Princess upon earth yet she
their progresse The Interests of Grandees have ever been prejudicial to the publick and if a King would establish any Law to be observed in his Kingdom he ought however still to prefer the good of Subjects in it One Prince of the Blood will perchance demand Peace at a time when War is more proper and if to satisfie him in particular he shall lay down his Arms he doth an action unbeseemâ—ng a Royal Prudence Another will desire that he would discountenance such a Minister whose Councels are however of great advantage to him and doubtlesse if he do it to satisfie his humour he should commit an injustice against his own State And what reason I pray can there be alledged why a King should upon the Capricchio of any Grandee whatever either make a dishonourable Peace which may render him dis-esteemed amongst strangers or remove from him any Minister who like a good and Propitious Planet doth by his influences cause his state to flourish establish a good Order amongst his people and render his Power considerable amongst his Neighbours Who can think it any strange thing if he prefer the good of his Kingdom before their private humours seeing his very own interests ought not to stand in competition with it No King doth ever merit the title of Just if he doth not tread under foot all his own pleasures and delights for the good and glory of his Crown He ought to remember that his Kingdom is not so much established for him as he is for his Kingdom and consequently that the good of his people ought to be dearer to him then any other consideration whatever Now if he thus ought to prefer the publike before his own private good who can blame him if he do the like in relation to the particular satisfaction of any of his own Family The very contenting of a Father ought not to be considered in this case and who so doth any thing in detriment of the Publike good to shew his Duty unto his Father rendereth himself culpable of a great injustice The Authority of Parents extendeth no farther then the house and in case they attempt to enlarge their bounds he is not bound to observe them Are not Kings the lively Images of God If so what more reasonable Rule can they propose to follow in their Government then his Conduct Now as God doth every day permit a thousand particular subjects to suffer and perish nay not exempting Kings themselves though of never so great use to their States and all this for the preservation of the world in good order So cannot any one think it unjust that they should prefer the good of their State before all other considerations what-ever And who is so ignorant as not to know that Publike good is the subject of all universal Causes The Sun Moon and Stars are perpetually sending down their lights and influences here beneath amongst us because they are necessary and conducing to the universal good notwithstanding some particular and private Subjects may suffer and be endamaged by it Now Kings are in the number of Universal Causes whence it followeth that they are obliged by the Laws of Justice still to regard the Common good which if they do not they will inevitably find great inconveniences fall upon them The King after he had given Order to Arrest the Queen-Mother returneth to Paris THat course which the King took in this particular was of all others the most moderate Not that he was ignorant of those Tyes which obliged him to deal more severely with the Qeen-Mother but his own goodness and the sweetness of the Cardinal's Counsels would not permit him to treat her after any other manner Indeed if the course he took were so moderate the execution of it was no less respectful and civil insomuch that the Queen Mother had not any just reason to complain of it The King was at that time at Compâ—igne and gave out that he would on the morrow go to hunt and accordingly commanded every thing to be put in order very betimes He sent for the Mareschal d' Estree and privately told him that he should keep neer to him to serve him as occasion should require as also to command such Forces as he left in Compeigne purposely to prevent any uproar which the Qeen-Mothers Officers might chance to raise and likewise to hinder any concourse of Souldiers in the Countries near adjoyning and to keep that Town in its obedience The King made himself ready for the Hunting and before he went forth called the Sieur dâ— la Ville-aux Cleres and commanded him to go tell the Queen-Mother that he went without taking his leave of her because the respect and tenderderness which he had for her did hinder him from making a request unto her by word of mouth which she could not receive but with some displeasure though it were much conducing to the good of his State which was this That she would go to the Castle of Moulins a place which she her self had made choise of for her aboad after the late King's decease and there spend some time companyed with all those of her Houshold with all sort of Liberty enjoying all their goods and Revenues at any time granted to them and with all Honour due unto her Majesty To which effect he gave her the Government de Bourâ—onnois And then he called for the Father Suffren and gave him likewise order to acquaint the Qeen-Mother assoon as she did awake that it was not without regret that he went away without bidding her Adieu but that she should not be troubled at it his Majesty having left the Sieur de la Ville-Aux Cleres to inform her of his intentions This was the Order which was observed and after the King was gone forth of Compeigne Father Suffren was the first that carried her the news of it a person who had been an eye-witness of those many endeavours and cares the King had used to allay her spirit and who might thereupon relate those things unto her which had been intrusted with him that she might not have any just cause to complain against his Majesty Not long after the Mareschal d' Estree sent unto her to know if she would be pleased to see him which she thought fit and presently told him she did now perceive that she must be this second time a Prisoner But he having assured her that he was not left there to restrain her of her liberty but rather on the contrary to serve her and to receive the honour of her commands she became a little more appeased and about evening the Sieur de la Ville-Aux-Cleres came to request her that she would go pass away some time at her Castle of Moulins with such conditions as he was commanded to relate unto her and in the mean time the King having ended his sport went to lie at Verbrie Politique Observation QUeens are not at all exempted from those Laws which oblige the punishing of such as
besides the blemishing of their glory with the brand of ignorance do withal render themselves undeserving to be assisted in like necessities There is not any Prince who is not aâ—med at in his turn or able alwaies to subsist by his own force many times they are necessitated to stoop under the armes of an invader for want of the assistance of their confederates who forsake them as they were before forsaken by them If a King may with Justice defend the weak and his confederates doubtlesse he may as justly imploy his power to revenge an injury God who hath intrusted the Scepter in the hand of Kings hath also obliged them not to permit that the respect due to their Soveraign Majesty be violated by any other Prince as well as to maintain their Subjects within the bounds of their obedience He hath given them a Sword to correct any indignities offered to their Crowns There is not any one above them who is Arbitrator of their quarrels they are legal Judges of their own differences and in this Independency God hath given them power to take up Arms to carve their own right It is enough to justifie their War if the Princes against whom they fight haue given them occasion and the misfortunes which inevitably follow the disorder of Souldiers cannot be imputed but unto him who first gave the occasion of taking the field A Kingdome would be very defective as Aristotle observeth if the Soveraign had not Authority to châ—stise with his Arms him who hath injured him in like manner saith he as the body of creatures is not perfect if unable to repell those objects which offend it So an estate is not in that perfection which it ought to be if destitute of power to repay any injuries done against it 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 unassayed 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 foundation 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 Religion 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 themselves 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 Politique Observation HEresie doth no more dis-ingage Subjects from obedience to their Prince than infidelity but this being a point of Doctrine peradventure some mean capacity will make a scruple to believe it if only proved by the verity of politick maximes I shall therefore back it by the belief which the Apostles-left in the Primitive Church which the Father 's taught in their Precepts and Examples and which the ancient Christians did most religiously observe amidst their greatest persecutions Did not the Apostles St. Peter and Paul write to the christians in their Epistles at what time Nero made the earth tremble with his cruelty execrised upon them Let every one be subject to the higher powers For there is not any Dominion which is not established by God and those which now are are by his gift Whoever rebelleth against them opposeeth his Commandment and they who indeavour to shake off the yoke of their obedience expose themselves to damnation A Prince is God's servant it is not to no purpose that he holds the sword it is to make himself known for the Almighty's Officer He ought to be obeyed not only because he can punish but for Conscience sake neither are these the only exhortations left unto us upon this subject their Epistles are fraught with divers others so frequent that I need not recite them leâ—t I play the Dâ—vine and forget the Historian Who likewise knoweth not how all the ancient Fathers of the Church would have sealed this Doctrine with their blood notwithstanding they lived under Atheistical and Pagan Princes who were as so many firebrands to Religion and sworn Enemies to our Faith S. Ignatitus writ very earnestly to the people of Antioch to perswade them to serve Justinâ— the Emperour and gave all Pagan Princes to understand by a learned Apologie that their hopes were in vain to force the faithful by the violence of their torments to worship Idols and false gods who in all other things would render a full and intire subjection to their Emperours Tertullian acknowledgeth none but God above Kings and confesseth that their commands tie the
those Edicts which did contribute thereunto when brought unto them but it was not so with the Messieurs of the Court of Aydes of Paris Mensieur le Comte having informed them that he was going to their Chamber from the King to do as much they fell into such disorder that they all departed thinking by this to disengage themselves from their duty of confirming them so that Monsieur de Compte comming thither found no body there This their inconsideratenesse could not be without mis-prision of the royal Authority and was looked upon as an example the more dangerous in regard Magistrates are like the Primum mobile which draw all the inferior Orbs after it so their motion might be capable of making the people mutiny and refuse succours which they owed the King and which his Majesty might lawfully demand from them to help discharge the necessities of the State as we have formerly said Justice and Prudence did both require that they should be made exemplary they were suspended from the exercise of their Offices and a Commission issued out to some of the Messieurs Masters of Requests and Counsellours of the grand Councel to do justice in their rooms and to determine those affairs which were depending before them This continued for some moneths to teach them against another time how they run into such mis-prisions of his Majesties will which made them unworthy to sit upon the Flower de Luces seeing they had been so little affectionate in contributing to the means necessary to preserve them in their beauty Politique Observation THere is no offence which Kings are more obliged to punish then those which are accompanied with dis-respect for as he who is much respected doth easily retain his Subjects in their obedience so being once fallen into disesteem his commands are little regarded The wisest Polititians have alwaies thought respect to be the greatest support of Authority The lustre of the Sun is that which causeth people to regard it with the more reverence and the authority of a Soveraign is that which doth most of all oblige his subjects to pay him respect and obedience which if violated by disrespect remaineth inconsiderable His Ordinances are laughed at his Will not regarded and attempts are often made against him I think for my part that scorn is more dangerous then hatred for peradventure a King who is hated may yet be feared and fear is of it self sufficient to keep subjects in obedience but he who is once fallen into dis-esteem is neither hated nor feared so that his affairs will soon fall into extream disorder Hatred is a frequent cause of Insurrections but dis-respect is more effectually so because it not only causeth the fear of offending to cease but adds confidence to it Now of all disrespects none is more dangerous then when Magistrates are guilty of it by withdrawing themselves from their Princes Will and Command No one will easily attempt against him whom he sees honoured by his Magistrate and on the contrary men will readily provoke him who is not regarded by them Magistrates are the more obliged to continue their respects unto Authority because their example is sufficient to hold the people in submission They ought rather to comply obediently with their Soveraigns then by denying him to show an example of Rebellion to his Subjects their resistance tends only to raise an irreparable disorder in affairs and obligeth the use of constraint for the ratifying of such Edicts which presently make the people believe them to be unjust In fine they are no less bound to render respect and obedience unto him then justice to his Subiects They flatter themselves with a dangerous vanity if they believe themselves to have been instituted to bound in his power seeing it was only to supply his presence and perform his will All their power vanisheth at his presence as that of the Stars when the Sun appeareth neither ought they to take notice of his Commands further then he gives them liberty Now that liberty which he gives them is by their humble Remonstrances to represent their grievances not absolutely to deny and that with disrespect the execution of his commands especially seeing the custome of confirming of Edicts was not introduced by necessity or for any dependance which Kings have upon Soveraign Courts but that they might be executed with more submission and to discharge them from those commands which the importunity of Courtiers might wrest from their Majesties without regard of Justice or the good of the State The Treaty of Alliance between the King and Duke of Bavaria IT behoved the King so much the more to secure himself against the Emperors Forces in regard he did at this time seem to be discontented concerning the Succours given to the German Princes and the designe of retaking Moyâ—nvic with other lands alienated from the Bishoprick of Metz This induced the Cardinal whose eyes are alwaies open to the interests of State to represent unto the King that it were necessary to make sure of those who might any ways assist him in his enterprises against France and that there being no other persons from whom he could receive a greater support in his desire then the Duke of Bavier and the Elector of Trâ—ves who have the principal Passes by which he must come unto us it would be very advantagious to contract an Alliance with them that they might hinder his Forces or at least that they might not joyn theirs with his The King apprehended this Counsel as an effect of his innate Prudence and this great Ministers foresight having already laid the ground-work of these Alliances his Majesty issued out Orders for the prosecution of them There was concluded by the Treaty that there should be a sincere good and constant Friendship between them and an firm and strict league offensive and defensive for eight yeers in consideration whereof the King bound himself to furnish him with nine thousand Foot two thousand Horse Cannons and Ammunitions of War fit and necessary for the defence of him and his Dominions leaving it to the Electors choice to demand of his Majesty instead of the nine thousand Foot and the rest such monies as might defray the charges The Elector of Bavier did likewise engage himself to furnish his Majesty with three thousand Foot and one thousand Horse and Ammunitions of war necessary for the defence of his Dominions in case of an Invasion with liberty for his Majesty to demand instead of the Souldiers so much money sufficient to pay them Besides they interchangeably promised not to bâ—aâ— Arms one against the other directly or indirectly Thus was France assured on that quarter and the taking of Moyenvic might be attempted without fear or hâ—zard the Emperour not being able to hinder it by reason of the King of Swede's diversion without the Duke of Bavier's assistance Politique Observation DEfensive Alliances cannot but be very useful to all Princes how great soever Few can subsist by themselves and if
reasons which gave the cause of that suspicion were their apparent discontent because Pollette was not restored with such conditions as they desired and because their authority came short of being parallel with his Majesty's and besides the correspondencies which several of Monsieur's and the Queen-Mothers Officers had amongst them It was likewise considered that divers affairs of concernment came to be divulged from their manner of proceedings it being impossible to keep a secret among so great a multitude Whereupon his Majesty resolved to establish a Chamber of Justice composed of persons equally considerable for their ability and integrity who should have full power to judge seeing it was likewise requisite to commissionate some Judges extraordinary for the chastizing of divers Clippers and Counterfeiters of money of which there were store in the Nation the toleration of which did much endamage Trade so that both Commissions were given to the same Judges The King to carry on the businesse with the more sweetnesse was pleased out of his Prudence and usual Goodnesse to elect most part of the Judges out of the Parliament and to appoint their meeting in the Palace the common Seat of Justice But the Parliament little considering this grace raised new difficulties against the confirmation of the Letters of Establishment which obliged his Majesty to remove the Chamber unto the Arsenal and to compose it of two Counsellors of State six Masters of Requests and six Counsellors of the grand Counsel all chosen for their extraordinary merit who began to sit the tenth day of August Politique Observation THe King is the Head of Justice and may commit the administration of it to whom he will The Sea distributeth her waters as she pleaseth by subterranean passages unto all Fountains neither bath any thing right to controul her distribution the Sun that inexhaustible source of all worldly light communicateth splendor unto the Stars as God hath ordained neither can any of them complain of receiving lesse then others So a King whom God hath endued with Soveraign Authority to distribute Justice to his people may commit the charge of it to such as he thinks fit and that with such power and extent as he judgeth proper for the good of his State usually he intrusts this power with Parliaments but they ought to remember that he who hath given them this Authority may likewise take it from them may bound it or give it to others as he pleaseth The Authority of a Senate which is in Common-wealths or Free Cities cannot be altered by any Princes because it partakes of Authority with them and is established to confine their Prudence But it is not so with Parliaments Monarchies where the Magâ—strates have no other glory but that of being Ministers to execute Justice in their Master's behalf they are like Clouds raised by the Sun from the Earth which are by him refined to represent his Image not that he deprives himself of the power of raising others to whom he may impart the same favours Thus is their power a Twig sprung from the Royal Authority without depriving its Root of the power to produce others of the same quality Judgement given against several Persons THis Chamber of Justice being thus established they began to act with as much zeal as integrity to the punishment of the Coyners and those who had brought the State into trouble Divers of either sort were exemplarily punished and amongst the factious Senelles and du Val were for ever condemned to the Gallies the Duke Rouannez the Marquis de la Viâ—ville and the Marquis de Fargis were beheaded in Effigie the rest were remitted till the next year Now as he who condemneth the Body confiscateth the Goods so those of the condemned did undoubtedly belong to the King whereupon that it might be accordingly adjudged his Majesty being at Troyes established a Chamber of Domain composed of Counsellors of State and Masters of Request to attend the Court who declared the goods of the Comte and Comtess de Moret the Dukes d' Elboeuf de Bellegarde and de Rouannez the Marquis de Boissy de la Viâ—ville and de Sourdeac and of the President le Coigneux to be confiscate and forfeited to the Crown In fine they who had any Governments or Offices were deprived of them the Government of Picardy was taken away from Monsieur d' Elboeuf and bestowed on the Duke de Cheâ—reuse that of Burgogne was taken from the Duke de Bellegarde and Monsieur â—e Prince appointed in his place the King's Lievtenance which the Marquis de la Vieville had in Champagne was granted to the Sieur de Senneterre as the charge of President was taken from Coigneux and conferred on the Sieur de Lamognon and so of divers others Now that which did more particularly oblige his Majesty to drive things to this height of finishing the Process of these factious persons and of confiscating their Goods and Offices was a discovery of their designs to attempt the surprizal of divers places in the Kingdom They had gained the Marquis de Valençay who promised them Calais La Louviere was employed to work upon the Marquis Moncavrel and to perswade him to do the like with Ardres The Captain du Val was hanged for having attempted to surprize the Citadel of Verdune Threescore thousand Crowns were given in Monsieur's name to the Duke of Bouillon that he would raise a party in Sedan one of the Ports of the Kingdom and that he would let in Forreigners that way when thereunto desired There were likewise divers Gentlemen seized upon raising of Forces in several parts of the Kingdom and it was not unknown how they had induced the Queen-Mother and Monsieur to send persons of Quality into Spain England and Holland and to all Neighbour Princes to procure what Souldiers they could for him What reason was there longer to let these attempts against the State go unpunished Such a patience had been unjust That difficulty which the Parliament of Paris made to confirm his Majesty's Ordinance which commanded to execute after six moneths the confiscation of such as were guilty of high Treason who had been condemned by Out-lawry in regard of an ancient Ordinance might have seemed just enough in regard of those who are guilty of mean crimes but surely not in the behalf of Traytors such as these were who had made Divisions in his Majesties Family who had attempted against his Authority who had endeavoured to surprize divers places who had raised Souldiers in divers parts of the Kingdom who had published a thousand aspersions to eclipse his Majesty's glory What reason I say could there be that such men as these should longer continue unpunished by confiscating their Offices and Goods seeing their absence would not admit the punishment of their persons And hereupon it was that his Majesty commanded his Ordinance to be proclaimed and the Parliament accordingly obeyed it Politique Observation AMongst the divers Powers of Soveraigns that of making Laws is
make himselt Master of them but that so doing he followeth the most ancient Law of the world which gives leave to the strong to take whatever they lay hold of This indeed is not tolerable by the Law of Christianity which hath ordained Justice to bound in the covetous Ambition of Princes although birth and succession in States at this present are bars enough to defend them Usurpation was pardonable in Caesar who lived in Paganism but he who professeth himself a Christian ought to regulate his designs by the Law of Jesus Christ It is true indeed Ambition of all the passions of the Soul is most incurable because never to be totally eradicated and a Pince is the more obliged to suppresse such motions which perswade him to make himself Master of that which belongeth nothing to him in regard the vivacity of his spirit may raise a War in his own Country and the heat of his covetousnesse may without reason shed the blood and destroy the lives of his people It were to be wished that Princes were as solicitous to preserve the bloud of their subiects as Pericles the prime man of Greece in his time who being to die thought himself very happy that no Athenian had ever wore mourning through his occasion they would then be lovers of peace and the preservation of their subject would be powerfull enough to extinguish the heat of their Ambition it being most certain that the usurper of anothers right pulleth his Arms against his own State and indangereth his Subjects to undergo a thousand mis-fortunes ANNO 1632. EVery one esteems the work of those poor men as unprofitable who that they may inlarge their habitations do build and make incroachments upon the Banks of large Rivers whose Waters upon the first great rain break out of their Channels and by a thousand re-inforced Waves carry away whatever opposeth their violence it being certain they will not spare the weak indeavours of their hands Who will not in like manner conclude the attempts of a petty Prince to be equally vain who that he may gain some repute and make himself considerable offereth violence to the glory of a great Monarch whose victorious Arms are soon able to reduce the forgetfull to their duties and to over-run whatever resisteth his power Just thus ought we to consider the D. of Lorrain's rashness in taking of Vic in the Emperors name and fortifying it against France when as his Majesties Forces if bent against him could not but chastize his proceedings break his designs and render all his endeavours uselesse His Majesties recovery of it quickly shewed the whole world how vain his attempts were Neither did his Majesties Forces rest there for the Marshals de la Force and de Schomberg forthwith besieged Moyenvic which rendred upon composition and also invested Marsal a place of importance belonging to the Duke and one of those which his Predecessors had usurped from the Bishoprick of Mets. Now the Duke though mastered by ambition and filled with hatred against France was not however so sencelesse but that finding with what celerity Vic was reduced in despite of his Fortifications wherewith he had encompassed it he began to suspect lest all the rest of his Country might shortly run the same chance in case he had not the sooner recourse unto the Kings mercy rather then his own forces or power Hereupon he resolved to send unto his Majesty propositions of peace but in effect he was unwilling totally to relinquish his unjust designs which he would be sure to re-inforce whenever any favourable opportunity or an exâ—raordinary succour from the Emperour or Spaniard should afford him the means such deep root had the hatred which is almost natural to that Family against this Kingdom taken in him It is also true that finding himself straitned in point of time and knowing that the least delay would give the Kings Forces opportunity to take other places he at last resolved to go in person and meet the King at Mets that he might appease his Majesty by his feigned submissions and hinder the progresse of his Armies by a pretended Treaty of peace Had this resolution been frank and sincere the visit had been commendable but such was his malice against his Majesty that those things were the least of his thoughts Not but that he was particularly and I may say strictly obliged unto the King who was very carefull of his education during his youth which he spent in this Court who had patiently expected for eight years together the homage of Barr whereas be might justly have seized upon it within one year after the late Duke's death for non-performance thereof who had passed by the several troubles and intreagues raised by him and his against this State and Kingdom But all these things wrought not upon him and he continued insensible of them He sent word unto his Majesty that he was comming to wait on him and to give him al satisfaction accordingly he came to Mets upon the 26 of December with his face composed of sorrow and sadnesse for his late misbehaviour The King being informed of his approach neer Mets sent the Prince de Joinville with his own and the Queen Coaches who met him half a league from the City and conducted him to his lodging where his Majesty had given order to his Officers to defray his and his Retinues expences The Duke after a short repose went to see his Majesty and shewed himself very submissive protesting that he would flie unto no other refuge but his Majesties goodnesse in order to which alone it was that he had been so desirous of the honour to see him The King received him with all the demonstrations of kindnesse which an offended Majesty may be permitted to use and shortly after being entred into discourse freely told him that he would say before him an infallible sign of his ill-behaviour the Duke indeavoured to justifie himself but he could not alledge any other reason then only his being discontented with the Sieur de Bret Conseiller d' Estaâ— for having used too much rigour in the Borders of his Country in his Inquest concerning the Rights of the Crown of France and his having been assured from the Marshal de Marillac that his Majesty had resolved to invade and ruine him Unto this the King replied every one might justly enquire after â—is own Rights so that what rigours the Sieur de Bret had used were only the effects of Justice and as for matter of invading him with hostility there needed no other proof to assure him of thâ— contrary then that he would not at that time imploy his power any more against him in case he returned to his devoir whereas he then might easily ruine him it being impossible for those persons who had ingaged him in those imbroils to afford him any succour or relief whereas his Majesty would assuredly protect him from the victorious Arms of the Swedish King who was upon the point of
influence over Monsieurs affections that he easily countermined and blew up al the others reasons neither could Monsieur possibly guard himself from the subtilty of his insinuations He perswaded him to believe that the King would doubtless at length agree unto the Marriage especially seeing his first Lady was altogether of his Majesties choice and a person totally adhering unto the Interest of Lorrain and in regard there was not any inequality between the former aâ—d this divers Kings of France having matched with the Princesses of Lorrâ—in and the Princesse Marguerite her self being daughter to a daughter of Frâ—nce He represented unto him that he could not chuse but follow the same steps which Hâ—nry the Great had trodden out unto him who did not stick to marry his late sister unto the family of Lorrain which only consideration were sufficient to induce his Majesties confirmation of this marriage and lastly that in case it should please God to set the Crown upon his head the whole Family of Lorrain a thing of no mean consideration would be inseparably tied unto the interests of France These reason at first glance seem specious enough yet could they not have made any deep impression upon him had he represented unto him as indeed he ought how the late King was forced to marry his sister unto the House of Lorrain that he might thereby reclaim them from thwarting his designs how that the late Madam had in that small time of her being married unto Monâ—â—eur raised such a fire in the Court as was not easily extinguished and how that the Alliance of Hâ—nry the third with the House of Lorraâ—n had only served to incourage their boldnesse and give them opportunity to prosecute their design of pulling the Scepter from him But these things entred not into his thoughts the passion which he had for the Princesse of Falsbourg having blinded â—im and left him no eye-sight but only how he might incompasse the consumnation of his Masters marriage That Princesse her self whose Soul is very active omâ—â—ted no invention to facilitate her designs and being not to learn how powerfull young Beauties are to captivate the greatest courages there needing no other device to render them beloved then the bare letting them be seen she used her utmost indeavours to draw Monsieur unto such places where the Princesâ—e Mâ—râ—uerite was that in fine the flames of her Beautâ— adding new forces to the Siâ—ur de Puy-Laurens his reasons might compel Moâ—sieur to submit unto the Laws of Love Accordingly it succeeded and the marriage was performed in presence of a Religieux of the Cistercian Order who had not any authority from his superiour but only from the Cardinal de Lorrain Bishop of Thal though he had not any jurisdiction over him to impower him to administer Sacraments for that he was exempt from the Diocesse of Lorrain as all the rest of his Order The Abbesse of Remiremont with whom the Princesse Marguerite was brought up was assistant at the Ceremony as also Monsieur dâ— Elâ—oeuf and Monsieur de Puy Laurens who were witnesses besides these there were not any other present excepting only two Bernardines to assist him who married them and all this secresie was used to prevent his Majesties knowledge thereof and escape the punishment which they could not but expect would fall upon them as a reward for such attempts and not only so but likewise because they much doubted the validity of the marriage which was thought such that Monsieur de Vâ—udemont could not forbear saying that in case his daughter were not fit one day to wear the Crown of France yet she would alwaies be good enough to make an Abbesse of Remiremont suspecting belike the weight of his Majesties prohibition Politique Obseruation AMongst the divers Prerogatives of Princes that of hindring marriages is not of the least importance The right whereof may be proved from the Authority of some Canonists whose reputations stand clear in the schools of all Divines and who affirm it in expresse terms But not to quote their testimonies me thinks we need no other proof to evince this truth then common custom For were not the Emperours the first who determined the conditions and qualities of those who might marry Were not they the original institutors of who might and who might not marry Hath not the Church extracted her decrees from their Laws Besides those decrees of the Church have not our Kings eftablished new Orders as is to be seen in the Ordinance of Blois where Henry the Third declared all Marriages void wherein the Banes were not published which however are not so adjudged by the Church And what hath given credit to the Decree of the Councel of Trent but our Kings Declarations Now if the validity depend upon their Seal how can it be denied but they likewise have authority to inforce this new prohibition And have they not likewise Ordained notwithstanding the Decree that Heretiques should not be obliged to contract their Marriages in presence of the Curate of the Parish where they live which cease not to be valid and in force Besides is there not likewise another Ordinance which impowered by our Kings only and the custom of Bretayn which maketh the marriages of Guardians with their Pupils to be void then not effected by the permission of the Justice whereas the Church is of another opinion These are reasons which do evidently maintain and prove that our Kingâ— have a disposing power in the marriages of their Subjects And indeed what reason were there that they should be denied this priviledge seeing the whole power is principally conferred upon them for the preservation of the publique Peace and private Families which depend exceedingly much as is not unknown unto any one upon marriages which besides that it is so granted by the chief of Divines is likewise deduceable from common experience Let not any one therefore make a question of it But if any one demand in what manner they may hinder and obstruct marriages I shall make use of a distinction in my answer and say that for the making of a general prohibition it is requisite to Ordain a publique and universal Law to signifie their Will unto their Subjects as was done in the Ordinance of Lewis the Eleventh which inforced the publication of Banes And in case of a particular marriage there need only a particular inhibition to be signified unto the particular persons intending to contract themselves so that they be duly informed of the prohibition issued out against their further proceedings therein The Catholique Electors of the Empire propose to become Neuters During our Kings abode at Mots the Catholique Electors were in such disorders that they were forced to make addresse unto his Majesty for his protection The King of Sweden prosecuted his Conquests in the lower Palatinate with such extraordinary successe that they look'd on themselves as all undone if his Majesty did not assist them the Eperours Forces being reduced to such an
Interests in any thing That Town is of no small consideration it having formerly given the English when and as often as they desired an uncontrouled entrance into the Kingdom and with them Monsieur held but too strict an intelligence at this very time This was a disease not to be suffered to grow any older yet the cure of it had been almost desperate to any other but the King for Calais as it is far removed from Paris so is it likewise more distant from Lorrain But his Majesty whose vigilance doth oftentimes give him great Victories did easily endure the troubles of the Journey He knew from his cradle it was not without great reason that an Emperour designing to represent upon the Reverse of a Medail the means which the Roman Republique had used in conquering the Universe contrived a Rome with wings upon its feet and hands intimating that Vigilance had made her Mistress of the world In order whereunto he never apprehended any embroyl elther within or without the Kingdom which he did not readily encounter in his own person upon the least assurance that he might take them unproprovided who had contrived any thing against his State or person and thereby overcome them with less trouble and more ease The King departed then from Saint Germain about the beginning of May and not long after came to Calais where being arrived he placed six Companies of the Regiment of Navarre in the Cittadel commanded the Sieur de Vaâ—ance to retire himself to one of his Houses left the Sieur de Râ—mbures to command it until his Majesty should otherwise dispose of it and having stay'd two days he departed towards Lorrain that he might let the Duke know his proceedings had made him guilty both of Injustice and Rashness which two things he was come to chastise by the force of his Arms. Politique Observation GOd having constituted Kings as the Images of his Power doth no less require them to punish any injuries committed against their Majesty then the crimes of their Subjects To what other end is it that they have the sword of Justice intrusted with them unless it be as an assured testimony of the power they have to Right themselves for any injuries He who hath so little courage as to pass them by will soon become the object of his Neighbours scorn every one will trample on him and God himself being offended at his little care in preserving those stamps of his Majesty which he hath imprinted on his Forehead will justly permit him to be despoyled of that honour which he had bestowed upon him God hath unto private men given no other means to repel the injuries offered unto them then the Justice of their Soveraigns whom he hath commanded to right them but otherwise it is with Kings unto them he hath given power to punish those who offend them be they of what quality soever There is not a man above them who can arbitrate their differences themselves are the only Judges of their own Rights and they may lawfully take up Arms both when and as often as their Prudence and Justice shall think fit The Primum Mobile hath no dependence on any other Orb in point of his motion and Kings those primary causes of a State have no superiour authority over them to direct them in point of War It is sufficient that they against whom they take up Arms have given them cause so to do Hence it is that one of the eminent'st lights of the Church calleth that War just which is undertaken to revenge injuries And Archidamus in Thucydides saith Every War is just which is made to revenge any groundless injury Now amongst all the things which may provoke a Prince to take up Arms that of raising Forces to invade his Kingdom of violating Treaties and recommencing old Quarrels are most justifiable The Rules of Politique Justice do not only permit a War as lawful against them who come and besiege Towns and commit disorders in another State no they are not bound to sit still in expectation of that storm but it sufficeth to have only known discovered their designs and malicious intentions for otherwise it were a very great imprudence the ablest Commanders having ever concluded it better to carry a war into his Country who designeth to invade then to expect him in our own In fine The Breach of Treaties and Promises hath alwaies been accounted highly injurious unto Princes Gentlemen have their throats cut for breach of word and Princes may not put it up if it be of never so little concernment without making war upon it With the Spaniards indeed it is proverbial Wind carries Words and Feathers The wisest Politicians do tell us That to promise in a Treaty what is not intended to be performed is to scorn a Prince and Homer saith He who promiseth one thing and intendeth another ought to be reputed for an Enemy Mounsieur entreth Lorrain in Arms. THe King being at Laon was inform'd by a Courier from the Mareschal de la Force that Monsieur had pass'd by Malatour a little Village between Verdun and Mets and that his Forces were joyned with the Duke's and by another near the same time that Monsieur no sooner arrived but he began the war having cut off a Troop of Carabines sent by the Mareschal d' Effiat in peace the Duke being obliged to give his Ma Majesties Troops free passage and in fine that he was entred the Kingdom in Arms. Hereupon the King advanced in â—ast towards the Army which was numerous and strong the Mareschal d' Effiat being arrived from Germany and commanded the Duke de Chaune and Mareschal d' Effiat to draw together the Nobility which came to attend him upon the Frontiers To make short he came to Saint Monehoust the 15. of June ready to fall with his Army upon the Duke of Lorrain in case he offered to stir a foot or send and Forces with Monsieur into France but he was better advised as it fell out then so to do The Mareschal d' Effiat without more loss of time presented his Army before Pont-a Mousson which so terrified the Inhabitants that they opened their Garet without resistance The Duke of Lorrain was no less astonished and now beginning to foresee his ruine desired a meeting with the Mareschal d' Effiat where he accused Monsieur's arrival at Nancy protesting it was not by his procurement and telling him he would give his Majesty any satisfaction or assurance of his fidelity The Mareschal acquainted his Majesty therewith who thought it not best to pardon him a second time without some kind of revenge especially seeing there was no trust to be given to his promises after so manifest a discovery of his malice and designs against France whereupon he drew up to Vaubecourt to enter upon Lorrain In the mean time having Intelligence brought that a Regiment of the Duke's Horse commanded by the Sieur de Lenoncourt was not far from Rouuray that he might teach him
their heads who might any ways trouble the State and that Prince who followeth not this Rule when Justice requireth it shall quickly find himself necessitated to sustain the inconveniences of a Civil War He who cherisheth that Serpent which hath formerly stung him exposeth himself to the danger of a second wound and that Prince who once pardoneth the Ring-leader of a Rebellion giveth life to a man who may in time find an opportunity to raise a second and more dangerous revolt because he may then better provide in prevension of those evils which caused his first ruine whereas him death were a Quietus est In a word a Prince cannot but be commended for sacrificing the life of a Rebel to the quiet of his State A Design to surprize the Dutchesse d' Esguillon THe news of Monsieur de Montmorency's taking being brought to Bruxels the Queen-Mother and Spaniards received it with no less sorrow then astonishment concluding that seeing the strongest Pillar of the Rebellion by them raised in France was surpriz'd and carried to a place where he was onely in a condition of suffering the whole contrivance which they had so finely spun to force the King to stoop unto their Wills would now vanish into nothing The Queen-Mother in particular who had ever a great kindnesse for the Duke of Montmorency was in great fear for him lest the King should make him the object of his Justice for an example to others as he had well deserved But Father Chanteloupe who never wanteth remedies at least imaginary ones for all accidents which do never so little provoke the Queen-Mothers passion knowing that in Womens affairs a Man is ever acceptable to them in case he do but sooth them in their affections advised to surprize Madam de Combalet and to bring her away to Bruxels assuring themselves that having that Lady in their hands who being the Cardinals Neece and indued with such qualities as rendred her not only the most amiable but the most deserving person of the Court was the object of his affections that grand Minister would be compelled to obtain his pardon for very fear lest she might find some harsh usage in case they should put him to death I may safely say that the important services of this favourable Genius ought to have hindred the Queen-Mother who knew him better then any other person whatever from consenting to so unjust a design when it was first proposed for that consideration alone ought to have been an inviolable security to all his relations But I will only say the merit of that Lady was sufficient of it self to oblige her to punish the Authors of such rash Councels seeing she is the Ornament and Glory of the Court the honour of her Sex a miracle of Virtues and replenished with exemplary Piety not precise or disagreeable but attractive and taking that she doth as it were force a respective love in the Souls of all who behold the many Graces wherewith Heaven hath inriched her But what reason was there or indeed what reason could there be alledged to expiate the Duke de Montmorency's Crimes of Rebellion upon a person whose acquired Vertues and innate Graces did oblige all Man-kind to pay her all imaginable honour and respect Yet Passion having no eys to behold any truth which thwarts it the Queen-Mother approved of Chanteloup's design thought good to command the execution thereof at Beçançon writ unto sundry Gentlemen whom she intrusted to assist the attempt and took care that for the safer bringing her away horses should be layed ready upon the Road between Bruxels and Paris But God who is pleased to defend Justice and willingly protecteth such as are by him indued with any extraordinary qualities discovered the Plot by one Rouure one of the chief Conspirators who acquainted Madam de Combalet with the whole contrivance and moreover furnished her with the means of taking nine principal Agents therein by the Chevalier du Gâ—â—t who were all carried to the Bastille It was not long before there were Commissioners appointed for their Examination and their design being proved by many undeniable testimonies they could not have escaped the reward due to such crimes had not Madam de Combalet of her own good nature whose charity shineth among her other virtues hindred the execution by her humble Petition unto the King It was satisfaction enough for her that she was safe from the danger and she was more solicitous of rewarding Rouure who had been instrumental in her escape then of causiing them to be punished who would have acted so outragious a violence Politique Observation ALthough besides the injustice it be an impudent boldnesse to injure Ladies of Quality and Honour their Sex and Merit having ever secured them from all outrages even in the hottest times of War yet they receive no little glory by pardoning such rudenesse if any be offered unto them It is not the same thing in matter of forgiving wrongs between private persons and Princes the latter being often obliged to follow the rigor of the Laws for the good of his State whereas it is alwaies honourable for the former to forgive especially for Ladies sweetnesse being a becomming Vertue of their Sex although cruelty be a usual ingredient in their constitutions It is a most assured mark of Generosity then to pardon injuries when one is able to revenge them None but great Courages are touched with pitty for those who have shewed themselves most inhumane they only convert their Anger into Compassion whereas they might justly enough take exceptions against them Julius Caesar whose Vertue is not only notorious but admired by all the World was hardly to be moved to anger by the common fry of men thinking them belike beneath his Passion and too inconsiderable to disquiet him In a word it is one of the highest points of Moral vertue but Christianity inhanceth in somewhat further obliging us to forgive those who have offended us for Gods sake who invites us unto it an advantage it is and that much more advantagious against offenders then punishing of them seeing there is not any thing wherein we can more lively resemble the Divine Bounty then in pardoning of injuries Kings themselves are not more considerable for their Justice then their Clemency Many there have been ingenious enough in punishing the guilty but few are the examples of Clemency it being rarely seen that a grand patience cohabits with a Soveraign power though the Sun be the most worthy Ornament of the Heavens yet he is only respected by men in regard of his benigne influences which he sendeth amongst them and true it is that let a Lady be never so great yet nothing can so much recommend her as Clemency especially such as carrieth her on to do good unto them who have made themselves unworthy thereof by their indeavours to do her a mischief Monsieur leaveth France and goeth into Lorrain MOnsieur's accommodation being concluded and his Majesties prudence having disposed
ought to beware that their disobedience do not cause the Flower de luces to fade and that they do not instead of cultivating them with care to render them more beautifull to the French and more respected by strangers indanger them by their ill examples and render themselves unworthy to sit upon them Know they not that their obedience and the integrity of their judgements is the foundation of the peoples submissions The Rebellion of such men ought not to be connived at in regard it may not be tolerated without putting all things into disorder The People are like clay without form in themselves but easily wrought by the Potters In fine they behold most affairs with the eyes of their Magistrates and suffer themselves easily to be directed by their motions they dislike what the other reject and if they should rise against their Soveraign they would make no difficulty to follow them In affairs of this nature Kings are obliged to conform themselves to the example of the Sun who finding the Moon to oppose her light to his and indeavouring to eclipse his light presently depriveth her of all her light and turneth her Christaline into a dark body King ought to re-assume to themselves their Justice which formerly they had intrusted with them and to punish their Rebellions with severity They who are the most mild are forc'd by such crimes to draw their Swords of Justice to prevent the eclipsing of their power to take the Thunder-bolts of severity into their hands and dart them against them to reduce them to nothing Divers Changes of Governours in sundry Provinces made this year THose were not the only Changes which happened this year there were divers others in the governments of Provinces some that they might be intrusted with persons incapable of ingaging in any divisions which were suspected by reason of Monsieur's absence and others for a recompence of several persons of quality which have deserved them and which I cannot passe by unobserved The Marshal de Thoyras Governour of Cazal had given some cause of jealousie though indeed his fidelity was invincible as hath since been seen however that place is of such importance that nothing ought to be hazarded for the preservation of it The King sent the Marquesse de Tavannes in his place and gave the Marshal permission to slay in Italy upon some difficulties which he made upon comming to Court Le Sieur de Malissi Captain of the Regiment des Gardes was at the same time made Governour of Pignerol the Duke de Vantadour was gratified with the Government of Limosin and having surrendred into the Kings hands the Lieutenancy of Languedoc his Majesty divided it amongst four and bestowed it upon the Comte de Tournon the Vice Comte d' Arpajon the Marquesse d' Ambres and the Vice Comte de Polignac Le Comte de Joncac was made Governour and Lievtenant General of Xaintong Angoulmois Aunis and the City of Rochel the Baron de Pont Chasteau Lievtenant General of Low Brittain Le Comte de Palisse Sieur do St. Geran was made Governour of Bourbonnois le Comte de Cheravet of Stenay le Sieur de la Serre first Captain of the Regiment of Picardy of Jamets le Duc de la Valette of the Bishoprick of Mets the Duc de Chaune of Picardy le Duc d'Alvin of Languedoc and the Cittadel of Montpellier le Marquesse de Seneçay of Bourgogne au Bailliage de Masconnois insomuch that there are few years which produce so great changes of government That it is necessary to commit the Government of Provinces and Places into the hands of trusty Persons in times of danger IT is very important when there is any suspicion of civil dissentions to intrust the Government of Provinces and places with persons of fidelity I do much approve of the King of Spain's rule who often changeth his Governours A man must be altogether ignorant of History if he knoweth not the great services which Gonzalvus did the King of Aragon his Master in the Kingdom of Naples However that wise prudent King would not alwaies intrust the Government of that place with him for fear lest in processe of time he might keep it to himself The continuation of the Government of France granted unto Julius Caesar incouraged him to attempt upon the Roman liberty whereupon remembring that nothing had made him so ambitious of commanding as that continuation upon his return to Rome after the Affrick War he ordained that to Praetor should injoy his Office above one year nor no Consul above two The Governour who hath long resided in a Province may make creatures contract frienships an so play his game that he may act the little King and will be apt to ingage himself to some Revolt if Ambition which great men seldom want should once inflame him This made the Dictator Mamercus say the short continuation of Governours is the surest preservative of the publick besides the liberty of changing of Govenours after some few years and substituting others in their places is of great advantage for that a Soveraign may thereby render more persons capable of great affairs then if he should alwaies continue them in the same places The memory of new benefits disposeth men to be gratefull and doubtlesse maketh Kings to be served with more affection Great men long accustomed do so habituate themselves that they look upon their Governments as their Demesne without any sense of obligation to him who permitteth him whereas he who is but lately possessed of them having the favour fresh in his memory indeavoureth to deserve it with more industry and affection This maxime I know wil not very much agree with the sense of most great men but surely their dislike relisheth more of Ambition then reason I may likewise adde that it is little considerable to their Fortunes seeing if they acquit themselves as they ought of a place their merit will be a sufficient recommendation to attain them others It were to be wished that such men in their own concerns were of Quintus Fabius Maximus his humour who having been five times Consul and considering with himself that his grand-father and great grand-father had often been charged with the same Office and how it was very dangerous to continue great Offices in a family was very earnest with the people of Rome to divert them from conferring that honour on his son The Creation of Knights of the Holy Ghost THe King had for many years receiv'd so many proofs of the valour of his Nobility that he could not refuse them the honour of being Knights of his Orders and his Majesty who hath a particular inclination to recompence valour resolved to grant them this honourable reward He was confirm'd in this resolution by Monsieur the Cardinal who represented to him that the French Nobility could not be tied to his service by any stricter Banes then those of honour and that this would not a little augment that courage and fidelity which they had
of honour then any other and indeed they are more to be esteemed because Honour is more excellent then Wealth There was no Crown more esteemed among them then the obsidional which however was made of Turf that of Gold inlaid with Stones was beneath it because lesse honourable there was not any greater honour in their Common-Wealth then that of Triumph which however brought no Wealth to the Triumpher for after he had appeared in a Chariot cloathed and attended magnificently he was obliged to live in the City in the quality of a private person without other reward then the glory of their actions Cneus Ovillius thought himself more highly rewarded after he had concluded the first Carthaginian War by the Common-Wealths permitting him to have a Trumpet alwaies march before him and Pompey by the power granted him wear his Triumphant Robe at all publick Feasts and Caesar by the priviledge of continually wearing the Lawrel Crown then if they had had all the riches of the Empire divided amongst them The Institution of the Parliament of Mets after the King had reduc'd to his Obedience divers Cities and Places of Lorrain AFter the King had reduc'd to his Obedience divers Cities and places of the Bishopricks of Mets Toul and Verdun and recovered to his Crown divers Lands and Lordships heretofore pulled from it he thought it necessary for the preservation of the people in Obedience and Peace and for conservation of the Rights of his Crown to establish a Soveraign court of Justice which should have full power to Judge without further Appeal all matters both civil and criminal His Majesty was the rather invited unto it by the earnest intreaties of all the Orders of the Cities and Provinces in prosecution of the promise made unto them by the late King Henry le grand especially to redresse those great abuses committed in the Administration of Justice in regard of the inexperience of the Magistrates as to prevent the Dukes of Lorrain's usurpation who had oftentimes presumed to give judgement in places and upon persons depending on the Crown of France It was resolved about the beginning of the year The King ordained a Soveraign court with the Title of Parliament in his Bishopricks of Toul Mets and Verdun the seat whereof he founded at Mets both in regard of the commodiousnesse of the scituation as also the populousness of the place and confluence of the people which came from all parts and besides that place having been formerly the Metropolis of Austracia one of the best Flowers of this Crown His Majesty ordained there should be one chief President six other Presidents forty six Counsellors of which six should be of the Clergy the rest of the Laity one Attorney General two Advocates General and to brief all Officers usual in other Parliaments to execute Justice without Appeal every six moneths upon the Cities and persons of those Bishopricks as also upon Mouzon Chasteau-Regnaud and its Appurtenances notwithstanding any Soveraignty they might heretofore claim Lastly desiring to chuse such persons as might be capable of doing actual service in this Parliament he committed the charge of chief President to the Sieur de Bretaign and of the other Presidents to the Sieurs of Charpentier Blundeau Pinon Treslon Vignier and Chanteclair all men of worth that of Attorney General to the Sieur de Paris Master of Requests those of the two Advocates General to the Sieurs de la Gresliere Remifort and Fardoil they had all Commission to go with four Masters of Request and five or six who were created Counsellours to establish the Parliament which they did about the end of August to the great happinesse and satisfaction of the inhabitants of Mets glad to see their City re-assume its ancient splendour and true it is the industry they used to preserve his Majesties right and the people in their obedience did not a little conduce to the establishment of the Royal Authority in its lustre That new Magistrates of Justice ought to be established in Countries newly conquered AS Subjects ow love and obedience to their Kings so Kings ow them Justice and affection The debts are mutual and two incumbent duties which compose the most agreeable harmony in States upon the accomplishment of which dependeth the good fortune of both Prince and People which being so a Prince can no sooner conquer a country but be is obliged to do them Justice nor is it of small importance to him to execute it by new Judges and to change the old Magistrates Caesar and Nero knew it well enough by their indeavours to suppresse the Senate at least to diminish their power when they despaired of being able absolutely to depose them In a word the Soveraign power being composed of the Authority of a Prince and that of Magistrates to force a country out of the hands of another Prince and not to change the Magistrates were to be but half Master of it for their Prince having bestowed those imployments on them they cannot but preserve some affection for him nor wil they ever fail to serve him so that great inconveniences may thereby arise for as they in some sort serve as a Chain to tie the people in obedience to their Soveraign they will do their utmost indeavour to preserve them in their dependance upon him from whom they have received their imployments and with time they are able to cause a general insurrection A Seat of Justice though without a Sword with the Purple onely and those other marks of its dignity doth oftentimes cause that which they favour to be more respected and obeyed then the force of an whole Army so much are the people us'd to submit to its judgements and to follow its motions therefore there is nothing of a conquest secured untill the Conquerour hath setled such Magistrates as are affectionate and loyal to his service That once done let the people mutiny make unlawfull Assemblies and be factious it signifies little especially if there are any strong Garisons or Souldiers in pay to quel them The people do commonly return to their duties at the only sight of their Magistrates and they quickly calm themselves as tost vessels do at the appearance of Castor and Pollux but if they find any to second their insurrection they rage more and more and flie out into all kind of extremities Alpheston and Chavagnac executed at Mets by Decree of Parliament THe exemplary punishment which the Parliament of Mets executed this year upon Alpheston and Chavagnac was one of the greatest services which could be rendred to the State Alpheston a notorious Assassinate came to Mets about the end of September with Sausier and Bellanger who had both been of the Marshal de Marillac's guard These two Souldiers touch'd with repentance and horrour for the crime wherein they had been ingaged made their addresses to the Sieur de Mommas Governour of the City for the Duke de la Valette and discovered to him upon what design they were come
would give Monsieur any counsel â—ending to peace or sweetness knowing most assuredly that he oftentimes egg'd him on to such discourses as offended the King and the Cardinal even to threaten him as is well known to those who treated with him To say the truth if there was no great trust to be repos'd in Chanteloup considering the extremities into which he had run and the inalterable resolution wherein he had fixed the Queen-Mother not to forsake him surely there was not much more confidence to be put in Puy-Laurens upon the score of his inclination and for fear lest he might once again make use of Monsieurs person to raise another civil War in France or lest he might a fourth time carry him out of France upon the least cause of mistrust There was the less reason to trust him because his Soul was possess'd by Ambition a Passion which imboldneth men to undertake any thing and Monsieur honoured him with such extraordinary favour as impower'd him to carry him where he pleas'd so that thus to recall Monsieur with one from whose presence he would never be perswaded to depart were to raise a fire in the bosom of France which was at that time the more heedfully to be preserved in a strict union in regard Forraigners had raised great advantages from the divisions by them fomented in the royal family In short what likelihood was there to permit him to continue neer Monsieur unlesse he changed his procedure and humour so long as he had the boldness to treat with the King in that manner as he did rejecting the conditions upon which his Majesty desired Monsieur should return and proposing others as if he had treated between Soveraign and Soveraign presuming to drive on his own interests instead of casting himself at his Majesties feet whom he had so highly offended Surely this could not have been done without a great blemish to the Kings honour by discovering so much weaknesse in the sight of all Europe as to be compell'd to receive the Law from a Subject who deserv'd rather to be punish'd by the rigours of his justice The common people who had not insight enough to dive into these consequences seem'd to wonder that Monsieur and the Queen-Mothers accommodation could not be ended after so many journies to and fro but all wise men well satisfi'd with the reasons of it could not sufficiently admire the Kings Prudence in making use of that authority which the Laws give all Soveraigns over their Parents when the interest of their State is in question and in not precipitating their return which considering the ill inclination of those whom they honoured with their confidence could only serve to trouble the Kingdom and hinder the prosecution of the Lorrain expedition 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 concluded which coming to increase by some new discontents division presently re-assumeth 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 ending 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 between 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 Bourgogne 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 Ambition suggested They who are little acquainted in State-affairs are not very solicitous 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-ingaging in may indanger the whole State at least afford Forraigners great advantages It is much better that Grandees should continue out of the Kingdom in discord 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 often 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 Differences between the Arch-Bishop of Bourdeaux and the Duc de Espernon ABout the end of this year there happened great disputes between Messieur Henry de Sourdis Arch-Bishop of Bourdeaux and the Duc de Espernon Governour of Guyenne The Arch Bishop whose Genius is capable of all kind of imployments had charge during the siege of Rochel of some men of War in this Province by a particular Commission exempted from all other dependances and the Duke who was of an humour never to let feathers be pluck'd out of his wings did not a little resent it though for the present he dissembled it expecting an opportunity to shew it with the more advantage which did not so soon offer it self the Arch Bishop being imployed at Court and at Poiton in his Majesties service but as he had no lesse memory then courage he preserv'd the memory of it untill the latter end of this year at which time the
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 LONDON Printed by J. Macock for Joshua Kirton and are to be sold at the Kings Arms in St Pauls Church-yard 1657. EMINENTISSIMVS ARMANDVS IOANNES DV PLESSIS CARDINALIS RICHELEVS etc. G Faithorne excud TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE John Thurloe Esq SECRETARIE OF STATE SIR THe Illustrious Cardinall truely Eminent for his sublime qualities presenteth Himself unto You in ful assurance of a most ample Protection both to his Memory and Fame Generous and active Souls have a naturall and therefore inseparable inclination to the mutuall Honour and Defence of each other It were injustice that that Pilot who in his life time knew so well to sail with security amidst the many turbulent and frequent storms of Fortune should be toss'd and molested in his Urn the Harbour where common humanity allows a quiet Station to all Be pleased therefore Noble Sir to undertake the Patronage of this Great Person in whose History you will encounter nothing but what relisheth of an high Grandeur and an extraordinary Genius Indeed the cleer and happy Justice of those affairs whereon you are engag'd will not finde much here for your imitation yet questionless many things there are which upon another account may challenge your admiration and applause The Symmetrie of your Administrations doth oblige you to accept of this Dedication from him who devoteth himself to your commands in the quality of SIR Your Honours most humble Servant JOHN DODINGTON To the Reader I Desire thee to excuse the many Errata's which doubtless thou wilt here meet in regard the Printer in some places hath fail'd in point of Orthographie give him the allowance as in such cases are common and the scales will be turn'd for other faults I must also Apologize in regard of my own affaires which would not permit me to review my own Coppy or Correct the Press If thou dost then demand why I undertook it I shall deal ingeniously with thee and tell thee I was ingaged upon it by the importunate surprisall of a friend who extorted a promise of it from me ere I well knew what I had promised I beseech thee therefore to connive at what cannot now by either of us be amended Thus much more I thought good to let thee know that if this finde thee merciful I may perchance present thee with the sequell of the Cardinals Administration until his Death the manner of his Death his last Will his Birth and Youthfull Studies with diverse of his Letters and many quaint Observations upon his Life and Death which I hope may better deserve thy approval I. D. These Books are lately Printed and are sold at the Kings Armes in Pauls Church-yard A Collection out of the best approved Authors containing several Histories of Visions Apparitions Prophesies Spirits Divinations and other wonderful Illusions of the Divel wrought by Magick or otherwise Also of divers Astrological predictions shewing the vanity of them and folly of trusting to them By G. I. A Restitution of decayed intelligence in Antiquities concerning the most Noble and Renowned English Nation by the Study and Travel of Richard Vestegan The History and Character of the Bishops in the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King James Written by Sir John Harrington for the private use of Prince Henry The Magistrates Authority in matters of Religion asserted Or the Right of the State in the Church A Discourse written by the Learned Hugo Grotius Of Government and Obedience as they stand directed and determined by Scripture and Reason Four Books by John Hall of Richmond Two Plays of Mr James Shirley's The Constant Maid A Comedy and St Patrick for Ireland That excellent Tragedy of Bussy D' Ambois Written by George Chapman These now in the Press The Man in the Moon Or a Discourse of a Voyage into the Moon By Domingo Gonzales Also Nuncius Inanimatus or the Mysterious Messenger both written by D. F. G. a man of great parts and Eminency in his time The Indian History of Anaxandre and Orazia Written in French by Monsieur de Bois-Robert Translated into English by a Person of Honour some years since THE HISTORY OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE Cardinal de Richelieu Anno 1624. GOD who is able onely by the strength of his Arms to over-rule Kingdomes according to his own pleasure hath given some part of their Government to Soveraigns whom he hath established as Vicegerents of his Power The Love which he bears to men hath inclined him to admit them unto the pertaking of his Authority And if he hath ordained intelligences in the Heavens to over-see their motions he hath also decreed certain men upon the earth who should have the charge of reigning over Kingdomes But though he hath invested all Kings with an absolute Authority yet he hath not indued them all with one and the same Genius His Prudence which guides all things by Weight Number and Measure hath affected that as in Painting there are Raphaels and Titians whose pieces serve other Painters to learn the perfection of their Art so there should likewise be in Regality Caesars Constantines and Charlemains whose Actions might be recorded as examples for all others As it is said in Philosophy Perfectum in suo genere est mensura Caeterorum The worthiest subject in every kind serves for a measure to all within its compasse And who can refuse to rank in this number the present King under whose Scepter the Kingdome hath the happiness to be now governed To speak truth his Actions have fixed the Kingdome in the highest point of glory that many ages have seen his Prudence Valour and Justice do shine with so much splendour that without doubt they are sufficient to teach the Laws of Government to all other Princes He never affected any Title but that of Just because he made choice of Justice for the rule of all his Actions knowing that it was the most illustrious perfection in all Kings that it was it which rendered their Majesty most venerable That it was it which gave a good successe to all their enterprizes and lastly that this was it which was the strongest Prop of Peace But we should offend against that very Justice if we should deny hâ—m the Title of Great which his Scepter gives to him The Title of Invincible which his Valour hath merited the Title of August which his vertue hath acquired the Title of Conquerour which Fortune her self hath bestowed upon him His dignity maketh him the greatest of Kings his Power the strongest his Conduct the wisest his Treasuries the Richest and his Vertue the most just We have seen some Clouds arise which have seemed to obscure his light but they have onely
left his Glory and Reputation fresh and alive in the memories of all who knew him After his death his Majesty gave the Chancellorship to Monsieur de Halligre which was done by the Cardinals advice who would by no means divert his Majesty from raising of him unto this utmost pitch of Honour which was usually accorded unto such as were Treasurers at that time and upon such an occasion not that he was ignorant that his Age rendered his Mind somewhat too weak for the weight of such a charge for the well performance of which it was not enough barely to have acquired the Ornaments of a singular Honesty which was however very commendable But he could not resolve to dis-countenance him it being his first entrance upon the Administration and early dayes with him so that he rather aimed to supply the others defects by his own proper ingeny which was able enough to defend the State from suffering as to hinder him from his advancement withall he hoped that giving him often the honour of admitting him to be neer him he might form him by his Counsels and render him more capable and vigorous in the trans-acting of great Affairs He though too that his redoubled cares for some small time might be requited in future which invited him to take that trouble upon himself as also because he would not cast off a person whom he found Keeper of the Seal and in reputation of a Sublime virtue Politick Observation TO judge with certainty of the ability or insufficiency of a man for management of great affairs is a thing very difficult If it often happens that the most active souls do not well away with affairs of little concernment it is not lesse common to see some who make themselves be admired as in indifferent imployments who being raised to those of a little higher degree acquit themselves very badly To verifie which Vespasian being over-seer of the Scavangers before he came to the Empire committed so many mis-carriages that the Emperour commanded his cloaths to be daubed all over with filth and dirt but when Fortune had once raised him up to be Soveraign he soon made it evident that the evil conduct for which he was once blamed proceeded from nothing but to shew that he was not born for love and mean actions Men of great merit behave themselves so negligently in small low imployments that they give but a slender character of their abilities On the other side some have attained to a great reputation in the discharging of small affairs and in prosecution of time being advanced to those of greater weight have found their ruine and confusion in them Galba may serve for an example of it seeing before he was Emperour he shewed so much Prudence in the dispatching those affairs which were committed to him that every one conceived a very great esteem of him but being come to the Empire he soon lost it If any one demand a reason of it I suppose there is none but this that as there ought to be a proportion between Causes and Effects that they may operate within the Sphere of their power so men ought to be adopted to charges in imployments conformable to their capacities and sufficiencies for that mens minds have certain bounds prescribed to them within the limits of which they are able to acquit themselves with credit and applause but if you advance them above or depresse them below those Spheres they shew nothing but debilities and mis-carriages It was in this respect that Tacitus speaks of Poppeus Sabinus when he said that he was sufficiently capable of those imployments which were intrusted with him but not of any higher Titus Livy was not much out of the way too when speaking of the Dictatorship of Lucius Quintius Cicinnatus he said that he had a courage equal to his charge but not great enough to be General of the Army Now in this incertainty it should seem to relish somewhat of injustice peradventure too of imprudence in a Chiefe Minister to oppose the advancement of a man whom hee finds in imployment and in the reputation of an honest integrity It would relish as I said of Injustice because his integrity and conduct reduct represent him for deserving and of imprudence too because vertue having the property of pulling down a hatred upon those who oppresse it it will certainly gain him the dis-esteem and dis-affection of the people should he have hindred the t'others good fortune besides the noblest glory of a powerfull man consists in being able to hurt but at that same times to do most good to all men especially to those who are vertuous A man may easily be perswaded that a Minister is vertuous if he favours persons of merit and on the contrary that he hath none but wicked designs if he bring them into disgrace and of this he ought to take the greater consideration upon his first entrance into the Government because he hath then the fittest opportunity of gaining upon the Peoples affections Alexander knew of what concernment this particular was when as a certain Lord of his Retinue complained that he gave no estate to any but persons of great vertue he was answered by him that he courted vertue that she her self might pay him Homage over all the world Enquiries into the Misdemeanours of the Finances THE Sieur de Marillac being honoured with the Super-intendency of the Finances his unquiet spirit could not rest long time without giving some object to his violence the Finances he levelled at and soon set them into such confusion that they who behaved themselves in their charges with the greatest innocency knew not where to hide their heads It is true that it was so much the more important to the good of the State to represse those mis-demeanours of many who did openly squander away the Kings monies which are the Sinnews both of the State and War in that their ill management did necessitate the imposing of new Taxes upon the People in that they deprived particular men of such summs as the King had granted them not onely by way of gratification but sometimes of justice and in that these unjust dealings gave means to many amongst them to make vast expences a dangerous example to the publique Yet should hee have had for-born driving those enquiries to that height which he did and from infusing into the Kings Soul such a sharpnesse against them that they all past for criminals indifferently together in his Majesties opinion The order which was followed was this There was out of each Parliament one Councellour elected by them who was reputed of extraordinary integrity to be formed into a Court of Justice to them were joyned certain Masters of Requests and two Presidents of the Chamber of Accompts of Paris Leave was given to all Informers who would appear to give in their complaints against any Officer or his Deputy to the Procurator General and there was so exact an Inquisition made of all
their deportments that there was hardly one of them which did not run away to save themselves from the storm which was falling down upon them This Court continued from the end of October of this year untill May in the year following however it was with more threats then punishments there being onely one put to death and some few in Effigie Monsieur the Cardinal did for some time behold this Tempest not giving way to his Prudence to imploy that Benignity which is natural to him towards the moderating his Majesties just anger against them as well to testifie upon his first entrance into the Administration that it was not his intention to protect such Malefactors as also in regard it was necessary to terrifie and affright those who were culpable to the end they might for the future live with more Integrity and Justice But in the end seeing that the Principal Actors began to be touched to the quick with an apprehension either of loosing their Honours or their lives and to compare themselves in good earnest as much as could possibly be desired and withall to propose to his Majesty in behalf of their persons to establish such orders in the Treasuries that it should be impossible to divert any of the monies or to defraud any persons of such sums as his Majesty should order to be payed unto them he then became the Mediator of their Peace It is true it was not without making their Purses pay for what was past and setting up a better order for the future for he brought them to condiscend to give hit Majesty seven Millions of Livers and for the better keeping them in aw it was ordained that every ten years a Court of Justice should be set up to inquire into their Actions and he procured such order to be established in the Finances that it was impossible for them to relapse into their former errours The King was so exasperated against them that it was no little difficulty to perswade him to grant them that favour and grace which they begged for But hee knowing that the ways of reason are those by which his Majesty is to be regained he so followed them that he soon re-placed him in his usual moderateness of temper and representing to him that it was Clemency was that virtue which made Princes like unto the Divinity that it could not but be glorious to pardon those Officers how culpable soever that their offence was not more criminal then that of Rebellion in which the major part of the French had in several Wars heretofore been imbroyled that he would have so much the lesse reason ever to repent of the favour he should do them for that the late King his Father was highly praised for what he once said to Monsieur du Mayne after he had reduced him to his obedience viz. That the greatest pleasure he had in making a Peace was the pardoning of Rebels That the Laws of the Romans seemed to invite him to pardon seeing they had no other punishment then Banishment for Robbing of Publique Treasury That the end of a great Prince is rather to make his Officers good then to chastize them That it was enough thus to punish their Purses so that they might both remember it and suffer for it that Vespasian had given him a very commendable example when as he thought it more proper to preserve then destroy Treasuries in saying he esteemed them one of the strongest props of an Empire and that he looked upon them as a Meadow which is mowed at some time or other or as upon Spunges which are squeezed when a man would get any thing out of them These reasons were so unanswerable and made such an impression upon the Kings mind that following the instincts of his natural Bounty he resolved to pardon them Accordingly he Repealed the Chamber of Justice and accorded to them the favour which they desired and they established such Orders and Rules which have tied up those who were most wedded to their own interests to live very stayedly Politick Observation IT is no new thing to see the Publick Exchequer ill governed The Treasury was common amongst the Greeks as Polybius and Chirisophus in Zenophon witnesse the latter of which reproacheth them with it that there was hardly a man amongst them of any mark who might not be reproved for it Aristides general Treasurer of Athons manifested publickly that all those who had managed the Treasury of that Republick not onely in his time but before had robbed them of a good quantity not so much as excepting Themistocles Gylippus did divert a great part of those Riches which Lysander had hid by a Slaves means of his under the Tyles of his house When he sayd if one should look in such a place he might find good store of Owls meaning Gold and Silver upon which the Grecians stamped an Owl by reason of the Athenians which was accordingly sifted out and delivered into the hands of the Ephores who punished him very severely for it For the same fault amongst the Romans was Sylla accused by Consorinus who grounded his indictment upon this That he having but little wealth left by his Father insomuch that he was forced to lodge in a hired house and was now become excessively rich It would be easie to produce many of the like examples not but there have been in all ages honest upright men in whose hands the Publick Treasuries have been regulated with much fidelitie and who have not deserved lesse praise then Pericles of whom Thucydides reports that he had not increased by one onely dragm of Silver the Estate which his father left him notwithstanding the great imployments he had in the Treasuries But I can tell you there have been some Persons in the Ages last past who have made so little difficulty of diverting the Treasury that they have gloried in being made rich by it If this Crime then be so ancient the use of punishing them being once convict is as old the Grecian and Roman Laws assure us of it in the examples of Gylippus Lisander and many others but must he not needs be very imprudent who would not punish them at all seeing the defrauding of a Treaty is a Poyson which depriveth the State of the use of her Sinews and Muscles And lastly which decays its vigour that it is rendred uncapable of attempting any thing either great or glorious Vespasian as Suetonius saith inforced the Receivers of his Treasury to render an accompt of what they received from their fathers and to restore him the surplusage as if they had robbed him of it The Laws of France are more severe and they have been often executed against the greatest of the Kingdome amongst others Father de la Berche Engneraud de Marigny le Sieur de Giac Camus de Beaulieu were convicted of this Crime under King Philip Lewis his son and Charls the 8th and accordingly condemned to die for it Philip de Valois made an
length of time and delays if he had not been pressed by those Protestations which were several times represented to him That the King his Master after he had imployed all the means of a Treaty to no purpose would have recourse to those to his Arms without any more ado to obtain that by force which was denied to the justice of his Reasons His Holiness being thus hard put to it would willingly have delivered up the Forts into the hands of the Valtolines but one thing which hindred him was he would be re-imbursed of those Charges which he had expended for their preservation during the deposit The Spaniards offering to give him satisfaction in it did invite him to deliver them up to them But the Sieur de Bethune making him the same proffers from the King did so puzzle him that afterwards he could not deliver up the Forts to one without offending the t'other and without making a breach between them Now to dis-ingage himself from these broyls he made divers Proposals but all tending to delays the Sieur de Bethune acquainting the King therewith received express Order not to consent to any expedient of that nature and rather to press his Holiness to leave the Fort in the Spaniards hands then to use any longer delays because his Majesty was fully resolved not to let the year pass away without somewhat of Action and in case he could get no other determinate resolution that he should write to the Marquess Coeuures presently to enter with an Army upon the Valtoline Politick Observation IT is usual with Princes who are Mediators of Peace between other Soveraigns to amuse those Embassadours which are with them upon that accompt with divers new Proposals which themselves judge not to be feasible When they find things hard to be concluded on they hope that time may in fine produce some agreeable overture both to one and t'other which may induce them to lay down their Arms or else they indeavour by this means to give time to him whom they would incline to favour to draw his forces together and put himself into a posture of defence In such Encounters an Embassadour ought to be both Prudent and Stout Prudent he ought to be that he may dive into the qualities and consequences of such Propositions as shall be made unto him either to reject them if inconvenient or to make appear that it is on good grounds he doth not accept of them Couragious too he ought to be to maintain his Masters Interests with strong Reasons and Generosity without fear of being importunate and without making a scruple of speaking out when need requires If he discovers any weaknesse ir-resolution and dulness of Soul if he be slow in finding out expedients or do not well discuss such propositions as are made to him he cannot escape the censure of the World on the contrary he will gain the more honour if by his vivacity address and vigour he shall effect with ease those affairs which otherwise would be intricate and Thorny and free his Country from Wars and allay the exasperations of his enemies and in fine reduce the most obstinate to be governed by the Rules of Reason It wâ—ll be an act of Prudence in him not to bewray the least apprehensions of fear to see his Master ingaged in a War which if he should his enemies would soon make advantage of it on the contrary he ought rather to imitate the resolution of Quintus Fabius who being sent from the Romans to the Carthaginians presently told them that he should be most glad if there might be any expedient found out for an accommodation which would be for the good of both parties if it might not be he there presented them too Gages one of Peace and t'other of War that they might chuse which they pleased He will be much blamed who suffers himself to be amused with frivolous Proposals made onely to gain time as it befell the Embassadours of Dyonisius the Tyrant who being sent to the Syracusian to treat a Peace were entertained by Dion General of their Army with several specious Propositions but without any conclusion until he had re-edified a good part of the Wall by which the Town should have been taken and then had no other answer but this That the Syracusians could make no Peace with Dyonisius unless hee renounced the Soveraignty and content himself with some meaner Honours An Embassadour ought sometimes to excite and press that Prince with whom he treats when he cannot draw any reason from him and if his Instances shall be looked upon as importunities by him yet his master will esteem them for marks of his Courage and Fidelity however such remembrances ought to be with respective honour due to Persons of Quality For being a little toucht they rouze up themselves but if provoked by offences they run into extremities An Embassadour of Genoa did heretofore suggest as much to Galeas Duke of Milan by a witty invention when he was so obstinate that he could not procure so much as Audience from him he presented him among other things a Vessel on which he had laid a Basil-plant the Duke was surprized at it and knowing not what it signified sent to know the Embassadours meaning the Embassadour willingly waited on him and told him that the Genoveses were as all other Princes like that Plant which if a little rubbed in the hand sends forth a very sweet smell but if pressed untill the juyce come out it breeds Scorpions thus he obtained much of what he desired by this means To be short Kings are of that humour that if an Embassadour should be so inconsiderate as to domineer and use outragious speeches it would onely breed Scorpions that is Bloody Wars by provoking of their anger but if he be Prudent and Generous to press with dexterity and moderation they will become sensible and be reduced in fine to whatsoever shall reasonably be desired from them The Marquess de Coevures is sent to the Cantons of the Swisses for the Grisons affairs THE orders in this negotiation were executed with a great deal of Prudence and Courage however all would not do to obtain any reason from the Spaniards who never want opportunities of making advantages out of the rediousness of a Treaty The Cardinal who knew of old all their tricks advised the King not to stand dallying upon the means of a Treaty as formerly but forthwith to make use of his Arms to reduce them to terms of Justice This way of proceeding was much different from those which had heretofore been used the intent of it being to raise up the Renown and Reputation of the French amongst strangers to make no difficulty of taking up their Arms to obstruct the enterprizes of the house of Austria rather then to suffer their allies to be longer oppressed the Ruine of whom would undoubtedly shake the Foundations of this Empire it self This Generous resentment was concurrent with his Majesties inclination so that
far from doing any such thing whereof his Holiness complained that he was so backward from making war either upon the Church or his Holiness in particuler whom he honoured with extraordinary respects that on the contrary he would employ his Arms and his utmost power to encrease their Glory and Authority That his Holiness had no just cause to complain of a surprise in regard he had been often times told that in case the Spaniard would not yeeld to reason the King his Master could not suffer the Grison to be any longer deprived of their Forts which lawfully belonged to them that they could not be looked upon as any longer in his Holiness power seeing the deposit was ended by those several instances and reasons which were remonstrated to him as by urging him that they might be re-delivered to the Valtolins of the Justice of which his Holiness himself was satisfied and that afterwards the deposit could not be any longer continued or prolonged in his Holiness hands by reason of that great difficulty which the Spaniards made to assent to it and seeing it was pretended and that upon good reasons to re-take them from the Spaniards themselves who had found a trick to keep them by his Holiness name though hee was engaged to dispossesse them of them which being so he ought to be so much the lesse scruple at the King his Masters proceedings in regard he being only as an Umpire who created between them in the quality of a Common Father he could not with Justice keep them after the deposit was expired or give opportunity to the Spaniard to make advantages to the detriment and dishonour of France These reasons were so considerable that the Pope could not but have rest contented had he not been pre-possessed by the Spaniards but however he made great complaints from time to time of the Kings proceedings And the Sieur de Bethune returning not long after for a new Audience did not find his Holiness so moderate op civil to him as he had formerly used to be but on the contrary his Holiness told him that the Cardinal Borgia had been with him and touching upon the point of that little respect which had been shewed to his Army hoped he might have induced to proceed against his Majesty by was of censures if he should not with-draw his Army and told him in a Spanish Rodomontado that seeing he had permitted the French to take them upon one accompt the Spaniards should make them pay for it again and should do that which their Interests led them too without being with-held by any consideration and in fine protested to him what ever instances were made to him that he would still continue Neuter But however as he was alwaies guided by the opinions of the Roman Doctors who cannot indure there should be any State affair and not subject to his Will he could not away with the taking of the Forts out of his hands by force The Sieur de Bethune indeavoured by his Prudence to allay by little and little his heat in evincing to him the Justice of his Majesties reasons sometimes by offering to him his Masters Arms and Authority to invest him in the Dutcheâ— of Vrbin and other times by assuring himself of the Affections of the Cardinals Barbarini and Magalotti who had some influence over his Inclinations by the Protestations which he made to them that the King his Master had an earnest desire to oblige them upon occasions and by divers Presents which he gave them in behalf of his Master which however were refused by them that they might not appear to be partial as also by offering Madamoiselle de Rieux who was one of the richest Matches of France to his Nephew Don Thadee who did not a little like of it though he accepted not of it he then having a design upon the heir of Stilane Politique Observation IT hath been a common Custome amongst Princes in War who should not agree upon certain places to put them in deposit in a third persons hands and he who is the Depositary ought to know that he hath no further Authority then to keep them so long and upon conditions as are agreed upon between the Parties Antiquity looked upon Deposits as sacred and hath condemned those who would usurp them of Sacriledge and one of the Depositary Laws is declared to be that who so refuseth to render them renders himself culpable of a great Injustice because he would usurp against natural Reason that which doth not at all belong to him Amongst the Grecians by the Laws of the Pisseans he who denied the Deposit was condemned to death and Herodotus saith that one Glaucus of Sparta having refused to restore a certain great sum of money which he had received of a Milesian consulted the Oracle of Apollo to know what he should do in the businesse who was thus answered That neither he nor his family could any long time live upon the face of the earth and that in effect they were already rooted out Whence he concludeth that it were best for him who hath a Deposit to design nothing but the making of restitution to him who ought to have it And how well hath Aristotle deciphered the enormity of this Crime when he saith that that man who becomes guilty of it is much more unjust then he who refuseth to repay what was lent to him because he not onely violateth the Laws of Equity as he doth who denieth what was lent to him but also those of friendship and fidelity in consideration of which the Deposit was entrusted with him I shall onely adde this that the Depositiorium ought as well to be kept against those who have intrusted it he having no right to become their Arbitrator unlesse they agree among themselves as to be really and without delay restored to them when they shall have agreed upon condition between them It is however dangerous to chuse a Person for a Depository who pretends a Superiority or such a one to whom one ows an extraordinary respect because as it is natural to a person of eminent dignity to desire that his advice might passe for a Law amongst others so it is hazardous least he pretend at last to become an Arbitrator Whence it happens that if one of that Quality be chosen Depositary it ought to be included in the Instrument that he shall not become Arbitrator upon any difficulties that may arise Above all this one thing ought to be observed when as the Pope is Depositary as was practised when the Hostages in the Peace of Quieracco were intrusted with him for that he in some sort pretending a Power over Kings he puts himself on as a common Father to judge of their differences and withall may become Partial Which being so such Princes who have chosen him for Depositary find themselves impeded by reason of the difficulties of getting reason from him by force without raising great broyls There are but a few Princes of
come to the very end he had proposed to himself or at least so neer as possibly he may withal remembring that he may perchance have formerly heard it said every one who fights doeth not conquer and the Conquerors do not alwayes were the Garland The King of Spain to breake the League between his Majesty the Duke of Savoy and Common-wealth of Venice negotiates another between himself and the Princes of Italy THe King of Spain was not a little surprised to see himself destitute of that Passage which is the surety of his States in Italy and concluded that in case that in-let should be stopped up it would be a great inconveniency to him so that without making himself sure of the Popes Protection he gave Orders to his Agents to treat a League between himself and the Princes of Italy to oppose that which had been concluded between the King Duke of Savoy and State of Venice and at the same time he summoned all his Estates and the principal Signeors depending upon his Crown to contribute their utmost towards the charges of the War Thus they gave an Allarum to Italy and made them all beleeve that the King Duke of Savoy and Venetians would divide it between them so every one of those little Princes being touched in his own Interests was very glad to enter into the League for his own defence The Partisans of Spain say that this Alliance between their King the Duke of Parma and Modena the Common-wealths of Genoa and Lucqua had concluded to raise an Army by Land of 24000 Foot and 6000 Horse which should be commanded in the Emperours name by the Duke de Teria Governour of Milan and a Navy by Sea of 90 Galleys who should come to Genova and be there commanded by the Marquess de Saincte Croix who was to be Admiral they reported too that all the Kingdomes of Spain and the Grandees of the whole Nation were taxed with great sums for the keeping of an Army of above 100000 men But all these black stormy Clouds vanished without any noise at the splendour of his Majesties Arms and he had more victories then Rodomontadoes as shal be made appear in the Prosecution of this year Politique Observation THE Affairs of Christendome were brought to that passe that the two Crowns of France and Spain did partake with the Interests of all other Princes The one is bound to assist those who are assaulted by t'other and never did either of them attempt any thing which ought not by reason of State bee opposed by the t'other If any one ask a reason hereof it may be ascribed to that emulation which for above a hundred years hath been nourished between them so that neither can indure to see t'other increase his strength or power but to speak more rightly the reason is not one and the same between France and Spain for that either of them have their particular motives The Spaniards like the Lacedemonians have fixed the highest part of their Monarchy not in that which is so much just as profitable for the inlarging of it and consequentially they do easily violate all Rights and Justice not reflecting that the Common-wealth of the Lacedemonians stood but a little while it being setled upon so ruinous a Foundation which was the destruction of their Power Now with France it is quite otherwise whose State being grounded upon Justice doth not hurry them on to snatch up their Arms but onely when their own defence or that of their Allies calls them to it France hath no design but to preserve it self Spain to increase it self France knoweth that safety consists in an equal ballancing of the Powers and strengths of one another and therefore it is that France thinks her self concern'd to obstruct Spains growing too Potent that he might not pretend to have any advantage over her or her Allies Spain on the other side which hath long since formed and contrived a design of making it self master of all Europe conceiveth that there is wrong done him if at any time France doth uphold her Allies in their just Possessions of their Estates or take up Arms for their defence Now to cement them in this dispute either of the two Crowns have their Allies which are tied to them by several Bonds that is by different considerations France hath such for her Allies who suspect the Power of Spain and fear they shall be set upon by it Spain hath others who take part with the Interests of the House of Austria as issued from thence by some relation or other and who are so far from France that being not easily releeved they are forced to keep all fair with them and serve them in their designs under the hopes that by this means they may at least procure that favour which the Cyclop promised Vlysses In this last from I range the Italians who having experimentally found how little favourable the Protection of France hath been hath been to them by reason of their distance from one another and the difficulties of passing Forces into their Country do tie themselves so much the stricter to the Spaniard it being easie for him to seize upon their States Milan and Naples lying so neer upon them Experience hath made it evident that they were never faithfull to the French They have sometimes ingaged our Kings in enterprizes by allying themselves with them but after they had occasioned great expences and all to no purpose they fell off from their words as Lewis the Moor Duke of Milan and then he of Milan who presently turned tayl to the Interests of Henry the 2d though he had secured him from the violences of the Emperour The onely means to unite them really with France and to draw them off from the Interests of Spain whom they have no great inclination to were to have a free open Passage for the Souldiers which might be quickly dispatched from Languedoc and Province which happiness France now hath by the Prudence of the Cardinal in the possession of Pignerol The Spaniard spreads abroad defaming Libels against the League of France Venice and Savoy AS Defamatory Libels are the most subtle Artifices which are used to surprize the minds of People and the Fire-brand which have been alwaies thought most proper to inflame their Courages to War So the Spaniards were not backward to countenance their designs by dispersing several of them abroad against the League between France Savoy and Venice and with all that Justice might appear to be with them to make use of Religion and Piety as a Cloak to their knavery They cannot but well remember that the same pretext served their King to invade the Indiaes That it was very advantagious to Philip the 2d to make himself Master of France and that very lately it gave them an In-let to the Palatinate and that they now hope by the same means to recover the Valtoline It gave their Libellers opportunity to say that the King of Great Britain and the Swiss
already made in respect of Religion the Princess and her servants and the Liberties of the English Catholiques and seeing that this new Oath was comprised too in some sort in the first Oath That there was sufficient provision made both in relation to Religion and Liberty of Conscience for her Domestiques and Children seeing they were to remain mayn with the Princess as well as the children which being so it would of nenessity follow that there could be no trouble brought on them in respect of their Religion He told him likewise that the King his Master being bound to his Holiness for the observation of those things which should be agreed to by the King of Great Brittain was an assurance not lesse valid then that of an heretique King That his Majesty had commanded him to supplicate his Holiness with all earnestness and not rest barely there but to tell him that his Holiness was the more obliged to grant him his request seeing he begged the confirmation of it rather out of respect then necessity seeing that several famous Doctors were of opinion that Catholiques in Heretiques Countries might freely contract Mariages without any dispense These were the chief reasons which the Sieur de Bethune represented to his Holiness and likewise to the Cardinals who were deputed in the businesse of the dispense They soon apprehended the Justice and importance of them and testified a great readinesse to do that which was desired of them The Pope sent word to the Cardinals that they should give a quick dispatch to the business that he desired to give the King all the satisfaction he could wish for both that he might acknowledg those great benefits which his Majesty had procured to the Church as also because he knew there could not any other thing be desired from those of England Accordingly they met together and concluded on it as the King desired and dispatched it with a great deal of diligence to the Nontio that it might be delivered to the King who as quickly gave intelligence of it to the King of Great Britain Politick Observation JT is not ever expedient in a design to propose the utmost advantage it being sometimes necessary to leave a little to be hoped for from time No Affair can oblige to the making of Resolutions contrary to honour and justice but several things may intervene to obstruct the effecting of all that might conduce to the good of a great Enterprize He who doth not take this truth for a rule in his Conduct will be subject to commit great faults and will in it Proclaim aloud to the World That he is ignorant of the many difference between Gods and Mans Will he doing whatsoever best pleases him but the latter is obliged to necessities and bound to proportionate his resolution according to the Possibility of things Thus though it be allowed such men on whom the dispatch of Affairs dispends to raise up some scruples and difficulties whereby to enhance the price and esteem of the thing doing it being usual with most men little to regard those Offices which are granted with ease yet when it is once evident that the present time and conjuncture of Affairs will not consist with the longer denial of what is desired from them they then ought to comply and apply themselves to the effecting of it For what refuse they shall afterwards make will appear rather to proceed from a spirit of contradiction then that of Prudence The death of James King of Great Brittain and the Mariage between the Prince of Wals his Son and the Madam Henrietta Maria of France DUring the negotiation for the dispense King James of Great Brittain fell very sick at Theobalds twelve miles distant from London After he had passed over three weekes with a Tertian Ague which weakned him exceedingly much he caused the Prince of Wals his Son to come unto him and discoursed to him with a great deale of reason and recommended to him those Officers who had faithfully served him But especially his little grand children the Infants of the Electrix Palatine his daughter encouraging him to make use of that power which he should leave him for the re-establishing of them in their Fathers Dominions and then finding himself declining into his Agony he gave him his blessing wishing him a happy prosperous and successful enjoyment of those Kingdoms which he should shortly leave to him About the end of March he died at which instant the Heralds according to the custom of England proclaymd the Prince of Wals King of Great Britain who presently took the ordering of all affairs upon him He having a great desire to be married the first thing he did was to dispatch full power to the Duke de Chevreuse to betroth and espouse the Princess in his name The King too desired to see an end of the businesse so that upon the first arrival of that power the execution of it was no longer deferred The Betrothments were made in the Lovre on the eight of May in the presence of the King the Queens all the Princes and great Lords of the Court by the Cardinal de la Rochfaucaud who likewise celebrated the Marriage Ceremonies on the Sunday following being the eleventh of May in the Church of Nostre Dame in the quality of Great Almoner I shall not need to relate with what magnificence these things were done only I shall say nothing was omitted The Espousals were made upon a Theater raised for the purpose over the great door of the Church Then the Masse was said with great Ceremony where the King and three Queens were assistants Though the Duke of Chevreuse and the Extraordinary Ambassadors of England were not there who after they had wayted on his Majesty to the door of the Quier retyred to the Arch-Bishops Pallace during the Masse as representing the King of Englands Person who was of a different Religion but they went again to receive his Majesty at the same door as soon as Masse was ended and to wayt on him to the Arch-Bishops hall where the King dined with the Queens his Mother his Wife and his Sister the Duke of Chevreuse the Earles of Carlisle and Holland the Ladies Dutchesses of Guise Elboeuf and of Chevreuse with the most magnificencies that the best versed in Royal Ceremonies could invent There were Bonfiers made all the while throughout Paris and the Cannons made such a noyse as if Heaven and Earth would have come together The Duke of Buckingham is commanded by the King of Great Brittain to go over into France and to conduct the Queen his Wife over to him THese things thus past the Duke of Buckingham the King of Great Britains favorite was commanded to go into France to desire the King that the Queen his Wife might set out from the Court assoon as might be to come to him He arrived at Paris about the end of May and during that little stay which he made he was entertained with all imaginable Magnificency
Majesty were to be joynt Judges Nothing more could be desired But however the Legat whether it were because he was somwhat cautious or reserved or because he had not as yet any great experience in businesses of importance or whether it were by reason of his Instructions from the Pope which peradventure might be limited was very fearfull to engage himself to any thing in which he suspected he might be disclaimed and more especially seeing Count Gondamor the Spanish Ambassador then at Court declared openly that he was prohibited by his Master to meddle or make in the Treaty for that his Catholique Majesty would never treat at all untill those places were restored into his Holyness's hands The King had no great reason to be satisfied with this manner of the Legat's proceeding seeing he every day created new difficulties It was well known that the Orders which he received from the Pope was one cause of it His Holyness apprehending that in case he should consent to the delivery of the Valtoline to the Grisons the Spaniards would disable the Counsel in regard several of the Roman Clergy were of opinion that he could not with a safe conscience allow of it as also the continual suggestions of the Spaniards did mightily molest and trouble him The unexpected departure of the Cardinal Barbarini from the French Court. NOtwithstanding all this the King did him all honour caused him to dine with him sent to visit him in his lodging at Fountainbleau and made his Officers treat him with extraordinary splendour But at last they were to settle upon some resolution The King pressed him but he instead of facilitating the business stood firm to his first demands to which he was answered that his Majesty had conceded as much as could be reasonably expected so that he might not hope for any further condescending to them Whereupon the Legate on a sudden resolves to return to Rome and having publick Audience on the two and twentieth of September hee took leave of the King giving him great assurances of his Passion for the service of his Crown His Majesty likewise testified to him that he had a great kindness towards his Person a great respect for his Holiness and an extraordinary devotion for the Holy Chair And lastly told him that the Affairs which he had been treated withall were so important to the publick good that he would gladly before he had made his Final answer have assembled together the chief Officers of his Kingdom and of his Supream Courts to take their advices and that he would gladly have seen him once more to have acquainted him with their resolution It was hoped he would have expected the result of them but he departed before it was suspected and his Officers who were left behind him could give no other reason for it but that he did it to avoid the usual Complements at parting Politique Observations GOD hath established two sorts of Powers for the Government of the Universe and he hath had so great a care over mans vanity as the learned Hinomar writing to Carloman and the Bishops of France saith that to the intent hee might preserve them in obedience hee would totally separate and distinguish the Functions of their respective Authorities The Persons who have their powers are subject reciprocally each to the other Kings to Ecclesiastiques and Ecclesiastiques to Kings yet not that their Powers have a reciprocal dependance upon one another It is true the Spiritual is superior to the Temporal according to the order of dignity but not according to the rule of Subjection and Authority insomuch that who is indued with it may not despoil Soveraigns of their Temporal Power nor moderate it It is very necessary to distinguish between the Subjection of Persons and that of Powers for though Jesus Christ hath resolved that all persons of the World should be subjected to his Ministers and all his Ministers to Kings yet hee hath not ordained that these two Powers should be subject in the same manner but he hath given to them both an equal Authority to discharge their Functions without bestowing on either power to destroy the other Which being so the head of the Church may not assume to himself any other Quality with Temporal Princes but of a Mediator to end their differences He hath Power indeed over their Consciences but not over their Estates or that Authority which they have received from God for the government of them It is to no purpose for him to snatch away the Scepter out of their hands and whatever Proposal he shall make to them can be received but as Councels It is Glorious for him as we have said to accommodate differences but he may not pretend to do it by his Authority Out of zeal he is bound to fore-cast the difficulties which he may meet with in the perswading both Parties to agree to his Proposals seeing those which are commonly made to two Princes at Enmity are like a Medicine which ought to be administred to a person whose Liver is very hot but his Stomack extreamly cold and weak for the ordering of which the Physitian findeth himself much puzzeled by reason of those remedies which refresh the one are commonly stark nought for the other And thus it is seldome or never seen that those Propositions which are made by Arbitrators do please both parties The highest point of Prudence in this case is to imitate the discreet Physitian who cannot bring to passe his intent of curing his Patient but by prescribing to him such things as may comfort one and not annoy another part for thus it is unlesse those Propositions which a Mediator shall lay down bee weighed with Justice Equality and Moderation they will rather provoke then allay the angers of those Princes who are concerned in them An Assembly of the Nobles by the Kings Order upon the businesse of the Cardinal Barbarin's Legation ALthough it were not very needfull to take any further advice for a resolution to those Propositions made by the Legate so evidently dis-advantagious were they to France and her Allies yet it was not thought amiss to call a Chief Assembly where the chief Lords of the Court and the principal Officers of the Kingdome might understand the true state of the case and to prevent that the keeping of it secret might not give the Spaniard the liberty of reporting over Europe that Cardinal Barbarine had made very reasonable Proposals of Peace but that the King had absolutely refused them by which he did declare his resolution of continuing the War Which was not onely clear contrary to the Truth but against the honour was due to the Kings Justice which had ever induced him to settle Peace among his neighbours when he might do it without offence to his Reputation or the Interests of his Allies as also in regard of the great respect which he had shewed to the holy Sea upon this very occasion as also in all others which presented themselves so
exactly observed that it was impossible any more to abuse the Kings Monies as formerly they had done so that the Treasury was not only acquitted of those advances which had been made but was afterwards filled with such great sums that France had never seen the like Politique Observation THe King who designs great matters and wants store of monies to execute them doth onely attempt vain enterprizes The most part of Politicians have alwaies been of opinion that the Riches of a Prince are the Nerves of War because as it is impossible for a man to go or stand without Sinews so it cannot be expected that an Army should subsist or that Souldiers should do their duties if there be not good store of monies to pay them and to provide all necessaries for them There is not onely Machiavel who denieth this Position against the Authority of Dion Quintus Curtius Vegetius Cicero and Plutarch who is of opinion that money is not a Nerve in War But besides that the Judgement of these great Sages of Antiquity is at least as considerable as his opinion So I find not that those reasons of his are solid enough to overthrow so commonly received a maxime I must confess with him that War may sometimes have a good successe though the Souldiers be but ill payed because the Authority of a grand Commander and their own Courages may very much animate them but as that doth but seldome happen so there cannot be any certain conclusion deduced from it There is hereof a notable example in the Battel of Pavy where the Imperialists despairing to perswade their Army to fight by reason they were so ill paid the Marquesse of Pescaire took the resolution on himself to exhort them and infused such mettle into them that they went on with great Courage and got a great honour over the French But that Prince who would deduce an absolute Rule from this example or any of the like nature and shall follow them in his Conduct shall onely prepare himself for his own Confusion and Ruine Experience having made it evident on a thousand occasions that it is unreasonable to hope for a happy success in matters of War though never so inconsiderable without great practice I know that it is not money onely which conduceth to the carrying on of great exploits but that good Souldiers are also necessary an experienced old Commander courteous generous able in Counsels quick in executions beloved by the Souldiers and indued with several other qualifications necessary for command But besides all this though a General and Souldiers should be thus accomplished yet unlesse there be good sums of monies nothing can be really attempted For how can a Prince without this satisfie several Souldiers and Commanders How can he without this make his preparations of Victuals Provisions Ammunitions Artilleries and other things which cannot be had without great expences And in case his Forces shal be cut off or destroyed how can he make Recruits or new Levies Charles the eighth having great occasions for Souldiers to raise the Siege of Navar sent the Bayliff of Dion to raise it but having no money he could procure no Souldiers In the mean while the King accorded with the Florentines for the restitution of Pisa and several other Towns in Hostage by which means he received great store of monies of which he sent a small part into Swizzerland and the Bayliff who onely demanded ten thousand men brought twenty thousand with him The Assembly of the Clergy for the Condemnation of certain Libels sent abroad by the Spanish Ambition ALL the rest of the year at least after May the Bishops and Clergy of France were assembled at Paris The chief intent of this meeting was for the renuing of that contract which they made every tenth year with the King for the payment of those Rents which are imposed upon them But this was not the onely worthy imployment which entertained them the affection which they alwaies had for the King would not let them give way to the permitting those infamous Books abortives of the Spanish Ambition which had been sent into France There need no more then onely to read them and it would soon be apparent that they were full of seditious Doctrine That they were published onely with design to diminish the Kings Authority to detract from his Majesties glory to raise Wars amongst strangers to stir up the people to sedition and to kindle a flame of War in France The Contents of them were replenished with a thousand specious pretences of Religion These generous Prelates soon discovered their designs and made it apparent that they were like Apothecaries or Mountebanks Boxes which are marked on the outside with the title of some healing Medicine but have within nothing but what is very dangerous and hurtfull They condemed the Authors of them as enemies to the publick quiet and seducers of the people to sedition putting them in mind that God had commanded them to honour Kings as Lieutenants of his power and required them to be in a straight obedience by shewing honour and respect to his designs and Justice whom God had placed over them for the good and happiness of France and not contented with having thus verbally expressed their affections to his Majesty they testified their zeal and fidelity to him by granting him six hundred thousand Crowns upon the Churches of France as a contribution toward the Wars in which the State was ingaged as also to preserve Religion in its splendour and to maintain the glory of the Crown It cannot be denyed but that many poor low spirits grumbled at it who considering but one of those ends for which Lands were given to Churches began to oppose it as if the Church which is part of the State were not bound to contribute to the good of those Corporations of which they were members and as if the publique necessities were not more considerable than the private profits of some particular people who often employ their Revenues to bad uses Politique Observation KIngs may lawfully compel Eccleasiastiques upon an important occasion to contribute to them some part of their Revenues for the maintenance of the State seeing the goods of the Church are upon such necessities in the same condition with those of others They are not exempted from ordinary contributions either by the Son of God or his Apostles for when as they lived on the earth the Church had not any immovable Goods and it is from the favours of Emperours and Kings that she hath since obtained that priviledge it was never granted to her but only that they might be employed on the publique extraordinary necessities of the State They are only tyed by Religion not to exact it though they may by absolute authority force it for if they might not make use of the Churches Goods in a case of urgency their Soveraign power would be of little worth And Soveraigns not compelling them in this harsh manner doe so much
Majesty of all possible means to communicate it to his Highness and that his Majesty having had advise upon it was counselled to lay hold on peace in regard of the disposition of Affairs both within and without his Kingdome considering the small progresse the Arms of the League had made after two years time in Italy and lastly for that those very things were obtain'd in the Peace for which the League had been contrived all which things were much more considerable then any Formalities and Punctilio's of honour Upon the second point the Sieur de Bullion had expresse charge to tell his Highness that his Majesty had so much the more willingly consented to the Treaty of Peace that he might be capable of ending his differences with the Common-wealth of Genoa by arbitration in respect his Arms had so little contributed to advance his interests as yet and that if his Highness would be pleased to make known his pretentions The King would embrace them very affectionately and as his own and would also concur with him for the procuring him all possible satisfaction and content either by disputing the business by reason and if need were by Arms. Upon the third point which had no relation to any thing of the League and yet was no inconsiderable thing neither for that it was designed only to allay and take off from the Dukes anger and passion that his Majesty well knowing the courage and magnanimity of this Prince and that it was his high mind which made him esteem glory above all things as also that eminent Titles of honour have a great influence on the Souls of those who are touched with greatness and that it doth bring them to that point which is pretended commanded the Sieur de Bullion to humour this inclinations and to let him know that his Majesty had by the Sieur de Bethune proposed to the Pope to cause him be Crowned King of Cyprus as wel in regard of the pretensions which the house of Savoy hath upon that Kingdom as also in regard of his particular valour which was risen to so high an admiration and credit in the whole World that this Title could not with Justice be denied him and that there was not any King in Christendom which would not be wel satisfied with the admission of a Prince of his Birth and recommendation into that degree and quality The Dispatch of the Sieur du Chasteauneuf to the Common-wealth of Venice for the Affairs before-mentioned THE Sieur de Bulloin made use of his Reason with so much Judgement and Prudence that he obtained all he could desire The Cessation of Arms was consented to and accordingly proclaimed in Milan Genoa and Piedmont The referring of the businesse to Arbitration was well approved of and his Highnesse delivered a breviate of his pretensions to the Crown of Cyprus to the Sieur at Bullion who assured he would recommend that businesse particularly to his Majesty and told him that most assuredly his Majesty would be very careful of it On the other side the Sieur de Chasteauneuf was at the same time sent to the Common-wealth of Venice to induce them to accord to the Treaty and accommodation of Mouson and from thence for the same purpose to the Grisons the Valtolines and the Swisses Those first Reasons which were given in charge to the Sieur de Bullion to represent to the Duke of 〈◊〉 were also included in his Instructions and he had likewise particular order to adâ—… to the Common-wealth of Venice That they had great reason to be well satisfied with the Peace seeing it freed them from a chargeable War subject to many accidents and in which well they might lose much but gain little And because the Venetian Embassador declared that he did imagine the assurance of the Treaty to consist in the keeping up of those Forts in the Valtoline the said Sieur de Chasteauneuf had Order to let them know that such a pretension as that was would most assuredly have broken off the Treaty of accommodation and that all that was to be wished was sometimes impossible to be effected Besides that the keeping up of the Fort would be a great charge either in relation to the necessary expences for the giving of a full satisfaction or else for the maintaining of a strong Garison and who at last cast too might not peradventure be able to keep out the Spaniard if at any time hee should have a mind to enter upon them with an Army He was also charged to let them perceive that the natural inclination of the Valtolines was not to indure any Rule or Government and that they would never have indured any long time together that those Forts should remain in the power of a stranger and that the Spaniards knowing their natures to be such would alwaies be inciting and assisting them underhand to retake them so that the keeping up of the Forts would instead of securing the Treaty onely become an absolute ground of troubles to the Common-wealth as they who are nearest seated to the Valtoline who are in perpetual fears and jealousies and forced still to be upon their Guard against the Spaniards attempts which would put them to vast charges and force them too at last to yeeld to reason And he was commanded by his Majesty that he might humour the Commonwealth in its Interests to tell them that the King would willingly grant them the Passages of the Valtoline and Grisons for ten years he knowing how passionately they desired it and moreover that his Majesty would in case they should request it enter into a defensive League with them The Sieur de Chasteauneuf prosecuted these Instructions so luckily that the Common-wealth was sensible of the honour the King had done them in sending to them an extraordinary Embassadour upon their Affairs and left it to his Majesty to consider whether all those advantages which were to be wished for were comprised in the Treaty and that for their particulars they thought themselves much obliged for his proffer of a defensive League assuring the said Sieur de Chasteauneuf that they should be ever ready to continue those testimonies of affection and observance which they had alwaies had towards the Crown of France which was as much as could be desired from them Then the Sieur de Chasteauneuf went towards the Grisons and the Valtoline in prosecution of his Embassiy The Instructions which he received from his Majesty concerning those parts was to joyn himself with the Marquesse de Coeuvres and to swear those people to a solemn observaon of the Treaty The Valtolines made not any difficulty at all at it but accepted of the Treaty as also to pay every year unto the Grisons five and twenty thousand Crowns which had been imposed on them But as for the Grisons there were many meetings and Assemblies held amongst them without any resolution but onely in general terms they thanked his Majesty for his assistance and acknowledged themselves
his wickednesse to be found out and himself severely punished and it were needlesse to produce any the like examples for that History is full of them The Marshal of Ornano Arrested at Fountainbleau and carried Prisoner to the Castle of Bois de Vincennes â—T were a dangerous folly to give them who contrive against the State time to execute their designs Accordingly the King resolved with advice of his Councel to secure the Ring-leaders of the conspiracy yet still pretending ignorance both of the persons and their intentions He had been ever since the beginning of the Spring at Fountainbleau not so much for his recreation as because it was easier to dive into the bottome of those Intreagues in such little Towns then at Paris the vastnesse and confusion of which is sufficient to hide and shelter the greatest wickednesses The whole Court attended him and the cheef of that Faction failed not to be there But his Majesty needed no other witnesse then his own eyes to discover their frequent meetings nor other proofs but his own ears to convince the Marshal de Ornano to be the chief of that Cabal and of the extream Passion that they had to hinder Monsieurs match by his frequent discoursing with his Majesty whole hours together upon that Subject He was not ignorant that Princes were jealous of no one thing more then of their own authority and upon that ground it was that he principally indeavoured to incite the King by making him beleeve that those who perswaded him to marry Monsieur were not very affectionate to his service that this marriage of Monsieur would quickly raise him up Children and as soon as hee should have a Male every one would consider him as a rising Sun that the Grandees would forsake his Majesty to follow him and that he would soon find a power set up in the State able to confront his own Authority This Artifice was subtle and fitted to cast a Myst before his Majesties eyes had he not been before hand well informed of his design and if after mature consideration of the reason he had not concluded it of lesse consequence then the breaking of his wicked devices His importunities the true witnesses of his excessive Passion made his Majesty conclude that it was not safe any longer to defer the securing of his Person and he thought it so much the more necessary from the rule which he had learned in Tacitus that for the hindering the progresse of a Conspiracy against the State it would be needfull to make sure of the cheef because most commonly all the others are then left with as little motion as the Members of the body after the head is once cut off besides imprisoning of him Monsieur too was in a manner secured accordingly his Majesty returning from hunting upon the fourth of May gave command to some Companies of his Life-guard to beset the wayes between Fountain-bleau and Paris to seize upon those of the Cabal if they should indeavour to save themselves by flight in fine his Majesty caused him to be Arrested by the Sieur de Hallire Captain of his Guard he was imprisoned in the Castle and from thence guarded to the Bois de Vincennes where a few moneths after he died of a stoppage in the Bladder In the mean while his Majesty who never speaks openly any one sillable which may be of consequence in affairs kept close the reasons which obliged him to restrain him neither did he shew any coldnesse in his carriage to his Complices as well that he might prevent their running into extremities and oblige them to quit themselves of wicked designs as also that hee might have an opportunity to seize on Monsieur de Vendosm who was suspected to be of that party his Majesty was pleased to signifie to the Queen his Mother that he had imprisoned him by reason of-some broyls he had intended to raise between him and his Brother Monsieur having notice of it went presently to wait upon the King who assured him of the truth of it and told him the same reason which he had sent the Queen his Mother to which Monsieur answered that if he should be convinced of the truth of it he would be the first that should prosecute Justice against him but withall that it were proper to consider whether his enemies had not made this contrivance against him but he could not contain himself upon this occasion as in divers others from testifying his displeasure at it Politique Observation â—T is expedient after the discovery of a Conspiracy to wink at those who are guilty for the better preventing of them and seising on their chief instruments The reason is because they soon draw their necks out of the Collar if they have the least suspicion of being detected and sometimes so fortifie themselves that it becomes almost impossible to hinder the execution of their intentions or to secure their persons Lewis the eleventh was very dexterious in this particular as Philip de Consinus relates in several places of his History particularly in the reception he gave the Constable of St. Paul when he came to him near Noyon in the year one thousand four hundred seventy three he received him with so many endearments and gave him so many fair words that the Constable thought himself bound to beleeve him The King dissembled for two years together the hatred which hee bore unto him because his other affairs did not concur with his resolution of chasâ—ising him but at last he cut off his head it is likewise reported that hee would let his son Charles the eighth learn any other Latine then the Proverb Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare so much did he esteem dissimulation to be a quality necessary in a Prince which amongst private men passeth most commonly for a Vice The wise Fowler spreadeth not his Nets for one or two Birds but expects until the whole flight or the greatest part of them light together that he may take a great many at once and so a wise Prince who would secure himself of the chief heads of a Conspiracy knows well how to dissemble with them till such time as occasion presents it self that he may snap them all together or at least those without whom the rest are not able to attempt any thing considerable that he may bring in practice the saying of Seneca the Tragedian that hee who takes notice of a Conspiracy before the Complices bee imprisoned looseth the occasion of punishing them The Cardinal beseecheth the King to permit his retirement from the Court. THE Soul of Monsieur the Cardinal did like the Palm undergo with Courage all those burthens which were imposed upon him neither was he much moved at those pernicious contrivances though he knew his own ruine was the principal which they aimed at However to remove all pretences which his enemies might raise to asperse him That his fortune was built upon the losse of divers men of quality if they should be
he was the more obliged to do so in regard the King being well informed of his actions gave him so much time to look back into himself that he might not destroy him He seemed to be very ready to withdraw himself from those imbroyls and also took occasions to speak unto the King whiles he was making of him ready to assure him that he would never be defective in his duty yet notwithstanding all this his turbulent Soul was not able to contain it self in this resolution for it was known that a certain messenger sent by some one from the Cabal was kept private in his lodging at Tours while the King stayed there and that Louviece who belonged to him being one in whom he much confided was gone upon a private message for him these things gave reason to beleeve That he still persisted in his first designs and being a person of a bold nature and ready to run into all sorts of extremities the King was councelled to secure him at Nants Politique Observation IN concernments of State it is dangerous to rely upon the promises of those who are over-mastred either by love or ambition These two Passions do so hurry away the Soul so animate it with violent ebulitions and so blind it that they prepare it for any wickednesse We have hereofore shewed what attempts ambition maketh upon the valiant and we have evidenced that there is no sort of wickednesse which it will not perswade for the attaining of its designs And it is not more easie to verifie the same concerning lusts which corrupteth both the mind and understanding which beleaguereth and burneth up the heart with a bruitish heat and which doth so alter the nature and complexion of the most temperate when they are once ingaged by it that there is not any unlawfulnesse into which it doth not transport them it is a fatal sore from whence arise horrours sacriledges wars perfidiousnesse murthers Paricides and cruelties untill it leads them to the acting of such things as both Heaven and Earth do blush at the sight of The History of Italy furnisheth us with a memorable example to evidence that there is not any abhomination whatever into which these two Passions are not able to precipitate a man it is in the person of Caesar Borgia Cardinal de Valence whose Ambition not brooking the Popes giving the charge of General of the Church Armies to the Duke of Candy his elder brother an office which he himself aimed at and who likewise was passionately enamoured of his wife his Sister in Law caused him one night to be assassinated as he rid alone through Rome and his body to be cast into Tyber And that we may particularly look into the wicked effects of a dishonest love Antiquity hath afforded us a notable testimony of the disorders which he is liable to who permits himself to be blinded with this Passion when it saith that Jupiter himself the first of their reputed Gods could not be both wise and in love at the same time And one of the best advices which can be given to those that attempt to raise their fortunes at Court is that they forbear to ingage themselves in the love of women who are factiously bent for admitting them to be ingaged in any Cabal they have so powerfull an Art to perswade what they indeavour that it is impossible to defend ones self from them and as they have no small Passions they blindly ingage themselves in prosecution of their malice and revenge that a man insensibly finds himself upon precipices from whence it is impossible for him to get off The Cabal of Chalais punished by Arrest from the Chamber of Justices at Nants CHalais being once arrested condemned himself as guilty and desired in order to making of his peace that he might speak with Monsieur the Cardinal the Duke de Belligard and the Marquesse de Effiat who were placed near the Cardinal The King was advised of it who commanded them to go to him Twice they went and the Cardinal never spake to him but in hearing of the Sieur de Belligard At first Chalais desired and indeavoured to justifie his innocence but finding by the Cardinals discourses that his faults were but too well known so that that was not the way to do his work he afterwards freely confessed to him those Delinquencies which could not be excused he acknowledged the advice which hee had given Monsieur upon the imprisonment of the Duke of Vendosm and the grand Prior his brother and confessed that he was then of opinion that Monsieur should withdraw himself from the Court and discovered several other things of concernment But having twice abused the Kings Grace his Confession now avaiâ—'d him little The King gave Commission to the Lord Keeper Marillac and the Sieur de Beauclere Secretary of his commands privately to inform themselves of the whole Plot and his Majesty desired that Monsieur would declare in their presence that which he had discovered to him in particular after he had been sensible of the little justice and reason there was to ingage him in their embroils At first he made some scruple at it but at length having considered of the duty which he owed his Majesty and how much reason Princes themselves have to chastise them who ingage them by their evil councels in designs against the State without any other motion then their particular discontent and private interest he resolved upon it and discoursed the whole to them in the Kings presence That Mâ—nsieur de Soissons was the correspondent which he had at Court to inform him of all the news that passed there that Chalais was the Internuncius that his advice had been to gain Madam Villars by means of Monsieur the grand Prior to the end he might make sure of Haure if occasion should be and that he should indeavour to obtain the government of Pont de l' Arche for the Marquesse de Coeuvres with hopes that the grand Prior would at Monsieurs request deliver up that place which was upon the way to Haure and might serve for a retreat in case he went thither That Chalais did likewise perswade him to deal with the Hugonots and to make use of them for a revolt in the State and that he had lent him Louviere to be sent towards the Duke de Lavalete to ingage him in the businesse and to make sure of Mâ—ts in fine that it was he who had advised him that the King had ten thousand men about Nants to stop his going from Court This Declaration was signed by the King the Queen Mother the Lord Keeper Marillac the Sieur de Beauclere Monsieur the Cardinal and the Marquess de Effiat insomuch that for the chastising these insolent and rash actions the King set up a Chamber of Justice in Nants Politique Observation THough Clemency be one of the worthiest Ornaments in a Soveraign yet it is not permitted him to make use of it when it is prejudicial to the
publick That gentlenesse which is shewed to the Ring-leaders of a Conspiracy is a dangerous cruelty to the State Cato was of opinion that they who did not hinder evil-doers when they might do it by chastizing them ought themselves to be punished For that were to encourage their abettors to follow their evil examples it is true Arostole saith The subjects love is the chief foundation of Royal Authority and that they are not easily induced to love Kings unlesse upon their owne advantage And it is very necessary for them to punish the factions without which they would be hourly exposed to the dangers of civil war which are the cause of the greatest misfortunes that can afflict a State And the same Philosopher in his Morals esteemeth him uncapable to command who is never angry but affects to shew himself merciful on all occasions whatsoever To speak truth a King is bound to shew as much severity to them whom the publique Interest obligeth to be chastised as bounty to them that keep themself within their duties It is the onely means saith Tacitus in his Annals to render him as well feared by the wicked as esteemed and honoured by the good who receive no lesse satisfaction in the punishment of crimes than in the receiving of those rewards which art due to their virtue The Sentence of death passed against the Sieur de Chalais THe King comitted the tryal of Chalais rather to a Chamber of Justice than any private Court not onely because he would have it expedited it being improper to be delayed but also to keep private the names of his Confiderates and their designs which were dangerous to be published His Majesty made the Lord keeper Marillac President and appointed for Judges the Sieurs de Cusse and Brie Presidents of the Parliament of Britain The Sieurs Fonquet Marchant Chriqueville Master of Request and six Councellors of the Parliament of Britain They met several times for instruction of the Processe Chalais was often times examined and having found by discourse with several people with whom he conversed that there was full information made of all his wicked designs he confessed not onely what was conteined in Monsieurs Declaration but withal divers other things of which Lorrain accused him and which were testified by Monsieur de Bellegarde Le Sieur d'Effiat by the Maust exempt who had the charge of his person and by one of the Life-guard to all which he made no denial being brought face to face He discovered the Major part of his Associates he confessed that he would have carried Monsieur from the Court that he would have perswaded him to take up arms to hold Intelligence with the Governours and Hugonots to make himself Master of Havre Mets and diverse other places of the Kingdome and withal that being once at a Council where the grand Prior and those of his faction were present he proposed to them to take the Marshal d'Ornano out of prison to poniard the Cardinal and then to fly into Flanders thinking that this once done they might easily obtain all their desires There were several other charges produced against him and amongst others certain letters from the Sieur de Moison the Kings Resident with the Countesse of Hanault in Germany and of the Sieur de Vatembourg his Majesties Resident with the Emperour by which they gave advice of the Marshal d'Ornano's conspiracy of certain letters which Chalais had writ to the Dutchesse de Chevreuse in Biscay in which there were discourses to the Kings dishonour and also certain letters in characters to the same Lady the Declaration of Monsieur the Kings Brother and the informations of the Vice-Seneschal de Moulins These enermous crimes rendred him guilty and worthy of death in regard he was the Kings Domestique Servant and that he had the honour to be in a charge which obliged him to be alwayes near his Majesties person Justice could not save him and the several relapses which proceeded from the fiercenesse and ambition of his Spirit tied up the Kings Arms from mercy So this Chamber of Justice condemned him to be attainted and convicted decrimine lesae Majestatis and to be beheaded in the Befroy of Nantes That his head should be put upon a spear over the gate of Sanvetour that his body should be quartered into four parts and hung upon the four principal places of the City that his posterity should be ignoble and of the Yeomantry His houses raized and that for the farther discovery of all his Abettors he should be put on the Rack But the Kings clemency seconded by the affection which he alwayes had for him moderated the judgment and onely commanded his head to be cut off and that they should shew him the Rack but not torture him They who understood not that the whole Intreague was discovered or that there were sufficient poofs to convict him were astonished that he should so freely confesse those crimes whereof he was accused and withal some were so bold to report that he had confessed his crimes thus frankly upon the Cardinals suggestian and perswading him to believe that it was the onely means to obtain the Kings favour the attainment of which he gave him great cause to hope for But there need no other proof for conviction of this lye than the answer which Chalais made to the Sieurs des Cartes de Lourie Councellors of the Parliament both persons of a clear reputation and entrusted to exame him after judgment had passed upon him who having told him that a report was spread abroad that he had confessed his crimes wherewith he was charged partly through fear and partly through hope of life conjured him he being now shortly to render an account of his actions before God to discover if it were so or not or if he had impeached any one in prejudice to the truth and his conscience and had no other answer from him but that what he had said was truth excepting onely where he had in anger spoke too hardly against Madam de Chevreuse who had given him no reason for it and that he should be very wicked and sencelesse to discover so many horrible crimes to clear himself and charge innocent persons and all for the satisfaction of another mans passion This proof was so much the more certain in regard it proceeded from the last passages of his life in which he testified that he would dispose himself by a true repentance to obtain pardon from God of his faults There was hereupon great reason to admire the Kings clemency seeing that he might in justice imprison and punish diverse Grandees of the Court whom he had accused who were no small number but his Majesty in stead of Publishing their design was pleased to punish all their great faults in one man onely keeping some in prison and sending Madam de Chevreuse into Lorraine not having ground to hope that she could live in the Court and not raise new broyles Politique Observation
needs meet him with his Sword in his hand Not a day how holy soever but he would profane by his Duels no place how publique soever which he would not bath with the blood of some one or other so little reckoning did he make of the Kings Prohibition after the comming out of the Edict he had fought with the Count de Thorigny and slain him about the end of the foregoing year and the begining of this he had another Duel with la Frete where his second was killed which quarrels of his were so much the less to be connived at in regard those of the best quality were still parties in it So the King resolved to punish him which he having notice of withdrew himself into Flanders where he found means to perswade the Archduchess to Interest her self in his affairs upon the score of the Damoizelle de Montmorency her favorite who writ to his Majesty to beg his pardon The King took advice of his Confessor and as there was no reason to forgive such offences so he counselled him not to grant it and made it evident to him that he could not do it with a safe conscience but that his Majesty might not seem totally to deny the Infante he sent her word that at her request he should not be questioned for what was past provided he came not either to Paris or the Court. This was as much as a Just Mercy could well do But the same fury which had formerly ingaged Bouteville in those quarrels did so provoke him upon his Majesties denial of a total pardon that he openly vowed he would ere long fight in Paris nay and in the Place Royal it self accordingly not long after thither he came and having given notice of it to the Marquis de Beuuron with whom he had a quarrel that he was ready to give him satisfaction for those differences between them which he had not the liberty to do in Flanders whither Beuuron had come to find him out by reason of the promise which he had ingaged to the Infante not to fight on any of her Territories So they made choise of the Place Royal for their combats where being met three against three Bouteville des Chapelles and La Berte against Beuvron Bussi d' Amboyse and Bouquet they fought and Beuvron was killed out right by Chapelles La Barte desperately wounded by Bouquet and Bouteville with Beruuron close grapling together with a good will to be at it with their daggers but having cast away their Swords it is reported how in this equality of advantage they mutually asked one anothers life to go part their friends This was all that could be got from their neglecting the Kings will and the fury which led them to entertain such detestiable offences The King heard of it and soon after that Bussy's Mother had arrested Bouteville by a Gentleman of hers and des Chapelles at Vitry from whence they were conducted to safe Custodie to Paris and there delivered over to the Parliament to be proceeded against his Majesty having absolutely refused to shew them any favour though their kindred made great requests for it and at last their heads were struck off at the Greve by order of the Parliament Politique Observation HE who defendeth the wicked and he who offendeth the good are both in equal abomination before the Lord as Salomon saith in his Proverb 's I should therefore submit to that of St. Chrisostome who saith That as Justice without Mercy is not Justice but cruelty So Mercy without Justice is not Mercy but extream rashness It were not lesse improper to pardon all Crimes then to use on all occasions the extremity of Justice Both ought to be moderated by discretion without which there are as many inconveniences which will follow gentleness as severity Philip advised his son Alexander to be very courteous to his subjects whilst he was not King for it would not be fit for him to use so great indulgence towards them when as he should arrive to the Throne Judging with great wisdome that it is impossible for him who ruleth to treat all with clemency not only because the Interest of his subjects doth sometimes compel him to be severe but also because unlesse he punish the wicked it will be a dimination of his own authority The Heathens say Jupiter himself cannot raign without Justice And Plutarch in the Life of Demetrius saith nothing is more becoming a Prince then the excercise of this vertue and doth not Solomon who is much more authentique say The Throne of a King is established by Justice St. Cyprian in his Tract of the twelve abuses saith the Justice of the King is the Peace of the people the Nurse of Children the defence of the Country the comfort of the poor and himself the hope of Heaven to come And if a Soveraign ever may make use of it he ought not to let it lye idle when it sends to the purging of his Court from such seditious companions as engage his nobles daily to cut one anothers throats It is a Crime more then Brutal for the instinct of nature forbideth beasts to fall upon one another It is reported that Neurians are Wolves one six mouths of the year men t'other six mouths but I should with more Justice imagine their swash bucklers not to be men at all but that by their greediness of spilling mans blood that are beasts Wolves and Tigres all their lives Their courage is not courage but a fury which hurrieth them on to dip their hands in their brothers blood not a courage but a Rage which maketh them madly expose their bodies to death and their souls to damnation It is not any just Law of Arms which obligeth that to be thus barbarous but a Devilish Charm which deprives them of their reason The foolish passion of an imaginary honour which animateth them is a monster begot by vanity brought up by fury and nourished by blood as it is said of that in Habacuc the greatest the noblest and most courageous serve it for a prey What apparency of reason can there be alledged for renuing the old Butchery of Haman flesh before the images not of a Moloc a Saturn but a vain fantasie of honour What Justice to tollerate that which God hath so expresly forbid and condemned to be punished with death which heaven abhors which the Laws detest and which is only worthy of Hell fier But above all things it ought not to be permitted when committed in dirsion of the Regal authority for once admitting a Kings power to be trampled on the next thing which follows will be the peoples revolt and a general confusion in the whole Kingdom The King of England's and divers other Princes endeavours to divert the King from his resolution against Rochel THough the design of besieging Rochel were kept very secret yet some little suspitions there were of it which allarumd all the neighbouring Princes The English who had already concluded upon
their entring into France resolved to redouble the Forces which had been alloted to take shipping and others too were no lesse jealous of it They knew how much it behooved them to uphold the Hugonot party in France which would disunite the Force of the Kingdom and so employ the King whenever they had a mind to it that he should not be able to march out of his own Frontiers to oppose any designs of theirs or attempt any thing upon them They well knew France was not a little to be feared when as it was at it's full liberty and no remora at home to hinder the going out of their powers That it hath pretensions upon all her neighbours and that if the Hugonots were but once quashed and Rochel their strongest support destroyed his Majesty would then be at full liberty to prosecute his pretences So every one preferring his own Interests before Justice and Religion sought for opportunities to divert his Majesties Arms and force him instead of assaulting others to defend himself they consulted together by means of their Ambassadours and made a league to assault France in divers places at one and the same time The King of Great Brittain being Chief of the league took care to send from one place to another to resolve particularly what should be done Politick Observation POlicie obligeth Kings to foment the beginnings of division amongst their neighbours but it ought to be accompanied with Justice else it cannot passe for a vertue and is to be used onely towards enemies The Laws both of nature and Christianity forbiddeth the doing of that to others which we would not have done to our selves they who deal otherwise do invert the rules of humane society Bajazet the Turkish Emperour was to be pardoned for that answer of his to Sigismonds Ambassadours who remonstrated to him that having no right or Title to Bulgaria he was bound in Justice to withdraw his Arms from it that he had such Guns in his Arcenal as gave him a right not only to Bulgaria but as much as he could finger too in any other place An answer I say excusable in a Tyrant who openly professeth to trample all Equity under foot but not so in Christian Princes whose victories ought alwayes to be bounded in with Justice That which Antigonus the Great replyed to one who would needs perswade him that whatever Kings had a mind to was lawful was much more praise worthy he told him true it was so but amongst Barbarian Kings not them who professe Justice and to whom all injustice is an abomination God hath in the Scriptures apointed distinct Laws both for Princes and private men and as particular persons may not do any thing against the Common good so Princes cannot attempt any thing of injustice without offence Plutarch blameth Marius very much for not executing Justice but when it was advantageous and because he alwayes took profit to be honest not regarding truth so he might be stronger but measured the worth of the one by the value of t'other and attempted the executing of that by craft which he could not obtain by Force God saith Isaiah reproveth the counsels of them which are not conformable to his Laws and Princes do but in vain hope to bring their designs to a good passe when as there is no resistance of Gods decrees Prosecution of the Historie THe Abbot of Scaglia was one of the Prime men in this confederacie by the Duke of Savoys means who desirous to reveng himself because the Treaty of Mouson had been concluded without his knowledge made choise of him as a person capable to embroyle things who went about it the more passionately because he was offended with the Cardinal for having driven him out of France for making of cabals against the State His first voyage was into Holland to see how they stood inclined and to draw them into the league But meeting with some there who negotiated his Majesties affairs he could make but little progress in it his reasons not being seconded with that mony which theirs was Thence he went for England where finding their minds according to his own desire he still used his best endeavours to drive on the quarrel which being once concluded The King of England sent about the month of April the Lord Mountagu to take particular orders for execution of it both in Savoy and Lorrain and with the Duke of Rohan It was needful to have some pretence to disquite Montagues Journy and no one was thought more fit then for him to pretend he was desperately in love with Madam de Cheurcuse then in Lorrain with whom he was to discourse that he might be fully informed of all the Factions at the French Court the Chief of which kept a strict correspondence with her So he began his Treaty with the nearest State first and that was Lorrain besides Buckingham had a particular intercourse with Monsieur de Lorrain by Madam de Cheureuses means and all that he might fully know the State of the Intreagues of France He having found the Duke much exasperated and that he only wanted an oportunity to let the King feel effects of his anger he ingaged to him to enter upon France at the same time that the English Fleet should land there The Duke also gave him hopes that his attempts should be the more considerable in regard the Emperour who he was assured did blow the coals of the French Faction would send him Forces for his assistance being at last fully instructed and having disposed the Duke of Lorrain to the doing whatever he could demand he went into Languedoc where meeting the Duke of Rohan he gave him an accompt of their whole design who being thus filled with hopes of potent succours from England Savoy and Lorrain he resolved to rise at the same time with the rest Thence he went to Savoy where the Duke animated against France and particularly against the Cardinal his only work there was to receive the Dukes assurances of entring upon Dauphine as soon as the English put to Sea to which purpose part of his Forces were already upon their march He presently dispatched one to the Duke of Rohan to assure him of the assistance of six thousand foot and five hundred Horse exhorting him to be careful and courageous for that their business was in a good condition They fancied to themselves that they did all ready cast that thunder bolt with which they ruined the whole Kingdom of France Mountagu shortly after returns through France to Lorrain but the King was not ignorant of his Intreagues having had a continual watch upon him foure months together that he might snap him upon his return and learn more particularly by the contents of his Papers the quality of his negotiations and accordingly he was very fortunatly taken upon the Borders of the Kingdom by the Marquis de Bourbonne whom his Majesty had commanded to apprehend him About him was found a little cabinet of papers which
protect the execution of Justice Besides they have by so doing a great and notable advantage to themselves in abating the insolent and ambitious pretensions of those who would usurp their Subjects rights and become terrible to their neighbours by their too great power If this rule be worth consideration in general it is much more to be observed in respect of the rights which may befall his Majesties Subjects in Italy where it is absolutely necessary to prevent the increasing greatnesse of the house of Austria They have already become Masters of the greatest part of Germany and there is not any more certain way to ballance their growing power then by Alliances with the Princes of Italy by finding out some means to set foot in their Country be it either by gaining some of their States as divers of our late Kings have attempted or by establishing such French in them as want not pretences to them and which might be able to let in the Arms of France when the Princes of Italy should have occasion to make use of them and there is no doubt but the Princes of Italy would be very glad to see the Arms of our Kings in their Country opposing those of the Spaniard whom they hate because they fear To speak the truth it is an action which doth beget both glory and affection in those who shall succeed the honour which is to be atchieved in so doing will shine thorough all parts and render them venerable amongst all strangers The Marriage of the Prince de Rethelois with the Princess Maria the Inheritrix of Mantua UPon the news which his Majesty recived by the Marquesse de St. Chaumont that there was little hopes of Duke Vincents long life he concluded it to be very necessary that he should use his utmost indeavours to make up the Match between the Prince de Rethelois and the Princesse Maria as also to procure that he might be declared the Successor to the States of Mantua and Montferrat after the decease of his Father the Duke de Nevers The Cardinal by his Councels seconded his Majesties judgement and that with the more eagernesse in regard the Duke of Savoy and Governour of Milan did both begin to declare their pretences This made his Majesty resolve upon sending away the Marquesse de Saint Chaumont into Italy The Instruction which he received was onely of two particulars in which he was to bestir himself The first was in his Majesties name to make an end of those differences between the Duke of Savoy and Mantua to which end he was to passe by Turin to dispose Duke Ferdinand to the making of some other overtures for their accommodation and then to propose them to the Duke of Mantua to see if any conclusion could be had withal to let them both know that a good correspondence were not amisse for the good of their States in regard their enemies by their divisions would be furnished with opportunities to make attempts upon them The second was to labour very earnestly with the Duke of Mantua for the concluding of the Match between his Neece and the Prince de Rethelois and that he might be declared successor to his States after the decease of his Father the Duke of Nevers At that present it was the easier to be effected in regard the Pope had solemnly protested he would never grant a dispensation of his first marriage He was also commanded to shew unto him that as this marriage was of great advantage and benefit to the Duke of Nevers and Rethelois whom he loved by assuring them of the succession so it was not lesse necessary to defend and secure himself from the attempts which the Spaniard and Duke of Savoy might make upon his life and State for that they did already begin to discover their intentions against him He was farther Commanded That if Duke Vincent should chance to die whilst he was near him then to animate in his Majesty name the Chief leading men of the States of Montua and Montferrat by all arguments of reason and perswasion to preserve the liberties of their Country to keep the faith obedience which they did owe unto Monsieur de Nevers as their Lawful Prince and to declare him for successour to Duke Vincent according to the usual Forms of those Countries and lastly to assure them that his Majesty would protect them against any Forces that should molest or trouble them that himself would invite the Pope and all other Princes of Italy to joyne with them in defence of their liberties These were the Chief Instructions in the Marquis his Commission In order to them he went to the Duke of Savoy to perswade him to some agreement with Mounsieur de Mantua He told him how the report went of his being in league with the Spaniards for the deviding of Montferrat But the Duke seemed to be angry at it and wondred that after the having done such good Offices to his Majesty be should imagine such a thing of them Yet he did not disown his apprehensions of the advantage which he might now take during Duke Vincents sickness to regain that which did belong to him in Montferrat adding withal that it would be much more for his Majesties Interest if it were is his hands rather then the Spaniards and that at last in case he were joyned with the Spaniards yet it was no more then his Majesty himself had done seeing they sent him a Fleet to Rochel But the Marquis that he might lay the foundation of an agreement proposed to him to renew the Treaty which had been between the late Duke Ferdinand and himself as to that which was in dispute between them in Montferrat all the answer he could get was this he demanded fifteen thousand Crowns rent for his pretentions there and twenty thousand for the Damages he had sustained for want of execution of his promises made of marrying his little Daughter with the Cardinal his Son By these his unreasonable demands he evidenced that he only sought an occasion to justifie his breach with him and the Marquis finding after divers other conferences had with him that there was no good to be done made no longer stay there but went to Mantua he came thither so opportunely as if Fortune had lead him by the hand for within five dayes after his arrival there the Duke dyed He found that the Marquis de Strigio had disposed the Duke with a great deal of addresse to all that could be desired That he had stirred him up on the designs which his Enemies might set on foot both against his life and State to declare by his Letters Patents the Duke de Nevers his only and Lawful successour in all his States and the Duke de Rethelois his Livetenant General ordering him to marry his Niece the Princesse Marie before his decease and to cause the Governours of all strong places faithfully to keep them for the Duke de Nevers There wanted indeed a dispense for the marriage
Baron de Lignieres Monsieurs de Vantadours Guards and on the right by the Comte de Bioule and the Sieur de Enox who led on Monsieur de Montmorency's Company and the Sieur de la Croix who commanded his Guards seconded by the Comte de Bioules Regiment he was at last constrained to give ground yet he maintained the fight above two hours and saw about one hundred six score Souldiers fifteen men of his guard and seven or eight Captains of his Troops killed and divers others wounded And in conclusion he found to the mis-fortune of his Rebellion this other added of being beaten in the Field and saw at the years end that he had very little or not at all advanced his design Politique Observation TRue Religion giveth a very great advantage to them who fight for the defence of it He hath Justice for his second which is the Bulwark of strong place the Rampard of Towns the upholder of Crowns the Pillar of Authority and the Chain of obedience an Engine it is much stronger then any of Archimedes seeing it brings down God himself upon Earth to assist it The Divine Providence ordained that the first Assises of Justice should be kept under Palms to teach them who make any enterprises as Philo observeth That Justice is the most assured pledge of victory What can that Prince fear then who fighteth to uphold it seeing God fighteth for him No power can resist that of God who hath alwayes overthrown the designs of them that rise up against him unlesse when he hath designed a people to be the Instruments of his Justice for punishing the wicked In the old Testament he causeth himself to be called the God of Battails and the Lord of Hosts to teach the people that he is Master of them and that he it is who turneth the victory where he pleaseth What did ever the greatest Souldiers bring to passe who have risen up against him They have only felt his power and seen their own weakness And every one may observe in History that their Counsels have not only been vain and ridiculous but have likewise precipitated them into great ruins They are like Icarus who designing to counterfeit wings by joyning certain Fethers together with wax melted them at the Sun Beams just thus their rising up and soaring a lost only serveth to make their â—â—ls the greater and their ruins the more certain And who knoweth not that the cause of true Religion maketh Souldiers couragious Hence it happens that valour being the ground-work of victorie is in this particular infallible Machiavel in his discourses upon T. Livy sheweth us That Religion is a wonderfull Foundation and Instrument of great Actions That the Romans made use of it to govern their City in the carrying on of their designs anâ— in pacifing all tumults and seditions which did at any time happen in their Commonwealth Now if the false Imagination of a false deity which this people did believe were the punishers of Crimes and Rewarders of good Actions by a quiet repose in the Elysian fields could make such great impressions upon their courages what may not the true Religion cause us to hope for which promiseth unto us the infinite rewards of Heaven when the belief of it is truely imprinted in the Soul The Souldier who fighteth for Religion obeyeth his Prince as the Image of the God head he will never spare this life which passeth away in confidence of another which shall be eternal If the Champions who heretofore fought in the Olympique Games were delighted to see their skins flayed off their bloud run down and their bones broken before a Laurel Crown the reward of their pains what would they not have done into with dangers would they not have cheerfully run had they but apprehended with the Eyes of faith the Saviour of the World at the end of the course the Gate of Heaven open and a Crown which shall never fade as a reward of their Loyalty and Vallour We have at all times seen that those Emperours who have been most Pious have had the greatest victories Constantine became great by his embracing of the Christian Religion It served Pepin for a Stair-case to lead him up to the Throan It bestowed the Empire on Charlemaine and the Turkish Nation which seemeth to have been born for Armes feareth nothing so much as Christians Ensigns Anno 1628. The Rochelois send to the King of England to demand Succour THE Heathenish Antiquities relate That Pandora going to meet the Rebel Epimetheus in behalf of the God's carried him a Box filled with all sorts of Evils amongst which he had only hope left him It is a Fiction yet may it be aptly applyed to the Dutchesse of Rohan the Mother who being come to Rochel to encourage the Rebellion brought all sorts of misfortune with her insomuch that there was not any kind of misery which the inhabitants did not undergo and without any other hopes but only of relief from the English which they retained to the very last In order to which hope they finding his Majesties resolved to force them to live in the rules of obedience had sent their Deputies to England with full and ample Power to treat with his Majesty of Great Brittain To beseech him to take them into his protection and that he would assist them with a second Army which might force the King of France to raise the siedge Their Deputies were received with great kindness The King of Buckingham being much exasperated against France for the late repulse given to the English at Ree They had audience granted and after examination of their Proposals The King made a Treaty with them by which he obliged himself to assist them with such a number of Souldiers as should be sufficient for their defence To send them all sorts of Provision and to permit a Collection to be made in his Countries for their present relief The Deputies obliged themself in the name of the Rochelois to give an happy successe to the English Army promising they would rigg out the greatest number of Ships they could possibly procure that they would provide Pilats and places for Magazins for all sorts of provision in the Town that if occasion were their Port should be a place of retreat for their Fleet that they would not hearken to any accomodation with the King their Lord and Master but by and with consent of the King of great Brittain and also that before France should attempt any thing against England they should declare themselves for the English and should divert to the utmost of the power all designs tending to their prejudice The King of Great Brittain was not absolute enough to conclude upon great enterprises his power somewhat depending on the Parliament so he was forced to call one to authorize this and to consent to such levies of mony as would be needfull for this business The anger which every one there bore against France and the desire
a little retired by reason of the infections which are in the Army Now the Sieur Arnoult being returned to Rochel and having assured the inhabitants of the inclination his Majesty had to pardon them if they would really confesse their faults and give him reason to beleeve that they would in future live within the bounds of their duty they named Deputies to wait upon his Majesty who commanded them to acquaint the Cardinal with what they had to say They went to wait upon his Eminency at Rousay at the Quarter de la Bergery where they were in conference full two hours with him after which every one guessed by their cheerfulnesse that they were very well contented they desired a safe conduct to wait upon him two dayes after in the same place which was not denied them and being come thither they testified a great resolution in the people to deliver themselves up to his Majesties mercy seeing that notwithstanding their Rebellion he had been pleased to let them live in the exercise of their Religion the injoyment of their goods and withall the preservation of their Walls the Cardinal sent them back to the King whom they found upon the Bank they were afraid to appear before his Majesty but being brought into his presence they cast themselves at his feet and begged his pardon and mercy with as many apparent submissions as could have been desired His Majesty said to them you deserve to be severely punished but since God hath given you the grace to confesse your fault I pardon you your lives The Deputies returned to Rochel with great joy promising to be ready the next morning to conclude upon the particular Articles of the Treaty But the Mayor and those of his party had onely pretended this Treaty to gain time that they might work upon the people by possessing them how important it was to their liberty to keep up their fortifications which otherwise would be levelled with the ground and at last having moulded them to their own temper all the Treaty vanished to smoke Nay their insolency was such that being confident during this intercourse of parley his Majesties Army would not keep so strict watch as usually they did they had the boldnesse to send out a fire-ship about three in the morning amongst the Kings Vessels near the Bank which guarded the Passages and at the same time shot off divers great pieces but without any execution The Cardinal who knew that an enemy ought never to be trusted caused the watch to be kept in as great strictnesse as ever so that the Boats which were upon the guard perceiving the fire-ship drew her aside into a place where she burned down without doing any hurt Politique Observation VIgilance is the savegard of Armies and he who commands a siedge is the more obliged to watch that he may sustain the enterprises of the besiedged in regard the wisest then attempt them when they are least suspected Negligence and Victory do never any long time go hand in hand together and the least carefulnesses do often turn the scales in War Those campes which are garded with most circumspection are the most secure and he who is not alwayes in a way of defence puts himself into eminent danger That General who lets his forces sleep without good gard commits the care of them and their lives to fortune Iphicrates one of the most famous Captains of Athens was far enough from committing this fault for his Souldiers kept the same gard in peace and with the same stricttnesse as in War their arms being alwayes ready by them to fight At first it was woundred at but the reason he alledged was That a man may be never surprised he ought always to be in fear By this means after the shame of a rout he will not be forced to say I did not think there had been any thing to fear If a General hath reason at any time to be upon his gard more especially ought he to be so then when there are propositions of peace in treaty for one of the most usual wiles which great Captains use is that of proposing some treaty whereby they might make advantage Thus Pope Julius the second that he might gain time to prepare himself against the Duke of Ferrara amazed King Lewiâ—h the twelfth with the apparencies of a fair accommodation In the like manner Ferdinando Arragon sent Philip Arch-duke of Austria to amaze the same King by a treaty of Peace which they swore unto that they might hinder him in consideration thereof from making necessary preparations for the assisting of his own party who by reason thereof were forced to leave the Kingdome of Naples and Ferdinand made it evident that to that purpose was his designe for he could not afterwards be perswaded to ratifie the treaty Nothing is so safe as to treat a pear with distrust and he who so doth hath a double advantage by it first by depriving his Enemy of all hopes to surprise him and secondly because the good order in which he keeps his Forces gives him the credit to obtain more beneficial articles The Rochelois are reduced by famine to extream miseries ONE of the remedies which the Rochellois used to relieve their necessities especially after the English were returned was to turn out all the unnecessary mouthes they found means by the help of a dark night and in a tempest which had broken in sunder some of the floating Vessels which stopped the mouth of the Bank to passe a Barque laden with women which the Kings vessels then in gard did not perceive time enough to prevent but this was the onely time they could procure that advantage but on the contrary their insolency being come to the height they forced the Kings Justice Severely to punish such as attempted to save themselves by Land about the end of August above three hundred persons of all ages and both sexes came out by the Channel at low water and being got to Land fell to eating of roots and herbs with such greedinesse that it was easie to judge how much the inhabitants of the Town were necessitated by famine They had been fit objects with compassion had they been lesse insolent but as nothing except necessity it self could bring them to their duties so the Sieurs de Brisfac de Fourille and the other Captains of the gards when they lighted on them forced them back into he Town to augment the famine of the inhabitants This just severity was oftentimes used towards them by which means their miseries were such that having neither bread pulse nor any thing usually edible they found out an invention to boil Beefs-hides in tallow such other things They were oftentimes seen to go into the Salt-pits to gather herbs and cockles and such other stuff as they could frie which they presently devoured as delicates They eat bread made of thistle-roots and their hunger not so satisfied turning into fury came to that passe that they eat dead
refuse them but moreover promise them that they should enjoy the benefit of the said Treaty and that he would assist them with his Arms against any that should pretend to make use of revoked Treaties to their prejudice They received this Declaration with a great deal of joy from the Sieur de Mesmin but that was not the onely difficulty in the execution of the Treaty The Deputies of the Grisons and the Valtolines did presse his Majesty for an exposition of other Articles each of them pretending to interpret it according to his own advantage they that they ought to be established in the right of Soveraignty over the Valtoline The Comter de Chiaveunes and Bormio which they had in the year 1617 excepting what had been nominated in the Treaty to wit the Justice and civil Government over the Valtolines for which they were to pay them the yearly rent of twenty five thousand crowns The other were animated by the Spaniards that they ought absolurely to be exempted from the Soveraignty of the Valtolines without being obliged to any other duty then the bare payment of the 25000 Crowns Now it was likewise agreed in the said Treaty that in case any doubt should arise upon any words the interpretation of it should be referred to the two Crowns who should freely declare their sence of it His Majesty had oftentimes by his Embassadours requested the King of Spain his Brother in Law that they might make a Declaration together for the quiet of that people but the Spaniard who onely sought advantage from their division delayed the Embassadour so long that his Majesty was at last forced to make a Declaration himself conformable to the true meaning of the intent of the Treaty which implied that not onely the Treaties made at Lindaw Coire and Milan should be void and of no effect but withall that conformably to the second Article the affairs of the Grisons and Valtolines should be reduced to the same state they were in in the year 1617. by which the Grisons were restored to the same Authority and Soveraignty which they that year had over the Valtolines and the said Comtes and that consequently it belonged to them alone and not the Valtolines their Subjects to make Treaties of Peace Alliances War to coin monies to grant or refuse the Passages of the said Countries to imposeTaxes Contributions and the like and that the Valtolines could onely pretend to the Justice and Civil government which for quietnesse sake had been granted to them under the yearly payment of twenty five thousand crowns to the Grisons who had the power of confirming the Magistrates and Potestates by them elected This Declaration was sent by the King to the Sieur Mesmin that he might by his Prudence procure is to be accepted by both parties to the end they might live in Peace but with order however not to deliver it untill both parties had agreed to submit to it according to the form and tenure of it as also not to discover it to one or other if he imagined both of them would make any difficulty to receive it that he might not put his royal authority into their hands This was a remarkable effect of the Cardinals Prudence who knew that a Kings authority ought never to be exposed to the contempt of his Allies and not knowing clearly how the people were inclined perswaded his Majesty to commit the execution of it to his Embassadours discretion The Sieur Mesmin finding the Grisons and Valtolines not disposed to accept the Declaration according to all its Clauses after he had under hand discovered the pretensions and designs which the Spaniards had put into their heads to hinder their good intelligence that they might not shut up the Passges of the Valtoline against him did not propose it in publick to have their common approbation of it onely gave his Majesty notice of what he had done who approved of it and left the deciding of those differences untill such time as he should carry his Arms into Italy and have that in his hands which might maintain the justice f the cause Politique Observation PRudence teacheth a Minister that distance of place doth hinder the knowledge of the particular inclination of strangers and that thereupon it is necessary to commit many things to the Embassadours who are with them in the behalf of his Master and especially concerning the form of executing such Orders as are sent him It is a commendable discrecion to be perswaded that he hath not knowledge and power enough to do all things of himself whereas they who suffer themselves to be led by a vain presumption upon their own parts do usually commit their Masters authority to the inconsideratenesse and inconstancy of neighbours expose them to scorn by the little respect they give his Orders and in fine leave them without effect For this very reason a discreet Politician laughed at the Florentines and Venetians who in his time would needs give themselves all particular Orders in their Army even to the appointing of the places for their Batteries We see in History that the Romans did commit the execution of their Commissions to the Prudence of those whom they imployed were it in Peace or War Caesar upon his resolution for an expedition into England gave the command of three Legions and two thousand horse to Labienus to look after France in his absence but he gave him no particular Orders onely to act as the necessity of affairs did require Tiberius one of the wisest of the Roman Emperours did the like as Tacitus reports when he sent his son Drusus into Hungary for the reducing of some revolted Legions unto obedience giving him no other order for his Conduct but that which himself should think proper to be done when he was upon the place He must needs be ignorant of the Roman custome who knows not that it was their use to insert in their Commissions whom they imployed a particular command that they did not interest in any thing which they did in the publick concerns of the State and if any one should suffer him to be carried by his own will to do otherwise they were never wanting for the most part but to confesse that it was not possible for them being at a distance to know all that is proper to be done As when the Consul Fabius had beaten the Tuscans near Sutres and had resolved to pursue them through the Forrest Simine to invade Tuscany the Senate mis-informed of what he might do sent two Senators to him to disswade him from the attempt but before the Senators had come to him they found he had already passed the Forrest and obtained the Victory which he sought for at which they were much astonished This serves at least to shew that a great liberty ought to be left to those who are imployed especially when by reason of distance there cannot be a particular information of all Occurrences and that he who doth otherwise
Prudent States-man ought to make his resolutions and to regulate his Conduct according to circumstances and the advantage of the time present the former would be much found fault with if he should lose the Wind when it is fair and the latter would commit a deplorable over-sight if he should neglect those advantages and opportunities which should present themselves unto him Opportunity is oftentimes of greater advantage then several Troops and Experience hath dayly evidenced to the World that the advantages of time is the onely thing which if laid hold on carrieth great actions to a prosperous issue Nature observeth her time to put forth her works we never see her bedight with Flowers but when the Sun smiles gently upon her just thus is it with a Prudent man he must strike when the Iron is hot and not strike untill it be hot For this reason it was that the Pythagoreans held opportunity to be the first cause of all things and it is but truth that opportunity is that which giveth them all their perfections and causeth them to terminate in a happy successe Antiquity did much esteem of Pittacus his advice which was comprehended in two words onely know thy time that is lose not thy opportunity but make sure of it it being certainly true that the least smile which she bestoweth is the ground-work of great successes above all an enemy ought to be assaulted at his weakest before he be fortified and that his other Troops come to joyn with him The valiant Scipio would no longer defer his fighting with the Carthaginians when he foresaw that if he gave them time Asdrubal would come up and joyn with them which would augment the difficulties to overcome them Marius in the 25 Book of T. Livy resolved to prosecute the enemy because his Prudence fore-told him that in case he deferred it their whole force would in a small time joyn themselves together and then instead of one Captain and one Army he must incounter with three Generals and three Armies Caesar as himself observeth in his first Book of the War with the Gauls having learnt that there were certain forces comming from the Swedes which were to passe the Rhine presently advanced to fight with Anovistus as doubting least if those forces should come up to him he might be too weak to encounter them The King having resolved upon his Italian Expedition commits the Government of the State to the Queen his Mother THe King before he departed from Paris would as reason was settle the affairs of his Kingdome and State in the hand of a person of whom he was well assured He knew that Kings being out of the way gives opportunity to seditious minds to act and stir who in their presence durst not think a thought that way tending Whereupon he concluded it necessary to intrust the management of all things with some one person upon whose Credit Fidelity and Ability he might rely The Cardinal who was never deficient in procuring all kind of honour to the Queen Mother advised his Majesty to fix upon her as he had done at the siege of Rochel though indeed he was but ill requited for his pains it being at that time that she conceived the first seeds of her hatred against him and suffered her self to be deceived by the false Impostures of her and his enemies That which did most of all clash with the Cardinals thoughts in perswading the King to devolve his power upon her was that she still was guided by those very persons who laboured nothing more then the increasing her Majesties hatred against him and who would act to that purpose with so much the more insolency when they found themselves supported by her authority But as he ever preferred his Majesties before his own Interests he did not long stick at it but finding it most fit for the Government of the State he advised his Majesty to resolve upon it For first the Government of the State could not have been left with any other but it would have raised great broils in the State and secondly he had much rather have been thought improvident in fore-seeing that might hurt him then ingratefull in not procuring to her all possible honour lying in his power and lastly he had some reason to hope that the absolute power which his Majesty left with her during his absence might open her eyes to discern with what zeal and fidelity he had served her In fine his Majesty give the Queen his Mother full and absolute power and caused the Commission which he had made for that purpose to bee read in the Parliament Politique Observation NOthing doth so much allay the hatred of a woman as to procure some honour to her for as they are naturally passionate of ruling so there is not any thing doth more please them then power It should seem that nature having created them to obey they become so much the more ambitious of governing both in private families and in States too for either of which they are very improper Hence it is that they arm themselves with fire and anger against all who oppose them unlesse they are mollified and appeased by love next to which nothing doth so much please and satisfie them as the procurement of some extraordinary power and honour unto them It is a long while since a Philosopher said no water doth so readily extinguish the fire of anger as good deeds which as they make a greater impression on the mind by how much they come nearer to their inclination so there is nothing which doth more please or delight them and hence it is that they are the fittest and most dexterous ways to recall and reclaim their unjust and groundlesse anger and displeasure The King chargeth the Lord Keeper Marillac to chuse out the best rules which had been esteemed proper for the good of the Kingdom by the States met at Paris Anno 1614. and to propose them to the Councel to be drawn up into Ordinances AT the same time the King who cherished Justice as the best Flower in his Crown resolved to publish divers Ordinances relating to his peoples good such as he had chosen out of the best rules which had been thought most proper by the States General at Paris in the year one thousand six hundred and fourteen and by the Assembly at Rouen in the year 1617. and at Paris in the year one thousand six hundred twenty six His Majesty knew that God who had put the Scepter into his hands had not more commanded him any one thing than to administer Justice indifferently to all whereupon he gave order to the Lord Keeper to pick out from those rules such choice ones as might be thought most advantagious for his peoples good to propose them to the Counsel that they might be made Ordinances after mature deliberation had upon them all which was done accordingly and thence sent to the Parliament of Paris whether his Majesty went to hear them read in
of necessity He is more apprehensive of the discredit to loose an occasion of glory then of the mis-fortune and is alwayes more careful to preserve his honour than his life his courage fortifies him and makes him confident of the means dictated by his prudence he doth not fight rashly with his eyes shut as the Andabates or precipitate himself into dangers without looking what is necessary to secure himself but guiding his courage by reason he takes such Order as is fit and needful and then engageth without fear There is no courage so commendable as that which is accompanied with prudence and when the heat of Anger exciteth an obligation to repel al obstacles his reason ought to serve him in examining his designs his prudence to make choise of those means which are most likely to obtain an happy successe and his Anger to make him quick in action Last of all he delay not the exposing himself to combates where his prudence tell him there is not any danger but knowing that fortune is the friend of courage and doth often favour the bold he assaults his enemies as soon as ever his prudence hath given Orders for the fight he carrieth deeply engraved in his heart that saying of Salust They who are most fearful run most hazards and sure it is confidence is a rampart and every thing gives way to him who fals in with courage as every thing repelleth him who is carried away with cowardize To apprehend resistance is to be half overcome and he who scornes danger is half master of his enterprise Valour is very needful for the obtaining of an happy successe in all afâ—airs Fire is the noblest of all the Elements because it worketh quickest and nothing resisteth it and that man is most to be commended for his courage who acteth the most boldly and whom no dangers are able to affright It is also true that resoluteness doth oftentimes bring a good issue where prudence and counsel had no part whence it 〈◊〉 appears that in many affairs of war long deliberation is unnecessary and often prejudical in the successe of attempts besides the diminishing of his honour who conducteth them Something must be ventured and where there is no clear demonstration of a good successe there a good resolution seconded with judgment will go far which once concluded on then comes action into play and the sword to execute The Prince of Piedmont comes to Suze with full power from the Duke of Savoy to Treat with the King PResently after this victory the King sent to summon the Governour of the Fort Jaillon belonging to the Duke of Savoy bordering upon Suze to surrender he refused it but not long after fled with 300 men into the mountains and left the Fort to the Country people who left it to the King who put â—00 Soldiers in guard there At the same time his Majesty caused some forces to march to Roussillon a league and half from Suze being in all about an 1000 foot and 2000 Horse under the Command of the Marshals de Creiquy and Bassompierre who were saluted by those in the Cittadel of Suze with about 1000 musket and 200 great shot but no hurt onely the wounding of about a dozen men This insolency of theirs made his Majesty resolve to assault the Cittadel and for that purpose the Regiment Estissac was drawn out upon the top of Mount Brunet which adjoyneth to it In the mean while hearing that the Duke of Savoy began to repent his being engaged with the Spaniards and opposing of the French fearing belike and that not without good reason that his State would be seized on as a punishment of his rashness his Majesty sent the Sieur de Seneterre towards him to understand with he did intend to do and to let him know that if he would hearken to an accomodation that his Majesty out of his natural goodness and in consideration of Madam his Sister would forget what was past without making any other advantage of his victories onely for the assisting of his design to raise the siege of Cazal he expected to be assured of the passages for the conveyance of victuals to his Army and to be furnished with all things to revictual it paying for what he had The Duke thought himself very happy to be quiet upon such slender terms and presently dispatched the Prince de Piedmont towards the Cardinal to make the Treaty inpowering him to give his Majesty all content The Prince came to Suze and the same day it was concluded with Monsieur the Cardinal that the Duke of Savoy should give free passage through his Country to the Kings Army that he should furnish the markets both to Cazal and back again that he should contribute to the revictualling of Cazal by furnishing victuals and munition of war for which his Majesty should pay him withal that in future he should open such passages as the King should desire and should set out as many Soldiers for the securing of Montferrat if need were as his Majesty should think fit that for the better assurance of his promise his highness should presently deliver the Cittadel de Suze a the Fort de Gelasse into his Majesties hands and shortly after things being thus concluded he came to salute his Majesty and rendred him all kinds of respect Politique Observation NOthing is so requisite in a Prince as to attempt all things with Justice and such as are within his power without this he will inevitably fall into confusion and see himself exposed to as much shame as he proposed glory Imprudence is the spring of ill successe and rashness throws a Prince into the Gulph of confusion it inforceth the courages of those who have more heat than judgment charming them with a certain show of glory for which it makes them hope but indeed onely to engage them in greater disasters True generosity consisteth not in a blind impetuous rage which adventures upon all without considering the power or weighing the design by the Laws of prudence but it follows a medium between defect and excess Holding the head too high doth oftentimes throw down into praecipices and the want of prudence is no lesse dangerous for it oftentimes obligeth to discover not onely a deficiency of power but also of heart That Prince is greatly to be blamed who falls upon a King incomparably more powerful than himself and who pretends with an handful of men to oppose that which at last he will be forced to grant It is no shame for necessity to take the Law of one that is more powerful but if power prevail the who is forced to it is discredited with interest besides in passages how strait or difficult soever they be he cannot be able to defend himself from the danger which is falling on him unless he be very strong seeing that enemy who comes to assault him with a great Army will at last force him although they loose some men in the gaining it Commonly there
of being more faithful to their own Grandeur then to their Allyes As for those Princes whose inclinations carry them to believe the promises of others for Truths and are not in league with this same diffidence they are not to be discomended for it onely I would advise them so to stand on their Guards as if no such promises had been made at all Prosecution of the Subject HIS Majesty being come neer to Privas took up his Quarter in a House where he might both see the Town and his whole Army within a few houres of his arrival he commanded the Marquis d'Vxelles to go view the place and its fortifications He went out accordingly but perchance too well accompanied for his safty for the inhabitants of the Town shooting out upon them he was wounded by a Musquet of which he dyed within four or five dayes But at last the place having been viewed his Majesties Army began to take up their Quarters and after a hot sketmish the Inhabitants were beaten out of the suburbs within the Precinses of their Town Walls The Peace with England had been concluded and signed at Suze but not as yet sworn so his Majesty thought good to the intent he might dispossess them of all hopes from that part to cause it to be read a loud unto them at such a distance that they might easily see and hear the publication of it They were not a little surprised at it but that which more troubled them was they saw two Batteries raised in an Instant which so belaboured their Walls that in two dayes there was a breach made at which very time the Cardinal arrived from Suze who concluding the breach was sufficient it was resolved to give an assault All the Army was very resolute and high every one wishing it might be his good luck to fall on where most danger was that he might curb the Insolence of those rebellious Heretiques The assault was begun about eight at night and lasted until ten at which time the Regiment de Falsbourg entered the Quarter where they fell on and those of Champagne and Piedmont became Masters of Fort Saint André and Tourlon The Inhabitants fought more like mad men then any thing else so that the whole Town could not be carried at this bout yet the taking of those places strook such a terrour into the City that the next morning not a man durst appear though Montbrun the Governor commanded them to follow him every one flying for his own safety and Sainct André himself trying to make his peace The Cardinal thinking it just for the terrour of others and for the punishing of a great many that some ought to pay their lives for their Rebellious Insolencies would not admit of them but upon condition to surrender themselves to his Majesties Mercy This redoubled their Fears who were in the City and made many of them to get out some here some there amongst the Mountains who being met with by the Souldiers were all put to the Sword His Majesty having notice of what disorder was in the City Commanded the Sieur de Gordes and the Marquis d' â—ssiat to go into the Town under pretence of speaking with the Sieur de Sainct André who had sent unto the Sieur de Gordes to desire him to make his peace but in effect it was only to discover if the place were so deserted as had been informed They marched up to the Gate and finding no resistance took some more with them went in and soon became Masters of the whole Town which was presently given to the Souldiers to pillage Thence they passed up to the Castle and the Souldier whom they sent telling who he was and his business The Sieur de Sainct André came presently out unto them but could not be perswaded at first to yeild unto his Majesties mercy but stood very resolutely upon Quarter for his own life and theirs who were with him but at last being told once and again that there was no other way to save himself and seeing the Town entred and given to be pillaged he conseâ—ted and went to the door of his Majesties lodging where the Guards seized on him and by his Majesties order carried him to Bassompiere and Marillac to be by them lead in the head of the Regiment des Gardes before the Castle Gate to summon them this last time to surrender unto his Majesties mercy which was done accordingly and they forthwith yeilded But being just upon coming forth some amongst them set fire on a Barrel of powder which killed several of his Majesties Souldiers so incensed the rest that they slew all they could lay hands on The rest in stead of comming forth quietly as had been promised that they might be conducted to his Majesties feet ran away some this way and some that way and others leaped over the very Walls insomuch that it was with much a do that any of them had their lives saved But besides all this as if Heaven had not yet been satisfied for their Insolencies and Rebellions the fire kindled over all the Town on a sodain neither could the Author be discovered nor the fire extinguished until the Town was quite consumed to ashes notwithstanding his Majesties care and Command to save the Churches or at least some Houses which might serve for a Church Politique Observation IT is no lesse just then prudent to chastise one for exemples sake amongst many be they either men or Cities engaged in a Rebellion together The Insolency of them who hold out a Town against their Soveraign obligeth him to be deaf to all their last entreaties which they only fly unto when all other hopes have left them If his Clemency hath been ineffectual to reclaim them he is then obliged to let the Arme of his Justice thunder upon them to punish their insolent fuâ—y and rashness If love cannot force them to ease their Rebellion nothing but fear can then make them lay down their Weapons And indeed upon whom can a King with more Justice excercise the rigour of his Arms than upon his Rebellious subjects who by their Insolencies have rendered themselves unworthy of his Mercy He ought but seldome to employ his Revenge but unlesse he do on such an occasion as this he will quickly find his whole Authority trampled under foot He who accustometh himself in his usual Actions to violence cannot avoid being hated by all men which will in fine be his ruine And he who in Rebellions shall totally neglect it will soon be scorned by all men and that will ruine him on the other hand Princes who endeavour to make themselves be feared ought not to be discommended but only when they do it by undue wayes Man being free oughâ— to be govern'd by sweetness but if his passion shall transport him to abuse his Liberty he must be reduced by the severity of Justice to his duty The Horse who is only used to walk and never put to any swifter motion may be
a Deity They knew Heaven would be very severe in punishing those who violated it and they would not only be overwhelmed with Infamie but that it would be of ill consequence to the State considering how true it is that Justice and Fidelity are the two chief things which support the Thrones of all Kings Prosecution of the Subject I Cannot omit the great assistance which the Venetians did this year send unto the Duke of Mantua it being impossible for his Majesties whole Army to have been with him soon enough although some few Troops had already come to him The King had by his Ambassador negotiated those Succours with the Venetians upon the first discovery of the House of Austria's design Now the Venetians were the easier enclined to send these Succours it being their very great Interest to hinder the Spaniards growing power in Italy especially so neer them they having so often and so long had designs upon them Besides they well knew that they had at that present several good Towns and places which formerly belonged to the Dutchy of Milan but had been taken from it by their Common-wealth which peradventure the Spaniard might have a mind to recover from them In conclusion they send divers times Mony Victuals and some Troops unto the Duke of Mantua which did not a little help to preserve him Politique Observation THere is not any thing more dangerous then to suffer a potent Ambitious King to seize on a Neighbour Princes Country by violence seeing his conquest will only serve for a Bridge to the next Kingdome An Ambitious King is like a great River ever eating into it's Banks without regard had either to the Justice or Injustice of his designs When he hath once proposed his end he careth not by what means it is atchieved His chief care is how to make a party in his Neighbours Country how to raise a division which may open an entrance for his Ambitious designs He spareth no cost to corrupt their Officers and Ministers He is like some people in Affrick who sleep with their eyes alwayes open and as he believeth the greatest glory to consist in possessing the greatest empire so he imagineth the design of Command to be a just cause of War If his Forces be not strong enough he bloweth division amongst his Neighbours to make them revolt and maketh use of those who are credulous that he may subject their fellows to his Dominion He winks at Justice not that he may Judg with Equity but that he may not behold if possible the injustice of his own intentions In short there is not any thing which he will not do if it lead him to new conquests Which being thus who can be ignorant of the obligation which lyeth upon all Allyes to assist one another when any attempt is made upon any single Country amongst them The assistance which they lend is a security to their own States and in fighting for him they confirm their own quiet But above all they who are nearest bordering upon one another ought to be careful in this particular because they run a greater hazard When an Army is at our Gates it is little worth then to call upon a relief far from us for great Armies do not flye no they march but slowly and before they can arrive to assist us we are lost and taken He who being unable with his own strength to defend himself calleth in a friend far distant from him is like a sick person who being taken with a sodaine dangerous fit sendeth for an able Physitian to another place twenty miles distant and in the mean time before his Doctor arrives becomes incurable Antiquity hath furnished us with an admirable example of the thing in that of Sâ—gâ—nte which being besieged by the Carthaginians was taken before the relief from Rome could come up to it And of later times the City of Sienna being besieged by the Imperialists was in expectation of the French assistance but to little purpose they being at too great a distance to come up to them In such occasions those Countries neerest at hand are to be employed they being in reason bound to rise in their behalf and hereupon it is that Alliances and Leagues made with them are much more advantageous then any others whatever Prosecution of the History NOtwithstanding that the Treaty of Peace and the Renewing of Alliance between France and England had been concluded in April whilst his Majesty was at Suze yet the final confirmation of it was used to be done by oath and by extraordinary Ambassadors interchangeably sent which Ceremony had been put off until his Majesties return back to Paris from his Italian-Expedition and was now performed in September at Fontain-bleau whither the Lord Esmond came from the King of Britain for that purpose The King caused him to be entertained with very great honour as had been accustomed on such occasions particularly invited him to dine with him at his own Table that day when the Ceremony was celebrated The appointed hour being come he was conducted into the Church of Bourg magnificently prepared for that purpose where the King and all the Princes of the Court wayting on him hear'd Vespers At his entrance he saluted with great respect the King and Queens after which he took his place in a Scaffold made ready for him The King made the oath in his presence and swore upon the Holy Evangelists to observe and perform all the Conditions of the Treaty which he had signed The same oath was made at London the same day with no lesse Ceremony by the King of England in the presence of the Marquis de Chasteauneuf Extraordinary Ambassador there forth at purpose Politique Observation AS Sacraments render Actions the more venerable so have all people thought it fit to confirm their Treaties therewith that Princes might be obliged the more Religiously to observe them But in all times they have been as various as Nations That which was most universally observed was to drink in the same Glasse It is true those of Thracia and Aegypt did not use the same Cup but the same Ox-horn The Jewes used to kill certain Beasts and divide their entrailes The Caldeans passed through certain Flames holding a Sword in their hand to confirm their oaths But the Ceremonies of the Arabians seem to me more extraordinary then all the rest Some eminent Person of the Treaters placed himself in the midd'st and beating his hand with a sharp stone drew bloud which was gather'd up with some part of their Cloths wherewith they besmeared seven other stones about which they stood invocating the names of Denis Vrania The Scythians mingled blond with Wine dipp'd their Arrows their Hatchet and Javelins in it with several Protestations of Fidelity and then drank it up causing the witnesses of their oath to do the same The Romans were accustomed to call their Great Priest who raised an Altar of Turf placed a Hog on it which he smit with a
difficulty of the Passages any whit divert her but from Paris shee soon followed him by the perswasions of the Chancellor Marillac who after he had made himself Master of her will and mind would as willingly have rendered himself Dominus factotum in his room who had placed him so near her Majesty Politique Observation ANger is a Passion which forceth a man to undertake any thing nay all things It is a Torrent which bears down whatsoever doth resist it and its Rhetorique is so perswasive that there is no difficulty whatever which it will not break through and make appear feaseable to those who will but lend an ear to its Reasons so there be but any time fix't in which it may arrive to take that revenge which it proposeth it self Anger is most Industrious and Vigilant upon every oportunity of offending those whom it ayms at and there is not any thing which it will not patiently endure so that it may arrive to the end of its designs Anger too as it hath no fellowship with Prudence but a great friendship with boldness which makes it hope and attempt the levelling of Mountains so it doth frequently tumble those whom it possesseth into those pits and snares which they had provided for others Anger hath alwayes its eyes and thoughts fix't upon the end of its designs not once considering the difficulties dangers or wickednesses which accompany the means of obtaining its desires And it is apparently seen that the minds of those who are once transported with this Passion reflect on nothing but how they may quench that fire with which they burn concluding there is no other water to extinguish it then the ruin and downfal of those whom they hate and maligne little imagining that a Remedie of this quality will consume them in a worse heat and render their disease the more tormenting In fine it is most of all dangerous in great Personages because the designs into which it transports their courages are not alwayes conformable to the good of the State And by reason they have more power to execute their revenges which induced an Antient Writer to say they ought to have so much the lesse of this passion by how much they have more power This Anger being but a simple poor fault in private persons is like a Thunderbolt in the hands of great men which overthrows every thing without any the least consideration or thought that they are subject to other Laws then those of their own violent humours Stars that are highest move slowest And Grandees ought so much to moderate their emotions and ebullitions of choller by how much their qualities and conditions are more eminent then those of others The Duke of Savoy would not perform the Treaty agreed on with the King THE Prosecution of this History compels me to look back on the Cardinals expedition of which we have already said that it was about the end of the foregoing year As soon as he was arrived at Lions he would not lose any longer time but after he had writ to the King that it was not expedient for his Majesty to venture himself considering the extreme ill season of the year he presently dispatched the Sieur de Servient Superintendent of Justice in his Majesties Army towards the Duke of Savoy to inform him that he was come with forty thousand men with design to assist the Duke of Mantua and to defend him from the Spanish oppression His Highness was obliged by the Treaty of Suze to joyne his forces with those of the King for the preservation of that Prince and of the Liberty of Italy and but a very little before he had renewed those his promises to the King by the President of Montfalcon who had assured his Majesty in his behalf that he would advance ten thousand men and keep his Marts well provided with necessaries for the Souldiers and all this that he might be as good as his promise The time was now come in which he must declare himself and reduce his words into Actions The Cardinal commanded Monsieur de Servient to presse him to it in the King's behalf The answer which the Duke of Savoy should have made if he had proceeded with that faith and truth which ought to go hand in hand with the Promises of all confederate Princes had been this that he would not go one tittle lesse then his word but instead of that fair and clear dealing his first answer was that he did totally disown the President of Montfalcon without the least shew of a readiness to execute his promises which gave evident causes of suspition that he held Intelligence with the Spaniard and of which there had been former notice and advise given from other hands Politique Observation THe words of Princes ought to be as inviolate as the Sanctuary Whatever consequence they apprehend in their affairs is not a sufficient ground for their double dealing but they ought to blame their own fore-sight It is as dishonourable for them to say I did not think it as it is glorious and noble for them to keep their words That Prince cannot be thought faithfull who will break his promise upon what occasion soever it be which whosoever doth deceiveth and cheateth himself for that the truth and faith of Grandees gives then as much power and credit as their Swords It is esteemed by the most wise to be a good Store-house or Armory when a King can assure himself of the assistance of all other Princes which he may safely do so long as they are reputed faithfull But when any Prince becomes faithlesse it is lawfull for every one to break with him who first breaks himself He who hath been once treacherous is for ever looked on as a Coward the onely going back from his word being an assured sign that his fear of others is that which makes him abandon his own Allies A couragious Prince will keep touch with his very enemies and it is neither fear nor necessity that can divert his gallant resolutions whilest it is his maxime that if Prosperity obligeth him to this high point of vertue Adversity doth it in a more particular manner The Gallantry and Valour of Attilius Regulus was much esteemed of by all the Ancients who returned willingly to the tortures of his enemies rather then he would break his Parole once past unto them But the Duke of Savoy is not so well Principled and being in league with the Spaniard thought perhaps he would as little regard his word as they do it being grown a Proverb amongst them that the Wind drives Words and Feathers yet in it he will find himself much mistaken and that to his own very great disadvantage as well as in his many other tricks artifices and designs of amusing and deceiving the Cardinal Proposals made by the Duke of Savoy to the Cardinal Richelieu FIrst of all it was proposed to the Sieur de Servient that a conference might be had if it were thought fit
prudence or intelligence to discover and detect him nor force and power to punish and chastise him Prepositions of Peace made by the Nuntio Pauzirolo on the Duke of Savoy's behalf to the Cardinal Richelieu ONe other device the Duke had by which he verily imagined to surprise and allay the Vigilance Prudence of the Cardinal incausing his troops to advance together with the Artillery and Ammunition which was to send him every day new Propositions of Peace sometimes by the Nuntio Pauzirolâ— who had no power to conclude any thing otherwhiles by Mazarini another Lord of his Court but never consenting to the Kings demands without which he knew his Overtures would never be admitted The King was positively desirous to have the Passages free and open for him to succour the Duke of Mantua as often as need should require and the Duke of Savoy as peremptorily denied it alledging that the Emperour never would consent that the Princes of Italy should undertake his Protection with and against the whole world and that the Spaniard never would give way that he should entertain any French Troops in his service which were however very needfull for the surety of his Estate it being impossible for him to raise a sufficient party in his own Dukedom The Cardinal long before had sounded the vanity of all these propositions which did no way prevent his care of giving all necessary Orders for the carrying on of the War never would he stop his ears to any Proposals of Peace but used his utmost indeavours to obtain such conditions as without them the King neither would or could with his honour quit his Arms. And indeed had a Peace been concluded without such terms it had been but of a short continuance for that it had onely given opportunity of time to the Spaniard and the Duke of Savoy to fortifie the Passages and render themselves Masters of the Dukedom of Mantua with the greater ease a design which France could not brook though the hindrance and prevention of it was at that time most difficult to bring to passe Politique Observation MOst certain it is that by how much a War maketh a State to be lamented by so much Peace is to be wished for and imbraced Peace is the most sweet bond of humane society the delight of nature the nurse of good Laws of Order and Policy it peopleth Desarts and maketh the Land fruitfull every one finds it the more agreeable by its being accompanied with safety and aboundance On the other side War is a fatal source of mis-fortunes the desolation of Countries the demolition of Cities the destruction of Nations and the cause of all sorts of miseries There are I must confesse two Occurrences in which War is better then Peace The first when that Peace cannot long last for who can imagine that a man would take any great care to obtain that which he doth verily conclude will be as soon lost Such was Archidanus his advice when he disswaded the Lacedemonians from making a Peace with those of Thâ—bes in Isocrates opinion wise Princes make a War for the procuring of more certain and established Peace to their estates and Countries and they indure without regret the troubles of a War that they may the longer enjoy the Tranquilities of a Peace and most certain it is that the Arms which are in the hands of a wise Prince do much contribute to ferment and fix it Besides the most wise men have ever preferred War before Peace on all such occasions where no accommodation could be made but to the prejudice of the Kings honour or estate Peace is not to be wished for but upon honourable conditions not onely because the Glory of a Prince is to be preferred before all things but because without this he hath but a slender assurance of any thing it being apparent that whosoever doth patch up a Peace with any confusion or disorder will quickly be the first that shall break it to recover his lost honour and reputation As you may find in T. Livius the Carthaginians did after the ratification of the Treaty upon the first War with the Romans The Revictualling of Cazal AFter all this jugling the Cardinal was forced to break with the Duke of Savoy but his Courage was still governed by his Prudence though he did not beleeve that the Kings enemies would accept of those very conditions of Peace which themselves proposed Now the reason why he would not so soon break off the Treaty was because he would cast the blame on them and their party and that the Kings Army might appear with more Justice on its side who had prosecuted their desires or Peace so long as they might with their Honours endeavour the obtaining of it moreover that by this means he might pierce into their designs as also to revictual Cazal which he could not have done should he have fallen out with the Duke as soon as there was an occasion offered for it For though the Duke had not force enough to carry away the Victory from the Kings Army he had however sufficient to hinder the transport of any releef to Cazal without which the Souldiers there could never have endured the Siege and for which Spinola had began his preparations and to skirmish with them in Piedmont and there to hold him play untill his enemies had began the Siege and fortified themselves in their Trenches which would be in a short time impregnable As soon as Cazal was thus victualled and that he was not able to procure an honourable Peace his Zeal and Courage for his Majesty was not then longer able to break the insolencies of his enemies which till then his Prudence and discretion caused him to passe by and take no notice of at all Politique Observation IT is not alwaies fit to break off a Treaty of Peace as soon as one dispairs of concluding it But I think it very expedient and a matter of great concernment to prolong it as long as honourably one may provided he get any advantage by it And as Salust in his Oration of Philippus against Lepidus hath well observed a man ought principally to have a care that in Treaties he do not testifie his desires of Peace with too great an Ardour or Affection because that were an assured sign of fear and weaknesse the knowledge of which gives a considerable advantage to ones enemies Though in a Treaty of a Peace a Prince reap no other benefit then this one to wit the sending abroad with more liberty his intelligences into his enemies Quarters under pretence of Conferences there to find out his enemies designs yet the advantage were not despicable In this Overture the Cardinal was not behind hand with them in any of these particulars for there passed not any day in which he did not send to visit the Duke of Savoy by persons both of great quality and judgement well knowing that men so qualified are capable in their negotiations not onely of knowing
birth which was every day apparent by her conduct whilest shee had the management of affairs as also because she every day fancied to her self that she did see Forrainers enter into France with their Swords in their hands burning and killing all and turning the State topsie-turvie These Panique fears made her earnestly desire to see the King and because the wayes were difficult for one of her sex to passe she dispatched one to his Majesty beseeching him with all earnestness that she might have the honour to see him The King who took a most particular care to render her all respects and compliances which might be agreeable to her presently departed from the Camp at St. Pierre to give her this satisfaction though for the good of his own affairs and for his health's sake it had been more proper to have deferr'd it to a more seasonable time It cannot be imagined how many artifices the Queen Mother imployed to stay him at Lyons without considering the news which came from the Army how that many of the Souldiers believing the King would not return any more had disbanded the very same time that they perceived his Majesty went from thence and by this means did put the successe of affairs in hazard for that the Companies were diminished to nothing Politique Observation WOmen are capable of ruining the most important affairs in a State if they have but power to execute their passions History is pregnant with examples which verifie the many evils they have caused whilest the Government of Kingdomes hath been in their hands Fear which is natural to their sex takes them off from approving the Wars be they never so just be they never so necessary for the glory and advancement of the State Their Conduct is founded more upon Passion then Judgment and they look not into any Reasons caring not so they may arrive to the end of their designs and not at all reflecting on the consequences which attend it There is not any blast of wind or flames like the Passion of a Woman especially when shee is filled with hatred as the Queen Mother was who would have been very glad to have seen the Cardinal perish in this design and which shee hoped to see if his Majesty did but leave him there alone The Resistance which they find against their wills serves to augment their hear and the very contradition converts their designs and desires into fury whence an Antient very wisely said that Womens Counsel is not to be made use of in Publique affairs but as Medicines to which a man hath recourse in extream necessity and when all other means fail The Queen Mother continueth her anger against the Cardinal THE King had too much knowledge and experience to be moved by all the Instances made to him so that he departed three dayes after to return to St. John de Morienne But the Queen Mother was aggrieved thereat so much the more sensible by how much shee had earnestly desired to stay him neer her And the Lord Keeper who omitted no occasion to exasperate her mind against the Cardinal raised thence great advantages to infuse into her Spirit new resentments of hatred and anger against him The displeasure which he conceived in his particular to see the War was carried directly against the Spaniard whom he had alwayes openly favoured raised up new inventions in his mind to stir up the anger of this great Princesse entertaining her in all those thoughts which might serve to reinflame her The opinion which he had of his own judgment and of his own thoughts which he adored as so many revelations with held him from stooping to the Cardinals prudent conduct Though discretion and the acknowledgment which he was obliged to shew of that high Honour to which he had raised him should have perswaded him that he had strong Reasons importing the good and glory of the Estate which carried him on to continue the War Politique Observation IT is very dangerous for a States-man who hath any share in the Government of affairs under the conduct of the Chief Minister to be too much wedded to his own opinions All the Orbes follow the motion of the Primum Mobile and as we should soon see the World revolve into it's first Chaos if they should clash so can there follow nothing but confusion in Kingdomes when the inferior Ministers would carry on affairs by wayes contrary to those of the Chief He wants Judgment who doth not accomodate himself to the principal Genius which hath the ordering of all affairs and deserves as much blame as Fabius Maximus who almost overthrew the Commonwealth of Rome by opposing himself with too much violence against Scipios expedition into Affrique It is good to conform ones self to the opinion of those who guide the Stern and though it be permitted us to give some Place to our own thoughts neverthelesse it never ought to arrive to that height as to hinder us from following their resolutions or paying them our respects and endeavours It is true the Prudence of a States-man is too remisse who makes himself indifferent to all he ought to resemble a skilful musician who sometimes sets up one string and le ts down the others But however if he depend upon another he is obliged to follow rather his then his own Judgment not forgetting that his degree is inâ—eriour and that in diversity of opinions submission and to know to how to yeild are Marks of a wel-tempered soul and that the most generous spirits are the most universal and the readiest disposed to all that another would have This condiscending not being an effect of debility but of Respect whereas obstinacy and perverseness in maintaining ones opinion is a dangerous sickness of the mind and more proper to Pedants then to persons of affairs The establishment of the * The yearly râ—nt payd by the Officers of Justice to the King Droict Annuel THe care which the Cardinal had of Forraign affairs never took off his thoughts from the concernments within the Kingdome The late King Henry the Great haviâ—g hatched grand designs for the glorâ— of Frâ—nce had occasions for monies and thought it necessary to establish the Droict Annuel Hence he raised great sums but prejudicial to the people because it gave way to all Officers of Justice and of the Treasury to keep the free disposal of their Offices they paying every â—eâ—r a certain Tax to the * A Treasâ—ry â—o calleâ— from the Casualty of the â—ncomes Parties Casuelles and the liberty to continue the Sale of Offices which were introduced since the time of Francis the first who finding himself obliged to make a Vertue of Necessity was constrained to create many Officers which were continued from the time of Henry the second who created the Sieges Presidiaux and many other Officers which have remained even to this present The Cardinal who had no other end in the Honour which the King had done him to continue
him in the conduct of the most important affairs of the Kingdome them the Reformation and re-establishment of the State did not fail at the end of the foregoing year to represent to his Majesty that it was not only important but almost necessary to take away that power of Sale and consequently to suppresse the Troict Annuel upon which it hath it's principal dependance And his Majesty did so much the more approve of his resolution because he found nothing in the Cardinals Counsels which was not as admirable as profitable to France Politique Observation THE Sale of Offices is one of the greatest mischiefs in a State Ambition never faâ—ls to raise them to an excessive price which causeth that al the Honours of the Kingdome serve rather for a recompense of riches then of vertue It takes away from Kings the power of chusing Officers which are the Organs whereby Justice is distributed to their subjects it casts the greatest Courages into despair when they find themselves reduced to Poverty see others occupy the place of vertue and that the most glorious Actions to which they could aspire shall not be able to raise them out of the dust Is not that it which gives subsistance to such a number of Officers who-instead of serving do but oppresse the people Is not that it which hinders the suppression of a great number and reducing of them to a smaller which might be the hundreth part of what now are and yet sufficient for the Kings service and the good of the people With how many pensions doth it overcharge the Kings exchequer and the sum which is imployed in their pay is it not immense But this Sale of Offices is not only a charge to the Publique since particular persons suffer extreamly much by it The hopes they conceive of the continuation of the Droict Annuel incourageth them to buy their Offices at so high a rate that the very richest are beggard by it If they continue any long time in their Offices the expences to which they are tyed to live with some Splendour undoes them and their Children are so far from drawing any advantage from it that they are commonly left if not in absolute poverty yet in much want Many are constrained to sell them off during their lives for the accomodation of their families and to divide the money among their Children and it is as much as any if he be none of the richest can do to maintain one of his Children in the succession of his Offices leaving all the rest in a necessity of living below their qualities The suppression of the Droict Annuel in regard of the Officers of Iustice re-established by the King THese just considerations being represented to the King by the Prudence of the Cardinal induced his Majesty ever since the beginning of the year to suppresse the Droict Annuel in relation to the judicature which are more considerable then the rest that so by little and little death might extinguish a great part of the Offices and take away the venality without any great prejudice to the Officers themselves For he had resolved to allow the Survivances to those who had long lived in their charges with Honour Or if they were taken away by death to grant their Offices to such of their Children as should be found capable or in case they left none able to manage them to cause that such as should succeed should allow some recompense unto them thus restoring to the State by little and little the accomplishment of its perfection But these Officers made so great instance to his Majesty for the Continuation of the Droict Annuel being therein like the sick who flatter themselves in their diseases and will not apprehend the danger to which they expose themselves that he was obliged to continue it for 9 years longer but burthened with such extraordinary charges that they would find difficulty to pay them whereby they might enjoy the favour granted to them by the Declaration made in June and be staggered another time to desire the continuation of it The King would not absolutely discontent the Body of Officers who do at this day constitute the greatest part of his Kingdome But his Prudence sound it fit so to burden this condition that the greatest part should renounce the benefit which he accorded them to free themselves from the charges Besides the immense expence of the War did incline him to this resolution for his supply Necessity obliging to do that which otherwise he would not do Politique Observation IT is with men as with the sick We must not administer neither to one or t'other the remedies proper to their disease without regard to the disposition of their humour because they may sometimes be so stirred in the discontentments which they receive that their sickness would rather encrease then receive any abatement The most commendable Counsels which are given upon the General consideration of affairs become oftentimes hurtful by reason of some circumstance which may happen The most that can be done in such occasions is to put the business into such a state that that which is needful to be done suffer but a simple delay conserving still the liberty of executing counsels in a more favourable time It hath been often seen that States have been cast into extremity and sedition by attempting any unreasonable reformation It is not of smal importance to content the Officers when they are so numerous as they are in France They are they who keep people in obedience who have power to enforce obedience to the Laws They are the Directers of the civil Government in all Towns and by Consequence the commotions which might be stirred up in their breasts by any extraordinary discontent though taken up upon a false ground would be as dangerous as a violent heat which doth seize upon the Heart the Liver or any other vital parts The Kings return from St. John de Morienne into France A Little while after his Majesties arrival at St John de Morienne he was seized on by 2 or 3 fits of a Fever which gave occasion to the Cardinal to doubt lest his Majesty might fall into some more dangerous sicknesse And as one never ought to hazard the Person of a King who is the Soul of his State the heart which distributeth the Spirits of life by the Arteries unto all parts the Liver which giveth nourishment to all and the principal of all others good fortune so the Cardinal entreated his Majesty with so many instances to retire himself from that abode which was neer hand infected all over with the pestilence and return to Lyon where he would find a good ayr and ease from those great Cares which the War had ingaged him to take upon himself that at last he did accordingly resolve to return and arrived there about the beginning of August The Cardinal in the mean time could not think of quitting the Army so soon foreseeing that should he have gone with his
sorts of wickednesses which are not powerful enough to entertain the minds of women especially when they believe that the subject they work upon would set bounds to their Authority and hinder them in their Governing according to their own Fancies The greediness of absolute command hurries them with a greater impetuosity to revenge then any other cause whatsoever without this consideration that God hath not created their Sex for Government and experience hath evidenced it upon many occasions that they are very unfit for that purpose But as Ambition is a blind Passion we do many times see great obstacles opposed to their Powers when they think to increase their Authorities and the greatest props of their Grandeur ruined whilest they use their greatest endeavours to render themselves more absolute The great Qualities of the Cardinal ALL the Artifices of the Queen mother made no other Impression upon his Majesty then to carry him to recollect and reiterate in his mind the Fidelity of the Cardinals services the great affection wherewith he had behaved himself in all occasions where his Majesties glory was concern'd the good success which accompanied his Conduct of his Armies the Incomparable Prudence wherewith he was endued with which he did penetrate into what was to come and foresaw effects in their Causes and accordingly prepared Remedies before they hapned the indefatigable vigilance which made him so intent both day and on the affairs of State that though he gave Orders in the greatest yet he never forgot the least and that prodigious promptitude which produc'd effects from resolution in Counsel before one knew whether it were resolv'd on or no These were those just considerations which the King recalled into his mind to oppugne the divers Artifices of the Cardinals enemies and one may say they did so fix his Majesty against those violences with which they would as it were shake him that to the end he might evade those perpetual instances which the Queen-mother hourly made to him he resolved to go to pass away some days at Verfilles In effect that was the cause of the King 's going from Paris and the Queen-mother could get no other satisfaction from his Majesty then that of Respect and hearty affection by his taking leave of her Politique Observation THe King well knew that the disgraces of a grand Minister are as dis-advantagious to a State as his services have been profitable and that in it a Prince receives as much blame as he had once gotten glory in drawing him neer to Person An excellent Workman never uses to throw away his Instruments wherewith he is accustomed to make rare pieces of his Art and a King doth much recede from a great Conduct if he doth drive from the Government of his State-affairs such a Minister whose admirable Genius is the principal instrument of his glory Undoubtedly the Counter-blow of such a stroke might rebound against his Authority He ought to know that it is easie to blame those who govern and to lament their Conduct and that many more find it very perfect and compleat seeing it doth not give them leave to do whatever they would in their own particular and that the Estate of Publick Affairs ought not to be judged by those of their own houses There need no more but to consult with experience to evince that it is very difficult to find a great Genius on whose Prudence they may confidently rely for that two or three whole ages do hardly bring forth one only such How many Kings have been constrained to leave both their Courages and States as unusefull for that their Country produc'd none such in their times He who is so happy as to meet with one ought to preserve him with as much care as the most assured foundation of his Kingdomes happinesse How frequent are the misfortunes which happen in Battels for the only losse of an expert great Captain And how many confusions arrive to States by the loss of one grand Minister his only conservation is of greater importance then that I will not say of Towns but of whole Provinces for he is not only capable of regaining them but conquering new ones whereas the losse of him is irrepairable for that hardly many ages produce one that doth resemble him Why the King went from Paris and caused the Lord Keeper of the Broad-Seal and his Brother the Marshal de Marillac to be Arrested THe King went from Paris only to give himself more liberty to negotiate in his important affairs and to withdraw himself from those importunities not to say violences of the Queen-Mother In whose presence the respect which he had for her hindred him from doing any thing which might displease her His Majesty knew that it was necessary for the good of his Estate to chastise those contrivers of Intreagues and on the other side he cemented himself in an unalterable resolution which being an effect of his own onely Prudence acquired him so much the more Glory never to part from the Cardinal Now it was often seen that these Cabals had no other beginning then from the Lord Keeper and the Marshal de Marillac therefore his Majesty took away the Seal from the former as the Arms of a mad man which he had imployed to do evil causing him to be carried to Lysieux and sent Orders to the Marshal de la Force and Schomberg to arrest the t'other and send him Prisoner to the Castle of St. Menehoud What reason was there to suffer any longer the insolence of these two ambitious humours who had been so audacious to commit such offences between the King and Queen-Mother and to breed a division between their Majesties which keeps them at a dislaâ—â—e to this very day Was it possible to suffer their unbridled Ambition which made them aspire to the Government of the State by the destruction of him who had established it in so sublime a pitch of Glory that it is not only more honoured but more feared too by strangers Again could it be that the Ingratitude of these two Brothers should not pull down as it were by force the Kings Justice to dash them as with a Thunder-Bolt and to punish their devices which they used with the Queen-Mother to carry her on to the ruining of him by whose Counsel his Majesty had raised them to the highest degrees of their profession winking at their unworthy actions which had heretofore rendred them culpable and by which they made their first attempts His Majesty knew in how many occasions the Cardinal had favoured them the great gifts which he had obtained of him for them and how that in som affairs he had become their Protector when in their conduct there was just reason to complain of them And on the other side when he reflected on the extremity of their ingratitude he could no longer permit that one of them should be any more imployed in affairs or that the other should remain unpunished for those many Crimes of
Imperial Commissary entred in their place Politique Observation IT is not without great reason that God hath called himself in the Mosaick Law The â—ord of Hosts seeing he holdeth in his hand the Courages of those who conduct them as he himself thinks fit he gives them Peace or War and when they think that they are upon the very point of fighting then it is that he compels them to lay down their Arms to teach them that it is his gift and that it is not in the power of all humane wisdom if he himself doth not lend a helping hand to it His Providence guides things to their ends by means which to appearance are contrary to it But his Power is always Master and it is in vain for us to endeavour or labour to resist him It is worth looking on the Sun in a storm and to behold the Ayr cut with lightning and thunder the Clouds cleft asunder the impetuousness of the Winds and Thunder calmed the Ayr cleered and in a while all that dissipated which hindred the shining of his rayes But how much better is it to behold the Sun of Justice who over-ruleth Hosts to make the force of his power to appear just when Battels are joyning to cover the earth with dead Bodies to dy the Fields and Rivers with blood to obscure the Sky with the smoak of Cannons and Muskets and to fill the Ayr with lamentable Cries and then to allay their rage to cause their Arms to drop out of their hands to fill their souls with gentleness and in a word to give a happy Peace After such an affair seeing all things fall out contrary to our expectations may not one conclude that God laughs at our Designs and that his just Power over-rules the Order and Conduct of all humane Affairs The re-victualling of Cazal AFter all this the Spaniards whose arrogant humour could not well away with the disorder they were now put to had much ado to march out of Montferrat and they did not only delay the time by pretending that their Ammunitions of War and Victuals could not so soon be drawn off but began to take up new Quarters about Cazal which the French when they retired had left This made the Generals resolve to dispatch three Regiments of French to Cazal under the Mareschal de Marillac and accordingly it was effected The Mareschal gave an account to the Imperial Commissary of the Reasons which occasioned his return and that he pretended not to stay longer in Cazal then till the Spaniards and Germans should withdraw from Montferrat at which the Commissary could find no exceptions it being reasonable that both should march off at the same time Some of the Enemies were so much netled at this that the Generals having divided the Army in two parts one Division marching by the Coast of Livorn and Byanzay they were advised to follow them with intention to fall upon them This breach of Faith did more affright then hurt them They ranged themselves into Battalia and so stood one whole day expecting when they would come on In the mean time there were six thousand Quarters of Wheat clapt into Cazal and the French marched off at the same time that the Spaniards and Germans went out of Montferrat c. Thus the War ceased for that year though the Treaty were not as yet absolutely concluded on Politique Observation JT were great rashness in a General after a Victory or the taking in of any Place so to despise his Enemy as to let his Forces be in disorder or to give them any opportunity to regain what they had lost The Anger which an Enemy is possessed with after he is either beaten or forced from his Siege should induce him still to be ready for a fight his enemy waiting only for an advantage to take his revenge If they be once beaten out of one quarter of their Trenches they should be so look'd after that they do not enter in at another part they should never be thought to have left a Country so long as there remains but one place which may make any resistance not so much as a Castle which may quickly be fortifi'd or the Gate of a Town which one may suppose to be secure by a Treaty ought to be left unregarded Desperation doth somtimes re-double an Enemies courage and even when an Enemy is absolutely routed there ought to be a strict watch kept seeing a broken Army doth often rally and rush in upon the Conquerors and do them so much the greater mischief by their not being prepared to make defence The King of Swede enters into Germanie WHilst the King carried his Arms into Italy for the just defence of Monsieur de Mantua's Interest several Princes of Germany and amongst the rest the Dukes of Pomerania and Mecklebourg the Marquis of Brandenburgh and divers Common-wealths oppressed by the House of Austria imagining that the King of Swede's Nobleness would defend them from this violence called him in to their assistance They sent sundry Deputies to him to engage him with all earnestness to assist them whom they found so much the more enclined to it in regard he thought himself justly offended with the Emperour for his unworthy dealing with him for he had caused his Letters to be broken open his Characters deciphered and interpreted imprisoned his Subjects trading upon the Baltique Sea after he had taken away their Merchandises prohibited the Commerce though it were a natural right and free to all the World had by several means hindred the conclusion of that Peace which had been treated on with Poland had sent whole Companies under his own Colours into Prussiia to fight against the Swedish Army to destroy him under pretence of assisting the King of Poland had in a worse then barbarous manner refused the Embassadours whom he had sent to him to treat a Peace and had openly and under-hand spoiled and deprived his kindred and Allies of their States so that some of them were even brought to Beggery without being able to get any reason or satisfaction to their just complaints These are the true causes which stirred up his Courage not able to suffer such injuries and which at last made him imbark on the Sea a most puissant Army About July he came before the Island of Rugen which he made himself Master of in a few days notwithstanding those great oppositions which he met with thence he went to Stralzund a Hans Town seated upon the Baltique Sea in the Dutchy of Pomerania which he had taken into his protection in the year 1628 and there he landed The Imperialists had kept the Town close blocked up untill March and did still belabour it with all Acts of Hostility though they were constrained to raise the Siege after the losse of above twenty thousand men but they quickly drew off for altogether not thinking it possible to resist him in a field who had so easily taken in the Forts of the Island Rugen Politique
Observation THere are four principal causes which make Kings to march out of their own Country Ambition which hath no limits makes them impatient of being confined within those of their own States and desirous to inlarge them at their neighbours expences The natural inconveniences too of their own Country may draw them out to seek a better where they might live with more ease as our first French the Vandals and Goths did Some flatter themselves in the belief that there is not at this day any lawfull Prince at all whose Estate had any other beginning and that Kings have no juster Titles then by Conquests with their Swords Lastly they go forth to revenge those injuries which are done them it being allowable to repel Force with Force and to decide their differences in the field by that power which God hath given to them They quit their Countries to assist their Allies it being not only necessary for a Prince who aims at an extraordinary pitch of Glory not to injure any person but also to defend and protect those who are joyned with him by interest alliance or kindred The Assembly at Ratisbonne ABout the same time there was held an assembly at Ratisbonne and the King of Swede understood that it was then and there resolved to make a strong resistance against the Justice of his Arms and that the Emperour had contrived a design wherein though he was much mistaken to force him out of Germany and to make him perish in the Baltique Sea not vouchsafing to treat a Peace upon those Proposals which had been sent to him only for restoring the States and Liberties to those Princes and Republiques from whom he had ravished them Resistance heightens and augments Courage and this made the Swedish King march up into the Country and resolve upon great designs which we have seen him bring to passe But first he had recourse to such Kings and States with whom he was in League About September he writ to the King desiring him by that ancient Alliance which had been between the Kings of France and Swede with mutual promises not only to preserve friendship between one another but also when occasion should serve reciprocally to assist one another to imploy the power of his Arms and Authority to defend that cause which he had then undertaken in prosecution of which he had passed the Sea and all in the behalf of those who were tied to him by kindred and allied to the Crown of France The King whose courage could not indure that any wrong should be offered to his Allies received this request so much the more favourable in respect it were as glorious a thing in him to contribute to their establishment and accordingly he gave the most advantagious answer to his Embassadours that could be expected However the Cardinal offered one thing to his Majesties consideration that it would be needfull to take care for the maintaining of Religion in preserving of States and to ingage the King of Sweden not to commit outrages against it where he found it setled His Majesty took time to deliberate and resolve on the Articles of their Treaty which being concluded and assigned about the beginning of the yeer following I shal then re-assume my discourse of it in its due order Politique Observation HAsty rashnesse in resolving upon grant affairs is as dangerous as a nimble executing of them is advantagious Prudence ought to guide both one and t'other And whatever Justice appear above-board in designs yet they are subject to have but ill successes if not commenced with mature deliberation Though the wise man resolve to do such a thing which he knows to be just yet he will take time to deliberate on the means And as the interest of Religion is very considerable so the Cardinal would not act any thing untill that were secured Whereas on the contrary rash hasty persons do greedily run unto the end which they have once concluded but never examine the ways which conduce to attain to it thus they do many times find themselves so at a losse and intangled in the executing their designs that they at last find no dore to walk out at with honour and so leave off with shame and confusion Hence it is that Demosthenes in his first Oration against Philip saith They who counsel with great hast are not the greatest Counsellours those Stomacks which make a quick digestion do not concoct so good a Chilâ—â—s as those whose heat is moderate as Physitians tell us and true it is those spirits which make their resolution with most heat and promptness do commonly came lamely of at last cast The King honoureth the Sieur de Montmorancy and Thoyras with the Staff of Marshal of France SHortly after his Majesty came to Paris well knowing that rewards of honor are not only due to those who have deserved them but withall usefull to incourage others to follow their example He resolved to honour the Sieurs de Montmorancy and Thoyras with the Staffs of Marshal of France as a mark of Valour which the former had shewed in the War of Piedmont and which the second had shewed to all Italy during the Siege of Cazal They being persons of great esteem every one commended his Majesties choice which he had made in raising them to that eminent degree of honour But the Rebellion of the one and the evil Government of the other did shortly after sully part of that glory which they had merited they shewing by their Procedures that valour and prudence do not alwaies meet in the same subject Politique Observation THe rewarding of services is so necessary for the good of a State that when it is once laid by the practice of vertue is neglected especially if it be not distinguished by marks of honour There are but a few of the same mind with the Phylosopher who said he never expected other fruit from his good deeds then the contentment to have done them and that he thought himself very happy to receive that testimony from his Conscience which she gave to him It is true a truly noble man doth not so much regard the Recompence as the Action of Vertue which render him deserving but it cannot be denied that those marks of honour do make lively and excite resolutions to noble actions The wisest Phylosophers have said that the two supporters upon which all the motions of a State depend are reward and punishment without which there were no doubt but that great disorders would soon follow and vertue become totally neglected The King Honours the Sieur de Servient with the Office of Secretary THe King who was not to seek in any thing which concerned the good of his State would now make another proof of the knowledge he had of that Prudent maxime One of the places of Secretary of State being vacant by the death of the Sieur de Beauclere his Majesty recollected in his mind the services of the Sieur de Servient the Prudence wherewith
young Prince whose name is fatal to this Crown enjoy more profits then he at four years old we have seen a Treasurer of the Exchequer buy himself out of a disaster by giving the King two millions of Livres which was but a sixth part neither of his estate We have know two Jewellers enrich themselves with between four and five hundred thousand Crowns during the Queen-Mothers Regency Is it not then unjust to complain of those favours which his Majesty hath conferred upon him and wherewith he hath alwaies assisted his Majesty in the wars when the monies of the Exchequer could not be brought in time enough Is he as rich as the Prince of Kemberg the Emperour's Favourite at this day who of a private Gentleman of Styria hath gotten five hundred thousand Crowne per annum in two Provinces which his Master gave him opportunity to effect permitting him likewise â—o gather Contributions from the Imperial and Hans-Towns and causing his expences to be defrayed by his own Officers which could not but exceed an hundred thousand Crowns per annum The most part of the Cardinals Revenues are in Church-livings which are no waies chargeable to the people and ought the lesse to be envied to him in regard he hath deserved them and much more from the Church by his services and that he employs them for the relief of the poor with honour not prodigality in his own Family We shall not find that his moveables would amount to so much as those of the Cardinal d' Amboise did at his death To conclude could his services be rewarded with money his actions have made it apparent he deserves much more His chief end was only to have the glory of serving his Master neither did he regard such low recompences He hath often refused gifts which the King hath proffered him and the greatest care he took for money was to see his Majesties Treasures well ordered when as before they were squandred away in frivolous gifts and superfluous expences little tending to his Majesties glory So that since his coming to the management of affairs there was less expended then before though there was a necessity of maintaining continual Armies both at home and abroad Politique Observation RIches are the least rewards which Kings can bestow upon their Minister for that in themselves they are the least of all other goods Can any one deny Kings to be much indebted to their Ministers seeing they are the most worthy Instruments of their glory and that by their endeavours it is that they effect such exploits as render their memories immortal For how much are such riches beneath such great services They are Fortunes may-games and only useful to pass away the necessities of life most commonly they bring more care then pleasure with them and are equally common with the greatest persons and those who never obliged the State by their services to reward them The Geese of the Capitol were well fed at the expence of the Common-wealth because by their noise they discovered the surprisal which the French intended A Dog that set upon certain sacrilegious men was maintained at the Publike charge An Horse that carried his Master out of danger was for ever freed from labour And shall not a grand Minister after the rendring most signal services to his Master and Country be rewarded with more then common advantages I may add that it is necessary for a great King to confer great benefits upon a Minister whom he hath found faithful and couragious in those things which relate to his service whereby he may give him more authority and power to go through with all sorts of enterprises tending to his glory The greatest genius hath occasion of them to make himself potent in affairs and without them his vigour will be feeble He is compelled to stifle a thousand noble exploits in his thoughts for want of means to bring them forth It is well if he be indued with generous inclinations but if impotency assault him it dis-incourageth him Besides the affairs of the world are so disposed and mans thoughts so fixed that all yeild and give place to riches They may all and do all amongst men and we see them acquire as much credit and authority to their owners whereas they who are destitute of them are inconsiderable To wave these acknowledgements due to Ministers who is ignorant that Royal Majesty attracts no less glory from liberality then justice One of those perfections which render God most worshipful to men is his Bounty that inexhaustible fountain of all good things which like the Sun disperseth his favours like so many rays upon the earth and is as beneficial as active The gifts which Kings bestow carry with them as much credit as profit to the receivers they bind the affections of their servants not by their worth but as so many testimonies of good will the greatest Bond which ties them to their service Liberality in a King is properly termed magnificence they being obliged to do great good and nothing is more beseeming their Majesties then bestowing great gifts The perfection of the work is an assured mark of perfection in the workman whence certain it is that God acquired more glory when he created men and angels the chief workmanship of his hands then when he made other creatures Equally true it is that that which makes the riches of Kings more admired is the establishing of some great Families and our Ancestors did not acquire greater glory of being rich and â—iberal then by the greatnesse of their Favourites Houses which remain as so many monuments of their magnificence Prosecution of the Subject IT is an ancient judicious saying that as Roses grow upon Thorns so truth is ordinarily made to appear amongst the sharpest calumnies for they that find themselves concern'd are compelled to discover it for their own justification so those factious spirits who indeavouring to offend the Cardinal abused the goodnesse of the Queen-mother and Monsieur makes me take notice of those truths which their malice constrains me to publish But as they did not with only two accusations cease from their reproaches we shall have occasion to discover the rest of their falsities They would have the World believe that this eminent Minister of State had so great a dominion over the Kings spirit that his Majesty gave an absolute credit to all he did and was wholly moved by his influences and that all affairs depended on his Empire over him But all Europe knew sufficiently that his Prudence and Generosity equalled his justice and these seditious people seemed like those that shoot against Heaven and see their Arrows fall back again at their feet Nay I am confident they themselves had not that opinion of his Majesty they being in their attendances too near his person to be ignorant how impossible it is to draw him to any resolution without strong and pertinent reason and that Heaven hath so enlightned his spirit that he can discern
my self they question not these truths but besides that those expences were absolutely necessary do they not know what great advantages they gave both to the King and Kingdom The glory will remain for ever but the incommodity is already forgotten What reason is there to complain I shall onely make this answer the Ministers had deprived the King of that great honour which he now enjoys had they been deficient in drawing from the people those things which were necessary for the subsistance of Armies during the Wars and that it was a certain sign of their good conduct to have made such carefull provisions If the Impositions were thus necessary the money which did rise from them was no lesse carefully expended during those times of which they speak in which it may be said much was done with little money Can any one deny that this incomparable Minister did not buy that glory and those victories for the King to the shame of his enemies at an easier rate then others have done who have onely used allaying Medicines to defer those evils which afflict us from exasperating into extremities but have still left the enemies of France great advantages upon us It must be confessed that some particular people have beene charged over and above their proportion but neither the King nor his Ministers are therefore to be blamed the Possessors and Raters were faulty and deserved to be punished because they oppressed the weak and let the able escape upon the sum of friendship Politique Observation JUstice and Prudence do equally oblige a Prince to force a contribution from his Subjects towards the urgent necessities of the publike No one can doubt whether any thing be more efficacious then a good Treasure to preserve a Kingdom in order be it in Peace or War That Prince is easily surprized whose Exchequer is exhausted for he that wants money wants wherewith to levy men and he who is defective of men is to be vanquished without difficulty Now as to matter of War every one knows that Monies are its principal Nerves whereupon Suetonius Paulinus a Captain of great repute said in the Emperour Otho's Councel where the means of carrying on a War were discussed that in publike dissentions Money was more necessary then an Army Hath not Thucydides recorded to us how the chiefest arguments which Pericles used to induce the Athenians to make War was by convincing to them that they were in a capacity of so doing because an Army would easily be supplied with all necessary provisions from that abundant Treasure of which they were Masters War is undeniably a great Gulf which devoureth incredible sums What imprudence therefore were it for a Prince who finding himself ingaged in Wars and the Revenue of his Crown unable to furnish him with necessary conveniences not to compell his Subjects to contribute towards the publike Concernments Would he not soon be reduced to the condition of Cleomenes who according to Plutarch were forced to a War without monies to support his Souldiery was compelled to flie into Egypt If there be any thing of Prudence in it there is as much of Justice too The common Axiom is that every one may make use of his own now is it not I pray most certain that Kings may rightfully impose Contributions upon their Subjects towards the defraying of publike expences It is a right so undubitable inherent to them that the most able and sincere Divines assure us that every one is in conscience bound to submit to it they grounding themselves upon that command which our Saviour gave of paying unto Caesar and the example which himself shewed Herein consisteth the Soveraign power which Kings have over their Subjects goods I shall moreover adde that a Crown doth not only impower to impose Taxes but doth oblige Kings to require them for the preservation of its lustre and to demand them as a debt due to the State as also that no Subject can reasonably complain of it it being but just that particular and private persons should suffer some incommodity for the preservation of the publike good and better it were a Nation were impoverished then a kingdom lost Prosecution of the Subject THose crimes wherewith the Cardinals honour was taxed were so frivolous that we need not any longer detain our selves upon them especially seeing all wise men knew them to be groundlesse Easie it is to speak ill of the Governours of a State as the Queen mother her self once said to some who complained of her Agents during her Regency Every one takes the liberty to discommend their Conduct because Man is naturally an enemy to Government and propense to judge the worst of his Governours whose actions indeed may appear in their true Colours but not the causes inducements and circumstances of them they remain lock'd up in secret Revilings are the rewards of their watchings and let their actions be never so advantagious to the publike good yet private particular persons shall never be satisfied or pleased with them unlesse they advance their private and particular Fortunes as well as that of the publike Never was yet Minister otherwise rewarded and for this very reason whatever was said against the Cardinal was regarded by wise men but as the effect of a furious faction who could not meet their particular advancement in his Conduct which he little esteemed after he found their ends to be guided by their interests without consideration of the Kings Honour so that it will be needlesse longer to insist on this particular discourse Shortly after the Queen mothers and Monsieur's departure the King unwilling to hinder their Officers from going after them was well inform'd that divers abusing that Liberty accorded unto them did carry Letters under the notion of Officers and packets of correspondency for the continuing many Intreagues still on foot Whereupon his Majesty to suppresse that disorder ordained that they should have fifteen days time to retire themselves either unto their persons or else to confine themselves unto their own houses inhibiting any one either to go or come the time once expired without his particular licence under penalty of being declared disturbers of the publike peace of being punished with confiscation of their Estates and the â—osse of exemption from payment of Tributes which they then enjoyed it being unreasonable that under the intent of favouring some who did not abuse their liberty of going to discharge their Offiâ—es others might without comâ—trol foment and carry on the divisions in the Kingdom which cost so dear to extinguish Politique Observation IT is very dangerous to suffer in a Kingdom divided with factions such persons who have any particular dependance upon them who are the Authors of those divisions after themselves are retired out of the Kingdom so to do were to leave fire in straw Although â—ome may be mindfull of their obligations in being more submisse to their Soveraign then to any other yet undoâ—btedly many there wil be more affectionate to their
own interest who will become spies to give intelligence and agents to draw others into their opinions It seems rigorous indeed that the innocent should suffer with the nocent but how prejudicial would it be to the Common-wealth if not so better it were to preserve the publike tranquility severity then to indaâ—ger it by lenity Never was there yet Law made for the publike good which was not attended with some inconveniences to particular persons and he who would make Laws in which no particular man should be interessed will but deceive himselâ— for want of penetrating into the consequences The best course which can be followed is ever to prefer the universal beâ—ore a particular good remembring that wise saying of Tacitus that all exemplary acts have somwhat of evil in them but the injury they do particular men will be abundantly recompenced by the publick advantage Prosecution of the History THus you have the several Intreagues and the strange attempts which they who abused the favours of the Queen-mother and Monsieur used during this year contrary to their allegiance the Kings Authority and the tranquility of the Kingdom You have likewise the courses which were taken to impede their designs which ended in the ruine of the Complotters The Cardinal used such care addresse and Prudence that all their attempts were only like so many impressions made upon the clouds which vanish with the first breath of Wind they were like Bullets shot at random like blows in the air and like pictures in the water which the waves do as soon deface as designed The Pilot seems sufficiently employed during the Tempest if he preserve his Vessel from the violence of the Winds and fury of the Waves his presence and command being necessary to guide all those who have any charge to the performance of their Offices and his prudence to incourage them to go through stitch with any thing which conduceth to his happy successe so it is hard to beleeve that a Minister of State hath not as much employment as humane wit can undergo when he is obliged to defend himself and the State too from the violence of a faction headed by the chief persons of the royal family seeing he must necessarily every day issue out a thousand several Orders and hardly will any one beleeve that he can be capable of any other thoughts whiles he is agitated in such furious Tempests True it is the highest pitch of glory that a Minister in such encounters can attain to is to avoid shipwrack Experience hath made it evident that great Souls can passe further on and that as the intelligences though taken up in their contemplation and love of the Divinity yet cease not to be solicitous of things here below or neglect the protection of Princes Kingdomes and particular persons so likewise Heaven doth sometimes produce certain sublime wits endued with courage addresse and prudence enough to undertake such encounters a thousand other noble enterprises besides the conservation of the State Hath not all Europe found it so in the Cardinal who without shewing any trouble at all the attempts this year made to embroil France and destroy it under which any other but himself would have sunk not only rendred them successelesse but re-established the Duke of Mantua and defended the Princes of Germany whom the House of Austria had almost swallowed up a thing which I cannot sufficiently admire and of which I find my self obliged to say something that it may serve for instruction in the Government of States Affairs of Germany I Will begin with the assistance of the German Princes concluded with the King of Sweden in January at which time these factious agents did their utmost to destroy this great Minister We have demonstrated in the precedent year with how much justice the King of Sweden entred Germany to defend the liberty of some Princes oppressed by the House of Austria who were allied unto him as also to this Crown and who were not only driven out of their Principalities but also reduced to such extremity that they knew not how to live We have likewise seen that he was the more readily induced to defend them in regard himself had received some injuries from the Emperour particularly when the Emperour caused his Letters sent unto the Prince of Transilvania to be opened and falsly interpreted when he sent the Duke of Holsace with a great Army under his own Colours to make War upon him in Prusse when he confiscated the Ships and Merchandises of the Swedes formerly landed in the Towns of Germany when he not only refused audience to his Embassadours and denied them answer but commanded them upon pain of their lives presently to depart the Empire and when he refused by way of scorn his proffer of Peace in confidence of destroying him not thinking him able to sustain the force of his Arms. The Cardinal knew that a Prince received no lesse glory from defending his Allies then from curbing the Ambition of his Neighbours and therefore thought himself obliged to perswade his Majesty not to forsake the King of Sweden and Princes of Germany in so important an occasion He knew no War was more lawfull then that which tends to the keeping of confederate Princes in their Dominions and to revenge any injuries offered unto them Hence it was that having taken order for the interests of the Catholick Religion in Germany he perswaded his Majesty to conclude and sign the Treaty of Alliance with the King of Sweden the conditions whereof had been concluded about three or four moneths before His Majesty engaged to assist him with Men and Money as he then did and the King of Sweden expresly engaged not to attempt any thing in prejudice of the Church in the Catholick Towns of which he might possibly become Master our invincible Monarch not thinking it enough to follow the generous sentiments of his justice which led him to secure those Princes from oppression unlesse accompanied with those of his Piety so he could not resolve to assist an Heretick King without precaution for the interest of the Church that those violences which are the usual effects of Arms might not be attributed but to the disorders which do necessarily follow the Camp Politique Observation THat War is just saith St. Ambrose which is undertaken in defence of the weak or the Allies of a State against those who oppresse them St. Augustine teacheth us that those Arms are justifiable which are taken up to revenge injuries The defence of Confederates is one of those actions which doth most of all set off a Kings glory and raise it to the highest pitch of greatnesse Nothing doth more assimilate them to the Divinity then the stretching out of their hands to support the weak the protecting of whom is an act well-beseeming their Majesties He who never ought to divide his Crown to any one ought however let his Arms be common to other Soveraigns for their defence They who do otherwise
That God who is the Judge of Kings taketh pleasure to abase their insolence and to cast them down when they think themselves highest To be short the most sure and agreeable Dominion is that which hath justice for its Basis That the Duke of Mantua's Right doth not prejudice the Emperour THe Emperour had been disabused by the Sieur de Leon of those ill impressions which the Spanish Ministers had instilled into him concerning those Forces which the King had sent into Italy He was informed with the true reasons which engaged him to undertake the Duke of Mantua's protection which was such as did not at all prejudice the Rights of the Empire seeing he had never any thoughts of hindring that Prince form rendring to his Imperial Majesty all those devoirs which could be expected by him He was informed with the Duke of Mantua's pretensions who had no other crime then that of being a Frenchman and therefore odious to the Spaniards to deprive whom of his lawful Succession were to commit an insupportable outrage and to force the most Christian King to protect him At length his eyes were opened to discover the disguisments wherewith the Spaniards had surprized him to the end they might employ the power of the Empire to carry on their ambitious designs in Italy whereupon from a Scholar being made Master of the Affair he resolved to put an end to it and accordingly sent unto the Baron de Galas a full power to conclude with the Ambassadors of France upon some means to execute the Treaty of Ratisbonne and to establish an happy peace in Italy promising to invest the Duke of Mantua in that which belonged unto him his Majesty being readily disposed to make a surrender to the Duke of Savoy These are the true reasons which induced the Emperour to this resolution yet it cannot be denied but that necessity compelled him to it for the King of Swede had already made a great progress in Germany and done great exploits so that had not the Emperour presently recalled his Forces from Italy he would soon have over-run the whole He likewise knew how the Christian King had made a Treaty of alliance with him for the defence of his Confederates and that he must undoubtedly fall in that war if he did not unite his scattered forces to sustain the charge of two so great Powers Politique Observation NOthing is more powerful to reduce Princes to reason than necessity whose Laws are more absolute then those of their Power they know nothing but the Divinity and that above them somtimes it is a trouble to them to admit it especially when it thwarts their ambition yet it cannot but be thought happy when it forceth their arms out of their hands and leads them to a fair accomodation The most discreet do the more willingly submit to its Laws in regard no one can be blamed for following that condition which necessity imposeth a good excuse in the greatest faults somtimes it is so favourable as to lead them to victory by obliging them to attempt it when they least expected it at other times it is content to settle them in peace by a reducing them to a disability of prosecuting war In fine they must subscribe to its pleasure for necessity it is which imposeth the Law upon them but receiveth none from them they being in this respect in the same condition with meaner persons Hence it was that â—halâ—s being demanded what was the strangest thing in nature answered Necessity because it surpasseth all things Are not Castles in themselves impregnable forced by necessity to surrender What saith Quintâ— Curtius Necessity hath a more absolute Empire in Arms then reason it self Is there any Rhetorick which can perswade the mind more efficaciously There is no power which is not obliged to reâ—der it obedience Prosecution of the Subject WE now come to speak of the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua Who can doubt of their inclinations to Peace when it was the only means to re-establish them in their States It is a trouble to behold the earth languishing under the rigours of a tedious Winter covered with Ice and Snow and over-spread with torrents of waters But it is much more troublesome to a Prince to see his Sâ—ates in the possession of others his people oppressed by the burthens of War his Towns and Villages forsaken hiâ— Fields unmanured and the Earth dyed with the blood of the dead These were indeed the reasons which obliged Monsieur the Duke of Mantua to entertain the Sieur Priaudy still neer him that he might propose such overtures of peace to him as presented themselves to his thoughts and which induced the Duke of Savoy to send about the beginning of the year the Comte de Drouin to assure the King of his Respects and Affection to contribute his utmost to his Majesties service He well found that the Spaniards chief design was to advance their affairs at his expences and that on the contrary his Majesty who hath evermore fought rather for glory in the defence of his Allies then to usurp their estates had not over-run Savoy and Piedmont until he was necessitated to it by his denying assistance whence it was that he no longer doubted that it would more advance the recovery of his estates to keep a fair correspondence with France then to follow the interests of Spain Politique Observation THere is not any condition more to be pityed then that of a Prince despoiled of his Estates The impotency to which he is reduced is so much the more insupportable by how much the memory of his former Authority doth constantly present it self unto him and his Poverty is the greater in regard of his former plenty Such great â—alls do carry some shame with them especially to such who have been the Authors in some sort of their own miseries We do not hold them to be so much Philosophers as to be content with what Fortune hath left or that they would live in any other condition then their former they are likewise the more impatient of being restored to their estates for that they know Authority if once degraded falls to ruine if not quickly re-instated The Pilot who finds his Vessel beaten by the Tempest his Masts broken his Sails rent his Cordage torn and his Ship leaky bends all his thoughts how to get into Port and a Prince considering his places to be in the hands of his enemies his Revenue sequestred his Country forraged his Subjects fugitives and his Forces reduced to an impossibility of securing themselves from a total ruine is in perpetual trouble until he finds himself restored by a Treaty oâ— Peace The Deputies of the Christian Princes for the Treaty of Peace THese are the inclinations about the beginning of this year of the several Princes who had taken part in the War of Italy or the Interest of Monsieur de Mantua The Pope who is the common Father did not a little contribute to bring things to this pass
wrought upon in condescending to their commands they are never at quiet but do alwaies take the liberty of making new requestâ— in hopes of a like success This doth likewise much contribute to maintain them in obedience to support their quiet without which they will easily revolt it is the true beginning of the peoples happiness and cutteth up the root of their rebellions Affairs of Lorrain ABout the end of this year the King could no longer endure that the Duke of Lorrain should abuse his clemency in continuing to be the supporter of those who troubled the Kingdom They had chosen him for their Brave and an Army of twelve or fifteen thousand men which he had raised about Spring were the chief of their hopes when Mounsieur went out of the Kingdom they were so inconsiderate as to believe that these Forces entring into France would be like Rivers falling from great mountains increase as they go as if the King assisted by the sage counsels of the Cardinal were not able to ruine all their Souldiers upon their first taking the Field It was however a great satisfaction to his Majesty that he was not put to that trouble the cause was either Fortune or peradventure the Cardinals prudence which so wrought that the Emperour finding himself oppressed by the King of Swede commanded the Duke of Lorrain with his Army to assist him in his occasions so that leaving Monsieur's affairs for some moneths he addressed himself to attend the Emperour and exercise the charge of Generallissimo of his Armies but like the Grey-hound who running after two Hares takes neither he forsook Monsieur's assistance as he had promised and instead of comming to the Randezvouz assigned by the Emperour 7000 of his men disbanded and were scattered whether by a Panick fear or by some accident which so disordered them that it was impossible to rally them again It was a sensible displeasure to him to fall into this disorder after which he was forced to return to Nancy to take care of his promises made unto Monsieur and to make a recruit which the Emperour pressed him to do The Cardinal did not lose so favourable an opportunity to teach him that he did but wrong himself in provoking the King as he had done for three or four years last past by fomenting of Cabals against his Majesty It was well known that he entertained Monsieur with turbulent hopes not only of raising a potent Army in his Country but withall of bringing forces from Germany and the Low Countries sufficient to force the King himself to grant him his desires It was well known that he had exasperated those divisions in the Kings Family by particular intelligences which he maintained with several embroilers that he had received Madam du Forgis with great honour after her disgrace as his chief correspondent that there was not any forraign Prince whom he did not indeavour to make an enemy to France and if he did apprehend that any one of them were discontented that he would with him hold a particular friendship and all this without considering that building without a foundation his superstructure would soon fall to the ground and that his Majesty would effect as many generous enterprizes in his chastisement as himself had conceived imaginary signâ— which were ever successelesse It was resolved that the Duke of Lorrain should be made sensible of the injury he had done himself by provoking his Majesty by his Intreagues and devices His Majest would not however demand satisfaction from him which was not conformable to justice the rule of all his actions and in this he took the sweetest course he might with justice have seized on Barr because he had neglected to pay his fealty and homage and have invaded his Countries in revenge of the injuries he had received But he contented himself with attempting to recover such places only as the said Duke and his Predecessors had against all reason usurped from the Bishopprick of Metâ— in particular whiles the Kings Arms were in Italy he only seeking occasions to incense France that he might render himself the more considerable to the House of Austria induced the Emperour to make himself Master of Moyenvic and to give it him in keeping the chiefest place of the Bishopprick of Mets and the Emperour animated by the Spaniards was glad to have it and fortifie it though against reason by a meer attempt against the rights of the Crown and his Majesties reputation who was Protector thereof The Cardinal whose courage could not put up such wrongs seeing the Peace of Italy concluded and the Emperour sufficiently diverted in Germany perswaded the King to retake it with as much justice as it had with little reason been usurped from France The King who needs no additional heat to his courage when the maintaining of his glory is in question did easily resolve upon it and his Forces being come to the Frontiers of Lorrain under the Marshal de la Force defeated a Regiment of Liege commanded by Collonel Mars who had the confidence to advance into the Kingdom he sent him Order to lead them before Vic and Moyenvic Vic presently yeelded but Moyenvic did not For the Governour was in hopes of relief which made him resolve to hold out he advised Collonel Offa the Emperours Commissary with the condition of the place and the little hopes of long holding it if not relieved but he was answered that it was to him a great astonishment that the Duke of Lorrain who had promised the Emperour to relieve this place should be so carelesse of it that himself was now upon return and that to him he ought to redresse himself for relief In conclusion the Duke of Lorrain was charged by the Emperour to defend it after it had been fortifi'd at his charges and that with such passion that it was observed he caused the money for payment of the workmen to be carried in his own Coach He addressed himself to the Duke but he fearing left the storm he raised should fall upon himself durst not openly assist them but gave order to the Governour of Marsal to assist him with Men Ammunitions and Victuals yet these succours were too weak is likewise the place to resist the Kings power whereupon a parley followed and conditions were agreed on for the surrendring of the place if within six days an Army able to relieve it did not appear No Army appeared the Duke of Lorrain wanting forces but not ill will The garrison marched out making it appear that unjust usurpations are not of long continuance and serve only to expose people to the misfortunes of War when they are committed against a Prince able to carve his own satisfaction Politique Observation NO Prince whatever may usurp without injustice but for a mean Prince to attempt it relisheth of meer imprudence It was pardonable in Brennus who boldly answered the Romans that it was neither outrage nor injustice to seize the goods of another if he can
Publike Registers where in one of the chapters of Royal Râ—ghts it is expresly so recorded But this Register being but of four hundred â—eats standing at most whereas this Custom is as ancient as the Kingdom it self I would fain ask them where the Salique Law is to be found which hath been inviolably observed in the Kingdom above twelve Ages together Thus it was established by the Custom to which oftentimes there must be recourse had and which must be admitted for a Law carrying in its forehead the Image of Justice much more evidently then any written thing and being also more prevalent to induce the people to a due observation thereof Who can then forbear to have this particular custom in great esteem or not embrace it for a Fundamental Law when it hath been observed from the beginning of this Monarchy and then established for the Kingdoms good Troubles hapned in consequence of Marriage THe greatest troubles have been the consequences of Marriages and they who have contumaciously violated this custom have been constantly punished by their Kings The example of Merouee son to Chilperic ninth King of France will evidently prove the establishment of this Custom in the beginning of this Monarchy who assuming the boldness of marrying with Brunehâ—ut without his Fathers consent became the object of hiâ— Iustice and was punished according to his desert and Pretixtatus Bishop of Rouen who had a hand in the marriage was impeachel in a Council held at Paris of that very thing as a great Crime he indeed was the first who exceeded the limits of his duty in this partitular and accordingly was he chastised for it Saint Bâ—ruâ—ra willing excuse unto the King the Comte 〈◊〉 hibaut de Champagne accused for designing to marry his children without his Majesties consent alledged it was improbable a man of his integrity would ever run into so great a premunire Thus Philip Conâ—te de Namur broâ—her to Baudouin Conâ—te de Flandres being overseer of Jean and Marguerite his Neeces daughters to the said Baudouin engaged unto Philip Augustus in a Treaty that they should not be married without his Majesty's consent which one of our Historians saith to be in reference to the Soveraign right which our Kings have over such persons whose marriages may occasion troubles to the Kingdom Is there not yet extant in the Kings Charters an Oath made by the Grandees of the Nantion unto Charles the Fifth which absolutely implies they were not to marry with Rebels disobedient or enemies of the State One of the Crimes charged in the Duke of Alençon's Indictment was his treating a Match between his Son and the Dutchesse of York an English Prince's daughter without approbation from Charles the Seventh The same Charles the Seventh would not look upon his Son Lewis the Eleventh though of Age for having treated a Match with Charlotte de Savoy without his knowledge though it remained unconsummated until his permission first had and obtained Doth not an English Historian though an enemy to France say that the Match between Anne ae Bretagne and Maximilian of Austriche unto whom she was betrothed from her Infancy was broken in regard the King had not consented thereunto Now if any one imagine that this permission cannot avoid a marriage once consummated I shall indeavour to convince them of the contrary by laying before them the example of Lovic de Begne who having married Ausgarde without her fathers consent was in conclusion forced to quit her though he had children by her and though he was his eldest Son and to marry Adelaide and his son by her was acknowledged for right heir to the Crown by name Charles the Simple I shall add this one more of Judith daughter to Charles the Bauld who having though a Widdow to the King of England married Comte Baudouin against her fathers Will saw her marriage disanulled by Pope Nicholas the first together with the Bishops of France and was compelled after obtainment of her Fathers approbation to be re-married as she was at Auxerre Monsieur 's Marriage with the Princesse Marguerite of Lorrain ALthough the Sieur de Puy-Laurens was very passionate for the concluding of Monsieur's Marriage yet Princes Families being often divided into factions the President Coigneux was not so inclin'd but on the contrary took occasion in the t'others absence whilest he was at Brixels negotiating with the Spaniards for aid to represent divers reasons unto Monsieur to divert him from those thoughts He was not to learn that in case Monsieur married the Princessee Marguerite and the Sieur de Puy-Laurens the Princesse of Falsbourg himself should totally lose that little credit and authority which he then had he was apprehensive of the ascendency which a Woman hath over the soul of a Prince when she is once passionately beloved by him Besides he was the more concern'd in that particular of the Princesse Marguerite because he conceived she would be guided by the instinct and directions of the Princesse de Falsbourg who would in fine rule all lastly he doubted there was no way left to break off this match which would be imputed as his fault by reason of the place he held with Monsieur so that there would be no hopes for him to be restored to the Kings favour or the injoyment of his Goods and Offices These were the true motives and grounds which induced Coigneux to declare himself against the marriage and to disswade Monsieur from any further progresse therein although his advices were seconded with no other reasons then the service of his Highnesse and the good of his affairs He one day took the boldnesse to tell him that he ought not to steer such a course as would undoubtedly render the King irreconcilable unto him seeing his greatest glory and power was tied unto his Majesties grace and favour which this marriage would assuredly hazard nay utterly destroy he layed before him how that though Princes are sometimes excusable for doing such acts in their heat and passion which are displeasing unto their Soveraign yet they never ought to flie into such extravagances as may totally ruine them in their Kings Favour If may sometimes peradventure turn to their own advantage to run out into discontents as the increasing of their stipends or the obtaining of some other gratification but so it cannot be if they imbarque in such designs as may cause an absolute breach All the lustre which Princes have and which rendreth them venerable is the effect of their Soveraigns favour just as the light of the Stars is derived from the Sun their Fountain But these Councels of Coigneâ—x being known drew the whole house of Lorrain to have an eye upon him And I verily believe they might have wrought some good effect upon Mâ—nsieur seeing he was ever inclined to be obedient unto the King had not the return of the Sieur de Puy-Lauâ—eâ—s prevented it who at first dash spoiled all the t'others indeavours This new Favourite had gotten so great an
Luzern and Roche-Britant and in fine by that of the Cardinal led by the Marquis de Mony and Coeslin so that the skirmish became very hot and many Charges pass'd on both sides untill at last they fell to it with their Swords only so long that in conclusion the Comte de Ysembourg's horse having long sustained the French were repelled and falling in upon their own foot disordered them so that the French had the pursuit of t hem untill the night concluded the businesse and favoured the enemies retreit The Imperialists left four score Nobles forty prisoners their Convoy and two Cornets behind them which were presented unto the King by the Sieur de Chezelles Bautru After this dafeit the Marshal d' Estree looking more strictly into the siege found some things in disorder which he quickly rectified and brought all things into such method that the garrison was soon forced to surrender The Chapter were sensible of their Treason and acknowledge their lawfull Prince and thus the Town was taken by composition of which the Chevalier de Seneterre was made Governour This piece of service thus happily effected the conquest of those other places in the Spanish hands was not long in agitation the Arch-Bishop being restored to the possession of his States and Revenues by which he became sensible what a happinesse it was to injoy the protection of France which secured him from all those dangers fallen upon the rest of his neighbours Politique Observation AMongst the most heroick actions of Kings the defence of those who desire their protection is one which addeth very much to their glory and raiseth their power to an eminent greatnesse Nothing doth more liken them unto the Divinity then the defence of the weak and feeble and if in petty Princes it be a mark of weaknesse to follow the fortune of the Conquerour it cannot but be a sign of great power in a King not to deny those who sue for his protection The defending of them who request it is an act well beseeroing the Majesty of a King who as he ought not to admit any Rival in his Crown so ought he not to deny the communicating of his power unto them who flie unto him for refuge This is it which maketh a King Arbitrator of all his Neighbours affairs who gladly submit their differences unto the judgement of a Monarch who imployeth his power for the maintaining of Justice No one can be ignorant how this is it which rendreth them invincible it being most certain that who so lendeth a hand to help his friends in their necessities ingageth so many serveral defendors whenever his occsions shall require it To be able to subsist alone without the help of others is very honoursble for a King yet his glory will be imperfect if he do not imploy his power to redresse his oppressed Neighbours in their necessities Tyranny doth build its greatnesse on the usurpations of others rights whereas Justice foundeth her glory on the defending the oppressed And if a King may at any time send his forces abroad out of his own State it ought to be either in preservation of his Allies under his protection or in revenge of injuries offered unto him The Emperour endeavoureth at Rome to break the Kings Alliance with the Swede THe League between the Swede and France together with the Elector of Treves inclination made such an Alarum in the house of Austria now unable to divert the storm hanging over them that they resolved to have recourse unto Rome and there to represent the Churches grievances in such terms that they might receive the same advantages which the Spaniards heretofore did upon the like pretences The Cardinal Pasman was dispatched thither in order thereunto where being come he used is utmost endeavours to ingage the Pope in their affaris his Holinesse was press'd to make a Croisade for preservation of the German Catholicks for the suppressing of Heresie and establishing the Church in its former splendor There were divers calumnies published abroad against the Swedes the disasters of the Church and miseries of the Catholicks were aggravated unto excesse but not a word to be heard how that the Interests of the Church had not been in question but by their unjust supporting the ambitious designs of the Austrian family He indeavoured to perswade the Pope that the King of Sweden like another Attila had resolved to besiege Rome and force his Holinesse from his Seat but especially was he charged to declaim against the Alliance between the Swede and France and to solicite his Holiness to send a Legate or extraordinary Nuncio to break the knot as prejudicial to the Catholick church The Duke de Savelly his Imperial Majesties Embassadour and the Spanish Embassadour had order to second him Cardinal Borgia newly tied unto the Spanish party by the gift of the Arch-Bishoprick of Sevill did not only underhand indeavour to procure the suffrages of particular Cardinals but in the open consistory did violently exclaim in blaming the Pope for abandoning the House of Austria and in it the Church it self highly exalting the King of Spain's zeal for Religion and crying out against the cold rewarding his good intentions Now divers of the Consistory being unacquainted with the affairs of Germany and how the misfortunes befallen on some Catholique Princes was the only effect of their own faults were at first divided and the Spanish Partisans became so stout that his Hosinesse had just cause to dislike their proceedings But his Holinesse informing the Consistory with the true state of affairs made it appear unto the Cardinals that the War of Germany was a War of state not Religion and the matter was so manag'd that the house of Austria had no great cause to rejoyce The Popes answer to their party was that the Emperour had drawn upon himself those evils which he now indured that the men and monies wasted in the plundering of Italy the Sacking of Mantua and threatning of the Holy Sea would better have served to hinder the Swedes and put a stop to their conquests that the Remoustrances of his Legats and Nuntioes had been deluded Germany neglected the Swedes slighted Italy invaded and the Holy Sea forced to lay out it 's Treasure in the preservation of it self and St. Peters Patrimony that in fine his Government might possible be traduced not blamed that his indeavours already used and which he resolved to continue were capable enough to justifie his cares for the Churches good that he would willingly contribute the remainder of his power which was but small having consumed the Treasures of the Church in the War of Italy And lastly that he would gladly imploy any remedy which he should find expedient to destroy Heresie and preserve the Church and that he might unto this Temporal add a Spiritual remedy he proclaimed an universal Jubile exhorting all men to assist the Church of Germany with their Prayers The Deputies of Germany were but little comforted herewith but departed
Marshal de Marillac IT was near about this time that the Marshal de Marillac was condemned having been imprisoned at Saint Menehoust in the year 1630. as hath formerly been declared The Cardinal knew that the punishing of great persons ought not to be precipitated left that which is indeed the effect of Justice be thought the hand of Revenge whereupon he was of opinion to delay the prosecution of his Indictment for some certain time and only to follow the usual course though the further way about for the more ample information and instruction of his Judges Besides he was not ignorant that as the highest stars are slowest in their motions so Kings whom God hath raised above the orninary pitch of men ought to be lesse active in the works of Justice then other men I insert this criminal in the Catalogue of great men not in regard of his birth or the services he hath done the State but in consideration of the imployment wherewith his Majesty was pleas'd to honour him which was more to avoid the Queen-Mothers importunities then for any reward of his deserts which could hardly have invited his Majesty to raise him unto so eminent a degree Indeed the whole Court was astouish'd to see the King advance him to that dignity openly saying that the extortions he had used in his imploiments were his most remarkable actions they accused his courage nor could they dissemble their opinions that such honours were not used to be conlerr'd on persons of his temper The late King Hâ—nry le Grand did ever slight him nor did he ever appear at Court but under the Queen-Mothers Regency who had given him a Wife of one of the Daughters of a branch of the House of Medicia before the Crown of Florence had been setlet on that family and who besides the honour of his name had nothing which could intitle him to any great actions Running at the Ring war then much in fashion where his diligence got him more credit then any fight he had ever seen The first command he had was under Monsieur de Angoulesm were he was Commissary of the Victuals which he discharged so untowardly that the King had then punished him upon divers complaints made against him but that the Cardinal interposed in his behalf The building of the Cittadel of Verdun was the next thing intrusted to his care but he presently fell to make such exactions upon poor mens labours that some particulars thereof already proved besides what is yet in dispute are prodigious The Garrison being once established he robb'd the Souldiers as much as the Builders and being Lievtenant of the Country he went on to that height that he exacted from the Villages whatever was necessary to be spent in his house divers Towns payed him yearly compositions raised by compact that they might prevent the quartering of his Souldiers others agreed to provide necessaries for his house which however for the most part were delivered but once in kind and then altered into sums of ready mony If any Town made the least resistance or grumbling the inhabitants were sure to be ruin'd and plundered by his Souldiers who knew they should not be called to account for it but rather that they should be countenanced for it by him who set them on work This trade did he drive and that so publickly over all the extent of his power as if the King himself had approved thereof neither was there want of any proof to make evident at his Tryal In the year 1627. he was imployed at Rochel where the credit he got was so little to his advantage that the Commander de Valance who calleth every thing by its right name talking one day unto the King of a man without courage openly said that he was no more a coward then Marillac About that very time was it that he indeavoured by his Letters and the designs of those of his Cabal to sow the Seeds of discontent between the Queen-Mother and the Cardinal which have proved so unhappy to the whole Kingdom and he continued to foment that fire with such care and addresse that the sparks of it are not yet quite extinguished During the Kings abode in Italy the Cardinal to please the Queen-Mother procured the command of the Army in Campagne to be conferred upon him where he robb'd the Souldiers of their very bread with such boldnesse that he sometimes exacted a third frequently a quarter but never miss'd a fifth and when he was commanded with his Forces into Italy he delayed the time with excuses either that he might crosse the Kings designs which they of his Cabal much desired or because he would not divide that command with another on t'other side the Mountains which himself injoyed alone in Campagne insomuch that his Majesties affairs had fallen into extream disorder had it not been for the Prudent Conduct of the Cardinal and Generals who commanded the Army in Italy Succeeding Ages will hardly believe that such excesses were put up so long together especially if they compare it with preceding times where the Marshal de Gie descended from one of the best houses of the Kingdom and a person intrusted with great imployments under three several Kings where the Admiral Chabot one of the most valiant of those times and one who governed the State with Anne de Montmorency where the Marshal de Biez the Chancellour Poiet Jean de Montaign Grand Maistre de France Peter des Essartâ— Semblance were severally punished for the same and yet much lesse crime of purloining the Treasure But these things were all connived at inconsideration of the Queen-Mothers whom the Cardinal would not provoke and therefore kept those Passages from the Kings ears But at last his seditious inâ—reagâ—es together with his Brothers and their Faction at Court for to destroy the Cardinal and to exasperate the Queen-Mother to that height which they did as appeared in the Battel at Dupes did so provoke the King both in regard of his base ingratitude towards the Cardinal by whose only means it was that he injoyed all his Honours and Benefits from his Majesty and also because they indeavoured to compel his Majesty to destroy the Cardinal by whose prudent conduct the State had received such signal advantages as are not to be equalized since the memory of man that he was at last forced to leave him in the hands of Justice to receive the punishment of the law for the oppressions he had committed upon the people Politique Observation THe Oppression of the poor is a crime which reacheth high as heaven and crieth for revenge unto God The Poor have this advantage over the Rich in exchange of the goods of fortune that God owneth them for so many particular Members of his Body and will not suffer them who injure them to be unpunished in regard he taketh it as acted against himself He giveth great men power enough to defend themselves which having denied unto the poor himself becometh
By this his Highnesse was reduced to such extremity that he knew not well where to make any sure retreat his forces being many of them disbanded and those of Beziers it self now in his Majesties obedience and who after his departure from them had made fresh protestations of fidelity to him refused to receive him and in conclusion had not admitted him at all but by order from his Majesty who commanded them to receive him but with his Train onely and to render him all the honour due to his quality The King approved of the overture and seeing Monsieur was at Beziers sent unto him the Sieur de Bullion Superintendent of the Treasury and the Marquesse de Fossez Governour of Montpellier but without any other conditions then those proposed by the Sieur de Aiguebonne At their first arrival Monsieur declared that he could not resolve to abandon the D of Montmorency who had not ingaged himself in that War but for his sake no more than the rest of his adherents that for any thing else he was unalterably fixt to render all obedience and service to his Majesty They replied that indeed such sentiments could not but be commendable neither could they proceed from any thing beside the goodnesse of his nature and beseeched his Highnesse to consider that if he had any interest in their concerns the King had incomparably much more reason not to capitulate at all with him or to grant by way of compulsion any grace to such Rebellious Subjects who had deferved the most rigorous chastizements of his Justice They represented to him that capitulations ought not to be made but between Soveraigns and that Princes though of his quality had no other way to obtain grace but by submission and acknowledgement of their faults that he might reasonably expect any favour from his Majesties goodnesse seeing his Majesty had of his own meer motion and that before any overtures made by him unto him to obtain his favour sent to invite him that after all this to mistrust his Clemency would be injurious that for their parts they could not ensure him of any favour for the D. de Montmorency or any other his Domesticks having no order but the former but that they might safely tell him that in case it should stand with his Majesties service to extend his favour towards all those whom his Highnesse desired his own innate Clemency would invite him thereunto that in fine his Majesty was doubtlesse obliged to inflict some exemplary punishment upon the chief Authors of that Revolt as a thing necessary to secure the tranquility of the State to maintain his Majesties authority to deter others and to chastize this Rebellion which of it self compelled his Majesty to execute some justice unlesse he would render himself culpable against his own estate These reasons were urged with such addresse moderation and prudence that Monsieur was from that time almost absolutely resolved to submit himself unto his Majesties Will yet some time he desired to consider of it which was in effect that he might the better confer with the Sieur de Puy-Laurens who finding no other way left then that of accommodation whereby to secure himself from the danger he was in induced Monsieur to resolve to treat he alledged to him that he ought to make the lesse difficulty of it in regard he might afterwards take his own advantage and put himself in a condition to obtain more advantagious terms and in fine he acquainted the Sieur de Bullion and the Marquesse de Fossez with Monsieurs resolution they took his word and the Articles of accommodation were concluded by which Monsieur acknowledging his fault beseeched his Majesty First That he would forget and forgive him He promised his Majesty to relapse no more that he would relinquish all intelligences with Forreigners and with the Queen-Mother during her abode out of the Kingdom contrary to his Majesties Will. That he would dwell in such place as his Majesty would prescribe and live like a true Brother and Subject Moreover Monsieur obliged himself not to take any part in their Interest who were ingaged with him nor complain if at any time the King should bring them to condigne punishment To receive such persons as his Majesty should nominate into the Offices which should at any time become vacant in his family and to remove such as should be disagreeable to his Majesty Briefly It was agreed that the Sieur de Puy-Laurens having been the chief Agent of those evil Councels which had ingaged Monsieur in the War should be obliged sincerely to inform his Majesty of what ever had been negotiated for the time past by which the State might receive any prejudice and that under penalty of being reputed Criminal and to have incurred his Majesties displeasure These were the chief Articles whereunto Monsieur consented an assured testimony they were of his natural inclination to live quietly and submissely They were signed by him for his Majesties greater assurance and thereupon the Sieurs de Bullion and Fossex promised him in his Majesty behalf that his Majesty should receive him into his favor establish him in al his goods and pensions give him liberty to live peaceably in such of his houses as should be thought fit and that a pardon should be granted to Monsieur de Elboeuf and all others then residing neer his person without ingaging any thing for the rest His Majesty received these Articles by the Marquesse de Fossez and accordingly ratified them and thus was this desired agreement concluded which every one considered as one of the most certain foundations of France its happinesse Nothing was discoursed of but Peace the King permitted the strangers six days time to march out of France by Roussillon who scattering themselves abroad from one Coast to another received the same entertainment from the Country people as they had before offered unto them Monsieur retired to his house of Champigzy near Tours seemed to be satisfied in his very soul and withall writ several Letters to the Cardinal full of affectionate expressions disowning those aspersions published against him under his name assuring him that he had never consented to them in a though and that in his greatest Passion he had ever much esteem for him not only in regard of his loyalty towards the King but also for his eminent vertues and the great services he had done the State And thus every one saw an agreeable calm succeed that storm wherewith France had been so much agitated Politique Observation AS Kings are obliged to chastize some of the chief Authors of a revolt as shall hereafter be declared so ought they readily to pardon the rest Caesar was more esteemed for his easie condiscension to be reconciled to his enemies that Hannibal for his harsh courage It was his usual saying that nothing was lesse proper for those who aspired unto great things than willfully to persist in enmities which oftentimes cause those forces which were design'd for
ever they desire that were too base a condescension and would imbolden them too too much a mean ought to be used and a more pleasing way to obtain the same ends The highest point of discretion consisteth in acquiring the end we propose by such windings as may best convey us to it though it be the further way about and the greatest Triumph of reason seemeth sometimes to yeeld to Time and Necessity and to sit still with effecting though not all we would yet what we may without exasperating the people A King may lawfully without all peradventure establish that which is right and which carrieth with it any advantage to the publick but Prudence ought to precede all his Decrees and he ought to be carefull that there happen not at any time more evil then good by his commands The Requests of divers Lords for Monsieur de Montmorency his life and liberty ALthough his Majesty had pardoned the common fry yet the Duke of Montmorency being their chief Ring-leader there was small likelihood of passing by his Delinquency without due punishment unlesse it were purposely to give all other Governours free liberty to rebell as often as they pleased considering how it was by the chance of War and his own only rashness that he fell into the hands of his Majesties Officers For this reason it was that the King commanded him to be carried to Tholose whither his Majesty came not long after imprisoned in the Town-House and sent a particular Commission to the Parliament to prosecute his Indictment against him He was examined witnesses produced face to face according to course neither was there any great difficulty in proving such things as made him guilty of death he having been taken with his Sword in his hand against the King as himself confessed adding with tears in his eyes as is usual with all persons of quality when they find themselves convicted That if it would please his Majesty to pardon him his life he would not desire to obtain it unlesse to lay it out in his service and that he might expiate part of his Crimes with his Blood Sundry persons of quality and amongst others the Princesse of Conde his sister the Cardinal de la Valette and the Dukes d' Espernon and de Cheureuse were very earnest with the King to obtain his pardon and Monsieur himself sent the Sieur de Lavaupot to cast himself at his Majesties feet and to Petition in his behalf But what likelihood was there of passing by so hainous an offence without chastizing it What reason was there to give life unto him who had indeavoured to raise all the Grandees in the Kingdom with whom he had the least acquaintance who had used his utmost to ingage one of the chief Provinces of the Kingdom in a Rebellion who had induced Monsieur to march in Arms through all France that he might the better countenance his designs who had introduc'd the Spaniard who had had the boldnesse to procure the States of the Province to authorize his Rebellion who had raised all the Souldiers he possibly could against the King briefly who had left no stone unturn'd which might any ways contribute to the advancement of his pernicious designs What reason can there be alledged sufficient to excuse such a crime It was not a fault committed by mistake or rashly but a designed contrivance deliberated and discussed for the effecting whereof he had bent all his wits and set all his Engines on work for above seven or eight moneths together His name was indeed honourable in regard of his Ancestors but he deserved no honour for having been deficient in following the Copies of their Loyalty was his family illustrious his Crime was of the greater consequence and the more dangerous for persons of his quality especially such as had raised great advantages by the favours conferr'd upon them and the punishment of his offence ought to be exemplary to warn the Nobility to contain themselves within the bounds of their duties and within the limits of fear of his Majesties Justice He had indeed done his Majesty service in two or three occasions but not such as were any way considerable with that of this his attempt which strook at the root of the Kingdom which forced the people from their obedience which tended to the destruction of his Majesties authority and the ruine of his Subjects What would strangers have said at the report of such excessive Clemency far different from those prudent severities which themselves frequently exemplifie unto us upon the least commotions in their own Countries Had it not been a wilfull blindnesse in matters of State and the establishment of the publick quiet to have suffered such a Rebellion to passe unpunished To say truth he must have no longer been a King had he tied up the hands of Justice and hindred her from prosecuting those Orders prescribed by the Laws on such occasions Thus the Marshal de Chastillon going to wait upon the King with intent to join his request with others in his behalf told him that the countenance and eys of those who supplicated him did sufficiently declare that his Majesty would oblige very many persons if it would please him to pardon Monsieur de Montmorency's life but was answer'd with a Prudence well-becomming his Majesty that he should not be King if his sentiments were such as those of private men Politique Observation A King would render himself much blame-worthy towards his State if in all his actions he did not regard the publick good before the satisfaction of divers persons Good Emperours even according to the opinion of the most eminent Lights of the Church have preferr'd the State before their Fathers or children and indeed of such consideration ought it to be unto them seeing they are obliged not to give way to their own wills when they desire any thing in prejudice thereof Were it not a madnesse to expose all the Souls in a Vessel to th hazard of Shipwrack by indeavouring to save one particular man Seeing the very life of a King ought not by himself to be considered when as the publick good is in agitation of what weight then ought anothers life be to him The object of Princes is the civil good and is folded up in that of the people in general No one can doubt but that it is for the interest and advantage of the people to prefer the common good before that of any particular man who hath run into any hainous offences So the Laws have more regard to the safety of all then of any one criminal and that Prince who being obliged to propose to himself the Laws for a guide of his Actions will commit a manifest oversight if he dotqâ—not follow the like example He deserveth not to wear the Crown if he permit the oppression of his Subjects and the Revolt of others to go unpunished God Almighty having intrusted the Sword of Justice in his hands that he might preserve them
in obedience and defend them from oppressions Kingdomes saith Plato are then well governed when the guilty are punished The Lawyer saith that the chiefest care which a Governour of a Province ought to have is to dreseree Peace to which end he must purge the Country of those who are likely to create troubles by punishing them according to their demerits in a word private men propose the well-ordering of their families for the end of heir businesse and so ought Kings to prefer nothing before the good of their Kingdomes It is the property of private men to be solicitous of private concernments and it is the duty of a King to regard nothing in regard of the publick good Mosieur de Montmorency's Death THese were the just considerations which moved the Parliament of Tholose after processe made against him withall legal proceedings to condemn him to be beheaded by their sentence of the 30. October But before I proceed to the execution I cannot but observe the Fortitude and Piety wherewith he received his death The Cardinal de la Valette fore-seeing no probability of saving him beseeched the King would be pleased to allow him a Confessor the better to dispose him to receive with submission the sentence of the Parliament His Majesty was easily intreated to admit therof being glad to contribute any thing towards the saving of his Soul by making his body an example of Rebellion which favour although it be not usually granted to persons indicted before their sentence be passed yet his Majesty gave oder to the Marshal de Breze to conduct Father Arnoux Superior of the Jesuits particularly desired by the Duke of Montmorency and to charge him to assist him day and night for so long time as he should thing fit and requiâ—te for his consoation The Father went to him and found that God bestowed may Graces upon him in order to his well-dying to which end he desired to make a general Confession One thing did somewhat trouble him which was this he beleeved that to acquit himself of this pious duty there would be longer time required then was probably left for him he supposing as accordingly it was that they had resolv'd to sentence him the next morning whereupon he earnestly conjured the Father Arnoux and the Sieur de Launay to go and acquaint his Majesty that he beseeched him to bestow the next whole morning upon him that he might the more deliberately and without molestation look back into his Conscience that he might make such a Confession as might cause him to die without inquietude of mind and that he should take this for one of the greatest favours he had ever received from him The King condescended thereunto and his Piety being no lesse resplendent then his Justice he readily granted him that liberty commanding that the sentencing of him should be deferr'd for one day and also permitting him to communicate although contrary to the use for persons in his condition He ended those holy duties which once passed over he employed the afternoon in making his Will according as his Majesty had permitted him wherein he bequeathed unto Monsieur the Cardinal one esteemed for the rarest peece of France being a Picture representing Saint Sebastian dying and beseeched him to believe that he died his servant The morning following he was called unto the Palace to be examined at the Bar where be answered unto all Interrogations such submission and generousnesse that he discovered no other fear of death but with what is natural to the greatest courages and at the same time that he went out of the grand Chamber the whole Court the Lord Keeper being President condemned him to be beheaded in the place du Salin as guilty of High Treason in the highest degree The Sentence was pronounced to him with the usual forms of Justice which when he heard he told the Commissaries how he thanked them and the whole Company beseeching them to tell them in his behalf that he receiv'd the Judgement from the Kings Justice as a sentence of Mercy from God After this his thoughts were altogether taken up in disposing of himself to die like a Christian And having shewed all imaginable proofs of so dying he was executed in the Court of the Town-house where his Majesty commanded it to be performed though he was not intreated to bestow that last favour upon him Politique Observation TO pardon every one is a cruelty more dangerous then to pardon no one this only injureth the nocent but that the innocent seeing it exposeth all men to great misfortunes This only destroyeth particular families whereas that is commonly the occasion of the breaking out again of civil Wars which were thought to have been quite extinguished by Clemency but do then indanger the absolute ruine of a whole Kingdom by their second eruptions Now amongst those many which deserve to be chastiz'd the chief heads of a Revolt ought to be punished much rather then the hands and feet which were but accessaries thereunto It is the order prescribed by Justice and in effect it is more equitable to punish those who are the original and true causes of evil then those who could hardly defend themselves from following their violent motions The greatnesse of their qualities may not priviledge them from the punishment due to the hainousnesse of their Crimes although the faults of common mean persons are usually pardon'd by the too too great indulgence of Magistrates On the contrary if at any time Ambition transporteth them into seditions it likewise rendreth them much more culpable and consequently more deserving of punishment then the least and most obscure persons of the Kingdome Their lapses are not only equal and liable to the inflictions provided for other Subjects but they are the more notorious by how much their quality is more conspicuous because their exorbitances are of a more dangerous consequence Every one is more concern'd at the Eclipses of the Sun then those of other Stars because such are commonly attended by sad events so the crimes of the chief leading men in a Nation are more to be regarded because their effects are more to be feared then those of private men The revolt of a mean Gentleman is seldom capable to raise any great troubles in a Kingdom but that of a Governour of a Province or some chief person in the State cannot happen without carrying great misfortunes along with it It is great Prudence in such occasions to follow the councel give by Thrasibulus to Periander who sent his Ambassadours to him desiring to be inform'd how he might happily govern his State He carried them out into a large field and discoursing to them of things indifferent he cut of the highest ears of Corn and then told them they should acquaint their Master with what they had seen him do and how that was the best advice he could give him Periander understood the meaning and well concluded that the only means to rule in quiet was to cut off
wonderfully potent and its Arms though spiritual are more to be feared them Pikes or Muskets The Soul once mastered the body will soon yeeld the one is the inevitable consequence of the other and for this reason is it that the promotion of Bishops hath ever depended on our Kings and that it hath been judged very necessary to elect persons for those imployments who may indeed be able to edifie the people by their Doctrine and example and altogether incapable of indâ—ngering the publick The happinesse of States dependeth much upon Religion and the splendour of Religion doth more depend upon the vigilance and care of Bishops next to the blessing of Heaven the any other thing whatever May they not indeed be called the foundation of it Who doth more effectually fix the people in the fidelity which they ow their Soveraigns in obedience to Magistrates in reverence to Parents in respect to Justice the rule of their conduct Doubtlesse it is then very considerable in Government not to chuse such persons as are incapable of bringing these advantages to a State I shall not in this place say any thing of the obedience they ought to shew to Magistrates but only it is necessary that they be honest men because if licentious they will be apt to do more hurt then good and to neglect the restraining of the people not that I shall approve of chusing such persons who are of an indiscreet zeal for such persons designing to do too much good do oftentimes raise great disorders which themselves are unable to redresse Preachers are so much the more deserving of this promotion because the function of preaching was primitively reserved to the Bishops who communicated it unto Priests only by way of priviledge and that at sundry times in sundry places The Bishops of the East did first grant this power to Priests as may be proved by the examples of Pierius and Chrysostome who while they were yet Priests Preached one in Alexandria the other in Antioch a thing not used in Affrick before St. Austine who during his Priesthood had the liberty of Preaching conferred upon him by Bishop Valerius a thing without President and in Gaul this custom was introduced about an hundred year after the Councel of Vaison The King maketh a Declaration to Depose three Officers two of the Parliament of Paris and one of the Chamber of Accompts from their Charges SHortly after Monsieur le President Seguiers promotion to the Seals the ill conduct of President Cogneux the Sieur Deslandes Councellor of the Parliament and the Sieur de Monsigot Master of the Chamber of Accompts of Paris forced his Majesty to deprive them of their Offices I have inserted in the History of the fore-going years the Rebellious acts in which they ingaged themselves and in this I shall adde that it being a shame for his Majesty and unbefitting the reputation of the affairs of France to suffer the chief Officers of the Parliament of Paris and a Master of the chief Chamber of Accompts in the Kingdom to live abroad in Forraign parts avoiding the punishment due to their Rebellion and with the marks of their authority still about them as if they had been innocent his Majesty resolved to depose them for the more orderly doing whereof he went to the Parliament of sit in the Seat of Justice and publish a Declaration with expounding the Ordinance of Blois where it is said that all guilty of High-Treason particularly his Majesties Officers should never be restored to their Offices Declared that it ought to be understood of Officers condemned of Rebellion or Treason as well by default and contumacy of those who were present at their Tryals there being no reason to suffer those who had had their hands in conspracies and intelligences prejudicial to his Majesties service to injoy their dignities those rays of his Majesties power and moreover that the twenty eighth Article of the Ordinance of Molins more ancient then that of Blois where it is specified that those who are condemned by default and contumacy may have five years time to acquit themselves should not be interpreted in favour of them his Majesty requiring that judgement once pronounced against Traitors though condemned by default or contumacy should after publication be put it execution as to the confiscation of their offices only without being restored either by Letters or otherwise This very Declaration suppress'd the offices of President le Cogneux and the Sieur Deslandes as guilty of High-Treason whereof they were condemned by contumacy they were unworthy of any favour in regard his Majesty had given them a moneths time to recollect themselves and to return into the Kingdom which they had neglected to do Besides the King published his Letters Patents to create the like offices and conferr'd that of the President aâ— Mortier upon the Sieur de Lamoignon formerly President of the third Chamber of Inquests and placed the Sieur de la Hage de Vantelay Councellor of the grand Counsel in that of Counsellor of the Parliament His Majesty caused them to take their Oath in his Presence and then to take their places Monsieur le Comte de Soissons went in his Majesties behalf to the Chamber of Accompts to cause the like Declaration to be published against the Sieur de Monsigot and his Letters Patents by which Le Sieur des Rues was established in the office of Master of Accompts Thus his Majesty outed three Rebellious Officers and taught the rest that they having no Authority but what depended upon his pleasure they should be sure to be deprived of it if once they should be sound unworthy by Revolts Politique Observation VVHen Kings create Magistrates and communicate part of their power to them it is not to exempt them from obedience but to fix their Crowns by new supports and to keep the people by their examples and decrees within the bounds of their subjection To this end only it is that Kings confer their power upon them who as they command their people to make their addresses to them to decide their differences so do they no lesse oblige their Magistrates to preserve them within their bounds by the example of their submissions and the integrity of their judgements If Magistrates ow the second to the people by their places they are no lesse indebted to their Kings in the first with this distinction of obligation that the good of the State invites them to it the Order of Monarchy requireth it and Justice it self commandeth it What presumpion were it for the Stars to indeavour to eclipse the Sun 's light when their own is but the effect of his What a disorder were it if the inferiour Spheres should oppose the motions of the Primum mobile And what likelyhood is there that those Magistrates who receive their Authority from their Princes to support their Crowns and confirm their Subjects in their obedience should flie into Rebellion and indeavour to draw them to follow their examples They
from the Low Countries The Sieur de Mommas secured them all three which being signified to the chief President they were examined and Processe made against Alpheston in the usual form it was proved that Alpheston having murthered a certain Courier called Clairbourg for fear lest he should discover a design upon St. Disier which he had intrusted with him fled into Flanders where having made some stay at Bruxels he got acquainted with Father Chanteloup and one la Roche intendent of his affairs who had ingaged him together with Sausier and Bellanger to kill the Cardinal Duc de Richelieu passing through Chaallons where they were to lodge over against him that they had been assured by Father Chanteloup how that affair had been consulted by persons of Piety and Learning and adjudged it might be executed with a safe Conscience that la Roche had given an hundred Livres to Sausier as many to Bellanger and a hundred crowns to Alpheston with promise to reward their services better that Alpheston had oftentimes conversed with Father Chanteloup concerning that affair that la Roche had caused a Gelding of the Queens Stable to be given him which was afterwards known to be the same by the Sieur de Villiers one of her Querris All this was Deposed by Sausier and Bellanger and confessed by Alpheston himself so that he was condemned upon the 23 of September to be broke on the wheel for his offence The Sentence was executed and as it is very important for the security of Kings and their States to pardon those who discover things of this nature Sausier and Bellanger were acquitted in conformity to the Law prescribed in such cases Nor was this Assassinaâ— the only Monster which Chanteloup sent abroad to execute that horrible attempt not long after Blaise Ruflet was discovered under the name of Chavagnac and convicted in the same Parliament to have designed the death of that grand Minister by causing him to read a poysoned Letter an action so black and full of horror that it is hardly credible in a person of his condition bad it not been formally proved and withall confessed by himself who for his punishment was adjudged to be hanged The Parliament of Mets could not see Chanteloup guilty of such abhominations without declaring what he was whereupon they drew up his indictment and condemned him by default to be broken alive Thus did God by his Providence defend this incomparable Minister from the fury of his enemies who before they could effect their design had the impudence to publish in divers places that it were a piece of conscience to murther him that the merit were greater then the crime that it were an act of Justice and that divers having already contrived the design was only deterred by fear Thus did they indeavour to infuse the poison of this abhominable Doctrine into the minds of some melancholy men and to perswade them to Dye their hands in the blood of a Cardinal a Bishop a chief and incomparable Minister of State This in a word is the strangest fury that Hell can lead a man into but that which was more wonderfull was to see the Queen-Mother whose Piety and Clemency had in all her Government been so conspicuous suffer such persons as were about her not only to publish but approve such bloody Doctrines and Sacralegious maxims and to be obstinate in the keeping him for her only Minister who made it his businesse to cut the thread of his life whose whose services the King her son did every day publish with so many honourable Eulogiums that he ascribed the happy successe of all his enterprizes to his only counsels This her procedure was totally repugnant to that pretended desire of hers to return into France and to make her Peace with his Majesty however they who had the honour to know her did not at all detract from their opinions of her goodness knowing her to be by nature as far from this barbarous doctrine as heaven is from earth they only wish she had not so easily suffered her self to be surprised by those whom she honoured with her confidence How abhominable assassination hath ever been and that great men never ought to be drawn into it TO murther a Cardinal is a detestable sacriledge not onely because it injureth a particular person but the sacred Colledge of Cardinals the Pope and the whole Church He who murdereth a Minister of State is guilty of high Treason as I have heretofore made appear and generally of all others it is the most horrible Crime Murderers among the Israelites were so much detested that private men were allowed to destroy them if the Magistrate did not nay he who had killed another by accident was in such abhomination with them that he was banished his Country as unworthy of their conversation and forced to retire to their Cities of refuge under penalty of being slain without punishment by him who had undertaken to revenge the death All nations have chastised it with grievous punishments those of Brasil in particular do so detest it that if the murderer save himself by flight yet his children sisters and cousins are all made slaves to the kindred of the party murthered Hath not God declared himself an enemy unto it when he saith He who killeth his Brother shall dy by the sword History is full of examples verifying his Divine justice to correspond with his threats Plutarch though having the light of nature onely writeth that a certain murderer of one Mitias a Grecian escaping scot free the divine providence so ordered it that his statue fell upon him in the publick place and crushed him to death but if murder destroy those that are guilty thereof with shame surely all Princes peccant in this particular are much more blame-worthy because they do an act contrary to that mercy justice generosity and greatnesse of power which they are obliged to have Never would the Romans in the flourishing time of their Common-Wealth permit their enemies to be thus kill'd and Tacitus reporteth that when the Senate read Algau destrius Prince of the Catti his Letters in which he undertook to poison Arminius the German Captain provided they would send him poison return'd him this answer that the people of Rome used to have satisfaction from their enemies openly and not by treachery That I may shew this true valour hath not been unimitated in these latter ages Dom Rogero Comte de Pallant offered Alphonsus King of Naples to kill the King of Castile his enemy with his own hands whereunto Alphonsus answered think not I pray upon such an action because were it to put me in quiet possession not only of Castile but of the whole world yet would I never give my consent unto it The Acts of Hostility committed by the Duke of Lorrain against France VVHilest his Majesties prudence and courage were taking care for his sundry affairs the Duke of Lorrain setting by the Laws of honour which obliged him to keep
consideration of that diversity of Religion between the Princess and the Prince of Wales his Majesty should send to his Holiness to procure a Dispensation before the Marriage were effected to obtain the said Dispensation the Cardinal proposed to the King to send Father Berule Superior General of the fathers of the Oratory and to commit the charge of it to him as a person capable of such a negotiation and whose Piety which amongst the People is extreamly recommendable might take off all shadows or apparencies which the weakness of their senses or the malice of the Spaniards might raise abroad concerning it It should seem he did fore-see that Fury wherewith the Spanish Partisans writ against this marriage So angry they were that they had not prevented it not reflecting that for eleven whole years they had testified to the world that they would have done the self-same thing But that I may not be hindred by those outragious speeches which proceeded from those spirits puft up with Ambition who then began to discover that France had a Minister capable to countermine them and to oppose their unjust designs I shall inform you that the instruction which was give to Father Berule was to go to Rome with all diligence and to obtain the Dispensation from the Pope to which purpose he was to represent to his Holiness That the King of Great Brittain having demanded the Princess Henrietta Maria the Kings Sister in marriage for the Prince of Wales his son his Majesty was the more inclinable to hearken to the Proposition because hee looked upon it as a probable means to convert the English as heretofore a French Princess married into England had induced them to imbrace Christianity But that the Honour which hee owed to the Holy Chair and in particular to his Sanctity who had formerly held him at the Font of Baptism in the name of Pope Clement the Eighth had not permitted him to conclude upon the Treaty before the obtainment of his Dispensation That this Marriage ought to be regarded for the Interest not onely of the Catholicks in England but of all Christendome who would receive great advantages by it that there is not any thing of hazard for the Princesse seeing she is as firm as could be desired both in the Faith aâ—â— Piety That she should have a Bishopâ— and eight and twenty Priests to do all Offices That she should have none but Catholicks in her Houshold That the King of Great Brittain and the Prince of Wales would oblige themselves by Writing and Oath not to solicite her directly or indirectly neither by themselves or any other persons to change her Religion Moreover that there being nothing to be feared in relation to the Princesse there were great hopes that she might be intirely beloved by the King who was well disposed already to become a Catholick and by the Prince of Wales That shee might the more contribute to their conversion in regard that women have very great power over their Husbands and Father-in-Laws when Love hath gotten any power in their affections That for her part she was so zealous in Religion that there was no doubt but she would employ her utmost industry in so pious a design That admitting God should not succeed her iâ—tentions either upon King James or the Prince of Wales there were hopes her Children might become restorers of that Faith which their Ancestors had destroyed seeing she had the education and bringing of them up in the belief and exercise of the Catholique Religion until they were thirteen years old and that their first seeds of Piety having being instilled into their souls and cultivated with carefulnesse when they became capable of good Instructions might infallibly produce stable and permanent Fruits that is so strong a Faith as might not be shaken by Heresie in a riper age And after all That the Catholiques of England would forthwith receive great advantages by it seeing both the King of Great Britain and the Prince of Wales his Son would oblige themselves by worâ— and deed not to hunt them out or when they were discovered to punish them To free out of Prison all such as were layed up to restore them their Monies and Goods which had been forced from them after the last Act if they were possible to be had and generally to treat them with more favour than if the Treaty with Spain had gone on Lastly he had order to inform the Pope that to render a greater respect to the Church he had conditioned that the Princess should be affianced and contracted according to the Catholique form like that which was observed they Charlâ—s the Ninth in the Mariage of Margarice of France with the late King Henry the Fourth then King of Navarr These things spoke in their own behalf and were so eminently visible that no doubt could be made of them The Father Berule too wanted neither Ability nor Good-will but represented them to his Holyness with such dexterity that his Sanctity gave him hopes of a favourable answer 'T is true the Pope would not grant him a dispence without conferring with the Cardinals that he might give no jealousie to Spain who had been dealt with in the very same manner when they desired a Dispensation for the Inâ—anca but they were of his own naming and such as no one could think were more subject to Passion than Justice So they met divers times about it and though it were with the ordinary delayes of the Court at Rome without which they esteem no affair can be discussed and judged with Prudence or Majesty enough yet in sine they referred the expediting of the Dispensation to the Popes pleasure All that was cross in the business was barely this Father Borielâ— being naturally addicted to refine all things was perswaded that there had not been assurances strong enough obtained from the English for the securing and hindring the placing of Protestant Officers over the Princesses children the solicitation of Officers to change their Religion the continuation of forcing English Catholiques to take Oaths of Abjuration against the Catholique Religion and the holy See though indeed it had been expresly concluded and agreed on That the King of England and Prince of Wâ—lâ—s should engage both by Writing and Oath not to enforce them any more However this induced both the Pope and Cardinals to think fit not acquainting the â—ieurâ—dâ— Bethune with it though the Cardinals Prudence had tyed up the said Father Bâ—rulâ— in his Instructions not to doe any thing without him to oblige the King in the Instrument of Dupensation to procure from the King of Great Britain new assurances in these parcicuâ—ars So that he following his own sense and specious reasons upon which he relyed his Holyness dispatched him upon those conditions and sent him back to the King with all diligence Politique Observations IF Piety prohibit Ministers to doe things contrary to Religion Prudence obligeth them to referre the management of affairs to Persons who
have the reputation of an extraordinary Honesty especially to the transacting of such things which notwithstanding their innate Justice may provoke any evil spirits For though the most upright regulate their Judgements by some Principles which serve them as a Law in the Government of a State yet the most part ghuessing onely by their own senses and apprehensions judge of the Affairs by the Persons who conduct them Opinion guides the whole world and sets a price upon virtue it self and the reputation alone of him who negotiates may cause his designs to passe under the notion of good and lawful If the Foxes good counsel be once suspected by a man he will be hardly perswaded that a Person replenished with all the ornaments of a singular integrity will engage himself in unjust designs The repute of such a person sets a value and a price upon his words and actions and the opinion which is conceived of him is so absolute an Empire that there is no Appeal from his Judgement It is an ancient saying Truth is the strongest thing in the world But however if once Opinion hath fixed her Throne in the mindes of the people Truth will have somewhat to doe to disappoint her The prescriptions of a Physitian who is in esteem doe even passe for good And the Acts of a person who hath the credit of a sublime Virtue cannot be found fault withall The wiseft of the Pagans were not ignorant hereof but made great advantages by it as occasion offered it self Scipio the African would sometimes be a long while together all alone in the Capitol pretending he did conferr with Jupiter concerning the affairs of the Commonwealth and all this he did that he might be thought to be endued with a more than humane Piety Minos the Law-giver of Candia went down to make Laws into a subterranean Cave which he called Jupiters Grot and thence brought them all written perswading the people to believe that they were inspired into him by that Divinity And this was an easie way to perswade the people to whatsoever they had a mind to God himself hath thought it very proper too when he would bring any great thing to passe for he hath chosen usually such men who by their eminent virtue are able to make all people believe that whatsoever they declare could not be but truth He hath commanded the Prophets and Apostles to publish such sayings as would jarr and clash with the senses of most men and yet he hath replenished them in respect of his choice with the many graces that it were almost impossible for the most part not to believe them The deputation of the Sieur de la Ville-aux-clercs to the King of England in the qualitie of an Extraordinary Ambassador AFter the King had payed this respect to the Pope and that the Articles of Mariage had been coucluded upon the twentieth of November His Majestie cast his eys upon the Sieur de la Ville-aux-clerâ—s one of his Councellors and Secretary of State to dispatch him into England as an Extraordinary Ambassador He gave him particular order to testifie unto the King of Great Britain and the Prince of Wales the great affection which he had to live with them in a strait and near intelligence and to assure them that one of the chiefest reasons which drew him to agree to the Mariage was the consideration that as one link of their Friendship was tyed by Blood this would render it indissolvable After these Complements were once past he commanded him to procure the Articles of Mariage to be ratified and to obtain their Oaths and Promises by Writing according to what the Ambassadors had engaged their words He discharged himself with honour both to the one and t'other Commission and having several times entertained them with the Content that his Master would conceive by their Alliance he at last concluded with such dexteritie that he had instilled into them all sorts of good will and affection for France and in particular for his Majesties Interests and so invited them to a quick consummation of the Treatie that the sudden chances which usually happen to affairs of this consequence might not breed any alteration or change This was the ground-work upon which he founded his demands for their Instruments and Oaths which had been promised and which both of them were readily disposed to effect and accordingly they promised upon the Holy Evangelist not to attempt by any wayes or means to induce the Princesse to change the Roman Catholique Apostolique Religion or to force her to any thing which might be contrary to it They likewise promised upon their Faith and words of Princes to grant to the Catholiques more Liberties and Franchises in every thing which concern'd their Religion than had been given in favour of the Match with Spain not to force them to take Oaths contrary to the Rules of the Roman Church and to take effectual care that they were no more troubled in their Persons or Estates for their Religion provided they exercised it in private and lived in obedience as good Subjects ought to doe and finally both of them signed and delivered two Deeds for the better assurance of their Oaths and Promises After all this his Instructions did not oblige him to be contented with words onely as to that which concern'd the Libertie of the Catholiques so that he proceeded with great earnestness to obtain the effects of it and he was assured that upon the conclusion of the Mariage there should be a Patent of Enlargement granted to all such as were Prisoners for their Religion-sake without being any more troubled for the future and for what related to all in general there was a Deed made under his Majesties own Hand and Seal directed to the Lord Conway Secretary of State commanding him to signifie to all whom it concern'd that it was his Majesties pleasure no farther prosecution should be made against them and accordingly the Lord Conway gave notice hereof to the Chancellor Treasurer to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and to all other chief Officers principally requiring the Grand Treasurer to restore unto them all the monies which had been forced from them and payd into the Exchequer with order not to do the like hereafter and thus by obtaining their Promises Words and Assurances they had as much security as they could wish for could they but be contented to exercise their Religion in private and without noyse Politique Observation THe word of a King hath alwayes pass'd for so sacred that ours have sometimes scrupel'd at the confirmation by Oath of what they once gave upon their words It was for that reason Saint Lewis would not swear in his own person to the League then made with Henry the third King of England at the Camp neer St. Aubin Anno 1231. but desired it might suffice if he caused it to be sworn in his name and presence by the Prior of St. Martin the fields Indeed there being nothing