hundred foot whom he fell upon at unawares in a Village not far from the Town They were so fortunate that they did not onely bring Nismes to famine but Vsez Aletz Aduze and all the Sevennes having burned above fifty Villages with all the Corn then standing on the ground both old and new neither durst the Duke of Rohan once attempt to prevent it The Duke of Espernon did the like about Montauban and not long after the Duke de Vantadours Troops of Curassiers his Gardes and Carabines which were in garrison at Beaucair being commanded to march up towards Nâ—smes that they might draw out their Forces to fight with them went up and drove away all their Cattel in sight of the Town on purpose to invite them out they presently made their sally and were so resolutely charged that their horse was broken and the Dukes Forces broke quite thorough to the foot left threescore and seventeen dead upon the place and about fifty wounded After this blow the Rebels durst not appear any where their luck 's was so bad so that the Kings Army were Masters of the field The Prince finding his presence was no more usefull in those parts obtained leave of his Majesty to return to Berry Politique Observation HE who hath perswaded any Towns to revolt must not expect to keep them any long time unlesse he be Master of the Field his hopes of maintaining them in his own power will vanish and he will soon see them re-taken by his Soveraign before his face if once he be master of the Country For as there is not any place how weak soever which doth not hold out some small time especially if it be assisted so there is not any place how strong soever that can alwaies hold out it not releeved that is unlesse there be a sufficient power on foot to force him who is sate down before it to raise his siege or at least to send Forces and Ammunitions into it Places cannot defend themselves but must have men to do it for them neither can the men ever do it unlesse they have refreshments both of victuals munitions and Souldiers otherwise the troubles necessities and discommodities of a Siege will inforce them to surrender whether they will or no. It is evident that if the Soveraign be Master of the field then the revolted Towns can hardly be releeved or assisted because of his greater power to prevent and hinder it Those places I must confesse which are strong indeed seem to command and keep the Country in subjection but this power of theirs can be of no long date unlesse their fellow Rebels have a potent Army to assist them with Convoys both of Men Victuals and Munition The Tyrians were so insolent by reason their Town was so strongly built upon a Rock in the Sea that they mocked at Alexander when he besieged them and made a Bank about them to keep off any relief from comming unto them they asked of him if he designed to make himself greater then Neptune by that device of his to overcome the Sea his Souldiers they called Asses and beasts because they laboured without ceasing in carrying matterials towards the Bank but at last Alexander having reduced the neighbouring Country finished his works which he had projected and finally forced them to render at his mercy Which being so the best advice that can be given to a Soveraign for the preventing of a Revolt or the progress of it is forthwith to make himself master of the field and to fall upon them and their Towns without giving them leasure to increase their numbers or fortifie their Cities For shewing a resolution to force them by Arms if they submit not by fair means is a most powerful way to open the strongest gates whatever Maharbal General of Hannibals horse was not ignorant of this particular when his advice was forthwith to march up to the Gates to Rome after that famous Battel of Cannes telling him that there being hardly any forces at all neer or about the City he would infallibly in a little while become Master of that too Hannibal followed not his Councel but those who perswaded him to give his Souldiers breath but yet every one concluded he lost a most fair opportunity it having been a most easie thing in that conjuncture of time to have carried his victorious Troops to Rome and to have forced the Citizens to set open their Gates unto him Caesar never did so but when ever he found himself master of the field any where presently went on to the perfecting of his Conquest which he could not think compleat whilest there remained any thing undone or any small place untaken The Duke of Savoy enters into a League with the Governor of Milan to fall upon the States of the Duke de Nevers and Mantua WHilest his Majesty was thus ingaged before Rochel and in Languedoc the Duke of Savoy and Doâ—n Joncales de Cordona Governour of Milan seeing the Duke of Nevers had taken possession of the Dutchesse of Mantua and Montferrat made a League together The Articles imported that the Duke of Savoy should indeavour to make himself master of all the places in Montferrat excepting Casal Poâ—t Desture Nice Aqui and some other places and that the Marquesse de Montenigro should fall in upon the State of Mantoua and get what he could there The Emperour being wrought to it by the Spaniards commanded without regard had to the Duke of Nevers submissions which he had sent to him by the Arch-Bishop of Mantua that those Dutchies should be in sequestration until the claim of Prince Gastles who pretended himself heir to them were adjudged and determined and sent the Comte Jâ—an de Nassan in the quality of an Imperial Commissary to seize on them and there to fortifie himself that the King nor Princes of Italy might enter upon it In brief the Duke of Savoy having his Army ready upon the first news of Duke Vincents death seized upon Albe Sainct Damien Dian Trin Gabian and Motecalvo Don Joncales went with his Army to Casal where finding himself opposed he made himself Master of the adjacent places and the Marquesse de Montenigro invaded Mantua to get what advantages he could The Duke of Matnua hereupon dispatched one in all hast unto his Majesty for those succours which had been promised to him and in the mean time he himself had raised an Army of about twelve thousand foot and two thousand horse part he sent into Montferrat the rest he kept in Mantua and thereabouts to binder the Marquesse de Montiningro's progresse in the Mantuâ—â— The King being informed of these violent emotions permitted all Monsieur de Mantua's friends to go to his assistance and his Highnesse to ralse what Forces he thought fit in the Kingdome of France insomuch that shortly after the Marquesse de Beuuron carried with him store of French over the Mountains of Savoy who cast themselves into Cazal and so incouraged the inhabitants that Don
he sung the Te Deum assisted by all that could throng in as well Catholicks as Hugonots so much were they delighted to behold him and indeed his sweetnesse his agreeablenesse his Civility and the Bounty which his word and behaviour testified to all the World did not a little captivate them and charm their courages Thence he went to alight at the lodging which had been prepared for him where the whole Town waited to receive him he entertained them with such familiarity and freedome that they could never enough be satisfied with his sight And that I may the better describe the content they took in beholding him give me leave to add this one thing that never any one yet saw him but loved him He gave so discreet Orders for the Government of his Souldiers that not a man had any cause to complain of Rudeness or abuse for he severly punished the leaft insolency whatever which did not a little please and content them of the City They would gladly have kept him loâ—ger amongst them but his time drew on and he had not now any other affair to detain him in those parts he having â—ettled alâ— things in Peace to the great Glory and happiness of his Majesty and the whole Kingdome that he provided for his return to his Majesty who desired even to longing to see him that he might take order for the affairs of Italy which began to be re-imbroyled Politique Observation ARms are not all the means for the obtaining of victories Prudence hath some if the victory be nothing but the attainment of that end for which a War is began and provided that a man once Master his design what matter is it whether it be by one or t'other It is the end that is all in all So that he who overthrows a City or wins a pitched Battail is not the onely man according to Quintus Curtus who is victorious but he may justly be likewise termed a Conqueror who by his Prudence forceth them to surrender and lay down their Arms. In the History of Italy we read of a great Contestation between the French and Italians concerning the Battail of Tar each of them ascribing the victory to his own Nation The Italians they pretended they were Masters of the field because their Quarters and Bagage were safe and whole whereas they had pillaged all the French even to the Kings Tent The French on the other side pretended they had the better of the day because they only lost two hundred men and the Italians left three thousand behind them and were also forced to quiet the field and passe over the Tar and that which was more then all the rest was they had obtained that end for which they began the fight to wit for a free passage to return into France and foâ—â—his reason iâ— was adjudged that the French indeed had the better of them it beâ—â—g certain that the Honour of a victory doth not alone belong to him who hâ—th killed most of his Enemies or indeed hath lost fewest of his own but likewise to him who in conclusion of the fight obtains that end for which he began the Battail Besides 〈◊〉 esteem those victories which are got by prudence much more to be commendeâ— then those which are got by Force of Battails in regard the one is aâ—â—chieved with little noyses with safety and without diminution of the strength or losse of mens Lives whereas the other doth obtain but the self same thing by a way quite contrary that is fuâ—l of trouble danger losse and expence Those Victories which are atchieved by Force have Violence for their Chief cause whereas those which are obtained by Prudence have the Rule of all other vertues for theirs and besides who will not more esteem these then the former if only because there is lesse bloud spilt Tygers who delight to shed bloud may perchance rejoyce to see the earth dyed with 〈◊〉 But true Honour and Glory which proceedeth from sweetness and humanity cannot but abhor such sights which are so far from being accompanied with real Honour that rather on the contrary nothing can be more ignoble or unnatural Prosecution of the History AT this time France was happy indeed having overcome that Monster called Heresie which had been long conquering The Power of France was now become the greater in regard it was not divided as heretofore within it self Those Forces which had of late so often drew their Swords within their own Country were now at Liberty to be employed abroad in defence of the Allyes of the Crown The house of Austria was no longer such a Bugbear neither was there any fear of discontented persons Who formerly with the help of fifty thousand Crowns could raise a civil War at their own pleasures Those great Taxes did now cease which were of necessity to be kept on foot whilst the Kingdome was governed at randome Those Expenses which the State was forced to bear for the suppressing the Hugonots in Pensions Fortifications Garrisons Colledges and the like were now layed up The King was absolute Master of Poictou Guyenne Languedoc and Dauphinè which formerly he had only at six and seven But how much then was the whole Nation beholding unto the Cardinal seeing the King had principally made use of his Prudence and Courage to bring all these glorious things to passe as his Majesty himself had often published and declared in his letters and on many other occasions There cannot be any reasonable indifferent Judg but will conclude he deserved all monuments both of Honour and Glory and that such as should be ingrateful for these his services or attempt to procure him any displeasure ought to be punished with shame and confusion But alas that Passion of Private Interest like a thick vail which takes away the sight would not let those of the Cabal neer the Queen Mother behold his deserts and the praises which were due to him But on the contrary led them to take advantages by his absence to invent new devices and contrive sundry Artifices whereby they might incense that great Princesse against him If the King acted any thing not agreeable with her humour presently some one or other would acquaint her with it and add It was the Cardinals doings When once they perceived that she began to be jealous because his Majesty did no longer follow her Counsels which indeed were not much to be commended they were never quiet until they had entertained her with some discourse to that purpose which might blow the Coals of her passion and discontent If at any time she could not presently effect whatever she designed then the Cardinals power was to be lamented either by words at length or perchance because that was not at all times permitted by the language of their Eyes no lesse powerful than the other I should be too to long if I should describe all their tricks But who could endure that they should thus employ their time whiles he
did it not sufficiently testifie that had they been near enough to have had recruits and ammunitions from France or had the Duke of Savoy caused those refreshments to have been brought for the Army which by the Articles of the Treaty he was obliged they had not so easily lost what they had so happily obtained But they were induced to under goe those disasters which are incident to all men who invade a Forraign Country upon the hopes of a League Politique Observation ALthough those Wars which are begun by Princes leagued together have oftentimes happy beginnings yet it seldome comes to passe that they do end in a good success There need no other proof then that of the Wars which our Kings have made in Italy for six score years last past But that we may not dwell upon examples is not that Prince who trusteth in the promise of his Confederates like the man who exposeth all his Goods upon the Sea in a leaky Vessel Experience hath shewed us in a thousand incounters that Princes have so many overtures made by which one may win upon them and with-draw them from Leagues that it is almost impossible to have any absolute assurance of them One of the chiefest ties which holdeth them fast is to have in possession some strong place for a gage of their Fidelity but there are few who will thus dispossess themselves doubting least he into whose hands it be intrusted will retain it for good and all by saying or perswading them that they have been defective in their word in some one thing or other as Charls the eighth did after he had received the Florentine Towns in deposit It is likewise dubious lest the several Troops or divers Princes in an Army together should grow jealous of one another and then the least distrust or broyls which might arise between them were enough to withdraw him who imagineth himself offended and if there were nothing else there need no more but this to draw off Confederates from a League barely to satisfie them in their particular Interests for seeing that is it which is the onely end and aim of all Princes they will no longer hold together then it may bee for their advantage There do oftentimes too happen very great inconveniences especially when their united Forces are to march into far distant places they who border upon those Countries which are to be assaulted take no care to refresh themselves either by new troops or necessary provisions for the War for that those who inhabit further off not being easily able to provide for this defect fall into ruine of themselves or else their enemies quickly put them to flight Many united Princes are never comparable to one alone nor ever capable of encompassing such great enterprises as a single Prince with his own Subjects though much inferiour to them in point of numbers The Hugonots by the Spaniards Instigation Arm themselves very potently against the King WHilest Italy served as a Theater for the acting of several Warlike exployts the Hugonots inspired not onely with that mutinous humour which is common to them but also incited by the contrivances of Spain used their utmost indeavours to divert the Kings Army as also to fortifie and strengthen themselves both in Languedoc and Poictou The Duke of Rohan and the Sieur de Soubize were the chief of the Revolt the former took the Command upon himself of those Forces in Languedoc the latter those in Poictou Now though the Sieur de Soubize had been repulsed from before the Port of Blavet yet he got no small advantage by it for by that means he made himself Master of six great Ships which were the Kings and the Duke of Nemoure which gave him opportunity of doing very considerable damages He had formerly got together about eleven Ships of War all very good and a greater number of Shallops and small Boats which being assisted with these he had the ambition to hope he might become Master of the Ocean In conclusion he roved up and down upon the Coasts of Poictou and Guien and committed such savage Cruelties that more the Turks could not possibly have done and to secure himself of a near and safe retreat he seized on the Islands of Ree and Oleron where he hastned on with the Forts which those of his party had began to build Withall finding the Duke of Espernon drawn off towards Montauban whither he was gone to ransack as shall be anon declared he assembled together a Fleet of about seventy four Sails of all Sizes and entring into the Girond towards Bourdeaux they landed about mid June three thousand men in Medoc and seized on the Castle a small place scituated on the Rivers side where he intrenched himself and so over-running the Plains where the Burdelois have several houses of Pleasure he Pillaged them and committed all other imaginable outrages But he soon found the Sieur de Thoyras in Front of him to whom the Cardinal had given Orders from the King to fall upon them in case they should make any incursions thereabouts who presently went to find them out with his Troop of light-horse and thirteen others of the Regiment of Campagne one Company of the Garrison of Bergerac commanded by the Sieur de Plessis sent by the Duke of Espernon and some few others who had been raised thereabouts for the same purpose Now the Sieur de Thoyras finding himself backed with these Troops fell upon him so resolutely that he forced him to give ground and to weigh their Anchors and flie towards Rochel leaving good store of Arms Cannon Ammunition and their Baggage in their Trenches behind them This Rebuke was so sensible to him that he was possessed with an extream desire to be revenged for it so that seeing the Sieur de Thoyras retire he let go some of his Ships and sent them under the Conduct of Verger Malagnâ—t to make a second attempt on Medoc who accordingly landed about the Point of Ambes and committed great Devastations about the plain Country But the Cardinal had caused Order to be given to the Country people to bee alwaies in a readinesse against any who should attempt upon their goods who compelled them presently to re-imbark and joyn with the others under the Sieur de Soâ—bize by both which it was apparent that there was no accident which the Cardinal did not foresee and apply a remedy to before they did appear Politique observation A Grand Minister is obliged incessantly to watch after the necessities of the State for prevention of any enterprizes which may be made it will escape him very narrowly if taking an especial care to be informed of all Passages in the Provinces he be not acquainted withall the Combinations and Contrivances which are on foot as also the preparations which are in agitation for a Revolt it being impossible that those several Artifices which are used for the gaining in of divers and many men and the most secret preparations of War should
that it was not reasonable to let his glory lie under such a blemish Now the onely way to secure it was declaring the whole Passage before a Councel where should be the major part of all the Nobles and the Cardinal perswaded the King that they should be assembled in his Majesties Presence They who received this command were carefull to be there accordingly and the Councel being met the King told them that he had caused them to be called thither to consult on the Affairs which might relate to the Publick good upon such Proposals as the Chancellour should make unto them who beginning at the Treaty made with the Grisons and renewed from time to time by which they tied themselves to give a free passage thorough their Countries at all times for his Majesties Armies to go into Italy as also not to accord the same to any other without his permission shewed at last to them how the Spaniard to the prejudice of these Treaties had ever indeavoured by fair and foul means to procure the same Passages might be granted to himself to further his intended Conquest of the rest of Italy as occasion should invite him to it to which purpose he had usurped the Forts of the Valtolâ—nes and that his Majesty for the recovery of them had been constrained to send the Marquess de Coeuvres thither with an Army that before his Majesty had made use of any force hee had consented that the places should be deposited in the Popes hands for a certain time and upon certain conditions which conditions being accomplished and the limited time expired the Spaniards had however found means to perswade the Pope to retain them yet longer though of right he ought not so to do for that they were onely deposited with him That his Holiness had been often urged to return them unto the Spaniard and that his Holiness had moved them to receive them which they had refused to do for that they esteemed them more secure in his Holinesses then in their own keeping After which his Holiness being unwilling to disseise himself of them the Marquess de Coeuvres was forced to enter upon them by strength of Arms That but very lately the Spaniards had also induced his Holiness to send his Legate to try if he could obtain from his Majesty out of the respect which he did bear to the Holy Chair that he would surrender up the Forts again to his Holiness and suffer the Grisons to be deprived of their Soveraignty of the Valtoline That these Propositions seemed to be so much the stronger in regard it implied that his Majesty must give way to the Grisons who were his Allies losing of that which was their indubitable right That his Majesty had still indeavoured to preserve them by the strength of his Arms and to surrender up into the Popes hands all that did not belong to them But that to return all which did belong to the Grisons could not be done unless to the great prejudice of the Grisons to the advantage of the Spaniards and to the absolute loss of his Majesties Reputation That it was upon these Proposals his Majesty did desire their advices to know whether it were fitter to condiscend to them or to continue the War desiring every one of them to speak freely what he thought proper to be done that a conclusion might be had and sent to the Legate who would not stay to take along with him the Result of this Councel though he had been importuned to it but however he had promised to expect it at Avignon The Marshal de Schomberg took hold of the discourse and amongst other things told them That having several times been by his Majesties command to treat with the Legat he had smelt out that his designs were alwaies in the Spaniards behalf as much as possible could be of which there needed no other proof then the two Propositions which he had made to deprive the Grisons of their Soveraignty and to restore the Forts to the Pope that the Spaniards might gain time to draw their Forces together and retreat them and his sudden departure after he had been refused though it had been as shamefull for the King to have granted them as it had been hurtfull to the Grisons to have indured it That for his part he was of opinion rather to resolve on the War and that for divers reasons which he there alledged which testified as much Courage as Prudence then to make a dishonourable Peace by assenting to Propositions contrary to the Honour and Justice of his Majesty The chief President of the Parliament of Paris speaking in the name of all the Officers of the Soveraign Courts said onely thus much that the King had ever made such good choice of able worthy Ministers that it would bee a peece of Prudence to follow their opinions and particularly that he thought what the Marshal de Schamberg had said was very just and reasonable The Cardinal de Sourdis was of a particular opinion by himself and proposed for the Cessation of Arms alledging the inconveniency of the season But they considering it as a thing which was earnestly desired by the Spaniards onely that they might get time and draw their Forces together both in Italy and the Valtoline it was hearkned to but by a very few persons nor seconded either by the Cardinal de la Valette or the Marshal of Bassompierre who were both of them well acquainted with the Spaniards Interests and designs the one by his being at Rome and the other in Spain so delivering their opinions against him carried it in conclusion for the war The Cardinal that he might give them the more liberty to speak freely with-drew a little aside and comming near the King testified to him how much he esteemed Peace That it was his opinion alwaies to prefer it before War if it could be obtained with safety to his Majesties honour and reputation and without hazarding the good of the Kingdome which was inseparably united with that of his Allies But that he perceiving nothing in the Legates Proposals which did not undermine both one and t'other and which onely designed the procuring of Glory and advantages to the Spaniard and which tended to the ruine both of France and his Majesty or the detriment of his Allies he could not submit his thoughts to Peace That for his own particular he was more against it for that every one who had never so little acquaintance with the affairs of Spain well knew that their chief drift in forcing the Valtoline out of the Grisons Power was onely that they might bring what Troops they had a mind to into Italy and that by this means they might become Masters of it That this their design was of no small importance to the Crown of France which would have somewhat to do to defend it self from his Arms if he could once bring it to passe For a place once taken on the Borders will serve
which is intrusted with them in prejudice of the Kings royal authority What care ought he to have to maintain the chief Officers of the Crown the Governours of Provinces and Towns and generally all the Grandees of the Kingdome in their duties doth it not concern him to know what ever considerable thing is done amongst them their designs Cabals Interests Abilities and their very inclinations that he may take order with them according to their dispositions and the common good and to divert such Mutinies as they may in time raise ought not his duty lead him to look into the Commerce and Trade that it be preserved in it's greatness as the Fountain of the Kingdomes wealth The Common Rabble will call upon his thoughts sometimes to be resetled in the duties they owe their King and Country But what proportion of his time then will the affairs of war take up when there is a necessity of raising Forces Will it not behoove him to give all necessary dispatches either for quarterings or marching of Regiments or to lead them on to fight with courage either for amunition or the exact observation of militarie discipline It would need a long discours particularly so set down the great duties of a principal Minister but the Briefness which I have proposed to follow gives me not leave to describe them These are enough to guesse that he will have somewhat to do to go through with them and that upon these considerations a Chief Minister ought to be satisfied and totally to acquiet himself of the Burthens which accompany both the Justice and Treasuries The English Fleets arrival before Ree DUring his Majesties sickness about six in the morning upon the 28 of July the English Fleet appeared about Olonne between 18 and 20 Ships At first it was supposed they were Dunkerkers who might have perchance some design upon the Dutch Fleet then in the Road. But when they were perceived to draw neer the I le of Ree that their number encreased and the Hollanders not affraid of them it was easily concluded that they were the English Fleet of which there was quickly a greater assurance when they saw all their Ships at anchor at the mouth of Breton neer the Cape d' Ars. The rest drew neer one of the Forts in the I le of Ree called La Pree against which they shot very much all day long and the next day too until night in so much that the Ships encompassed the Point of Sablanceau within half musket shot of the Land and some of them adventured within Pistol shot Which made the Sieur de Thoyras then Governour of the Cittadel St. Martin in the I le of Ree Judg that they intended to there abouts so he drew out as many of his men as he could well spare to prevent their designs and carried them as neer as possibly he could to that place that he might fall on them in their disbarking But their Landing being favoured by above two thousand peeces which shot continually They had the oportunity to set on shoar about ten thousand men The Sieur de Thoyras had not with him above two hundred Horse and eight hundred foot yet it being for his Majesties Honour to welcome them at their first footing he resolved to assault them notwithstanding the incredible violence of the Cannon which beat down every thing that did but appear upon the shore He hoped for a good successe from the Justness of his cause and that his Souldiers would force Fortune to be favourable unto them He divided his Horse into seven parties five of which were commanded to give the Charge and break the English ranks and the foot had order to follow on the two other parties were to keep off for a reserve upon the first signal of the Fight The first went on in good order but were forced to Gallop off again for that the English Cannon put them in such confusion that the most part of them were routed before ever they came to engage some killed some wounded and others unhorsed but their courage who were in a condition to march on stood firm so they advanced up to the English Battalions and there did what ever could be expected from high resolutions The English astonished to see the French come thundring in that manner upon them thorough the midst of the Flames and Cannon shot were put into such disorder that many of them swam to their Ships The French now finding they were not pursued and seeing that they were not in condition to fight they rallied together and charged them once more before ever the foot came up but at last they came and fell in doing more then could be expected but the violence of the Cannon was such that it was fit to sound the retreat and to expect a more favourable occasion to fight with them Rostaincler the Sieur de Thoyras his Brother the Baron of Chautail Navailles and divers other Gentlemen and light Horse and about one hundred and fifty Souldiers were slain in the excounter most part of the Officers being wounded neither had the English a lesse loss Fifteen Officers of their Army were killed besides divers Livetenants and Ensigns They likewise lost one of their Collours and upon a vew taken they found between five and six hundred killed and wounded So they had but little stomack for that present to advance any farther into the Ilaud but in 3 dages time they fortefied themselves on the shore side keeping under shelter of their Ships neither would they stir one foot till they were informed that the French intended to defend the Cittadel of St. Martin and not meet them any more in the field Politique Observation I Think it impossible to prevent a strong Fleet from landing in an Iland where they may come on shore in sundry places unfortefied The night alone is enough to favour their landing and admitting there were Forces enough to meet them in all places yet the Canon would make such havock that at last there would be a necessity of giving them leave to come on shore Thus hath Machiavel and the wisest Politions observed That it seldome happened that ever any Fleet especially if accompanied with a good Army was hindered from opening any passage if undefended by a good Castle When Francis the first undertook the war in Italy The Spaniards being on t'other side the River Beuchamby with very great Forces to hinder his passage were forced to make way for him when they saw Monsieur de Guise with his Sword in his hand followed by all the Troops to take water that they might come fight with them In the like manner Philip de Valois having commanded Godemar du Fay to keep the Passage of the River Somme at Blanchetacque with a thousand men at Armes besides the Bowman of Genoa and six thousand foot did quickly notwithstanding all this see the English Army force the passe and in lesse then six howers to be all over whilst the Sea
Lacaoniâ— as is to be seen in his Institutions A sentence indeed it is deserving to be set up where-ever Kings make their usual residence whereby they may be out in mind of the advantages which happen to a State by the due observation of the Law All things saith he which pertain to the well government of a State we ordered by the Constitutions of Kings whereupon who so would walk wisely shall never fail if he propose them for the Rule of his Actions A King is called the living Law of his Country implying the lise he infuseth into the Laws and that his commands do chiefly rend to inforce the observation of them Whatever severity he useth in this particular is commendable because it is a means to secure his State from those disorders which are repugnant to the publike good and though he should be severe he cannot possibly be though violent because it is only in conformity to the Laws unto which violence is absolutely contrary It were to be wished that a Prince would be careful to reward the services done either to his Person or State but on the other side he never ought to let the Laws fall into dis-esteem especially those which keep the people in obedience and which serve to secure them from oppression Indeed to what purpose do the Laws command and injoyn punishments to be inflicted on such who infringe them unless Justice putteth them in execution Were not this to put Arrows into a Quiver from whence they can never be drawn It were to make the Magistrate an immoveable Statue a Chimera which only serveth to fright people in Ballads or to still little children but vanish at a time of need without effecting that for which they were established in the world The Duke of Lorrain recommenceth the War THe Duke of Lorrain having only made his peace with the King at Vic with a resolution to recommence the War upon the first fair opportunity did verily believe he had now fallen upon a fit conjuncture of time considering how affairs then stood and how Monsieus was inclined whereupon he began to raise men and to fortifie some of his Towns The King was fully inform'd of his Designs by divers intercepted letter the undubitable witnesses of his ill-will and which convinc'd his Majesty beyond all his fair words which be sent unto the King to keep him off from securing the Frontiers of the Kingdom Some there were written by his Father others by the Princess of Falsbourg which did not only assure Monsieur of Forces in Lorrain but withal did seriously invite him to stick close to his Interests and to put himself into a posture to gather the Crown of France which they positively said would shortly fall of it self into his hands Othersome from the Sieur de Puy-Lourens unto the Princess of Falsbourg in which he assured her that certain designs of great importance then contrived were infallible Besides that the Cardinal's penetrating sight which pierceth into the secrets of Princes Cabinets had discovered all those devices from the correspondence they held in the Kingdom his Majesty had just reason to transport his Forces into Lorrain to toâ—â— out that Duke and to over-run his Countries But the Cardinal who never adviseth the making of a War unless when it is impossible longer to continue peace was opinion That his Majesty should do well first to send the Sieur de Guroâ— unto him to complain of his unjust proceedings to endeavour to disswade him and to make a more full discovery of his intentions and the order he designed to prosecute This advice pleased his Majesty wondrous well and the Sieur de Guroâ— was dispatched towards the Duke who salute him from the King hiâ— Master and theâ— represented to him that he could not sufficiently admire that having made a league with his Majesty but four or five moneths since wherein he positively engaged to break off all correspondence and intelligence between himself and Monsieur the Kings Brother as also the enemies of France he should so quickly contrary to the Agreement sollicite Monsieur to come unto Nancy and invade the Kingdom of France and not only so but likewise negociate both the Emperor and the King of Spain to assist him with Forces for that end and purpose knowing that his own would only serve to augment the glory of France This Discourse grounded upon undeniable Truths touch'd the Duke so to the quick that he was at a non-plus neither could he alledge any thing in justification of himself but by adding new impostures which did the more evidently declare his wicked intentions and peradventure more to the life then a confession of his disloyalty But that was not the only time they discoursed together nor were those the only reasons wherewith the Sieur de Guron endeavoured to divert him no he laid before him his Majesties clemency particularly know unto him in the Treaty of Vic where his Majesty found him at a loss in great distress without hopes of relief from the House of Austria and in a condition unable to defend himself or his State yet would not his Majesty prosecute the advantages he then had Then that he might somwhat terrifie him he represented to him sundry reasons to perswade him to believe that the King would easily destroy any Forces which should invade the Kingdom which once effected he for his part would be exposed to an ineâ—â—â—able mine for that his Majesty was then bound by all reasons what ever to revenge the injuries offered unto his Crown and State That the might well believe his Majesty having done his business both with the Spaniards in Italy and the English at Râ—… his few Forces would easily be scattered upon the first view of his Majesty's â—â—dry These reasons were so just and weighty that a wiser Prince and less pâ—ssio◠〈◊〉 against France would easily have been perswaded to relinquish the War But such was his blindness and so great his vain hopes that he could not be drawn to any thing Not that he did then openly declare himself but putting off his answer from day to day delayed the time so long until Monsieur came to enter into the Kingdom with his Sword in his hand and not so only but continued to make warlike preparations from whence it was easie to be seen that he was little inclined to peace and quietness The next thing hereupon which his Majesty did was to command the Mareschal d' Effiat to advance with his Army into Lorrain where be intended to be in his own person well knowing that the presence of a Prince doth not a little encourage the Souldiery of France His Majesty likewise ordained that the new raised Forces should march towards the Frontiers and there expect until he had dispatched an Affair of great concernment which then called him away The securing of Calais was a thing extreamly necessary the Governour of which place had been gained by Monsieur's Cabal and engaged to serve him and his