THE FRENCH CHARITY:  
WRITTEN In French by an English Gentleman, upon occasion of Prince Harcourt's coming into ENGLAND;  
And translated into English by F. S. J. E.   printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON, Printed for William Shears, at the Bible in S. Paul's Churchyard, Anno 1655.   

THE FRENCH CHARITY.  
ALthough we see that natural causes produce sometimes contrary effects, that the Sun which draws up the Clouds can also scatter them, that the same Wind both lights and blows out the taper, that Vipers serve for wholesome medicaments, and Scorpions carry about them an Antidote to their own poison: it is not so nevertheless in moral and politic affairs, wherein that which is once ill, is always accounted such; from whence is begot in us that quality which we call Experience, whereby wise men are accustomed to judge of present and future actions by those that are past. Which is the foundation whereupon all Monarchies and Republics have established the Maxims of their subsistence, and found out both what they ought to follow and what to avoid.  
The Charity which France hath testified to pacify our differences is so great that it is become incredible, so unseasonable that it is suspected, and so contrary to their former proceed that it is quite otherways understood. Philosophers say, we cannot pass from one extremity to another without some mean; I cannot see by what steps they are come to this perfect goodness, nor what good Genius can have made them in an instant so good friends of such dangerous neighbours to us. I will pass my censure upon nothing, yet let me have the liberty to judge of all. I find so great a wonder in this change, that I find a conflict in myself to believe it. It is no common marvel, that those who have for so long a time beheld all Europe in a flame, and could not be moved by the blood and destruction of so many people to cast thereon one drop of water, should now have their bowels so tender as to compassionate the dissensions arising in a corner of the world which hath always been fat all to them; That those who have made it their chiefest interest to divide us, should now make it their glory to reunite us; That those who place their rest in our troubles, should now apply their cares for our repose; and that after they have cast us down headlong, they should reach us a plank for to come ashore. Let the wise Reader here (whilst I determine nothing) allow me at least a little distrust; it is the Mother of Safety. The Trojans, who could not be overcome by Arms, perished by a pledge of peace. All the French civilityes are fair and good; but in the bottom Quicquid id est, timeo Gallos', & dona ferentes.  
Let us see what reasons can oblige them to interest themselves so passionately in our agreement. Is it Religion? surely no; for that which they profess is contrary to that of this Kingdom; and the little Charity they have for their own, ought not to persuade us that they have much for ours. Is it for the inclination they have to peace? surely no; for if they esteemed it a benefit, they would seek it first for themselves. It is perhaps for an acknowledgement of their obligations to us in the late wars, and for the assistance we gave to those of Rochel. I, this would be truly Christian indeed, to render us good for evil. They will say that they are the bands of blood and parentage, which bind them to the Queen; and yet they have let the Mother beg her subsistence and retreat among strangers, which she could not find with them, and having beheld her without pity and secure in her greatest extremities, they advise to offer her a remedy upon the declining of her ill. But if this be the reason of their admittance, I conceive them no lawful nor indifferent Mediators, since they are so much concerned in one of the parties. They will whisper us in the ear, that the design is to pacify us, and to engage us in a league with them against the Spaniard; although at the same time they design Ambassadors for Munster to endeavour a peace with him. O, we should wrong them very much to believe it, though they might seem in an humour to desire it of us; They are too gallant spirited to pretend it, they know that we are better advised then to serve them to pull their Chestnut out of the fire; that a body recovering health from a long sickness ought not to expose itself to a violent agitation; that the State will find itself loaden with debts, and the Subject exhausted by Contributions; that we ought to prefer the evident profit of traffic before the uncertain vanity of a conquest; that jealousies being not yet removed, nor aemulations suppressed, all kind of arming would be suspected by the State, fearing lest some under pretence of a foreign war might study private revenge, or the oppression of the public liberty; & that in the end it will be our gain to see them deal with Spain, and to make our advantage of their troubles, or not to meddle at all with them, unless by adding secretly (according to the revolution of affairs) a little weight to them that shall be found the lighter. If then it be none of these motives, it remains that it must be either Generosity, or deceit. O Generosity (that hast so long since withdrawn thyself to heaven, there to keep company with the fair Astraea, or rather, who were't buried in France in the Sepulchre of Monsieur Gonin) is it possible that thou shouldst be risen again, or that France should have recalled thee with her exiles since the death of her King; and that the first labour she should put thee to should be in favour of England, against whom but few days since she shown such violent resentments, for an offence received by a pretended violation of the treaties which had passed between us? Truly if it be she, we must reverence her with extraordinary respects; but before we give her the Honours due unto her, we must know her, for fear of Idolatry in adoring her mask for herself, or embracing a cloud in stead of a Goddess. Let us give a thrust with our lance into the Trojan horse, to see if there be no ambush within.  
In walking lately with some French Gentlemen (as this nation is free enough of their discourse) a word escaped from one of the company without making reflection (as I think) of what Country I was, That amongst their Prophets there was one which said, That the Conquest of England was promised to their young King. This thought cast into the air though inconsiderately, seemed to me very considerable; and having given me an occasion to reflect upon all things both past and present, it served me as a light to guide me in the obscurity of this Labyrinth, upon which before I had reasoned but superficially. From thence being returned to my lodging, I opened accidentally a book of Monsieur de Rohan, entitled The interest of the Princes of Christendom, and I fell presently upon a passage where he said, That one of the surest ways to make one's self Master of a State, is to interpose and make himself arbiter of its differences. I had no need of any other Oedipus to expound to me the riddle of the Prophecy, these first motives of suspicion having cast me into more profound thoughts, I revolved in my mind how France had managed the whole business, both before & since the beginning of our troubles, and weighed all the circumstances of this Ambassage. Why such a solemn Ambassage in a time when all things seem most exasperated and furthest from accommodation? Why then not sooner, while differences were not yet irreconcilable between the two parties? Why such a warlike Prince, who is not experienced in the affairs of this Kingdom, to manage a negotiation of a peace the most nice and intricate that the world at this time affords? Why at the same time levying of Soldiers in Normandy, when all the other troops are in their quarters? Why therefore should they supply one of the parties with money, when they come to act the persons of mediators; if not to cast wood and oil into the flame? Why at the same time an Agent in Scotland, who propounds to them openly a League with France? Why begin they only to turn their cares upon England, when they are upon the point of concluding a peace with Spain? May not we well judge that it is to prepare themselves for a new employment? since they themselves confess that their boiling and unquiet temper hath need of continual exercise, and that the only means to prevent troubles at home, is continually to furnish them with matter whereupon to evacuate their choler abroad. Why doth only France afford us this so sudden and unexpected Charity, after all the fresh wounds which bleed yet among them because of the expulsion of the Capuchins, after the continual cares she hath taken for so many years to lay the foundation of our troubles by the secret negotiations of the Marquis of Blainville, by the intriques' of the Cardinal of Richelieu with Buckingham, by the long plots in Scotland, and by the open solicitations of the Marquis de la Fert? by all which they sometimes incited the King's ministers to make him independent and absolute, offering to that purpose their assistance, and anon they solicited the States to shake off the yoke of servitude, finally they transformed themselves into a thousand different shapes, till having plunged us deep enough in the gulf, they then call back their Ambassage, to give in appearance some satisfaction to the King, but in truth because his commission was expired. May not we well conclude from all this, that they will now reap the fruits they have so carefully sown and cultivated amongst us? From these considerations falling insensibly on those of England, what need (said I in myself) have we of the intermeddling of strangers? are they more versed in our interests then ourselves? can they afford more expedients? are they more sensible of our miseries then those that suffer them? Is it to exhort us, or to constrain us? the first is superfluous; the second dangerous. It must needs be that either in the one case they think to go beyond us in wit, or in the other to master us by force. If peace be profitable for us, have we any need either of a Master to make us know our advantage, or of an Orator to persuade us to it? If it be hurtful to us, we ought to give them thanks for their advice, but follow that which is better. If the peace be feasible, why should we leave the glory of it to others? if impossible, why lose time in making vain propositions? why should we acquaint strong and ambitious neighbours, and trust the Philistines with the secret of our force? Must England, that hath in times past compelled France to purchase peace, be now constrained to beg it of her? that one of the most considerable and flourishing Monarchies of the world should serve for matter of sport to the vanity of the French, and be the first upon whom they exercise the Title they give themselves of being Arbiters of Christendom? What Counsel then shall we follow in this encounter? That of good and wise Nature, who having separated us from all other Nations by a vast and deep trench, silently teacheth us, that the principle of our subsistence is in ourselves, and that we ought not to submit our government to the arbitrement of others.  
FINIS.