Politics Drawn from the Very Words of Holy Scripture

by Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, Patrick Riley (Editor)

This is the first ever English rendition of the classic statement of divine right absolutism in French, published in 1707 when the power and glory of the French ancien régime was at its zenith. Patrick Riley has provided full supporting materials including a chronology, guide to further reading and brief notes on persons mentioned, in addition to a lucid introduction placing Bossuet's bibliocentric politics in their historical and intellectual context.

Genres: Politics, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Religion, History, Theology

500 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1709

About the author

Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet (September 27, 1627 – April 12, 1704) was a French bishop and theologian, renowned for his sermons and other addresses. He has been considered by many to be one of the most brilliant orators of all time and a masterly French stylist.

Court preacher to Louis XIV of France, Bossuet was a strong advocate of political absolutism and the divine right of kings. He argued that government was divine and that kings received their power from God. He was also an important courtier and politician.

The works best known to English speakers are three great orations delivered at the funerals of Queen Henrietta Maria, widow of Charles I of England (1669), her daughter, Henriette, Duchess of Orléans (1670), and the outstanding soldier le Grand Condé (1687).

Reviews

[Luke Echo · Rating 3 out of 5]

French Catholic Conservative thought.

PhD Reading. So kind skimmed it for the highlights.

[Rosa Ramôa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"O trono real não é o trono de um homem,mas o trono do próprio Deus.(...)Os reis (...) são deuses e participam de algum modo da independência divina.O rei vê de mais longe e de mais alto.Deve acreditar-se que ele vê melhor e deve obedecer-se-lhe sem murmurar,porque murmúrio é uma predisposição para a revolta".