This is the first ever rendition of this classic text into English, andProfessor Riley has provided full supporting materials including a chronology,a guide to further reading, and a lucid introduction placing Bossuet in hishistorical and intellectual context.

Politics Drawn From the Very Words of Holy Scripture is always viewed as theclassic defense of divine-right absolute monarchy in the French language.Jacques-Benigne Bossuet, court preacher to Louis X1V and tutor to theDauphin of France, argues in the Politics that a general society of the entirehuman race, governed by Christian charity, has given way (after the Fall) tothe necessity of politics, law and absolute hereditary monarchy. Thatmonarichy-seen as natural, universal and divinely ordained (beginning withDavid and Solomon) - is defended in the first half of the book. The lastpart, added just before Bossuet's death, goes on to take up the rights of theChurch, the distinction between absolutism and arbitrariness, and the causes ofjust war.

Preface

Introduction

Chronology

Critical bibliography

A note on the text

Biographical synopses

Politics drawn from the Very Words of Holy Scripture

Dedication

First Book .Of the principles of human society

First Article. Man is made to live in society

ArticleⅡ. The society of mankind gives birth to civil society, that is to say,to states, peoples, and nations

ArticleⅢ. To form nations and unite the people, it is necessary to have a government

Article Ⅳ. On laws

Article Ⅴ. Consequences of the general principles of humanity

ArticleⅥ. On the love of country

Conclusion. To conclude this book, and to reduce it to an abstract

Second Book. On authority: that the royal and hereditary [type]is the most proper for government

First Article. By whom authority has been exercised since the beginning of the world

Article [on the right of conquest]

Conclusion

Third book in which one begins to explain the nature and the　properties of royal authority

First Article. Taking notice of the essential haracteristics

ArticleⅡ. Royal authority is sacred

ArticleⅢ. Royal authority is paternal, and its proper character is goodness

Fourth book. On the characteristics of royalty (Continuation)

First Article. Royal authority is absolute

Second Article. On softness, irresolution and false firmness

Fifth book. Fourth and final characteristic of royal authority

First Article. Royal authority is subject to reason

ArticleⅡ.Means by which the prince can acquire necessary knowledge

ArticleⅢ. On dangerous curiosities and kinds of knowledge; and on the confidence one must place in God

ArticleⅣ. Consequences of the preceding doctrine: concerning majesty and its adjuncts

Sixth book. The duties of subjects toward the prince, based on the preceding doctrine

First Article. On the service one owes to the king

……

Seventh Book On the particular duties of royalty

Eighth Book. The particular duties of royalty, continued :of justice

Ninth book .The supports of royalty: arms, riches of finances, and counsels

Tenth and Final Book. Continuation of helps to royalty: riches of finances; Counsel. the nconveniences and temptations which accompany royalty: and the remedies that one can bring to them

Index