Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet
Bishop and orator, he reads universal history as the work of Providence guiding the empires.
Life
Bishop of Meaux, a great orator at the court of Louis XIV and tutor to the Dauphin. He defends divine-right monarchy and a providential reading of history in which God guides the empires. His funeral orations and Discourse on Universal History are among the great prose texts of the seventeenth century.
Main works
Reads world history as the work of Providence.
Criticises Protestantism through its divisions.
Collection of speeches given at the funerals of great figures.
In his own words
« God holds the reins of all kingdoms from the highest heavens; he has all hearts in his hand. »
Positions
click a row to see the evidenceGod directs the history of empires by his providence and holds the hearts of kings in his hand.
Bossuet, Discours sur l'histoire universelle (1681)
The soul is a spiritual substance, distinct from the body and made to know God.
Bossuet, Traité de la connaissance de Dieu et de soi-même (written c. 1677, published 1722)
He holds both that the will is free and that God's grace and providence govern all, without giving up either.
Bossuet, Traité du libre arbitre (written c. 1677, published posthumously)
History and each life have a meaning given by God's plan, which leads to the Church and to salvation.
Bossuet, Discours sur l'histoire universelle (1681)
Human nature is wounded by original sin and needs grace to be healed.
Bossuet, Discours sur l'histoire universelle (1681)