The Ascendency of France under Louis XIV 273 335. Ex- tracts from Bossuet's work on kingship. being profoundly impressed with the irresistible appeal which kingship, as Bossuet represents it, must make to a mind that looked to the Scriptures for its theories of government. The essential characteristics of royalty, Bossuet ex- plains, are, first, that it is sacred; second, paternal; third, absolute ; and fourth, subject to reason. He then continues as follows : We have already seen that all power is of God. 1 The ruler, adds St. Paul, " is the minister of God to thee for good'. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid ; for he beareth not the sword in vain : for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." Rulers then act as the ministers of God and as his lieutenants on earth. It is through them that God exercises his empire. Think ye "to withstand the kingdom of the Lord in the hand of the sons of David"? 3 Consequently, as we have seen, the royal throne is not the throne of a man, but the throne of God himself. The Lord "hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel." 4 And again, "Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord." 5 Moreover, that no one may assume that the Israelites Cingship were peculiar in having kings over them who were estab- lished by God, note what is said in Ecclesiasticus : " God has given to every people its ruler, and Israel is manifestly reserved to him." 6 He therefore governs all peoples and gives them their kings, although he governed Israel in a more intimate and obvious manner. 1 Referring to St. Paul's words (Romans xiii. 1, 2): "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God : the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God : and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." 2 See Rom. xiii. 1-7. 5 J Chron. xxix. 23. 3 2 Chron. xiii. 8. 6 Ecclesiasticus xvii. 14, 15. 4 1 Chron. xxviii. 5. a divine institution
