Dist. 19, Part 1, Divisio Textus
by St. Bonaventure
Source text: Public Domain Mark 1.0. English translation/apparatus/encoding: CC BY-NC 4.0, Wroot Press.
https://bonaventure.wrootpress.com/browse/1/d/19/q/bon-sent-I-d19-p1-divisio
----------------------------------------
### COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION XIX.

#### *On the equality of the three persons in God, specifically with respect to magnitude.*

### Part I.

#### *On equality proved through the unity of essence.*

> *Now after [he has treated of] the coeternity of the three persons* etc.

### DIVISION OF THE TEXT.

The two parts having been finished, in which the Master treated separately of the things which pertain to the unity of essence and to the plurality of persons, here begins the third part, in which he determines the equality of the persons, which simultaneously regards plurality and unity. And this part has three parts. In the first he proposes in what equality consists. In the second he proves it specifically, at: *Now it remains to show, how* etc. In the third, because in proving he had stated certain doubtful propositions in which an exclusive expression generates ambiguity, he therefore determines how exclusive expressions are to be taken in divine matters, below in the twenty-first distinction: *Here a question arises drawing its origin from the foregoing.*

The first part, in which he proposes the things in which equality consists, has two parts. In the first part he proposes that it consists in these three: eternity, magnitude, and power. In the second, lest these three be believed to be diverse, he shows that these are the same in God, in the second chapter: *And since these are enumerated as though diverse* etc.

*Now it remains to show, that in magnitude.* This is the second part, in which he proves the equality, and this part is divided into two. For, supposing that in divine matters there is equality with respect to eternity, he first shows the equality with respect to magnitude; secondly with respect to power, below in the twentieth distinction: *Now it remains to show how some* etc.

The first of these parts has two. In the first he proves the equality of magnitude through the unity of essence. Secondly he proves equality by excluding every inequality, at: *But now let us return to our proposition.* The first part, in which he proves the equality of the persons with respect to magnitude, has two. In the first he proves it through the indivision of essence; in the second through that same [indivision] he shows that there is in the persons circumincession, at: *And hence it is that the Father is said to be in the Son.*

### TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.

For the understanding of this part four things are asked.

First it is asked whether in divine matters equality is to be posited.

Secondly, granted that it is, whether there is there the highest equality.

Thirdly, whether in divine matters there is equality with conversion.

Fourthly, whether there is there equality with circumincession.

---