Dist. 2, 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/2/q/bon-sent-I-d2-divisio
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### COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION II.

*On the Unity and Trinity insofar as it is believed.*

**This therefore must be held by a true and pious faith, etc.**

### DIVISION OF THE TEXT.

This is the second part, in which, the matter of the first book having been investigated, the Master begins to proceed further; and this part is divided into two parts, since the things to be enjoyed can be considered in two ways, namely in themselves, and in comparison to creatures: in themselves by reason of trinity and unity; in comparison to creatures by reason of knowledge, power, and will. First therefore he treats of the holy Trinity and Unity; secondly of knowledge and power and will, below at distinction thirty-five: *And whereas we have above discussed.*

Now concerning the most sacred Trinity itself it happens that one treats in three ways, since first it happens that one believes it, secondly that one understands what is believed, thirdly that one expresses or enunciates what has been understood. Now to believe is by authority, to understand is by reason, to express is by catholic and reasonable discourse. Therefore first he treats of the Trinity and Unity itself, insofar as it is believed; secondly of the same, insofar as having been believed it is understood by reason, in distinction three: *For the Apostle says;* thirdly, insofar as having been believed and understood it is expressed reasonably and catholicly, below, at distinction twenty-two: *After what has been said it seems to us that we must discuss the diversity of names.* And the order is clear. For prior and truer is it to believe than to understand; for many believe who do not understand; and likewise it is prior to understand than to express in speech.

The first part, namely insofar as it is believed, contains the present distinction; and since the matter is most difficult, *first* he sets forth the manner of proceeding; *secondly* he carries it out, there: *Let us therefore propose in the midst.*

Likewise, the first part according to the three chapters has three parts. In the first he touches upon the manner of treating, since it ought to be with modesty, fear, and diligence, premising the matter concerning which he intends to treat. In the second he adjoins the intention of those who write concerning the Trinity, there, in the second chapter: *Now all catholic treatise-writers.* Thirdly he touches upon the order, there: *Moreover, as in the first book.*

The manner of writing concerning the Trinity ought to be founded upon the understanding of faith and to be with modesty and fear on account of the danger. The intention of those writing concerning the Trinity is to show that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are three persons and one God. The order of writing is, first to show the truth by authorities, then by reasons and fitting likenesses.

*Let us therefore propose in the midst.* This is the second part, in which the Master intends to show the Trinity and Unity by authorities of sacred Scripture; and since sacred Scripture has two parts, namely the New and the Old Testament, therefore he shows this first by authorities of the Old Testament, then by authorities of the New, there: *But now after* *testimonies* etc. And since the Old Testament has two parts, namely the Law and the Prophets, in which faith is set forth, therefore he shows it first by testimonies of the Law, secondly by testimonies of the Prophets, there: *That likewise greatest of the Prophets.* The first part again, in which he proves by testimonies of the Law, has two parts: for first he proves the unity of essence; secondly the unity together with the trinity, there: *The plurality of persons also.* Similarly that part concerning the testimonies of the Prophets has two: in the first he proves the unity of essence and the plurality of persons in common; in the second indeed in particular he shows the generation of the Son and the procession of the Holy Spirit, there: *David also the eternal generation of the Son.* Similarly that part, in which he proves by authorities of the New Testament, has two parts: for first he proves by authorities or by testimonies of Jesus Christ; secondly by authorities of the Apostles, there: *John also in his canonical Epistle.* The authorities and their explanations and number and varieties are sufficiently clear in the letter [of the text].

### TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.

For the clarification of those things which the Master says concerning the holy Trinity and Unity, four things can be asked concerning that part.

First it is asked, whether in God there is to be posited a unity of essence or nature.

Secondly, whether in God there is to be posited a plurality of persons.

Thirdly, whether in the divine persons there is to be posited infinity.

Fourthly and lastly, whether in the divine persons there is to be posited trinity.

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