Dist. 33, 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/33/q/bon-sent-I-d33-divisio
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## Commentary on Distinction XXXIII.

#### *On the properties in their comparison to the essence and to the persons.*

> *"After what has been said above, it is fitting to consider more inwardly"* etc.

### Division of the text.

Above the Master treated of the substantial names, and of the properties [taken] in themselves and individually. Here in the third place he treats of these in [their mutual] comparison, and this according to agreement and difference; and this part has two divisions. In the first the Master inquires concerning the properties in comparison to the essence and to the persons. In the second, however, he treats of the comparison of person, or of the thing of nature, to the nature, below in the thirty-fourth distinction: *"It must be added to what has been said"* etc.

The first part has two [divisions] according to the two works of the wise man, of which the first is "not to lie about the things he knows"; and the second is "to be able to expose the one who lies". Hence in the first part he first sets forth and proves the truth; in the second he defends it against falsehood, there: *"Some, however, deny this"*.

The first part has four divisions. In the first he shows that the properties are persons and [are] in the persons, by the nature of the property itself, because it is eternal and distinct. In the second he shows the same thing by the force of authority, there: *"Avoiding the heresy of Sabellius"*, where he sets down the authorities of Jerome. In the third he shows this very thing by the nature of the divine simplicity, there: *"And since concerning the simplicity of the divinity"*. In the fourth he shows that the properties are not only the persons, but also the divine essence. And this he proves by the efficacy of authority, there: *"That the property is also the divine nature"*, where he sets down the authority of Hilary.

*"Some, however, deny this, saying"* etc. This is the second part, in which the Master sets down the defense of the truth which has been proved by setting forth the reasonings of others and his own responses. And because there is a twofold mode of impugning the truth, namely by reasons and by authorities, therefore this part has two divisions. In the first he sets down the reasons and the responses; in the second the authorities, there: *"Yet they still do not desist"* etc.

The first part has four divisions. In the first he sets down the objection, that the properties are not persons; and because it was rational, he answers according to the truth. Secondly, however, he adds another reason, and because it seems over-curious, he answers *ad hominem*, not *to the speech*, there: *"But again they add"* etc. Thirdly he yet again takes up their reason and answers according to the truth, there: *"For the rest, the wickedness of the heretics"* etc. Fourthly and lastly he adds their interrogation, and because it was over-curious, he sets a limit to the human inquiry there: *"But perhaps you will ask, since these properties"* etc. And each of these divisions could be subdivided, namely insofar as he first sets down the opposition and secondly the response, and that is manifest in the letter [of the text].

*"Yet they still do not desist, [being driven] by the spirit of impatience"* etc. This is the last part, in which the Master answers the authorities which they bring forward; and this part has two divisions according to the two authorities of Augustine which they bring forward: and the first is taken from the exposition of a Psalm, the second is taken from Augustine, *On the Trinity*, [book] seven. The first part is set down there: *"Yet they still do not desist"* etc.; the second is set down there: *"Likewise from those words of Augustine"*. And each of these can be subdivided, because first he sets down the authority or reason, and secondly he resolves it.

### Treatment of the questions.

For the understanding of the present distinction four things are asked.

First it is asked concerning the comparison of property to person.

Second, concerning the comparison of property to essence.

Third, concerning the comparison of one property to another.

Fourth, concerning the comparison of the same property to itself.

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