Dist. 36, 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/36/q/bon-sent-I-d36-divisio
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## Commentary on Distinction XXXVI.

#### *How things are in God.*

> *"It is wont here to be asked, since all things are said to be in God's cognition."*

### Division of the text.

Above the Master treated of the cognition of God, by which he knows all created things. And since the thing known is said to be in the knower, he therefore here determines secondly the mode in which things are in God. And since created things are not only said to be in God, but also from God and through God, he therefore first treats of the existence of things in God; and secondly compares [that mode] to the other relations, namely *from him* and *through him*, there: *"Therefore, if we look diligently."*

The first part has two [divisions]. In the first he shows in what manner things are said to be in God on the side of him in whom they are, namely whether they are in God's essence as they are in God's foreknowledge. In the second, in what manner they are said to be in God on the side of the things themselves, there: *"After what has been said, it is asked, since all things are said to be in God,"* where he asks whether evils are in God, and resolves that they are not. Either of these parts could be subdivided: for first he asks and raises objections, and afterwards determines, and the parts are evident in the letter [of the text].

*"Therefore, if we look diligently."* This is the second part, in which he compares this — *to be in God* — to the other relations conveyed by the other prepositions, and this part has four parts according to the four chapters. In the first he shows the agreement of these three; in the second, the difference and appropriation, there: *"Moreover, it must be known."* In the third he shows the difference of that which is said *of him* with respect to that which is said *from him*, there: *"This too must here be observed."* In the fourth he briefly recapitulates the preceding, there: *"From what has been laid down it is clear;"* and this could be divided over against the whole preceding part. The sense of the parts is evident in the letter.

### Treatment of the questions.

For the understanding of this part it is asked concerning the existence of things in God, and concerning this three principal questions are asked.

First it is asked, whether creatures were in God eternally.

Second, it is asked concerning the mode of the existing of the things themselves in God.

Third, with regard to the generality of the things existing in God, namely whether all things which God knows have been and are in God. — So that the first concerns existence, the second concerns mode, and the third concerns number.

With regard, therefore, to the first article, two [questions] are asked.

First it is asked, whether things were in God from eternity.

Second, whether they are in God by reason of the essence, or of the person.

### Article II. *On the mode in which things exist in God.*

Consequently with regard to the second article it is asked concerning the mode of the existence of things in God, and concerning this two [questions] are asked.

First it is asked, whether all things which are in God are in him as life.

Second, it is asked, whether things are more truly in God than in the universe or in their own genus.

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