Dist. 44, 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/44/q/bon-sent-I-d44-divisio
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## Commentary on Distinction XLIV.

#### *On the power of God in comparison to the mode or quality of things.*

> *"It now remains to be discussed whether [God could have made the world] better,"* etc.

### Division of the text.

Above the Master treated of [God's] power in comparison to the possible according to *substance* and *quantity*; here, in the third place, he treats of [God's] power as to the *mode* or *quality* of things. And this part has two parts. In the *first* the Master treats of [God's] power as to the quality of possibles, which is indeed [their] greater and lesser goodness. *Second*, as to the quality of the power [itself], which is indeed [its] immutability, there: *"Furthermore it is wont to be asked, whether God"* etc.

The *first* part has two [parts]. In the *first* he asks whether God could have made the world better. In the *second*, whether the things which he makes he can make in a better mode or in another mode, and this there: *"After these things it must be considered,"* etc., where he treats of the mode. *"Furthermore it is wont to be asked, whether God,"* etc. — this is the *second* part, where he inquires concerning the immutability of the divine power, asking whether God can [do] whatever he could [do], and this part has two [parts]. In the *first* he shows that he cannot [do] whatever he could [do], and this he does by way of objection. In the *second*, however, he asserts the contrary by way of resolution, there: *"To which we say that just as all things always,"* etc.

### Treatment of the questions.

For the understanding of the present distinction, [the question] is asked concerning the mode or quality of the divine power. And on this point two [questions] are principally asked.

First it is asked whether God could have made the world better.

Second it is asked concerning the immutability of the divine power: whether what God can [do] once, he can always [do].

Concerning the first, four [questions] are asked.

First it is asked whether God could have made the world better as to the substance of its integrating parts.

Second, whether he could have made it better as to the properties of its integrating parts.

Third it is asked whether he could have made the world better as to the order of its parts.

Fourth, whether he could have made the world more ancient.

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