Dist. 6, 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/6/q/bon-sent-I-d6-divisio
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## Commentary on Distinction VI

*On the comparison of the act of generating to the power [of generating].*

> *"Furthermore it is wont to be asked, whether the Father generated the Son by will"* etc.

### Division of the Text

In this part the Master sets forth the doubts arising from the comparison of the act of generating to the power. And since it is possible to compare the act of generating to the power, and the power of generating to the supposit, and from each comparison a doubt falls upon the unity of the essence: therefore *first* he sets forth the doubt arising from the comparison of the act of generating to the power; *second* he sets forth the doubt arising from the comparison of the power of generating to the person, below in the seventh distinction: *"Here it is wont to be asked by some, whether the Father"* etc.

Likewise, the first part — which contains the present distinction — has four sub-particles. In the *first* the Master proposes the question whether the power or virtue of generating produces by necessity or by will, and determines the truth of this question. *Second*, he answers this question by arguing *ad hominem*

against [the adversary], at the words: *"Let us say therefore, that the Word of God is the Son of God."* *Third*, he raises an objection against the foregoing solution and replies, at the words: *"But against this it is objected thus: The will of God"* etc. *Fourth and last*, he returns to the explanation of the first solution, at the words: *"Nevertheless the foregoing words, by which it has been prudently said,"* where he explains the solution previously given.

### Treatment of the Questions

#### Sole Article.

*On the generation of the Son according to its conditions.*

For the elucidation of this part, three things are principally inquired.

*First*, it is asked whether the generation of the Son is according to the condition of necessity.

*Second*, whether it is according to the character of will.

*Third*, whether it is according to the condition of exemplarity.

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