Dist. 9, 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/9/q/bon-sent-I-d9-divisio
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### COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION IX.

*On the properties which regard the persons, and indeed on the emanation of generation.*

**Now let us approach the distinction of the persons** etc.

### DIVISION OF THE TEXT.

Above, the Master treated of the properties which regard the essence. Here he treats of those which regard the persons; and this part has two parts. For since the distinction of the persons is considered according to a twofold emanation, namely that of generation and of procession, therefore he first treats of generation, and secondly of procession, below in the tenth distinction: **But now, after the eternity of the Son, [let us treat] of the Holy Spirit** etc.

Again, the first part has two parts: in the first he shows what is to be held concerning the generation of the Son, and secondly, by way of an incidental matter, by what manner of speech it is to be expressed, at the place: **Here it may be asked, since the generation of the Son from the Father** etc.

The first part again has four parts. First, he sets forth the truth which is to be held by Catholics, namely that the one generating and the one generated are by generation distinct and coeternal, so that generation is distinctive and eternal. In the second, he objects against this through the opposition of heretics, at the place: **But against this the heretic says.** In the third he determines [the matter], arguing against [them] by the reasons of the Catholic Doctors Augustine and Ambrose, at the place: **He who says this does not understand that to be born also is** etc. In the fourth and last he replies, restraining the superfluous inquiry both of heretics and also of proud Catholics, at the place: **But you ask of me, says Ambrose**, where he shows that the mystery of generation is inscrutable.

**Here it may be asked, since the generation of the Son from the Father** etc. This is the second part of this distinction, in which the Master determines by what manner of speech the eternity of generation is more fittingly expressed; and this part has four parts. In the first he sets forth the apparent controversy of the doctors. For some say that it ought to be expressed through verbs of the past tense, others, through verbs of the present. In the second he reduces the aforesaid controversy to a concordance, at the place: **But lest such great authorities should seem to contradict one another in so great a matter.** In the third, through the words of Hilary, he confirms his response, lest he should seem to lean on the sayings of Origen, at the place: **Hilary also says, that the Son is born of the Father** etc. In the fourth he concludes summarily what must be said, that is, how one ought to speak and also how one ought to think concerning eternal generation, at the place: **Let us therefore say that the Son was born of the Father**, where he confirms the truth by the authority of Hilary, through which also he resolves the objection of the heretic.

### TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.

For an understanding of what the Master says concerning eternal generation, in the present distinction four [matters] are principally inquired into.

*First*, it is asked whether generation is to be posited in divine things.

*Secondly*, given that it is, whether generation in divine things is distinctive of the persons.

*Thirdly*, it is asked whether that generation is eternal.

*Fourthly* and lastly, it is asked whether that generation is terminated.

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