Dist. 2, Part 1, 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/2/d/2/q/bon-sent-II-d2-p1-divisio
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### COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION 2.

### *Part I.*

*When the angels were created, and on the measure of their duration.*

**"As to the angelic nature," etc.**

### DIVISION OF THE TEXT.

Above, the Master treated of the production of things in general. In this part he treats of the production of things in particular. And since the difference of creatures is threefold — namely spiritual, corporeal, and composite of both — therefore this part has three [subdivisions]. In the first he treats of the condition of the spiritual creature. In the second, of the condition of the corporeal creature, below at distinction 12: *"These things concerning the angelic nature,"* etc. In the third, of the condition of the nature composed of both — namely the human — below at distinction 16: *"These things having been surveyed, which [were said] above concerning man."* The first part has two [subdivisions]. In the first he determines of what kind the angels were made from [their] first condition. In the second he determines of what kind they became by the turning-away and the turning-toward [God], below at distinction 5: *"After these things consideration leads on,"* etc. The first part has two [subdivisions]. In the first he determines *when* and *where* the angels were created. In the second, of what kind they were created, below at distinction 3: *"Behold, it has been shown where the angels [are],"* etc.

The first part has two [subdivisions]. For first he determines *when* the angels were created; in the second, *where*, below at the same distinction: *"It has already been shown,"* etc. The first part has four particles. In the first he sets forth a proem, in which he opens his intention. In the second he raises a doubt concerning the duration — or the beginning, or the measure — of the angelic condition, at: *"Certain authorities seem [to suggest]."* In the third he determines the truth and confirms [it], at: *"It seems, therefore, that this is to be held."* In the fourth and last he concludes the truth thus predetermined and proved, and determines the authority [adduced] to the contrary, at: *"Together therefore with time,"* etc.

### TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.

For the understanding of this part, in which it is asked concerning the measure of the condition of the angelic nature, two things are principally asked.

First, concerning its measure in itself.

Second, by comparison to the measure of the being of corporeal nature.

Concerning the first, three things are asked.

First, whether spiritual things have a measure proper [to them].

Second, whether they have a single measure.

Third, whether they have a simple or a composite measure — that is, a standing or a successive [one].

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