Dist. 26, 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/26/q/bon-sent-II-d26-divisio
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### Commentary on Distinction XXVI.

### *On free choice with the help of grace.*

*This is operating and cooperating grace* etc.

### Division of the text.

Above the Master treated of free choice, that is, of the help granted to man, in itself. In this part, however, he treats of it as compared to the help of grace. Now this part is divided into two parts. In the first he determines how much free choice can do with grace. In the second, how much it can do when grace is set aside, below in distinction twenty-eight: *But let us hold this unshaken and without hesitation* etc.

Now the first part has two [divisions]. In the first he determines concerning the help of operating and cooperating grace granted to free choice, insofar as that help is compared to free choice. In the second, insofar as it is compared to the gratuitous habit and to the use due to it, below in distinction twenty-seven: *Here it must be considered, since it has been said before*. The first part has two [divisions]. In the first he determines what that help of grace is, which is superadded to free choice, or of what efficacy it is. In the second he determines how it is ordered to the will or to free choice, there: *Yet that same will anticipates certain gifts of grace*. The first part has three subdivisions. In the first he determines what that help superadded to free choice is, as to act or effect. In the second, as to subject, there: *Augustine in his book [calls] the will itself* etc. In the third, as to the gratuitous gift itself, there: *And if you attend diligently* etc. Likewise the second principal part has three parts. In the first he determines the truth, there: *Yet that same* etc. In the second he removes a difficulty, there: *Yet it must not be unknown* etc. In the third part he adds a recapitulation of the truth, there: *For of that grace which is to be received* etc. Now the subdivisions of these parts are manifest in the text.

### Treatment of the questions.

For the understanding of this part, the entity and necessity of grace being supposed — since this will be asked below in its own place — inquiry is made here concerning the quiddity of grace. For this is what the Master inquires into in the text, and concerning it six [questions] are asked.

First, it is asked whether grace is something with respect to the one accepting, or with respect to the one accepted.

Second, granting that grace is something with respect to the one accepted, it is asked whether it is a created or an uncreated gift.

Third, it is asked whether it is in the genus of substance, or of accident.

Fourth, it is asked whether it is in the genus of corruptible accident, or of incorruptible.

Fifth, it is asked whether it is first in the essence of the soul, or in the powers.

Sixth and last, it is asked whether it is present after the manner of a perfection only, or also after the manner of a mover.

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