Dist. 27, 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/27/q/bon-sent-II-d27-divisio
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### Commentary on Distinction XXVII.

### *On the help of grace in comparison to its differences and to virtue and merit.*

*Here it must be considered, since it has been said before* etc.

### Division of the text.

Above the Master treated of the help of grace in itself; here, however, he treats of it in comparison. Now this part is divided into two. In the first he compares one difference of grace to another under the aspect of habit. In the second he compares one habit to another under the aspect of use; and the use of grace is merit. Hence first he compares prevenient grace to subsequent grace according to identity and diversity. Second he compares grace to virtue and to the efficacy of meriting, there: *But if it is asked how that prevenient grace merits* etc. And that second part is divided into two. In the first part he raises questions and sets forth certain preambles to the determination. In the second he begins to resolve [them], there: *Here it must be seen what virtue is*, where distinction twenty-seven is commonly marked, which would better be marked a little before, as we have marked it, since there, where it is marked, as appears, the determination of the foregoing question is placed.

For that part, then, in which he resolves, has two parts. In the first he resolves the aforesaid question according to the more common opinion. In the second he determines according to the opinion of others, which is held less commonly, there: *But others say that the virtues are good uses* etc. The first part has two [divisions]. In the first the Master determines. In the second he gives an epilogue, there: *From the foregoing it can now become known* etc. The first part has two [divisions] according to the determination of two doubts. For first he determines that question by which it is asked concerning the comparison of grace to virtue. Second he determines that question by which it is asked concerning the comparison of grace and virtue to merit. The first he does there: *Here it must be seen what virtue is* etc. The second he does there: *When therefore from grace they are said to be good* etc. Now the subdivisions of the parts are manifest in the text.

### Treatment of the questions.

For the understanding of this part, in which the comparison of grace is treated, two [things] are asked, according as grace is to be compared in two ways.

And first it is asked concerning grace in comparison to another habit.

Second it is asked concerning grace in comparison to the exercise of meriting.

Concerning the first, three [questions] are asked.

First it is asked concerning one difference of grace in comparison to another.

Second it is asked concerning grace itself in comparison to gratuitous virtue.

Third it is asked concerning grace itself in comparison to glory.

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