Dist. 28, 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/28/q/bon-sent-II-d28-divisio
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### Commentary on Distinction XXVIII.

### *On the power of free choice without grace.*

*But this firmly and without hesitation* etc.

### Division of the text.

Above the Master determined how much free choice can do with grace. But in this part he determines how much free choice can do without grace. And this part is divided into two. In the first he determines concerning the power of fallen free choice which it has when grace is set aside. In the second he determines concerning the free choice of the first man, whether it needed grace operating and cooperating, below in distinction twenty-nine: *After these things it must be considered, whether* etc.

Now this part is divided into three parts. In the first, because the Pelagians erred concerning the power of free choice, he sets down the refutation of that heresy. In the second he responds to the arguments of the Pelagians, there: *But as to what they say, without grace* etc. In the third he adds the expression of the catholic truth, there: *But this concerning grace and free choice let us hold without doubt* etc.

The middle part is divided into three parts according to the three means from which are taken the three reasons to which the Master responds. For first he responds to that which Pelagius said, that no one is to be blamed if he does not avoid, or does not do, that which is impossible for him. From which two reasons are taken, to which the Master responds in two chapters. Second he responds to that which Pelagius said, that nothing is so much in our power as the will itself, which also Pelagius had taken up from Augustine himself, there: *Elsewhere too Augustine says that to this grace* etc. Third he responds to that which Pelagius said: *That to believe is ours*, which also he had drawn from the words of Augustine from two places; and therefore the Master responds in two chapters. And that part begins there: *In the Exposition of certain propositions* etc.

### Treatment of the questions.

For the understanding of this part there arises here a question concerning the power of free choice when grace is set aside. Concerning this two [questions] are asked.

First it is asked how much free choice can do without grace that makes pleasing.

Second it is asked how much it can do by itself without grace freely given.

Concerning the first, three [questions] are asked.

First it is asked whether free choice without grace that makes pleasing can rise again from fault.

Second it is asked whether it can, without grace that makes pleasing, overcome the adversary.

Third it is asked whether it can fulfill the commandments of God.

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