Dist. 29, 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/29/q/bon-sent-II-d29-divisio
----------------------------------------
### Commentary on Distinction XXIX.

### *On grace according to the state of instituted nature.*

*After these things it must be considered* etc.

### Division of the text.

Above the Master showed how much free choice needs the help of grace according to the state of fallen nature. In this part he inquires whether it needed grace operating and cooperating according to the state of instituted nature. Now this part is divided into two parts. In the first of these he determines concerning the help of grace which was conferred on man before sin. In the second, conversely, he determines concerning the punishment of penalty which was inflicted on man after sin, there: *Into the penalty also of that sin* etc. The first part has two [parts]. In the first the Master inquires whether the free choice of man before the fall needed grace. Second, whether in that state he had grace and virtues, there: *Moreover it is wont to be asked, whether man before the fall* etc. Likewise the second principal part has two [parts]. In the first he determines with what kind of penalty man was punished on account of sin, namely the penalty of expulsion from paradise; where he also explains the words of Scripture concerning this matter. In the second he removes a doubt which arises from the things said, there: *But it can be asked, whether of the tree of life* etc. — And so is brought to a close that whole part in which the Master treated of the fall of the first man, both as to the sin through which he fell, and as to the help through which he could have stood firm.

### Treatment of the questions.

For the understanding of this part, in which there is treated the help of grace according to the state of instituted nature, there arises here a question regarding three [matters].

First it is asked whether man before sin needed grace.

Second it is asked whether before sin he had grace.

Third it is asked concerning the quantity of grace which he had in that state.

Concerning the first, two [questions] are asked.

First it is asked whether man in the state of innocence, the gift of grace being set aside, would be acceptable to God.

Second it is asked whether without grace he could go forth into a meritorious work.

---