Dist. 44, 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/44/q/bon-sent-II-d44-divisio
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## COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION XLIV.
### *Whence the power of sinning has its origin.*

*After the foregoing matters, what next occurs as worthy of consideration, etc.*

### DIVISION OF THE TEXT.

Above, the Master showed how sin has its origin from the will, in general and in particular. But in this part he determines whence the power of sinning has its origin; and this part lasts until the end of the book.

Now this part is divided into four parts. In the first of these the Master asks whence the power of sinning comes; and he determines that the power of sinning is not from God, according to the opinion of certain persons. In the second part he shows that all power is from God, by many authorities, there: *But by the many testimonies of the Saints* etc. In the third part he determines a certain doubt that arises out of the preceding, namely, whether one ought to resist any power, there: *Here arises a question not to be passed over*; where he determines that sometimes one must obey, sometimes resist. In the fourth and last part the Master joins what has been said to what is to be said, so that from this book he may pass over to the third book, there: *Now then, those things being understood and treated, etc.* And this last little portion could be divided over against the whole that precedes; but for the sake of brevity it was not divided. For such minutiae of divisions have more of curiosity than of usefulness, and therefore I have passed them over in what precedes.

### TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.

For the understanding of this part there here arises a question concerning three things.

First, it is asked whence the power of sinning has its origin.

Second, it is asked whence there is in man the power of presiding or of ruling.

Third, it is asked concerning the necessity of being subject to the power that presides.

Concerning the first, two questions are asked.

First, it is asked whether the power of sinning is in man from God, or from himself.

Second, it is asked whether the power of sinning, insofar as it is such, is good or evil.

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