Dist. 25, 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/3/d/25/q/bon-sent-III-d25-divisio
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### COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION XXV.
*On the sufficiency of faith.*

*"To the foregoing must be added a treatment of the sufficiency of faith, etc."*

### DIVISION OF THE TEXT.

Above the Master treated of faith as regards its essence and as regards its object and matter. In this third part he treats of its sufficiency. Now this part is divided into two parts. In the first of these he determines concerning the sufficiency of faith. In the second he compares faith itself to the other virtues, there: *This also* *must not be passed over, that faith, hope, charity, etc.*

The first part, in which he determines concerning the sufficiency of faith, is divided into two parts. In the first of these he inquires concerning the sufficiency of faith in a certain generality. In the second he inquires by descending to the special differences of persons, there: *What then shall be said of those simple ones, etc.*

The first part is divided into three parts. In the first of these the Master determines what that is, concerning faith, without which there could never have been salvation. In the second he determines how much it sufficed to believe, there: *But it is asked whether this believing, before the advent, etc.* In the third he confirms it by several authorities, there: *Whence Augustine to Optatus: That faith, etc.*

Likewise the second part, in which he descends to the special differences of persons, has three. In the first he inquires what or how much it sufficed the simple ones, who preceded Christ's advent, to believe. In the second he inquires concerning the more advanced, whether it was necessary that they believe all the things which are now believed, there: *But it is asked, since without faith in the Mediator, etc.* In the third he inquires concerning the faith of Cornelius, which was before the Gospel was promulgated, there: *It is also wont to be asked concerning Cornelius, etc.* But the subdivisions of the parts are made plain in the text.

### TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.

Now for the understanding of this part, according to the things which the Master touches upon, a question here falls concerning two points, and first it is asked concerning the sufficiency of faith.

Second it is asked concerning the progress of faith.

Concerning the first three points are asked.

First it is asked concerning the sufficiency of faith as regards the content of the Apostles' Creed.

Second it is asked concerning the sufficiency of the same as regards the knowledge of those who preceded the advent of Christ.

Third it is asked concerning the sufficiency of the same as regards those who followed his advent.