Dist. 26, 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/26/q/bon-sent-III-d26-divisio
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### COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION XXVI.
*On hope.*

*"Now hope is a virtue, etc."*

### DIVISION OF THE TEXT.

In the foregoing the Master determined concerning the first of the theological virtues, namely faith. In this part he intends to treat of the second, namely hope. Now this part is divided into two parts. In the first of these the Master determines concerning hope itself according to its absolute consideration, showing what it is by definition. But in the second he determines concerning it according to its relative consideration, there: *And as faith, so also hope, etc.*

The first part could be divided into two according to the two descriptions which he sets down. The first is set down there: *Now hope is a virtue*; the second there: *For hope is a certain expectation, etc.*

But the second principal part is divided into two parts. In the first of these he determines concerning hope itself by comparison to the disposition of another virtue. In the second he determines concerning it in comparison to its proper subject, there: *After these things it remains to investigate, etc.* In the first part he does two things. First he compares hope to faith itself according to their agreement, but second according to their difference, there: *Yet faith is distinguished from hope.* Likewise in the remaining part also he does two things. First he inquires whether hope and faith were in Christ. Second he inquires whether they were in those Fathers who were in limbo, there: *But concerning the ancient Fathers, who were among those below, etc.*

### TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.

Now for the understanding of this part a question here falls concerning the virtue of hope. And concerning the inquiry into it one must proceed in two ways, according to the procedure of the Master himself.

For first it is asked concerning hope itself according to its absolute consideration.

Second it is asked concerning the same according to its relative consideration.

Concerning the first five points are asked.

First it is asked whether hope is a gratuitous virtue.

Second it is asked whether hope is a genus of virtue, or a most special species.

Third it is asked whether hope is a cardinal virtue, or a theological one.

Fourth it is asked whether it is sometimes an unformed virtue, or always formed.

Fifth it is asked whether in its act it is certain, or doubtful.

### ARTICLE

*On hope according to its absolute consideration.*