Dist. 3, Part 1, 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/3/q/bon-sent-III-d3-p1-divisio
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## COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION III.

#### Part I.
##### *On the sanctification of the blessed Virgin.*

*It is also asked concerning the flesh of the Word, whether, before it was conceived.*

### DIVISION OF THE TEXT.

Above the Master treated of the Incarnation; here, however, he treats of the conception. And because the sanctification of the Virgin preceded the conception of the Son of God, this part has two parts. In the first he determines in what manner the Virgin Mary was sanctified by the Holy Spirit and cleansed from every stain. In the second, however, he determines in what manner the flesh of Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, below in the fourth distinction: *When, however, the incarnation of the Word* etc.

The first part is divided into two parts, of which in the first he determines concerning the sanctification which preceded the conception of Christ. In the second, however, he inquires whether the flesh of Christ could have been tithed in Abraham, just as it could have been sanctified in the Virgin. Therefore he treats first of the sanctification; second, however, of the tithing, there: *When, however, that flesh* etc.

The first part is divided into three parts. In the first part he determines what was the requirement of the sanctification. In the second, what was the cause of the sanctification, there: *Mary too, whom the Holy Spirit wholly* etc. In the third, however, what was the efficacy of the sanctification, there: *That, moreover, the holy Virgin from then on from every sin* etc. — This part, however, in which the sanctification of the Virgin is treated, pertains to the present consideration.

### TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.

For the understanding of this part there arises here a question concerning the sanctification of the Virgin with respect to two things. First it is asked concerning the sanctification of the Virgin with respect to the fittingness of the time. Second, however, with respect to the efficacy of its power. Concerning the first, three things are asked.

First it is asked whether the flesh of the Virgin was sanctified before its animation.

Second it is asked whether her soul was sanctified before the contraction of original [sin].

Third it is asked whether she was sanctified before the origin of her birth.

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