Dist. 37, 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/37/q/bon-sent-III-d37-divisio
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## COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION XXXVII.
### *On the distinction of the precepts of the Decalogue in comparison with the writing of the tablets.*

*But now the distribution of the Decalogue, etc.*

### DIVISION OF THE TEXT.

> The numbered footnotes below correspond to markers in both the Latin body above and the English translation; each entry gives the Latin apparatus note (**La.**) followed by an English rendering (**En.**).

This part, in which the Master treats of the life of grace, which we have received through Christ and in which we live according to Christ, was divided into two parts. Of these, in the first the Master determines concerning the gratuitous habits, in which consists the completion of the spiritual life; but in the second, concerning the precepts of the Decalogue, in which consists the exercise of the spiritual life. The first part being finished, here the second begins. — But this part is divided into three parts. In the first of these he determines concerning the distinction of the precepts in comparison with the writing of the tablets. But in the second he determines concerning the same with respect to the obliquities opposed to them, where he treats of lying and perjury, below in the thirty-eighth distinction: *It must be known that there are three kinds of lies, etc.* But in the third he treats of the same precepts by comparing the Law to the Gospel, below in the fortieth distinction: *The sixth precept is: Thou shalt not covet, etc.*

The first part, which contains the present distinction, is divided into two parts. In the first of these he treats of the precepts of the first tablet. But in the second, of the precepts of the second, there: *But in the second tablet there were seven commandments, etc.*

The first part has three parts, according as there are three commandments of the first tablet, of which he treats. In the first he treats of the first. In the second, of the second, there: *The second precept is, etc.* In the third, of the third, there: *Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day, etc.*

But the second part is divided into five parts, according as there are five commandments, of which he treats briefly. But the subdivisions of those parts are sufficiently manifest in the text.

### TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.

Now for the understanding of this part there here arises a question concerning the commandments of the Decalogue in general. And concerning this, two things can be asked in a general way.

The first is concerning the obligation of the commandments themselves.

But the second is concerning their distinction and order.

Concerning the first, three things are asked.

*First*, it is asked whether the words of the Decalogue ought to have been obligatory.

*Second*, whether they oblige to good works in general only, or also to formed works.

*Third*, whether the obligation of those commandments proceeds according to the law of nature, or according to the written law.