Dist. 1, Part 2, 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/4/d/1/q/bon-sent-IV-d1-p2-divisio
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## COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION I.

### Part II.

### *On circumcision and related matters.*

*There was, nevertheless, among those Sacraments a certain Sacrament, namely that of circumcision.*

FOR THE TEXT OF THE MASTER SEE ABOVE, PAGE 9.

### DIVISION OF THE TEXT.

After the prefatory and principal part, the Master here sets down an incidental part; and this part takes its rise from the difference assigned beforehand. For he had said that the Sacraments of the old law did not effect, or did not confer, justifying grace, and this met with an objection in the case of circumcision; therefore he excepts it and shows the efficacy of circumcision. And this part has two parts. In the first he determines the efficacy of circumcision. In the second he determines its form, or its integrity and substance, there: *Here it must be said in what it was instituted.*

The first part has two parts. In the first he shows the efficacy of circumcision. In the second, however, he removes and settles the annexed question, there: *But it is asked concerning the men who lived before* etc., where he determines what the remedy against original [sin] was before circumcision.

Likewise the second part, in which he determines concerning the things that pertain to the substance of this Sacrament, has two parts. In the first he determines or states the truth. In the second, however, he removes a doubt, in the last chapter: *But if it is asked concerning little children.* The subdivisions of the parts plainly appear in the text.

### TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.

For the understanding of this part, inquiry is made concerning a twofold remedy that preceded baptism:

And first concerning that one which preceded in the time of the natural law.

Second concerning that one which preceded in the time of the written law, namely concerning circumcision.

As to the first, three [questions] are asked.

First it is asked whether informed faith would suffice for the remedy of original [sin].

Second, whether the virtue of faith alone would suffice for little children and for adults.

Third, whether for adults the virtue of sacrifice would be necessary.

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