Dist. 46, 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/46/q/bon-sent-IV-d46-divisio
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### COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION XLVI.
#### *On the state and condition of the souls of the damned.*

*But it is asked here concerning the utterly wicked* etc.

### DIVISION OF THE TEXT.

Above the Master treated of the state and condition of the souls of the good. In this part he treats of the state and condition of the souls of the damned. Hence in this part the Master asks whether the damned souls ever receive any mitigation in their punishment through the kindness of mercy, or whether they are punished solely through the severity of justice. And this part is divided into two. In the first he inquires and determines. In the second he shows in what manner the mercy of God runs together with justice in every work, there: *But how the justice of God and his loving-kindness* etc.

The first part has two. In the first he investigates and raises objections. In the second he determines and resolves, there: *Hence it can not unfittingly be said* etc.

Likewise the second part has two. In the first he compares mercy and justice to one another. In the second he compares them to [God's] operation, there: *But that certain works [are attributed] to mercy* etc. And that second part has two. In the first he shows that certain works are fitted to mercy, certain to justice. In the second he determines how that saying is to be understood: *All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth*, there: *After these things it must be considered.* — And thus he determines two things here principally, namely whether the punishments of the wicked receive mitigation. Secondly, how mercy and truth regard the same operation.

### TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.

For the understanding of the present distinction, according to the two things which the Master determines in the text, two questions are principally asked.

First it is asked whether the punishment of the wicked receives mitigation.

Secondly it is asked how mercy and truth regard the same operation.

Concerning the first, four questions are asked.

First it is asked whether any mitigation of punishment is granted to the damned on account of the suffrages of the Church.

Secondly, whether a mitigation is granted on account of the loving-kindness of mercy.

Thirdly, whether God acts more mercifully with one than with another.

Fourthly, whether he acts more justly with one than with another.

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