Dist. 5, 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/5/q/bon-sent-IV-d5-divisio
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## COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION V.

### *On baptism by comparison to those who give it.*

*After these things it must be known, the Sacrament of baptism etc.*

### DIVISION OF THE TEXT.

Above the Master determined concerning baptism in itself and by comparison to those who receive it; here, thirdly, he treats of it by comparison to those who give it; and these are they to whom the power of baptizing has been conferred. And this part is divided into two parts. In the first he treats of the power conferred. In the second he treats of the things which further this power, or hinder it, below in the following distinction near the middle, at: *This too must be known, that although three times* etc.

The first part has two [parts]. In the first the Master shows what that power is which has been conferred on the ministers. In the second he determines on whom it has been conferred, at: *Now to whom it is permitted to baptize.* The first part has three parts. In the first part he shows that the power of baptizing is equally efficacious in all ministers. In the second he shows what that power is, since it is of the outward ministry alone, at: *Because they have only the ministry.* In the third part he shows what that power is which the Lord could have given to the ministers, but did not give, at: *Here it is asked what that power is,* where he says that it is a power of cooperation.

### TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.

For the understanding of the things which are said in the present distinction, three things are principally asked.

First it is asked concerning the power conferred on those about to baptize, or on those baptizing, as to its extension.

Second, concerning it as to its intension or efficacy.

Third it is asked concerning the very power of those baptizing by comparison to him who gives it.

Concerning the first, two things are briefly asked.

First it is asked whether priests alone or clerics have the power of baptizing.

Second, granted that laymen also [have it], it is asked whether heretics share in that power together with catholics.

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