Dist. 6, Divisio Textus
Book I: On the Mystery of the Trinity · Distinction 6
## Commentarius in Distinctionem VI
De comparatione actus generandi ad potentiam.
Praeterea quaeri solet, utrum Pater genuerit Filium voluntate etc.
Divisio Textus
In parte ista ponit Magister dubitationes emergentes ex comparatione actus generandi ad potentiam. Et quoniam contingit comparare1 actum generandi ad potentiam, et potentiam generandi ad suppositum, et ex utraque comparatione incidit dubitatio circa essentiae unitatem: ideo primo ponit dubitationem ex comparatione actus generandi ad potentiam; secundo ponit dubitationem ex comparatione potentiae generandi ad personam, infra distinctione septima: Hic solet quaeri a quibusdam, utrum Pater etc.
Item, prima pars, quae continet praesentem distinctionem, habet quatuor particulas. In prima Magister2 proponit quaestionem, utrum potentia vel virtus generandi sit producens necessitate, vel voluntate, et determinat veritatem huius quaestionis. Secundo ad istam quaestionem respondet ad hominem
contra arguendo, ibi: Dicamus ergo, Verbum Dei esse Filium Dei. Tertio vero opponit contra praedictam solutionem et respondet, ibi: Sed contra hoc opponitur sic: Voluntas Dei etc. Quarto et ultimo redit ad explanationem primae solutionis, ibi: Praedicta tamen verba, quibus prudenter dictum est, ubi explanat solutionem praehabitam.
Tractatio Quaestionum
Articulus Unicus.
De generatione Filii secundum suas conditiones.
Ad evidentiam huius partis tria principaliter quaeruntur.
Primo quaeritur, utrum generatio Filii sit secundum conditionem necessitatis.
Secundo, utrum sit secundum rationem voluntatis.
Tertio, utrum secundum conditionem exemplaritatis.
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## Commentary on Distinction VI
On the comparison of the act of generating to the power [of generating].
"Furthermore it is wont to be asked, whether the Father generated the Son by will" etc.
Division of the Text
In this part the Master sets forth the doubts arising from the comparison of the act of generating to the power. And since it is possible to compare1 the act of generating to the power, and the power of generating to the supposit, and from each comparison a doubt falls upon the unity of the essence: therefore first he sets forth the doubt arising from the comparison of the act of generating to the power; second he sets forth the doubt arising from the comparison of the power of generating to the person, below in the seventh distinction: "Here it is wont to be asked by some, whether the Father" etc.
Likewise, the first part — which contains the present distinction — has four sub-particles. In the first the Master2 proposes the question whether the power or virtue of generating produces by necessity or by will, and determines the truth of this question. Second, he answers this question by arguing ad hominem
against [the adversary], at the words: "Let us say therefore, that the Word of God is the Son of God." Third, he raises an objection against the foregoing solution and replies, at the words: "But against this it is objected thus: The will of God" etc. Fourth and last, he returns to the explanation of the first solution, at the words: "Nevertheless the foregoing words, by which it has been prudently said," where he explains the solution previously given.
Treatment of the Questions
Sole Article.
On the generation of the Son according to its conditions.
For the elucidation of this part, three things are principally inquired.
First, it is asked whether the generation of the Son is according to the condition of necessity.
Second, whether it is according to the character of will.
Third, whether it is according to the condition of exemplarity.
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- Vat. cum aliquibus mss. comparari.The Vatican edition, with some manuscripts, reads comparari ["to be compared"].
- Ex mss. et ed. 1 supplevimus Magister.From the manuscripts and the first edition we have supplied Magister ["the Master"].