Dist. 11, Divisio Textus
Book II: On the Creation of Things · Distinction 11
COMMENTARIUS IN DISTINCTIONEM XI.
De ministerio Angelorum respectu hominum.
Illud quoque sciendum est, quod Angeli boni etc.
DIVISIO TEXTUS.
Supra determinavit Magister de Angelorum ministerio quantum ad ipsos Angelos ministrantes. In hac parte determinat de Angelorum ministerio per comparationem ad hominem, cui ministrant. Et quoniam omne officium sive ministerium laudabile et bonum debet habere praemium, ideo pars ista habet duas partes. In prima determinat, qualiter Angeli, hominibus ministrando, eos custodiunt. In secunda vero quaerit, utrum Angeli ex ipso actu ministrandi in merito vel in praemio proficiant, et incipit illa secunda pars ibi: Praeterea illud considerari oportet etc.
Prima pars habet duas. In prima ostendit, quod Angeli deputantur ad custodiam hominum1. In secunda quaerit et determinat, utrum singuli deputentur ad custodiam singulorum, ibi: Solet autem quaeri, utrum singuli etc.
Similiter secunda pars principalis duas habet secundum duas opiniones, secundum quas dupliciter determinat quaestionem propositam. In prima parte ponit primam opinionem, quae incipit ibi: Praeterea illud considerari oportet etc. In secunda secundam, ibi: Alii autem dicunt, Angelos in confirmatione etc. Subdivisiones autem partium et intellectus Magistri patent in littera. Nam totalis intentio distinctionis versatur circa duo, videlicet circa custodiam et eius consequentia vel annexa.
TRACTATIO QUAESTIONUM.
Ad intelligentiam huius partis circa duo incidit hic dubitatio.
Primo circa Angelorum custodiam. Secundo circa eius annexa.
Quantum ad primum quaeruntur tria. Primo quaeritur, utrum Angeli deputari debuerint ad custodiam hominis lapsi. Secundo, utrum, si homo stetisset, deputati fuissent ad custodiam hominis instituti. Tertio, utrum aliquis Angelus deputatus sit ad custodiam Christi.
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COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION XI.
On the ministry of the Angels with respect to men.
This too must be known, that the good Angels etc.
DIVISION OF THE TEXT.
Above, the Master determined concerning the ministry of the Angels as regards the ministering Angels themselves. In this part he determines concerning the ministry of the Angels by comparison to the man to whom they minister. And since every office or ministry that is praiseworthy and good ought to have its reward, this part therefore has two [sections]. In the first he determines in what manner the Angels, by ministering to men, guard them. In the second he asks whether the Angels, by the very act of ministering, advance in merit or in reward; and that second part begins there: Furthermore, this too must be considered etc.
The first part has two [subsections]. In the first he shows that the Angels are deputed to the guardianship of men1. In the second he asks and determines whether each individual [Angel] is deputed to the guardianship of each individual [man], there: But it is wont to be asked, whether each individual etc.
Likewise the second principal part has two [subsections] according to two opinions, according to which he determines the proposed question in two ways. In the first he sets down the first opinion, which begins there: Furthermore, this too must be considered etc. In the second [he sets down] the second [opinion], there: But others say that the Angels in [their] confirmation etc. The subdivisions of the parts and the meaning of the Master are evident in the text. For the whole intention of the distinction turns about two matters: namely, about guardianship and about the things consequent upon or annexed to it.
TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.
For the understanding of this part a doubt arises here concerning two matters.
First, concerning the guardianship of the Angels. Secondly, concerning the things annexed to it.
As regards the first, three [questions] are asked. First it is asked whether the Angels ought to have been deputed to the guardianship of fallen man. Secondly, whether, if man had stood [in his integrity], they would have been deputed to the guardianship of man as instituted [in original justice]. Thirdly, whether any Angel was deputed to the guardianship of Christ.
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- Vat. cum aliquibus codd. quod boni Angeli deputantur ad custodiam et mali ad exercitium hominum.The Vatican edition together with some codices [reads]: that the good Angels are deputed to the guardianship and the evil [Angels] to the testing of men. ---