Dist. 27, Divisio Textus
Book III: On the Incarnation of the Word · Distinction 27
COMMENTARIUS IN DISTINCTIONEM XXVII.
De caritate quoad eius essentiam et definitionem.
Cum autem Christus fidem et spem non habuerit etc.
DIVISIO TEXTUS.
In praecedentibus egit Magister de duabus virtutibus theologicis, videlicet de fide et spe. Hic sequitur tertia pars, in qua intendit agere de caritate. Dividitur autem ista pars in partes sex secundum sex distinctiones, quas continet. In quarum prima agit de caritate secundump588-1 eius essentiam et de-
finitionem. In secunda vero quantum ad diligibilium numerum et distinctionem, infra distinctione vigesima octava: Hic quaeri potest, utrum illo mandato etc. In tertia vero quantum ad diligendi ordinem, infra distinctione vigesima nona: Post praedicta de ordine caritatis etc. In quarta vero quantum ad meriti perfectionem, infra distinctione trigesima: Hic solet quaeri, quid potius sit plurisque meriti. In quinta vero quantum ad ipsius caritatis durationem, infra distinctione trigesima prima: Illud quoque praetermittendum non est etc. In sexta vero in comparatione ad aeternam dilectionem, infra distinctione trigesima secunda: Praedictis adiiciendum est de dilectione Dei etc.
Prima pars, quae continet praesentem distinctionem, dividitur in partes duas, in quarum prima determinat Magister de ipsa caritate quantum ad eius essentiam et unitatem. In secunda vero quantum ad eius actum et modum, ibi: Consequenter modum utriusque dilectionis advertamus.
Prima pars dividitur in partes quatuor. In quarum prima continuat partem istam ad praecedentis partis inquisitionem. In secunda vero parte ponit caritatis definitionem, ibi: Caritas est dilectio etc. In tertia vero comparat eam ad divini mandati duplicationem, ibi: Haec autem habet duo mandata. In quarta vero removet dubitationemp589-1, ibi: Hic quaeritur, si ex ea ipsa dilectione etc.
Similiter secunda pars principalis, in qua determinat de ipsa caritate quantum ad actum et modum, dividitur in partes quatuor, in quarum prima determinat, quis modus circa actum caritatis reperiatur. In secunda vero ostendit, ubi ille modus insinuatur, ibi: Dilectionis autem Dei[^p589-2] modus insinuatur etc. In tertia vero inquirit, utrum ille modus in via impleatur, ibi: Istud autem praeceptum penitus non impletur etc. In quarta vero et ultima ostendit, qualiter unum praeceptum caritatis in altero implicatur, ibi: Cum autem duo sint praecepta caritatis. Subdivisiones autem partium in littera satis sunt manifestae.
TRACTATIO QUAESTIONUM.
Ad intelligentiam autem huius partis secundum duo, quae tangit Magister, incidit hic quaestio circa duo principaliter.
Primo enim quaeritur de ipsa caritate quantum ad habitum.
Secundo vero quaeritur de eadem quantum ad eius actum et modum.
Circa primum sex possunt quaeri.
Primum est, utrum caritas sit habitus creatus.
Secundum est, utrum sit habitus virtuosus.
Tertium est, utrum sit habitus ab aliis virtutibus distinctus.
Quartum est, utrum sit habitus in se ipso indivisus.
Quintum est, utrum sit habitus mere gratuitus.
Sextum et ultimum est, utrum sit habitus aliquando informis, an semper formatus.
Sed quoniam duorum primorum veritas satis haberi potest ex his quae in primo librop589-3 fuerunt determinata, ubi ostensum est, quod caritas sit virtus creata: ideo nunc restat determinare alia quatuor sequentia.
ARTICULUS I.
De ipsa caritate quantum ad habitum.
COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION XXVII.
On charity as to its essence and definition.
"But since Christ had neither faith nor hope, etc."
DIVISION OF THE TEXT.
In the foregoing the Master treated of two of the theological virtues, namely faith and hope. Here there follows the third part, in which he intends to treat of charity. Now this part is divided into six parts according to the six distinctions which it contains. In the first of these he treats of charity according top588-1 its essence and de-
finition. But in the second, as to the number and distinction of things to be loved, below in the twenty-eighth distinction: "Here it can be asked whether by that commandment, etc." But in the third, as to the order of loving, below in the twenty-ninth distinction: "After what has been said concerning the order of charity, etc." But in the fourth, as to the perfection of merit, below in the thirtieth distinction: "Here it is wont to be asked, which is rather of greater merit." But in the fifth, as to the duration of charity itself, below in the thirty-first distinction: "This too is not to be passed over, etc." But in the sixth, in comparison to eternal love, below in the thirty-second distinction: "To what has been said there must be added [something] concerning the love of God, etc."
The first part, which contains the present distinction, is divided into two parts, in the first of which the Master determines concerning charity itself as to its essence and unity. But in the second, as to its act and mode, there: "Let us next consider the mode of each love."
The first part is divided into four parts. In the first of these he continues this part to the inquiry of the preceding part. But in the second part he sets down the definition of charity, there: "Charity is love, etc." But in the third he compares it to the duplication of the divine commandment, there: "But this has two commandments." But in the fourth he removes a doubtp589-1, there: "Here it is asked whether from that very love, etc."
Likewise the second principal part, in which he determines concerning charity itself as to its act and mode, is divided into four parts, in the first of which he determines what mode is found regarding the act of charity. But in the second he shows where that mode is suggested, there: "But the mode of the love of God[^p589-2] is suggested, etc." But in the third he inquires whether that mode is fulfilled in this life, there: "But this precept is utterly not fulfilled, etc." But in the fourth and last he shows how one precept of charity is implied in the other, there: "But since there are two precepts of charity." The subdivisions of the parts, however, are sufficiently manifest in the text.
TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.
Now for the understanding of this part, according to the two things which the Master touches upon, a question here falls principally concerning two matters.
For first it is asked concerning charity itself as to the disposition.
Second it is asked concerning the same as to its act and mode.
Concerning the first, six points can be asked.
The first is, whether charity is a created disposition.
The second is, whether it is a virtuous disposition.
The third is, whether it is a disposition distinct from the other virtues.
The fourth is, whether it is a disposition undivided in itself.
The fifth is, whether it is a disposition merely gratuitous.
The sixth and last is, whether it is a disposition sometimes unformed, or always formed.
But since the truth of the first two can sufficiently be had from those things which were determined in the first bookp589-3, where it was shown that charity is a created virtue: therefore it now remains to determine the other four that follow.
ARTICLE I.
On charity itself as to the disposition.
- Edd. quantum ad. Inferius pro illo mandato plurimi codd. falso illud mandatum.The editions [read] quantum ad ("as to"). Further below, in place of illo mandato ("by that commandment"), very many codices wrongly [read] illud mandatum ("that commandment").
- Cod. 1 In quarta quaerit, si eadem caritate diligitur Deus et proximus.Codex 1 [reads]: "In the fourth he asks, whether God and neighbor are loved by the same charity."
- In codd. desideratur Dei.In the codices the word Dei ("of God") is wanting.
- Dist. 17. p. I. q. 1, et II. Sent. d. 26. q. 2.[First Sentences,] Distinction 17, part I, question 1, and II Sentences, distinction 26, question 2.