Dist. 29, Divisio Textus
Book III: On the Incarnation of the Word · Distinction 29
COMMENTARIUS IN DISTINCTIONEM XXIX.
De caritate quantum ad diligendi ordinem.
Post praedicta de ordine caritatis agendum est.
DIVISIO TEXTUS.
Supra determinavit Magister de caritate quantum ad essentiam et1 definitionem et quantum ad diligibilium numerum et distinctionem. Hic sequitur tertia pars, in qua determinat de ipsa quantum ad diligendi ordinem. Dividitur autem pars ista in partes tres. In quarum prima determinat de ordine caritatis per comparationem ad ea quae per caritatem diliguntur. In secunda per comparationem ad ea beneficia, quae per caritatem impenduntur, ibi: Unde et super hoc saepe movetur quaestio. Tertio per comparationem ad gradus, qui in caritate reperiuntur, ibi: Sciendum quoque est, diversos esse gradus caritatis.
Prima et ultima partibus remanentibus indivisis, media pars dividitur in partes duas. In quarum prima ponit Magister circa hanc materiam diversorum opiniones. In secunda dissolvit incidentes dubitationes, ibi: Solet etiam quaeri, si parentes nostri etc.
Prima pars dividitur in partes tres. In quarum prima opponit ad partem unam2. In secunda vero opponit ad partem alteram, ibi: Quibus obviat illud praeceptum Legis. In tertia vero subiungit opinionem suam, ibi: Verum quia praemissa verba Ambrosii etc.
Similiter alia pars, in qua removet dubitationes incidentes, tres habet partes secundum tres dubitationes, quas dissolvit, quarum una oritur ex alia. Primam dissolvit, ibi: Solet quaeri: si parentes. Secundam ibi: Verumtamen latebrosa quaestio haec est. Tertiam ibi: Solet quaeri, cur Deus praeceperit inimicos diligere etc. Summa autem harum partium satis est manifesta ex his quae dicuntur in littera3.
TRACTATIO QUAESTIONUM.
Ad intelligentiam autem huius partis quaeritur hic de ordine caritatis. Circa hoc autem incidunt sex dubitabilia.
Primum est de ordine caritatis communiter respectu diligendorum.
Secundum est de ordine ipsius per comparationem nostri ad Deum.
Tertium est de ordine eiusdem4 per comparationem nostri ad proximum.
Quartum est de ordine ipsius per comparationem patris ad filium.
Quintum est de ordine caritatis per comparationem domestici ad extraneum.
Sextum et ultimum est, utrum ordo caritatis attendatur quantum ad effectum5 tantum, an simul quantum ad affectum et effectum.
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COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION XXIX.
On charity as regards the order of loving.
After what has been said, we must now treat of the order of charity.
DIVISION OF THE TEXT.
Above the Master determined concerning charity as regards its essence and1 definition and as regards the number and distinction of the things to be loved. Here follows the third part, in which he determines concerning it as regards the order of loving. Now this part is divided into three parts. In the first of these he determines concerning the order of charity by comparison to the things that are loved through charity. In the second by comparison to the benefits that are bestowed through charity, there: Hence also concerning this a question is often raised. Thirdly by comparison to the degrees that are found in charity, there: It is also to be known that there are diverse degrees of charity.
While the first and last parts remain undivided, the middle part is divided into two parts. In the first of these the Master sets down the opinions of various men concerning this matter. In the second he resolves the incidental doubts, there: It is also wont to be asked whether our parents, etc.
The first part is divided into three parts. In the first of these he argues against the one side2. But in the second he argues against the other side, there: Against whom that precept of the Law stands. And in the third he adds his own opinion, there: But since the foregoing words of Ambrose, etc.
Likewise the other part, in which he removes the incidental doubts, has three parts according to the three doubts which he resolves, of which one arises from another. The first he resolves, there: It is wont to be asked: whether parents. The second there: Yet this is an obscure question. The third there: It is wont to be asked why God commanded us to love our enemies, etc. Now the sum of these parts is sufficiently clear from what is said in the text3.
TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.
Now for the understanding of this part it is asked here concerning the order of charity. And concerning this there fall under it six doubtful points.
The first is concerning the order of charity considered in general with respect to the things to be loved.
The second is concerning the order of it by comparison of ourselves to God.
The third is concerning the order of the same4 by comparison of ourselves to neighbor.
The fourth is concerning the order of it by comparison of father to son.
The fifth is concerning the order of charity by comparison of the member of the household to the stranger.
The sixth and last is whether the order of charity is regarded as to effect5 only, or at the same time as to both affection and effect.
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- Codd. GBb vel, codd. AK et quantum ad.The codices GBb read vel, the codices AK read et quantum ad.
- Edd. hic addunt auctoritate Augustini et paulo inferius post ad partem alteram subiungunt auctoritate Legis.The editions here add auctoritate Augustini (by the authority of Augustine), and a little below, after ad partem alteram (against the other side), they append auctoritate Legis (by the authority of the Law).
- In edd. desideratur haec ultima propositio: Summa autem… in littera.In the editions this last sentence is wanting: Summa autem… in littera (Now the sum… in the text).
- Pro eiusdem codd. AKUX ipsius, et paulo inferius pro ipsius multi codd. eiusdem.For eiusdem (of the same) the codices AKUX read ipsius (of it), and a little below, for ipsius, many codices read eiusdem.
- Edd. 1, 2 cum plurimis codd. ad affectum, sed cfr. hic lit. Magistri, c. 2, nec non infra quaestio ipsa. De ordine enim caritatis non fuit dubitatum nisi quoad affectum.Editions 1 and 2, with most of the codices, read ad affectum (as to affection), but compare here the text of the Master, c. 2, and likewise the question itself below. For concerning the order of charity there was no doubt except as regards affection.