Palladium theologicum, Tomus quintus: De virtutibus
Gaudenzio da Brescia (1612–1672)
Reuerendi patris Gaudentij Bontempi, ... Palladium theologicum, seu Tota theologia scholastica in septem tomos distributa. Ad intimam mentem d. Bonauenturae seraphici doctoris ... Tomus quintus, De virtutibus
First published 1676
Bontempi's Palladium theologicum (Lyon 1676) is a complete scholastic theology composed ad mentem D. Bonaventurae, arranged in seven tractatus on the order of the Secunda secundae. This fifth volume, De virtutibus, treats the theological virtues (faith, hope, charity, with their gifts, beatitudes and fruits), the cardinal virtues and their opposite vices, and the states and offices of men (religious and prelates, bishops, princes), including the extensive disputations on contracts, religion, vows, fortitude, temperance and the judicial process. It is a significant example of the Bonaventurian scholastic school and a counterpart to the Thomist manuals of the period.
Tractatus I: PRIMUS DE VIRTUTIBUS THEOLOGICIS
Proemium I: Prooemium
Disputatio I: ON FAITH
Quaestio I: What FAITH signifies, and what it is
Quaestio II: What the object of FAITH is
Quaestio III: Whether the object of FAITH is something complex
Quaestio IV: Whether the object of FAITH can be false
Quaestio V: Whether the object of FAITH can be evident scientifically
Quaestio VI: Whether FAITH is concerned with those things which are seen by vision on the way
Quaestio VII: Whether the articles of FAITH are evidently credible
Quaestio VIII: Whether the things to be believed are rightly arranged according to the articles
Quaestio IX: Whether the articles of FAITH have grown over the course of time
Quaestio X: Whether FAITH has grown as regards light
Quaestio XI: Whether Faith has grown in certitude
Quaestio XII: Whether the articles of Faith are to be expounded by some authority which is an infallible teacher, and what it is
Quaestio XIII: What are the marks of the true Church, in which the authority of expounding FAITH resides
Quaestio XIV: What must be believed by the necessity of means
Quaestio XV: What things are to be believed by the necessity of precept
Quaestio XVI: Whether we are bound to confess FAITH, and when
Quaestio XVII: Whether it is lawful to dispute about FAITH, and when
Quaestio XVIII: Whether Faith resides in the Intellect
Quaestio XIX: Whether Faith is perfected by Charity, as by its form
Quaestio XX: Whether it is certain that FAITH remains without CHARITY
Quaestio XXI: Whether, and how, FAITH is a VIRTUE
Quaestio XXII: Whether FAITH is ONE VIRTUE
Quaestio XXIII: Whether FAITH is the first of the Virtues
Quaestio XXIV: Whether FAITH is more certain than any science, or than any intellectual habit
Quaestio XXV: Whether one can know with certainty that he has FAITH
Quaestio XXVI: In whom FAITH is found
Quaestio XXVII: Whether FAITH is a substantial Gift of GOD
Quaestio XXVIII: Whether the difference between FAITH and other acts, natural as opposed to supernatural moral acts, always arises from the object
Quaestio XXIX: On the effects of FAITH
Quaestio XXX: On the GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING
Dubitatio I: Whether UNDERSTANDING is a gift of the Holy Ghost
Dubitatio II: Whether the GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING can coexist with FAITH
Dubitatio III: Whether the GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING consists in the contemplation of the Creator and of Creation
Dubitatio IV: Whether the GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING is found in all who have grace, and whether in these alone
Dubitatio V: What is the necessity and utility of the GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING
Dubitatio VI: Whether* **the GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING** *corresponds to the sixth beatitude, namely, Blessed are the clean of heart, etc.
Dubitatio VII: Whether* **to the GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING** *there corresponds, among the fruits of the Holy Ghost, Faith
Quaestio XXXI: On the Gift of Knowledge
Dubitatio I: Whether* **KNOWLEDGE** *is a gift of the Holy Ghost
Dubitatio II: Whether knowledge is concerned with Divine things
Dubitatio III: Whether the gift of knowledge is speculative
Dubitatio IV: Whether the third Beatitude corresponds to the Gift of Knowledge: Blessed are they that mourn, etc.
Disputatio II: On Unbelief
Quaestio I: What UNBELIEF is, and what kind of sin it is
Quaestio II: Whether all the works of unbelievers are sins
Quaestio III: Whether unbelievers can be compelled to hear FAITH
Quaestio IV: Whether unbelievers can be compelled to embrace our FAITH, when it has been sufficiently set forth
Quaestio V: Whether unbaptized unbelievers can be compelled to abandon errors or rites contrary to natural reason
Quaestio VI: Whether the rites of unbelievers are to be permitted
Quaestio VII: Whether it is lawful to make agreements with unbelievers about the toleration of their rites
Quaestio VIII: Whether unbaptized unbelievers can retain power over the Faithful, and whether they can be deprived of it
Disputatio III: On Heresy
Quaestio I: What HERESY is
Quaestio II: Whether one who doubts about the articles of FAITH is a heretic
Quaestio III: Whether one who gives merely opinionative assent to an article of FAITH is a heretic
Quaestio IV: Whether, and what, Ignorance excuses from Heresy
Quaestio V: What pertinacity is required for HERESY
Quaestio VI: Whether, for one to be deemed a Heretic, it is necessary that he have been baptized and a believer
Quaestio VII: Whether the Church can compel heretics to receive the Catholic FAITH
Quaestio VIII: On the other means the Church uses against heretics, by forbidding their Books
Quaestio IX: Whether we are bound to avoid the conversation of heretics
Quaestio X: What excommunication is inflicted upon heretics
Quaestio XI: On the other spiritual punishments of heretics
Quaestio XII: On the temporal punishments of Heretics
Disputatio IV: On Hope
Quaestio I: What HOPE is
Quaestio II: What the material object of HOPE is
Question III
Quaestio IV: Whether a certain object is set forth for HOPE, and is hoped for
Quaestio V: Whether Hope is a Virtue
Quaestio VI: Whether HOPE is a Theological Virtue
Quaestio VII: Whether HOPE is at times formless
Quaestio VIII: Whether HOPE arises from merits
Quaestio IX: Whether Hope precedes Charity
Quaestio X: What the proximate subject of HOPE is
Quaestio XI: Whether HOPE remains in the Blessed
Quaestio XII: Whether there is a precept of hoping in GOD
Whether there is given a precept of hoping in GOD.
The Seraphic Doctor DISTINGUISHES book 5 of the Compendium of Theology, cap. 22. a threefold Hope, namely, of Pardon, Ps. 30. In thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded. Of Grace: But he that hopeth in the Lord, mercy shall encompass him. Ps. 31. Of Glory: Proverbs 28. He that hopeth in the Lord shall be saved. He also notes its effects, so that the necessity of hope may appear. For it frees from tribulation, Ps. 21. Our fathers hoped in thee, and thou didst deliver them, and it stands shown in Dan. 13. by the example of Susanna. It strengthens in the crisis, 2 Machab. 7. Beholding the seven sons perishing within the space of one day, the mother bore it with a good courage, because of the hope she had in God. It strengthens and raises the mind, Isa. 40. They that hope in the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall take wings as eagles. It saves, Ps. 16. O thou that savest them that trust in thee. It ministers temporal things, Ps. 144. The eyes of all hope in thee, O Lord.
HOPE is compared to many things necessary: to the Helmet for fighting, 1 Thessal. 5. Putting on the helmet of salvation. To the Anchor Hebr. 6. Who have fled for refuge to hold fast the hope set before us: which we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm. To Medicine: He that trusteth in the Lord shall not be weakened, Ps. 25. To the Gem: Most precious is the expectation, Prov. 17. it is called the strongest solace Hebr. 6. The wood of life, Sap. 3. If they have suffered torments before men, their hope is full of immortality. Keys, and the Gloss on that Ps. hope in the Lord.
IN the Dial. of salvation, tit. 10. cap. 5. he again sets forth a threefold Hope, of Pardon, of Grace, and of Glory. But he proves that the hope of Pardon puts every sin to flight. All they that trust in him shall not offend. Ps. 33. The hope of grace is that by which one, trusting in Divine help alone, not in human strength, acquires salvation, Jerem. 17, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and the Lord will be his trust. The hope of glory makes strong even unto death; thus the martyrs conquered their torments. Thus Moses Heb. 11. thus the Ps., Sacrifice a sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord, and to Titus 2. he urges to patience and perseverance: Waiting for the blessed hope, and the coming of the Lord. From these the Theologians commonly gather that Hope is a necessary means to salvation, and that from the beginning, as is said Hebr. 11, For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him. And Rom. 8, By hope we are saved. And in the Tridentine Council sess. 6. cap. 6. and 7. and can. 5. Hope is numbered among the dispositions necessary for justification. The reason is, because he cannot be saved who does not believe God to be a supernatural rewarder, and unless he be converted to God by loving him above all things; but these things involve, unless he hope, that this good is to be attained, as Caspensis argues num. 32. with D. Bonaventure book 3, dist. 26. art. 2. quaest. 3. in the body: Therefore.
You will say. Without Hope God can be loved with the love of friendship.
It is ANSWERED, that one must hope from God at least mercy, pardon, and grace, as the Seraphic Doctor says above.
THEREFORE ALTHOUGH there are not found in the scriptures words expressing the force of a precept; yet from the necessities related the Doctors gather that a precept of Hope is given. So Suarez de Spe, disp. 2. sect. 1. Sanchez lib. 1. Decal. lib. 2. cap. 33. Fagundez lib. 1. cap. 31. num. 4. with D. Thom. 2. 2. quaest. 22. art. 1. The Seraphic Doctor dist. 26. quaest. 2. where he proves it, because it is declared in scripture that one must hope in God alone, and that cursed is he who does not hope in him, but in creatures.
Hence D. Augustine tract. 83. says, It is a precept to us to hope for the things that have been promised.
Therefore the argument is thus formed: Every act that is a necessary means to salvation falls under a precept, as Suarez shows de fide disp. 13 sect. 2. and lib. 8. de gratia, cap. 18. and 19. But the act of hope is a necessary means to salvation, as the Council of Trent declares sess. 6. cap. 6. for unless we hope for glory, our faith is vain: Therefore a precept of it is given. So also Fagundez num. 4. The minor is proved by the Seraphic Doctor book 5, Brevil. cap. 4. because for salvation the rectification of the soul toward God is necessary; but this is done through the three Theological virtues, for by faith the reason, by hope the irascible, by charity the concupiscible is rectified.
But the minor is explained by the Seraphic Doctor book 3, Canti. sect. 39. because to attain beatitude one must expect and ask help from God; one must detest faults, endure punishments, undertake terrible things, rise toward arduous precepts, conquering the demons, the flesh, and the world: but these things are not done without hope, which resides in the irascible, and moves the other powers, fortitude, etc.
But this precept is affirmative, yet including a negative, of not despairing; and insofar as it includes the negative, it obliges always, as Sanchez notes lib. 1. Decal. cap. 33. Suarez de spe, disp. 2. sect. 1. num. 7. D. Thom. loc. cit. Fagundez num. 5. For the acts contrary to Hope are intrinsically evil. Some, however, cited by Caspensis disp. 2. sect. 5. think this precept to be merely negative; he himself nevertheless says that both the affirmative is given, and indeed a special one, and not only a general one; as some Summists think. So also Fulgentius lib. 3. cap. 7.
Insofar, however, as it is an affirmative precept, it obliges at some time to acts of Hope at some time; but it is doubtful at what time it obliges.
Some, cited by Aragon 2. 2. quaest. 22. art. 1. dub. 1. think that, once an act of Hope has been had, this precept no longer obliges.
But it obliges after the use of reason, not immediately, but not after much time, and sometimes even during life, by the judgment of the prudent, so that one is not without an act of hope for many years. See on the act of faith what I said in the preceding Treatise disp. 1. quaest. 14. and following. And I shall say in the following Treatise on the precept of Charity disp. 8. from quaest. 50. So Suarez disp. 2. sect. 1. Caspens. num. 19. He adds, with Castro Palao, that regularly men satisfy this precept when they grieve over their sins, which is almost never without an act of Hope. Fulgentius adds, that one is obliged at the end of life, and when one is gravely tempted to despair, and as often as the precept of faith urges, For he that cometh to God must believe that he is a rewarder. Hebr. 11. So also Bassaeus.
Dubitatio I: UNICA. Would this precept bind one to whom certain damnation had been revealed
Yet the Seraphic Doctor believes this impossible case, book 1, dist. 48, dub. 1 of the text. D. Thomas there art. 4. ad 2. inclines to it. The same has Dionysius the Carthusian in his dialogue on the judgment of the soul, art. 5. where he reports Alexander, William, Halensis. The same thinks Albert the Great, and others.
The OTHERS indeed say that it can be revealed. So D. Thom. loc. cit. and quaest. 23. de ver. art. 8. ad 2. Maior book 3, dist. 26. quaest. 3. Gabriel lect. 68. and 69. on the Canon. Caspens. de spe disp. 3. sect. 2. Vasquez 1. 2. disp. 22. Fagundez lib. 1. in Decal. cap. 31. n. 13. The Thomists everywhere, Vulpes disp. 59. art. 3. who says it can happen even regularly. Finally, of the absolute power, the Scholastics commonly assert it, with whom Mastrius subscribes, book 3, disp. 6. quaest. 19. Arriaga disp. 30. sect. 2. who, together with Arretinus the Scotist, says that in that case one cannot despair, although he is not bound to hope. The others indeed say that he can not will beatitude. So Suarez, Turrianus, Fagundez, Coninck, Amicus, Mastrius, Poncius, and others.
I say therefore that this revelation cannot happen.
It is PROVED by the Seraphic Doctor, because this revelation would cause evil, and no good; for then that man would have to will to be separated from God, as an enemy, nor could he keep the precepts, but would have to go away headlong in looseness, and despair. Which the adversaries vainly deny, whence also it would follow that the precept of hoping does not urge, since it would be about a thing impossible of attainment.
They OBJECT. We know that the Antichrist is to be damned, and when he comes, he will be recognized from his works, and thus some of the just will flee from him. Similarly the damnation of Judas was revealed, Matth. 26, Woe to that man, etc. and Ioan. 17 he calls him the son of perdition.
Mastrius answers num. 498. that the perdition of Judas and of the Antichrist was revealed not to Judas himself, but to the Church, and therefore the induced inconveniences do not follow.