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
Dubitatio I: UNICA. Would this precept bind one to whom certain damnation had been revealed
Disputatio V: On the Gift of Fear
Quaestio I: Whether FEAR is a Habit distinct from HOPE
Quaestio II: What the object of FEAR is
Quaestio III: Whether worldly Fear is always evil
Quaestio IV: Whether servile Fear is honorable, and a Gift of God
Quaestio V: Whether servile Fear is cast out when grace comes
Quaestio VI: Whether Initial and Filial Fear differ specifically
Quaestio VII: Whether, as Charity grows, Fear diminishes
Quaestio VIII: Whether gratuitous Fear remains in the fatherland
Quaestio IX: Whether Poverty of Spirit corresponds to the GIFT OF FEAR
Quaestio X: On the Effects, and the precept, of the FEAR OF GOD
Disputatio VI: On Despair
Quaestio I: UNICA. Of what power DESPAIR is an act, and what sin it is
Disputatio VII: On Presumption
Quaestio I: What PRESUMPTION is, and what kind of sin
Disputatio VIII: On Charity
Quaestio I: What CHARITY is
Quaestio II: What the object of Charity is
Quaestio III: Whether Charity is properly the friendship of God
Quaestio IV: Whether Charity is a created Habit
Quaestio V: Whether Charity is one special Virtue
Quaestio VI: Whether Charity is of a most special species
Quaestio VII: Whether Charity is the most excellent of the virtues
Quaestio VIII: Whether Charity is the Form of the Virtues
Quaestio IX: Whether besides infused Charity there is another charity, acquired by our own acts
Quaestio X: Whether Charity can be formless
Quaestio XI: Whether CHARITY increases, and how
Quaestio XII: Whether, and how, CHARITY in this life is perfect
Quaestio XIII: Whether Charity can be lost, and how
Quaestio XIV: What is the proximate subject of Charity
Quaestio XV: Whether God alone is to be loved out of Charity, or the neighbor also
Quaestio XVI: Whether Charity is to be loved out of Charity
Quaestio XVII: Whether all gratuitous gifts are to be loved out of CHARITY
Quaestio XVIII: Whether irrational creatures are to be loved out of CHARITY
Quaestio XIX: Whether a man ought to love himself out of CHARITY
Quaestio XX: Whether a man ought to love his own body out of Charity
Quaestio XXI: Whether sinners are to be loved out of Charity
Quaestio XXII: Whether it is necessary to love enemies out of CHARITY
Quaestio XXIII: Whether we are bound to show the effects of CHARITY toward enemies, and which
Quaestio XXIV: Whether Angels are to be loved out of CHARITY
Quaestio XXV: Whether Demons, and the Damned, are to be loved out of CHARITY
Quaestio XXVI: Whether it is fitting that four things to be loved out of CHARITY are enumerated
Quaestio XXVII: Whether God, and the neighbor, are loved with the same habit of CHARITY
Quaestio XXVIII: Whether there is order in CHARITY
Quaestio XXIX: Whether GOD is to be loved more than the neighbor
Quaestio XXX: Whether a man ought out of CHARITY to love God more than himself
Quaestio XXXI: Whether Nature inclines more to loving GOD than to loving ourselves
Quaestio XXXII: Whether a man ought to love himself more than his neighbor
Quaestio XXXIII: Whether the eternal salvation of the neighbor is to be loved more than our own life
Quaestio XXXIV: Whether one neighbor is to be loved more than another
Quaestio XXXV: Whether a Son is to be loved more than a Father
Quaestio XXXVI: Whether a man ought out of CHARITY to love his Mother more than his Father
Quaestio XXXVII: Whether a man ought to love his spouse more than his parents, and Children
Quaestio XXXVIII: Whether the order of CHARITY is considered in the affection, and in the effect
Quaestio XXXIX: Whether the order of CHARITY remains in heaven
Quaestio XL: Whether it is more proper to Charity to love than to be loved
Quaestio XLI: Whether Love is the same as Benevolence
Quaestio XLII: Whether, and whether he can, GOD must be loved in the way with the whole heart, the whole soul, the whole mind, and all one's strength
Quaestio XLIII: Whether some measure is to be kept in Divine love
Quaestio XLIV: Whether Charity ought to be enlarged in heaven
Quaestio XLV: Whether it is more meritorious to love an enemy than a friend
Quaestio XLVI: Whether a man, constituted in however small CHARITY, is bound to undergo death for CHRIST
Quaestio XLVII: Whether those having perfect CHARITY are bound to fulfill the things that are of perfection
Quaestio XLVIII: How, and when, the precept of the love of GOD binds
Quaestio XLIX: Whether a man is bound at the first instant of the use of reason to be converted to GOD
Quaestio L: How, and when, the precept of the love of the neighbor binds
Disputatio IX: On the internal effects of Charity, JOY, PEACE, and MERCY
§ I: On Joy
Quaestio I: Whether JOY is an Effect of Charity, and of what kind
Quaestio II: Whether JOY is a virtue
§ II: On Peace
Quaestio I: UNICA. What PEACE is
§ III: On Mercy
Quaestio I: What MERCY is
Quaestio II: Which, and what kind of Virtue, MERCY is
Disputatio X: On the external effects of Charity
§ I: De Beneficentia
Quaestio I: UNICA. What BENEFICENCE is
§ II: On Almsgiving
Quaestio I: Whether to give ALMS is an act of Charity
Quaestio II: Whether the kinds of ALMS are fittingly distinguished
Quaestio III: Whether ALMS is a matter of precept
Quaestio IV: Whether it is a precept, in common necessities, to give superfluities to the poor
Quaestio V: Whether anyone is bound at some time to give alms from things necessary to his state, apart from the extreme necessity of the neighbor
Quaestio VI: Whether alms is owed out of justice to one in extreme need
Quaestio VII: Whether Alms ought to be given from justly possessed goods
§ III: On Fraternal Correction
Quaestio I: Whether FRATERNAL CORRECTION is a matter of precept
Quaestio II: Whether the order of fraternal correction, even in Religious Orders, is a matter of precept, so that the correction first be made in secret
Disputatio XI: On Hatred
Quaestio I: What the object of HATRED is, and what it is
Quaestio II: What, and what kind of sin, hatred is
Disputatio XII: On Sloth
Quaestio I: What ACEDIA is, and what its object is
Disputatio XIII: On Envy
Quaestio I: What ENVY is, and what its object is
Quaestio II: How perverse ENVY is
Disputatio XIV: On Discord, and Contention
Quaestio I: What DISCORD is, and what kind of sin
Quaestio II: What kind, and how great, a sin Contention is
Disputatio XV: On Schism
Quaestio I: What kind of sin SCHISM is
Quaestio II: How great a sin SCHISM is
Quaestio III: What punishments are owed to SCHISMATICS
Disputatio XVI: DE BELLO
Quaestio I: Whether any war can be just
Quaestio II: What conditions are required for a just war
Quaestio III: By whom BELLUM (war) may be waged
Disputatio XVII: On Quarreling, and Sedition
Quaestio I: What RIXA (quarreling) is, and what kind of sin
Quaestio II: What sedition is
Disputatio XVIII: On Scandal
Quaestio I: What, and of how many kinds, SCANDAL is
Quaestio II: Whether SCANDAL is a special sin
Quaestio III: What is to be done, and what omitted, to avoid scandal
Quaestio IV: Whether it is lawful to persuade one resolved upon a great evil into a lesser evil
Disputatio XIX: On the Gift of Wisdom
Quaestio I: What kind of gift WISDOM is
Quaestio II: What is the usefulness, and necessity, of this Gift
Quaestio III: By what means is the GIFT OF WISDOM obtained from God
Quaestio IV: On the illumination that Wisdom brings
Quaestio V: On the spiritual delights of Wisdom
Quaestio VI: How Folly is opposed to Wisdom
Quaestio VII: Whether the seventh Beatitude corresponds to the gift of Wisdom
Disputatio XX: On Prudence
Quaestio I: What PRUDENCE is
Quaestio II: Whether PRUDENCE is a virtue
Quaestio III: Which are the offices of PRUDENCE
Quaestio IV: Who are the participants in PRUDENCE
Quaestio V: How Prudence is acquired, and lost
Quaestio VI: On the parts of the Virtue of PRUDENCE
Quaestio VII: How certain rules of prudence, applicable to the Monastic and Political state, are drawn from the Angelic Hierarchy
§ I: On the Prudence that men bound by solemn vows claim for themselves from the first choir of Angels
§ II: On the Governance of the Prelates of the Church, from the Second Hierarchy of the First Choir, likened to the Dominations
§ III: On the Prudence of Judges, compared with the Virtues, from the second order of the second Hierarchy
§ IV: On the governance of Princes, and similar Powers
§ V: On the Prudence of individuals, from the lowest Hierarchy
Quaestio I: Whether there is one PRUDENCE for all the moral virtues
Disputatio XXI: On the Gift of Counsel
Quaestio I: What the gift of COUNSEL is, and what its office is
Quaestio II: How the GIFT OF COUNSEL orders the mind
Quaestio III: Whether the Gift of COUNSEL remains in heaven
Quaestio IV: Whether the fifth Beatitude corresponds to the Gift of Counsel
Disputatio XXII: On the Vices contrary to Prudence
Quaestio I: On PRECIPITATION
Quaestio II: On INCONSIDERATENESS
Quaestio III: On INCONSTANCY
Quaestio IV: On Negligence
Quaestio V: On the prudence of the flesh
Quaestio VI: On ASTUTENESS
Quaestio VII: On CRAFT (dolus)
Quaestio VIII: On FRAUD
Quaestio IX: On solicitude for temporal things
Quaestio X: On solicitude for the Future
Quaestio XI: On the precepts of PRUDENCE
Disputatio XXIII: On Justice
Quaestio I: Whether Ius (right) is the object of JUSTICE
Quaestio II: What JUSTICE is
Quaestio III: Whether JUSTICE is a special virtue
Quaestio IV: In what subject JUSTICE consists
Quaestio V: Whether JUSTICE is the most excellent of the moral Virtues
Quaestio VI: What kind of sin INJUSTICE is, and how it is committed
Quaestio VII: Whether Judgment is an act of JUSTICE
Quaestio VIII: By what means the public Judgment of a Judge is just
Quaestio IX: In what way private judgment about the neighbor is illicit
Quaestio X: Whether Distributive JUSTICE differs in species from Commutative
Disputatio XXIV: On Restitution
Quaestio I: What RESTITUTION is
Quaestio II: Whether RESTITUTION is necessary for salvation
Quaestio III: Who is bound to RESTORE
Dubitatio I: Whether he is a true cause of loss without whom the loss would still have followed
Dubitatio II: On the indirect causes of loss
Dubitatio III: Whether one who has promised three or four times to restore, and has not restored, is to be absolved before restitution
Quaestio IV: To whom RESTITUTION is to be made
Quaestio V: What ought to be restored
Dubitatio I: Whether the goods of fortune are to be restored in the same way
Dubitatio II: In what manner RESTITUTION is to be made for goods of the body
Dubitatio III: Whether, and how, RESTITUTION of Fame, and Honor, is to be made
Dubitatio IV: On the restitution of goods of the soul
Dubitatio V: When a thing acquired by contract is to be restored
Dubitatio VI: When things acquired by donation ought to be restored
Dubitatio VII: When things acquired by prescription are to be restored
Dubitatio VIII: When a thing acquired as wages for the function of an office is to be restored
Dubitatio IX: Whether the wages of harlotry are to be restored
Dubitatio X: When things acquired by fowling, fishing, and hunting are to be restored
Dubitatio XI: When things acquired by the use of common things are to be restored
Dubitatio XII: Whether things acquired in illicit games are to be restored
Dubitatio XIII: Which things are to be restored on account of finding
Dubitatio XIV: On the restitution of goods impeded by violence, fraud, or evil intention
Dubitatio XV: Whether anyone is bound to restore defrauded customs duties
Dubitatio XVI: What form is to be observed in a just tribute
Quaestio VI: How much is to be Restored
Quaestio VII: When restitution is to be made, and the causes excusing from it
Dubitatio I: Whether entrance into Religion excuses from Restitution
Dubitatio II: Whether cession of goods excuses from restitution
Dubitatio III: On the causes excusing from Restitution on the part of the creditor
Dubitatio IV: On the causes excusing from restitution on the part of the debtor
Dubitatio V: On the causes excusing from Restitution on the part of the public authority
Quaestio VIII: Where restitution is to be made
Quaestio IX: How restitution is to be made
Quaestio X: In what order restitution is to be made
Quaestio XI: What Acceptance of Persons is, and what kind of sin
Quaestio XII: Whether, and how, it is a sin of acceptance of persons to choose the unworthy, or less deserving, for benefices
Quaestio XIII: Whether Acceptance of persons has place in the showing of honor, and reverence
Quaestio XIV: Whether acceptance of persons finds a place in the sentences of Judges
Dubitatio I: Whether a JUDGE can, without the note of acceptance of persons, adhere to the Favor of friends, when the law is doubtful among the Doctors
Disputatio XXV: On Homicide
Quaestio I: What Homicide is, and of how many kinds
Quaestio II: On homicide from deliberately, insidiously, and treacherously intending it
Quaestio III: Whether one who commands is to be burdened with the same guilt, and punishment as the one who executes
Quaestio IV: Whether an attempt at homicide, and other crimes, is to be punished with the same penalty as the crime consummated
Quaestio V: What are the punishments of voluntary Homicide
Quaestio VI: Whether it is lawful to kill a man with the moderation of blameless defense, for the defense of himself or his goods
Dubitatio I: Whether it is lawful to kill someone to preserve honor, not by fleeing etc.
Dubitatio II: Whether one who is attacked is bound in some case to kill the aggressor
Dubitatio III: Whether it is lawful, in defense of one's own goods, to kill a thief
Dubitatio IV: Whether, in defense of Chastity, it is lawful to kill the Assailant
Quaestio VII: Whether, and how, MONOMACHIA (dueling) is illicit
Quaestio VIII: Whether it is lawful for a Husband to kill a Wife caught in adultery, and a father his daughter, and a brother his Sister, together with the seducer
Quaestio IX: Whether it is lawful to kill oneself
Dubitatio I: Whether it is lawful to shorten our life by mortifications
Dubitatio II: Whether, to avoid a sin or another evil, it is lawful to kill oneself
Dubitatio III: Whether, for the life of the neighbor, it is lawful to give oneself over to death
Dubitatio IV: When we are bound to die for the salvation of souls
Quaestio X: Whether a pregnant Mother may, to save her own life, procure the abortion of the fetus
Quaestio XI: On accidental Homicide
Quaestio XII: Whether a JUDGE can condemn an innocent man to death who has been proven guilty in the trial
Quaestio XIII: Whether Princes can grant license to kill outlaws
Quaestio XIV: On the Restitution owed on account of homicide, or mutilation
Quaestio XV: Whether the mutilation of a limb is ever lawful
Quaestio XVI: Whether it is lawful to imprison or beat another
Disputatio XXVI: On Theft, and Rapine
Quaestio I: What Dominion is
Quaestio II: Whether it is lawful to have private dominion over things
Quaestio III: What THEFT is
Quaestio IV: What quantity is required for mortal sin in Theft
Dubitatio I: What is the grave quantity of theft for Sons, Wives, and Religious
Quaestio V: Whether Theft is mortal when, from many tiny thefts, there supervenes a particle making the thing grave
Quaestio VI: Whether in extreme, or urgent, necessity it is lawful to take what belongs to another
Quaestio VII: On the Thefts of Religious
Quaestio VIII: Whether men can be reduced to slavery, and sold
Quaestio IX: Whether slaves can wrest themselves from their Masters
Quaestio X: Whether it is lawful, by private authority, to recover what is ours
Quaestio XI: On the punishment of Thieves
Quaestio XII: On the restitution of thefts
Disputatio XXVII: On the JUDGE
Quaestio I: Whether power is necessary in a JUDGE
Quaestio II: Whether a JUDGE ought to follow the truth, and therefore be wise
Quaestio III: Whether the acts of a JUDGE who has not a true but only a putative title are valid, such that not even he sins
Quaestio IV: Whether the POPE can subject himself to someone's judgment
Quaestio V: Whether goodness is necessary in a JUDGE
Quaestio VI: On the external purity of the hands of the Judge
Quaestio VII: Whether excommunicated JUDGES sin in judging, and judge invalidly
Quaestio VIII: On the order to be observed by a JUDGE
Dubitatio I: On the mode of proceeding by Denunciation
Dubitatio II: On the mode of proceeding by Accusation
Dubitatio III: On the mode of proceeding by Inquisition
Disputatio XXVIII: On the Accused
Quaestio I: On the bringing of the Accused to the Tribunal
Quaestio II: Whether the Accused is bound to confess a crime half-proven
Quaestio III: Whether an ACCUSED, infamed for one crime, can be interrogated also about others
Quaestio IV: Whether one convicted of a crime can be interrogated about hidden accomplices, of whom there is no infamy
Quaestio V: Whether an Accused, unjustly denying a true crime for which he was to be condemned to a pecuniary penalty, is bound to pay, and whether he is subject to restitution
Quaestio VI: Whether a Reus, unjustly denying the truth, is bound to retract before the end of the Trial, when he is to be condemned
Quaestio VII: Whether, if the Accused is interrogated again, he can give only a relative answer, saying: as I answered
Quaestio VIII: How the ACCUSED ought to conduct himself in the examination, when pressed by the Judge's iniquitous interrogations
Quaestio IX: Whether it is lawful for the ACCUSED to appeal to another Judge
Quaestio X: Whether, and how, the ACCUSED can defend himself
Quaestio XI: Whether the Accused can flee, and how, and when
Disputatio XXIX: ON WITNESSES
Quaestio I: Whether anyone is sometimes bound to bear witness
Quaestio II: Who can be WITNESSES in a trial
Quaestio III: On the Injustice of false Witnesses
Quaestio IV: What penalties are established for false Witnesses
Disputatio XXX: On the Advocate
Quaestio I: Who can, and ought, to exercise this office
Quaestio II: On the sins of a wicked Advocate
Quaestio III: Whether an ADVOCATE is bound on account of light fault
Quaestio IV: Whether an Advocate, engaged by the year, is worthy of his fee in that year in which he did nothing
Quaestio V: Whether an Advocate is bound to defend a Client gratis in grave necessity
Quaestio VI: Whether an Advocate can receive gifts
Disputatio XXXI: On the Notary and the Tabellion
Quaestio I: On the Justice, or Injustice, of the Notary and the Tabellion
Disputatio XXXII: On Contumely
Quaestio I: What Contumely is, and whence it arises
Quaestio II: How a Christian ought to conduct himself when assailed by contumelies
Disputatio XXXIII: On Detraction
Quaestio I: What Detraction is, and of how many kinds
Quaestio II: Whether detraction is a mortal sin
Quaestio III: Whether it is mortal to reveal a hidden crime to one, or two prudent men, who will keep silent about it
Quaestio IV: Whether material Detraction, which comes from talkativeness, is deadly
Quaestio V: Whether to be silent about a good that has been blackened is mortal
Quaestio VI: On the various cases in which detraction seems to be excused
Quaestio VII: Whether it is ever lawful to defame another with a falsehood, or to open his hidden crime
Quaestio VIII: Whether it is lawful to narrate a crime, notorious in one place, in another, where it is not known
Quaestio IX: Whether it is lawful to open someone's hidden crime to spare him torments
Quaestio X: Whether anyone can defame himself
Disputatio XXXIV: On Whispering, Mockery, and Cursing
Quaestio I: On the malice of Whispering
Quaestio II: On the malice of Mockery
Quaestio III: On Cursings
Tractatus II: E CONTRACTIBUS
Proemium I: Prooemium
Disputatio I: FIRST. On CONTRACTS in general
Quaestio I: What a CONTRACT is, and of how many kinds
Quaestio II: Whether for the validity of a Contract the intention of contracting, and of binding oneself, is required
Quaestio III: How Error, or fraud, vitiates a Contract
Quaestio IV: How fear voids a Contract
Quaestio V: On conditional Contracts
Quaestio VI: On the obligation that results from a valid Contract
Quaestio VII: Which persons can enter into a Contract, and which cannot
Quaestio VIII: Whether, and when, it is lawful to withdraw from a contract, the other party objecting
Disputatio II: On the acquisition of Dominion over Persons, and other things, through the Division of things Acquired
Quaestio I: By what right the first division, and subjection, of things was made
Quaestio II: On the acquisition of DOMINION over Barbarians
Quaestio III: On the acquisition of DOMINION over irrational creatures
Disputatio III: On Promise
Quaestio I: What a PROMISE is, and how it differs from a DONATION
Quaestio II: Whether a simple PROMISE, once accepted, binds in justice
Quaestio III: Whether a merely internal PROMISE, made to a man, binds
Quaestio IV: Whether an external Promise binds before it is accepted
Quaestio V: Whether a PROMISE binds when made for a base cause
Disputatio IV: ON DONATION
Quaestio I: What DONATION is, and of how many kinds
Quaestio II: Who can donate, and what
Quaestio III: On the revocations of donations
Disputatio V: On Buying, and Selling
Quaestio I: What EMPTIO (buying), and VENDITIO (selling), are
Quaestio II: Which persons can buy, and sell
Quaestio III: Which things can be sold
Quaestio IV: Of how many kinds is the price of things
Quaestio V: Whether, for certain causes, it is lawful to reduce below the minimum price, or raise above the maximum
Quaestio VI: Whether on account of ceasing profit, or emerging loss, the price can be raised above the maximum
Quaestio VII: Whether it is lawful to sell more dearly above the top price, awaiting payment, than with money paid down
Quaestio VIII: Whether Stocolia and Barocolia (Italian), Stocch (Spanish, MOHATRA) are lawful
Quaestio IX: To what extent Buying, and Selling, in Monopolies is illicit
Quaestio X: Whether the seller is bound to disclose a grave defect of the thing
Quaestio XI: Whether a thing sold, not yet delivered, perishes to the buyer
Quaestio XII: On the rescission of a sale, and purchase, on account of fraud etc.
Quaestio XIII: Whether a sale with a pact of buying back is lawful
Disputatio VI: On the loan and Usury
Quaestio I: What MUTUUM (loan) and USURY are, and why the latter is a sin
Quaestio II: Whether it is USURY to lend so that, when I have need, you lend back to me, or buy from me at a just price
Quaestio III: Whether it is lawful to lend with the pact that the one who receives the loan confer an office, or ecclesiastical benefice
Quaestio IV: Whether it is USURY to receive, beyond the principal, any other gain whatever besides the money
Quaestio V: Whether, and what, the lender can receive on account of danger, and ceasing profit
Quaestio VI: Whether it is lawful to lend wheat, or something else, with the pact that it be restored in the same measure, even if the price has risen at the time of restitution
Quaestio VII: Whether, and how, gain acquired from Usury is to be restored
Quaestio VIII: Whether it is lawful to seek a loan from a Usurer
Disputatio VII: ON CENSUSES (annuities)
Quaestio I: What a Census is, and of how many kinds
Quaestio II: Whether a Census can lawfully be sold
Quaestio III: From which things a CENSUS can be sold by natural law
Quaestio IV: Until what time a CENSUS can be sold
Quaestio V: What conditions are required for a CENSUS
Disputatio VIII: ON EXCHANGES
Quaestio I: What CAMBIUM (exchange) is, and of how many kinds
Quaestio II: Whether in petty exchange it is lawful to receive something above the value of the coin fixed by law
Quaestio III: Whether in local exchange, or by letters, when the first Campsor receives, so that he may restore elsewhere, he can gain something
Quaestio IV: Whether CAMBIUM is lawful, when for the Campsor a Procurator of the Campsor answers with the moneys of the Campsor himself
Quaestio V: Whether the said Recambia are lawful only on account of ceasing profit, or emerging loss
Quaestio VI: Whether the solutions, and provisions, that Money-changers receive are lawful
Disputatio IX: On the Contract of Partnership
Quaestio I: In what the CONTRACT OF PARTNERSHIP consists, and what is required that it be just
Quaestio II: Whether, and how, other contracts can be united with the Contract of Partnership
Quaestio III: Whether the contract by which, for secure capital, some certain gain is received annually is lawful
Disputatio X: On Emphyteusis, Letting, Hiring, and the Feud
Quaestio I: What EMPHYTEUSIS is
Quaestio II: What Locatio (letting) is
Quaestio III: What a FEUDUM (fief) is, and of how many kinds
Disputatio XI: On Testaments
Quaestio I: What a TESTAMENT is, and of how many kinds
Quaestio II: What solemnity is required for a Testament, closed and open
Quaestio III: Who can, and ought, to make testaments, or be instituted heirs
Quaestio IV: Whether an heir instituted in a testament invalid through defect of solemnity by civil law can pursue the inheritance in the forum of conscience, despoiling the heir succeeding ab intestato
Quaestio V: By what means a Testament is revocable
Quaestio VI: What obligation Heirs instituted by testament undertake
Disputatio XII: On Legacies
Quaestio I: What a Legacy is, and of how many kinds
Quaestio II: Whether legacies ought to be paid to all those for whom they are made, and how
Quaestio III: Which things can be bequeathed
Quaestio IV: What a Pious, or Privileged, Legacy is
Quaestio V: By what means legacies are caducous, such that the Heir is not bound to pay them
Tractatus III: E RELIGIONE
Proemium I: Prooemium
Disputatio I: FIRST. On RELIGION in general
Quaestio I: What the Virtue of RELIGION is
Quaestio II: Whether Religion is a Virtue
Quaestio III: Whether LATRIA, or RELIGION, is a special virtue
Quaestio IV: Whether RELIGION is a Cardinal Virtue
Quaestio V: How widely the acts of Religion extend
Quaestio VI: Whether RELIGION is necessary
Quaestio VII: Whether true RELIGION ought to be one
Disputatio II: ON DEVOTION
Quaestio I: What Devotion is, and of how many kinds
Disputatio III: ON PRAYER
Quaestio I: What Prayer is
Quaestio II: Of how many kinds is PRAYER
Quaestio III: Whether PRAYER is necessary
Quaestio IV: Whether Prayer is not only petitory, but also satisfactory, and meritorious
Quaestio V: What conditions are required for perfect Prayer
Quaestio VI: What is to be sought in Prayer: where the petitions of the Lord's Prayer are expounded
Quaestio VII: Who ought to pray
Quaestio VIII: Who is to be prayed to
Quaestio IX: For whom one ought to pray
Quaestio X: How one ought to pray
Quaestio XI: On that mode of praying, the Canonical Hours
Dubitatio I: Whether Attention is necessary for the Office to be recited by precept
Dubitatio II: Whether one reciting the Office satisfies by reciting another for it
Dubitatio III: Whether to interrupt the parts of the same Hour
Dubitatio IV: Whether one omitting all the hours of one Day commits more sins
Dubitatio V: Whether one reciting the Divine office in Choir with voice very much lowered, so that he is not heard, satisfies
Dubitatio VI: Whether Canons conversing in Choir are capable of distributions
Dubitatio VII: Whether one who recites the office privately ought to hear himself
Dubitatio VIII: Whether one who says the office with a notable cutting off, or truncating, of syllables satisfies
Dubitatio IX: Whether one who says a great part of the office with the mind not intending to satisfy satisfies
Dubitatio X: What is the gravity of the matter in the omission of a Canonical Hour
Disputatio IV: ON ADORATION
Quaestio I: Whether Latria is in the genus of some virtue
Quaestio II: Whether Latria is distinct from Dulia
Quaestio III: On Sacred places, destined for adorations
Disputatio V: ON SACRIFICE
Quaestio I: What a SACRIFICE is
Quaestio II: What is required that a SACRIFICE be right
Quaestio III: Whether Sacrifice is of natural law
Quaestio IV: Whether besides Sacrifice, first-fruits are to be offered
Disputatio VI: On Tithes
Quaestio I: Whether Tithes are to be paid
Quaestio II: From which things tithes are to be paid
Quaestio III: To whom, and by whom tithes are to be paid
Quaestio IV: Where, and when, Tithes are to be paid
Quaestio V: By what authority the payment of tithes is to be exacted
Tractatus IV: E VOTIS
Proemium I: Prooemium
Disputatio I: FIRST. ON THE VOW
Quaestio I: What a VOW is, and what its conditions are
Quaestio II: What deliberation is required for a VOW
Quaestio III: Whether one promising something to God, and knowing the obligation, yet having the intention of not binding himself, is bound by Vow
Quaestio IV: Whether a Votive promise is made to God alone
Quaestio V: How error, or ignorance, concerning a VOW causes involuntariness
Quaestio VI: Whether fear inflicted makes a Vow invalid
Whether fear struck renders a Vow invalid.
This QUESTION is exceedingly weighty, and presupposes much, and hands down things necessary also for other Tracts, even that on marriage.
I ASSUME first, from the first part 2. Tract. 1. disp. 3. quaest. 5., that the Will, as regards elicited acts, cannot be coerced.
I ASSUME secondly, from the same disput. quaest. 8., that things done through fear are not involuntary. So holds also the Jurisconsult l. si mulier 21. §. si metu coactus, ff. de eo, quod metus causa. and l. cum proponas C. de hered. instit. and C. si privatus, ff. qui et a quibus. The reason is clear, because he can elicit, and not elicit, the act.
Fear IS a trepidation of mind from danger present or to come. So defines Ulpian the Jurisconsult, l. 1. ff. de eo quod metus causa. It is defined likewise by D. Bonav. 3. p. Centil. sect. 55. and in 4. at the place cited.
Fear is DIVIDED into Concussive, such as that which is inflicted by threats, and Impressive, which is called fear of Fact, as when deeds intervene, say blows, etc. So D. Bonav. loc. cit., on which Zasius Instit. de actione, §. quadrupli, num. 10. Bursatt. consil. 72. num. 11. vol. 1., where he reports others; Sanchez l. 3. de matrim. disput. 12 num. 8. Another fear they add, Compulsive from a powerful man, which is also called Violent; because the force that strikes fear is a man of great power: another fear, they say, is tacit, or of reverence, such as a daughter's toward her Father. The last they call fear of treachery, such as that of a sick man fearing to be treated treacherously by his physician.
Fear, then, is said of someone coerced conditionally, because setting fear aside the will would not will it; yet not absolutely, because he can still be unwilling, and therefore it is called conditional force.
BUT violent force, or absolute force, is that which is from without, not conferring force upon the sufferer ex 3. Eth. cap. 2., as if a Christian were dragged to a Mosque, and compelled by blows to offer incense to an Idol; which force D. Bonav. defines thus, loc. cit. Centil. and in 4. at the place cited, following the Jurisconsult, l. 2. ff. de eo quod metus causa: Vis est maioris rei impetus, qui repelli non potest, which assuredly lacks the voluntary altogether:
A CELEBRATED division of fear is that of D. Bonav. in 4. dist. 29. quaest. 1. in corpore, and loc. cit. Centil., and found in c. Considerationi, c. veniens, el. 2. de sponsal. cap. cum dilectus de his quae vi, et from the Jurisconsult, l. metu, l. 2. ff. de eo quod metus causa. Decio cap. final. de appell. c. causam matrimonii, num. 4. de off. deleg. Menochio de arbitrariis l. 2. Centur. 2. casu 135. n. 1. Flaminio de resignatione benef. l. 13. q. 1. n. 54. Abb. c. cum dilectus n. 3. D. Thoma in 4. dist. 29. quaest. un. art. 2. and elsewhere everywhere with the other Theologians and Summists.
Another is called fear falling upon a constant man, which is also called just fear, c. Finali de appell.; it is called probable by D. Bonav. loc. cit. and Goffredo de his, quae vi, num. 2. Angelo, at the word metus. Sylvest. quaest. 1. Sanchez loco cit. num. 19. It is called also grave fear by D. Bonav. and others, with the Jurisconsult, lege metum, l. 2 ff. de eo quod metus causa, where he says, it is not of a man of no account, since even the strong are shaken by it.
Another is called the fear of an inconstant man, and it is called light fear, in contrast to the preceding, because it marks out as inconstant, light, and vain the one who is shaken by it and led to act against his appetite.
Five conditions, however, S. Bonav., in the places adduced, whom the rest follow, assigns to fear, that it be of the first kind. The first is that the evil feared be grave, l. Metum, l. 1. de eo quod metus causa, there, Labeo says fear is to be taken, not any fear whatever, but of a greater evil.
From the last words they take occasion to say that this fear need not be great absolutely, but comparatively, so that it be greater than another, though light in itself. So Sylvest. v. metus, quaest. 1. Veracruz p. 1. speculi, art. 8. concl. 3. Carbon. de restit. quaest. 46. fundamento 3.
But D. Bonav. in 4. loc. cit. in corpore, and loc. cit. Censil. wills it to be grave in itself, say of death, infamy, or mutilation; whom follow Sotus 4. dist. 29. quaest. 1. art. 2. Sanchez num. 12. The reason is, D. Bonav. loc. cit., because contracts are rescinded by such fear, seeing it impedes consent, cap. Cum locum de sponsal.; but when the evil is light, though preferred before a graver evil, the liberty of consent in a strong man is not held to be impeded.
To those words I say that the comparative is there abusive, and signifies only what is positively great, as the Gloss explains there.
The second condition of fear falling upon a constant man is that the estimation of the grave evil be of one probably imminent, and not a light suspicion. So D. Bonav. in 4. loc. cit., and found l. Metum la 2. ff. de eo quod metus causa. For a constant man is not so lightly terrified; so also D. Thom. in 4. dist. 29. quaest. unica, art. 2. in corpore. Scotus there quaest. unica, §. de primo contradictio. Durandus there quaest. 2. Richard. art. 1. quaest. 1. Gabriel in 3. dist. 39. quaest. 1. art. 1. Sotus 4. dist. 29. quaest. 1. art. 2. Palacios there, disp 1. Ledesm. dub. 23. de matrimonio. And from the Jurisperiti, Torcremata 31. quaest. 2. in summa, num. 6. Sylvest. v. metus, quaest. 1. Tabiena v. impedimentum, impedimento 9. quaest. 1. Burlat. consil. 72. num. 30. vol. 1. Alphaeus in his collectaries, collect. 877. Sanchez num. 15. Hence Aristotle, 3. Eth. cap. 9., says, the brave man is fearless, because he does not fear lightly, but where right reason dictates that he must fear.
Hence I infer with D. Bonav. loc. cit. in resol. that there is not required a true and real infliction of the punishments, for then it would be called not fear but harm; but it is enough that there be a probable fear of a future or imminent infliction, Leg. nec timorem 7. ff. de eo quod metus causa and l. 15. tit. 2. p. 4., and the Gloss teaches, c. el. primo vero metuebant de electione. Bartolomaeus l. metum autem, at the beginning, num. 1. ff. de eo quod metus causa. Sylvest. v. metus, quaest. 1. Lopez on that l. 15. Cucus l. 5. instit. Maiorum, tit. 12. num. 157.
Some add that the fear ought to be present, not awaited, though the evil be only future. They gather this from l. metum autem 9. ff. de eo, quod metus causa. So expound many, as Sanchez num. 16. reports.
Others, however, think that a probable suspicion of fear suffices, and that this is enough for rescinding the act, Leg. novissime, ff. de falso tutore, there, that he was thus compelled by fear, or fearing, lest he be compelled. So Bartol. l. 2. lectura 2. C. quod metus causa. Baldus leg. interpositas at the end C. de Transact. Alex. cons. 99. n. 6. vol. 3. Parisius consil. 60. num. 15. vol. 3. Romanus l. 5. ob turpem, num. 10. C. de condonatione ob turpem causam. Hostiens. c. Cum dilectus de his, quae vi, on the words nec metum mortis, and there Anchar. num. 7. Rebuff. Tom. 2. consil. Gallicarum, tit. de rescissione contractuum, art. unico Glossa 2. 2. num. 6. Alex. Tartagnus among the matrimonial consilia of Tileti cons. 21. num. 5. Sylvest. v. metus Villalobos in communi opinione, litt. N. at the word metus, num. 70. Anton. Gabr. tom. 2. commun. l. 11. v. metus, fol. 107. Burgos de Paz cons. 25. num. 73. Padella l. cum proponas, la 1. num. 3. C. de transact. Decisio Pedemontana 170. num. 3. Ioan. Garzia de nobilitate, gloss. 17. num. 14. Mascard. de probat. concl. 1055. num. 26.
Yet that Law sounds differently to me: that the contract be rescinded of one who, compelled by fear, or fearing, would not be compelled, that is, by force against the thing, say if he were compelled to subscribe, l. nam timor violentiae inferendae vitiat electionem. So the Gloss C. bone, CL. 1., at the word metuebant de electione, which all follow there, Alex. cons. 98. vol. 3. Rebuff. Mascad. loc. cit.
Therefore I note that the Law does not say, or thinking probably, lest fear be struck into him, but fearing (it says) lest he be compelled, that is, by force.
The third condition required for grave fear is assigned by D. Bonav. loc. cit. in corpore; and it is that the one striking fear be able to command his threats to execution; for it is not for a brave general to be terrified by the threats of little rustics, as D. Bonav. notes, l. Famosi, ff. ad legem Iul. maiest., there, for the person also is to be considered: whether he could do it, Gloss. l. metum, v. iactationibus, C. de his, quae vi. Anchar. c. ad Audientiam, num. 2. de his, quae vi. Baldus l. metum q. C. de his quae vi, and there Alex. Salicetus num. 2. Sebastianus de medicis, de casibus fortuitis, quaest. 1. num. 67. Flaminius de resign. benef. l. 13. quaest. 1. n. 116. Cucus l. 1. Instit. Mai. tit. 12. num. 165. Rolandus consil. 83. num. 28. vol. 2. Angelus v. metus, Sotus l. 7. de Iustitia, quaest. 2. art. 1. ad 2. Aragon. 2. 2. quaest. 88. art. 3. §. Pro explicatione, fol. 988. Carbo de restit. quaest. 46. fundamento 4., and all whom Sanchez num. 19. follows.
Note, however, that it is not to be taken as though he could in very fact fulfill the threats, but that the one fearing reasonably judge that he can fulfill them, even though in fact he truly cannot, for some reason unknown to the one fearing. Which D. Bonav. signified excellently, loc. cit., whom Richardus follows, there art. 1. quaest. 1., as Sanchez num. 19. reports. Wherefore the quality and power of the one striking fear and of the sufferer must be weighed, as if the former were a powerful man and the latter weaker, as Beroius cap. 1. n. 30. de off. deleg. Sotus, Arag. Carbo, and Sanchez loc. cit., and Henriquez l. 11. de matrim. cap. 9., after D. Bonav. loc. cit. Censil., teach well.
The fourth condition is D. Bonav. loc. cit. Censil., which he indicates in 4., that it be likely that the threatener will execute his threats; because he is wont to do so, and is not of those Worthies who fling out threats but do not execute them. It is established ex l. unica, C. Si quis Imperatori, there, let us weigh the sayings from the characters of men. And leg. Famosi, ff. ad Leg. Iul. maiest. and Leg. metum, C. de his, quae vi, there: Fear ought to be proved not by boasts or contentions alone, but by the atrocity of the deed. And so teaches Bartolus, Paulus, Alex. Baldus, Salicet. and Aretinus: Abbas indeed cap. 1. num. 3. de offic. deleg., and cap. causam matrimon. numer. 5. on the same title, and cap. Cum dilectus, numer. 8. Anchard. in the chapter ad Audientiam, num. 2. de his quae vi. Navo cap. consultatione, num. 12. de sponsal., and cap. finali, num. 17. de appel. Felinus cap. 1. de offic. deleg., there Decius, and cap. causam matrim. on the same title num. 21. Crottus leg. stipulatio hoc modo concepta, num. 67. ff. de verb. oblig. Vitalis de Cambaris tract. de clausulis; clausula non vi, tit. de metu uxoris, found in Tom. 18. tract. noviorum, Iacobinus leg. interpositas, num. 10. Cod. de transact. Couar. 4. decret. 2. part. cap. 3. §. 6. Tiberius Decianus consil. 18. num. 128. vol. 1. Bursatus consil. 72. num. 35. and 42. vol. 3. Flaminius lib. de resignatione, benef. lib. 15. quaest. 1. num. 174. Mascardus de probat. consil. 1055. num. 18. Antonius Gabriel. Tom. 2. com. lib. 11. v. metus, fol. 106.
From the Theologians, Henriquez lib. 11. de matrim. cap. 9., Lopez 2. part. Instruct. de matrim. cap. 40. fo. 1071., and Sanchez num. 20., who num. 21. adds that it is required that such a one be wont to execute the threatened evil in the same kind of evil as that threatened, on the doctrine of Baldus leg. finali at the end, ff. de haered. instit., where he says that conjecture is not drawn from unlike things; so Cynus, whom Alexander cites and follows, leg. metum, num. 2. Cod. de his, quae vi.
The last condition is that the one fearing be unable to meet the threatened evils otherwise than by vowing; for if he could meet them otherwise, it would not be the fear of a brave man, but of a little fellow, whose it is to dread evils he could easily escape. This condition, however, seems to me implicit in the second, whereby the evil is imminent, for then it is well-nigh irreparable.
Straightway Sanchez disputes whether one choosing a greater evil, say to deny Christ, in order to avoid a lesser, say death, can be called a constant man, and whether that fear of a lesser evil, though grave in itself, suffices to render external acts invalid, as involuntary, because it is fear falling upon a constant man, since it is grave according to the first condition of fear.
Very many assert that an evil, even if grave, does not suffice to strike fear into a constant man if it be chosen to avoid another greater evil, to say, he is not held to be a constant man if he chooses the greater evil, say fault, to avoid a lesser penalty, say death; the reason is, because such a one is moved not by rational but by irrational fear; but the constant man acts rationally.
And indeed D. Bonavent. holds this, at the place cited, toward the end, D. Thom. in 3. dist. 29. quaest. unica, art. 2. in corpore, Scotus quaest. unic. §. de prima contradictio, and §. hic dicitur, Durandus quaest. 1. Richardus art. 1. quaest. 1. ad Paludanum quaest. unica, art. 2. concl. 2. num. 13. Gabriel. in 3. dist. 39. quaest. 1. art. 1. and art. 3. concl. 8. Victoria sum. de matrim. num. 168. Sotus in 4. dist. 29. quaest. 1. art. 2. Palacios in 4. dist. 29. dub. 1. fol. 655. Veracruz p. p. speculi, art. 8. and others, whom Sanchez reports, lib. 4. de matrim. disp. 2. num. 2., where he asserts that these Doctors, speaking of fear in reference to marriage and other contracts to be rescinded — namely that it be fear falling upon a constant man, sufficient to annul marriage — require that the lesser evil be chosen by the man, otherwise he was not constant but inconstant.
Others, however, explain that these Doctors will this condition of choosing the lesser evil to be required in order that fear excuse from fault, but not that it suffice for rescinding contracts; and in this sense D. Bonavent. spoke, in 3. dist. 29. art. 3. quaest. 2. ad 3., where he grants fear falling upon a constant man with regard to human contracts; yet with regard to things of universal justice he denies it, according to that of Matth. 10.: Fear not them that kill the body. Therefore such fear, on grounds urged before God, is not reckoned a sufficient cause to excuse man from the guilt of sin, or from the obligation of an oath, though it exempt him from human contracts, according to the Axiom of the Jurisperiti reported above.
In the place indeed adduced by Sanchez, in the fourth sent., at the end of the question cited, he says that fear falling upon a constant man is of those things only that are not contrary to our salvation, and thus no fear of penalty, with respect to committing sin, can fall upon a constant man; therefore he ought rationally to suffer death rather than sin; but marriage is not of things contrary to salvation, whence he infers that, with respect to it, the fear of a constant man can fall, which fear renders the act involuntary; whence it comes about that this condition, of one choosing the lesser evil in order to be a constant man, in our case does not come into play in a vow or oath, but only in things that carry fault in themselves, which, even though they carry only venial fault, are yet a greater evil than any penalty whatsoever, even of death, as D. Bonavent. teaches, in 3. dist. 38, whom others imitate after D. Augustine, reported in cap. ne quis 22. quaest. 2.
Which things being so, Sanchez does not rightly institute the second disputation lib. 4. de matrimonio: Whether the fear of a constant man necessarily requires that the lesser evil be chosen, that is, the penalty rather than the fault. He says that B. Bonaventure, D. Thomas, and others assert that such an evil ought to be preferred in reference to marriage; for since marriage is not compared, as an evil, with the fear, and consequently cannot be called a lesser evil than the evil certainly threatened by the threatener unless one enter marriage, I do not see on what ground Sanchez says that D. Bonaventure, D. Thomas, and others spoke in this sense, that by choosing marriage rather than death, or death rather than marriage, one is said to choose the greater or the lesser evil, and thence one is argued to be a constant or inconstant man. As D. Bonavent. subtly argues, at the place cited, and Sanchez himself, disp. 5. num. 16., where he says that the fear of just excommunication does not strike grave fear with regard to some contract, because one thing is not chosen as an evil before another, since both are goods.
This fear, then, is not only required for the rescission of marriage and other just contracts, as Soto asserts, in 4. dist. 29. quaest. 1. art. 4., Nauar. summa lat. cap. 22. num. 51., and others whom Sanchez follows, num. 3.; neither can it even intervene.
Sanchez defines this well indeed, disp. 3.: this grave fear, which is called falling upon a constant man, is not equally to be assessed, but proportionally, so that what is light to a man may be grave to a woman or a child, cap. indignanti, 13. quaest. 6., as Tiraquel notes, lib. 1. connub. num. 71., the Gloss cap. cum locum de sponsal. v. metu, where Anton. num. 12. Abbas num. 6. Alexand. de Nevo, num. 23. and others.
Moreover, note that it is not required for grave fear, which deters a constant man, that the evil be feared for one's own person, but it is enough that it be feared in the persons of one's children, leg. isti quidem §. fine, ff. de eo, quod metus causa.
The same of other kindred, in cap. sciam cuncti de electione, in 6., which text Jason says is notable, leg. de pupillo, ff. si quis ipsi, num. 12. ff. de operis novi nuntiat. Felinus cap. Ecclesiae sanctae Mariae, n. 99., where fear inflicted upon the kindred of an elector in order to strike fear into the elector is held to have been struck into the elector himself.
The same of a bond of friendship closely joined, Sanchez teaches, num. 9.; because a friend is another self. Attend also to other things concerning grave evil, sufficient to strike fear into a constant man.
AND indeed, as to those evils that are not declared grave by law, that is to be defined by the judgment of a Judge, leg. 3. ff. ex quibus causis. The greater reason is, because all cases cannot be expressed; but this judgment is not required for those evils that are clearly grave by law. So Baldus, cap. 2. de his, quae ad finem; his reason is, because arbitria are given with respect to those things that cannot be comprehended under a rule, on account of human variety, as is noted on leg. non possunt, ff. de legibus. Sylvester notes the same, V. metus, quaest. 4.; it will be so judged, whether the estimation of the impending evil be in accordance with right reason.
AS TO evils certainly grave, D. Bonavent., at the place cited, in corpore, enumerates death, found in cap. cum dilectus, de his quae vi, and leg. nec timorem 7. ff. de eo quod metus causa. The reason is, because of all terrible things the greatest is death, by the testimony of Aristotle, 4. Eth. So also Sanchez, disp. 5. num. 4.
S. Bonavent. asserts the same of mutilation; for it is a kind of partial death, cap. si quis absciderit disp. 55., and it is found expressly in dicta leg 7. The same, of grave bodily torment, is found expressly in the said cap. cum dilectus, and the said leg. 7., to which grave blows are reduced. The same must be said of the fear of arms, leg. 3. at the beginning, in the verse qui armati, ff. de vi, et vi armata.
S. Bonavent. asserts the same of the fear of servitude. It is found in leg. ego puto, and leg. isti quidem, ff. de eo, quod metus causa. Say the same of the fear of captivity and of grave exile. Of the fear of prison, it is found in leg. nec timorem, and leg. qui in carcerem, ff. de eo, quod metus causa.
S. Bonavent. asserts the same of the fear of losing honor; it is found in leg. 7. tit. 33. part. 7. The Gloss seems to think the same, cap. cum dilectus, v. metum de his, quae vi.
TO this tends the fear of rape, as S. Bonavent. says, at the place cited, and it is found in leg. isti 8. at the end, ff. de eo, quod metus causa, and leg. ff. 15. tit. 2. part. 4., which seem to speak of a virgin; for she, if not corrupted, can suffer rape. The same think D. Thom., 4. dist. 29. quaest. unica, art. 2. ad 2.; D. Bonavent. is cited also, quaest. 1., and others by Sanchez, disp. 5. num. 12., where he understands the same of another honest woman, which I judge the Seraphic Doctor also to have meant; for he does not there define it strictly of rape, and it is gathered from the leg. isti quidem adduced, which includes also men, for whom there is no seal of virginity; and moreover he adds the reason of honesty, that with good men this fear ought to be greater than that of death, which reason also holds in an honest widow.
AS TO grave infamy, although it is in controversy, and S. Bonavent. has expressed nothing about it, yet I judge he included it in the fear of death, to which it is equated, leg. insta, ff de manumiss. vindic.; or he may have included it in the fear of rape, which for the most part carries infamy with it; or S. Bonavent. held that infamy is not among these evils. The same D. Thomas taught, in 4. dist. 23. quaest. unica, art. 2. ad 3.; Durandus quaest. 2. num. 4.; Carthus. there quaest. 2.; Sylvester V. metus, quaest. 4.; and it is gathered from leg. nec timorem, ff. de eo, quod metus causa, there: Nor is infamy contained in this edict, as fear, Pedius said; and the Gloss holds it there, V. infamiae, when it is infamy of fact. Indeed, of infamy of law, the law itself adduced holds it, and Tabiena holds it, V. impedimentum, impedimento 9. quaest. 1. num. 2.
Others ADD the fear of excommunication. Others deny it.
HERE the rule of D. Bonavent. holds, which Sanchez uses, num. 17.; for either the excommunication is just, and then the fear of it does not fall upon a constant man, because it is medicinal and good, nor is it compared as an evil to be avoided or feared; or it is unjust, and this is to be feared, for so it is found, 11. quaest. 3. cap. 1., as Sanchez notes, num. 17., after D. Bonavent. in 4. dist. 18. part. 2. dub. 2., and he brings forward infamy.
S. Bonavent. does not enumerate the LOSS of goods among those things that strike grave fear, for so it seems to be excluded by 32. quaest. 7., there: I will not that you bring before me the losses of the household goods, and it is omitted in cap. cum dilectus de his, quae vi. Paludanus thinks the same, 4. dist. 29. quaest. 1. art. 2. concl. 2.
Or perhaps he includes it in the fear of death, to which it is equated, as Tiraquellus teaches, de nobilitate, cap. 31. num. 369.; for goods are in a certain sense the life of man, leg. advocati 14. Cod. de advoc. divers. iudic., there the Gloss, and it is proved by the song of Hesiod:
Money is the soul to wretched mortals —
So the Gloss cap. unic. verb. coactus de his, quae vi in 6., there Ioan. Monach. num. 5.; Alphonsus Brunus inter consilia feudalia, consil. 82. num. 7., and many others as Sanchez reports, num. 22.
Sanchez NOTES further, disp. 6., that merely reverential fear, without threats, does not fall upon a constant man, nor suffice to annul contracts, cap. ex litteris de despons. impuberum, and cap. 2. de pactis, in 6., and in many others.
The QUESTION, then, is: Whether grave fear, struck in order to extort a vow, annuls it, and on what account.
The FIRST opinion is that such a vow is null by no law, but they say it is to be annulled by Ecclesiastical law. So the Cardinal, cap. 2. quaest. 1. casu 4. de his, quae vi.; Sylvester, verb. metus, quaest. 8., and verb. votum, 2. quaest. 12.
The SECOND opinion asserts this of simple vows alone; but that profession so emitted alone is null, because only one law annulling a vow is found, and it is cap. 1. de his, quae vi, which speaks of profession alone; so Penna, as Lopez reports at the place cited, and other learned Recentiores.
The THIRD opinion is that every such vow is null, whether simple or solemn. So very many, who prove it from tradition, though perhaps the written law annulling it has perished elsewhere. So the final Gloss at the end of cap. 2. de his, quae vi.; Abbas there num. 11., and cap. sicut nobis, num. 5. de regular.; Maior in 4. dist. 38. quaest. 4. col. penult. vers. His rationibus; Rosella V. votum, 1. num. 4., and v. metus, num. 3.; there Angelus num. 8.; Tabiena V. votum, 1. quaest. 1.; Fortunius de ultimo fine, illatione 1. num. 4. 18.; Rota in novis. 4. To decis. 20. num. 15.; Sotus lib. 7. de Iustitia, quaest. 2. art. 1. ad 1. and 2.; Navar. summa, cap. 14. §. 6.; Arag. 2. 2. quaest. 88. art. 3. fol. 988.; Angles flor. 2. part. quaest. unic. de voto, art. 3. difficult. 18.; Toletus lib. 4. summa, cap. 17.; Sà V. votum, num. 8., and v. metus, num. 2.; Valentia 2. 2. disp. 6. q. 6. puncto 4.; Manuel, Tomo 7, cap. 93.; Lopez p. p. Instruct. cap. 45.; Azor. lib. 11. Instit. moral. cap. 15. quaest. 7.; Philiat. de offic. sacerd. Tom. 1. part. 2. lib. 3. cap. 18.; Sanchez in summa, lib. 4. cap. 3. num. 13.
Many note that this is true even if the one vowing had the true intention of binding himself; otherwise, without intention, it is beyond doubt null of itself; Tanner subscribes, disp. 5. quaest. 4. dub. 1. num. 8.
From these, some will that it is null by Divine and natural law. So Sotus, lib. 7. de Iustitia, quaest. 2. art. 1. ad 2., and lib. 8. quaest. 1. art. 7. col. 17., and some Recentiores; and in a similar case, namely marriage, D. Bonavent. holds it, in 4. dist. 29. quaest. 1.; D. Thom. there quaest. unica, art. 3. quaestiuncula 1. supplem.; Gabriel. there quaest. 2. art. 2.; Almain. quaest. 1.; Carthuf. quaest. 2.; Sotus quaest. 1. art. 3.; Richardus art. 1. quaest. 1.; Altisiodor lib. 4. summae, tract. 9. cap. 7. quaest. 5.; Scotus 4. dist. 20. quaest. unica, §. De secundo dico; D. Anton. 3. part. tit. 1. cap. 7.; Veractuz p. p. speculi, art. 8. concl. 1.; Angles flor. 1. part. de matrim. quaest. 3. de consensu coacto, art. 1. diffic. 1. fol. 546.; Ledesma dub. 23. de matrim. concl. 3.; Philiarc. de offic. sacerd. tom. 1. part. 2. lib. 2. cap. 8. and cap. 6.; Molina tom. 2. de Iust. Tract. 2. disp. 226. ad 2. And they bring it forward as probable: Victoria summa, de matrim. num. 268.; Palacios 4. dist. 29. disp. unica; Lopez 2. part. Instruct. de matrimonio. cap. 40. fol. 1063.
Of the Jurisperiti, Angelus de Uraldis holds it, among the matrimonial consilia of Zileti consil. 46.; Covar. 4. decret. 2. part. cap. 3. §. 5.; Cucus, lib. 5. Instit. Maior tit. 12. num 118.; Alexander Caeretius lib. 4. de sponsal. cap. 9.; Matienzo lib. 5. recopilat. tit. 1. rub. glos. 1. num. 189.; Barbosa ff. soluto matrimonio, rub. 4. part. num. 30. Sanchez asserts it as much more probable than the others recited, lib. 4. de matrim. disp. 14. num. 1.
Others, however, say they are annulled by Ecclesiastical law alone. So Aragonius 2. 2. quaest. 88. art. 2. fol. 989.; Azor. lib. 11. Instit. moral. cap. 15. quaest. 6.; Vega, tomo 2 of the summa, cap. 129. casu 17.; Sanchez in summa, lib. 4. cap. 3. num. 9. Sanchez asserts the same of marriage, lib. 4. disp. 14. num. 2., bringing forward many: these are Durandus in 4. dist. 29. quaest. 2.; Paludanus 1. quaest. 1. art. 3. concl. 2. num. 20.; Sotus there, quaest. 1. art. 3.; Arboreus lib. 11. Theosophiae, cap. 15.; Ledesma 2. part. 4. q. 49. art. 3.; Henriquez lib. 11. de matrim. tit. de impedimento violentiae, num. 29. And Richardus says it is probable, 4. dist. 2. art. 1. quaest. 1.; D. Antonin. Victoria, Palac. Bartholomeus a Ledesma reported above; and of the Jurisperiti, Sylvester V. matrimonium, 8. quaest. 11.; Armil. V. matrim. num. 41.; Tabiena V. impedimentum, impedimento 9. quaest. 2.; Navar. sum. cap. 22. num. 50.; Fagundez lib. 2. in 2. praecept. cap. 13. num. 15.; and Suarez Tom. 2. relig. lib. 2. cap. 10. num. 8. To this Bassaeus inclines, num. 5., provided the fear struck be for the end of extorting the vow: Navar. cites, above; Suarez cap. 7. num. 8.; Sanchez lib. 4. moral. cap. 5.; Valentiam disp. 6. quaest. 6. puncto 4.; Sylvium quaest. 88. art. 1.
The SENTENCE therefore of D. Bonavent., as regards vows, is found in 3. dist. 39. art. 3. quaest. 2. ad 2., where he confesses vows null, though not oaths; the reason of the disparity he assigns, because a Vow regards the obligation toward God, who wills that sacrifices be not forced but voluntary; not so an oath, between which S. Bonavent. places three differences, in 3. dist. 38. quaest. 1. ad ult. The first is in the object, because an oath is made to men; a vow to God. The second in the means, because a vow is vowed to God by promise; but an oath is sworn by God. The third in the end, because an oath is for establishing truth; a vow, however, for increasing honesty, and therefore it ought to be more perfectly voluntary.
On which the opposition of Sanchez in his summa, num. 9., falls, where he argues: An oath extorted by such grave fear binds altogether, cap. si vero, de iureiurando; and yet it is involuntary; and it binds, of itself, no less than a vow; therefore there is no other difference than that the Church annuls the Vow, not the Oath.
D. Bonavent. therefore thinks that a vow is null by the Divine law of nature; for he thought the same of marriage at the place cited above.
I ASSERT, that every Vow extorted by grave fear is null by the Divine natural law.
It is PROVED first by D. Bonavent. at the place cited. A Vow is an act of religion, offering something in the service of God; but God does not will a forced sacrifice, as is found in 2. Corint. 9.: Every one, as he purposed in his heart, not from sadness, or of necessity.
Sanchez answers, num. 19., that it is involuntary only in a certain respect, but simply voluntary.
TRUE, this Doctor has not grasped the character of the voluntary required for a vow; for as S. Bonavent. rightly notes, in 4. dist. 38. quaest. 1. in argumentis, such a voluntary is required as is contained in the word of vowing, which is altogether spontaneous and most free, that character by which through a Vow we offer spontaneously to God the services of our works and give ourselves over to him; such as there is in marriage, in which the body is given over with love to the holy and dear society; which likeness Sanchez also admits on LL. CC.; but marriage is annulled by grave fear, as the Canons declare, can. veniens, el. 2. de sponsal. and can. significavit, related to this by D. Bonavent. in 4. dist. 29. quaest. 1., and Sanchez lib. 4. de matrimonio, disp. 21. num. 18.; and such marriage is null in either forum, as S. Bonavent. holds at the place cited, the Canons being adduced, whom the Doctors of both Laws follow, especially all the Doctors of Pontifical Law, cap. 2. de his, quae vi, and cap. cum locum, de sponsal., where, in cap. matrimonium, they teach it to be null absolutely; for even if they expound it also in the forum of conscience, the Theologians adduced by Sanchez at the place cited expound it so. The reason is that of D. Bonavent., on which Sanchez rests, num. 18., because marriage signifies the union of Christ with the Church, as a Vow signifies the union of the soul with Christ; but that is null by the Divine law of nature if it be entered from grave fear: Therefore.
The Minor is indeed PROVED by the most valid argument of S. Bonavent., dist. 29. quaest. 1. Wherever that is lacking which by its nature constitutes a thing in intrinsic being, there that being is not, because a thing cannot be without its essence: but in marriage entered from grave fear, consent is lacking, which by the intrinsic nature of the thing constitutes marriage: Therefore it is null by the nature of the thing. The Minor is proved from cap. cum locum, de sponsal., as D. Bonavent. reports in the arguments and in the body. For when two citizens of Pavia claimed a right over a girl, saying they had contracted marriage with her, the Pontiff commanded the girl to be placed in a safe place, because she feared violence, and the Pontiff gives the reason: because marriage is perfected by consent alone, which is not found where there is fear falling upon a constant man.
Hence Sanchez himself infers, num. 18.; therefore the Pontiff clearly holds that that involuntary consent, which is found where the aforesaid fear is present, is not sufficient for the worth of marriage: namely, because the essential of nature would be lacking. For that mutual consent is of the essence of marriage is of faith by the Council of Florence, in the decree on the sacrament of matrimony, as Sanchez notes, lib. 2. disp. 25. Indeed in disp. 26. he infers that by no power, even that of God, can there be marriage without consent, because it is of its essence.
But CONSENT, of the essence of it, the Pontiff establishes at the place cited to exclude fear falling upon a constant man. To this argument I do not see what the adversaries, especially Sanchez, can worthily reply.
I URGE further, because neither of marriage nor of vows so emitted is any annulment of the Church found; but the bare assertion that they are null. So of marriage it is found in cap. cum locum, cap. consultatione, and cap. veniens el. 2. de sponsal. significavit de eo, qui duxit in matrimonio, which are texts speaking of this matter; they deal with marriages already contracted, and declare that if they were entered through fear they are invalid; and the Church could not annul those marriages then contracted if, before her decree, they were valid: therefore they were null by the very natural law. That which is found only in cap. 1. de his, quae vi, does not annul profession, but brings forward and declares it to be such.
Sanchez answers, lib. 4. de matrimonio, disp. 14. num. 2., that those texts indeed do not have the form of statutes, and thus it is not established where such annulment was decreed by the Church; yet, a tradition of so many Doctors being extant, the Pontiffs in those decrees show that by law and usage it was always held that a marriage extorted by grave fear is null; and perhaps it was once written, though the writing perished; just as, although there is not extant a written declaration of the Church that marriage between a faithful man and an infidel is null, yet that it is so is established from the most ancient tradition of the Church.
He tries to satisfy with the same answer as regards cap. 1. de vi, which concerns vows.
Yet this answer is frivolous; for the Pontiffs in the decrees alleged before show that at all times such vows and marriages were always null, as Sanchez ingenuously confesses: therefore it is a sign that no solid tradition is had that this annulment was decreed by the Church.
I urge further, by the reason adduced above, because the Pontiffs assert that those marriages were always null from defect of consent, which excludes grave fear; which consent they assert is intrinsically necessary for marriage.
To that, indeed, which he adds about the marriage of a faithful man with an infidel, I say it is not null from the determination of the Church alone, as D. Bonavent. asserts, in 4. dist. 39. quaest. 1. in resolutione, but from the nature of the sacrament, which cannot be had without Baptism, which is the door of the sacraments; and by reason of the danger of falling away from Divine worship on account of the unequal worship of the spouse; from which arises the Ecclesiastical determination, which in many Provincial Councils declared such marriage null; and cap. cave, and cap. non oportet forbid such marriage to be contracted; and in c. Quam vero a general annulling decree is found; therefore many say it is null from the nature of the sacrament, among whom is S. Bonavent., who is badly adduced by Sanchez, lib. 7. disp. 71. num. 7., together with those asserting it null by Ecclesiastical law alone.
You will object first with the first opinion. Where there is free consent, other things being in place, there the Vow and the marriage are voluntary: But in our case there is free consent, for fear makes it involuntary only in a certain respect: Therefore.
D. Bonavent. answers, in 4. dist. 29. quaest. 1., that the voluntary is required in the manner said above, on account of the reasons adduced.
You will object secondly with Sanchez. Standing in the law of nature, that deliberation suffices for a Vow which also suffices for mortal fault, as I said, quaest. 2.: But this is present in a vow entered from fear: Therefore.
It is answered from what has been said, that such deliberation ought to be simply voluntary, of the kind that suffices also for committing mortal fault; but not that which arises from grave fear, as we showed above: for this does not suffice simply, but only as it prefers the lesser evil to the greater.
Other arguments, resting on the same foundation, he says he refers to lib. 4. de matrim. disp. 14. num. 1., and they press as regards marriage; which are destroyed by what has been said, and will be resolved also in the third part, Tractate on marriage, disputation 4. question 2. and 3.
He objects first. If it is null by reason of liberty — against: for often light fear deprives of liberty more; for the avaricious man is deterred from an act more by fear of losing money than a slave is by fear of the whip: but light fear by its nature does not annul: Therefore.
It is answered from S. Bonavent., at the place cited, by denying that light fear deprives of liberty more; for liberty ought to follow the dictate of reason, so as to be rightly measured, and for that reason it ought to be measured in a rational man, not in a lunatic.
You will object secondly: fear struck by a natural cause, say the fear of death, or even by a free cause, as if a captive condemned to death, to escape, should marry a harlot according to the custom of certain peoples — and in similar cases does not annul the contract thereupon following: Therefore the annulment does not come from the force of liberty, but from Ecclesiastical law.
It is answered from D. Bonavent., dist. 29. quaest. 1. and dist. 39. art. 3. quaest. 2. ad 1., that the fear must be one fighting diametrically against liberty, resisting rationally; for only such fear is grave; therefore fear alone struck in order to extort marriage annuls; for the fear of imminent damnation, or of death arising from elsewhere, do not act against this liberty so as to extort consent; therefore they are not grave against consent; therefore they are said not to compel but to induce, as S. Bonavent. says, as also those pressing with prayers, as the holy Doctor says, dist. 29. quaest. 1. ad penultimum; for these can strike only light fear, as the Doctors hold whom Sanchez reports, lib. 4. disp. 6. de matrimonio.
You will object thirdly, that Baptism in adults requires consent for its worth, and yet the will suffices even though coerced by grave fear, for the Baptism to be valid, cap. Maiores de Baptismo, and cap. Iudaeis, 45. dist.: Therefore it would suffice also for marriage and Vow, unless the Church annulled.
S. Bonavent. answers, in 4. dist. 29. q. 1. ad 2., that Baptism is the work of God, not of men; but marriage is from the consent of men; for it is a human contract, therefore it requires greater liberty; for it is placed wholly in consent.
Another reason also is assigned common to Vows, because they are self-surrenders of love.
You will object fourthly: also an oath, extorted by grave fear, is valid, cap. verum, and cap. si vero de iureiurando; and yet it requires liberty. If, then, Vow and marriage are annulled for this reason, it is a sign that they are annulled by Ecclesiastical law, not from defect of liberty. This argument was answered above.
You will object fifthly. Nothing is more opposed to consent than fraud and error, leg. si per errorem, ff. de iurisdict. omn. iudic.; and yet here fraud does not annul marriage unless it be error of person and condition; fear, however, annuls: which is different in other contracts; for fraud giving cause to a contract of good faith annuls it, leg. Et eleganter, §. 1. de dolo; but fear does not annul those: Therefore this difference cannot arise from natural law; for otherwise fraud giving cause to marriage, since it is more contrary to consent than fear, would annul it.
It is answered that fear annuls insofar as it directly attacks liberty in the substance of the thing to be chosen; therefore it goes together with error; for it is struck at the substance of the Vow, of marriage, etc.
What is said, that other contracts are not annulled by fear, is false, as S. Bonavent. intimated, in 4. dist. 29. quaest. 1.; it is proved ex leg. 1. Cod. de rescind. vendit., there it is null, as the Gloss expounds on leg. inbemus 14. §. accep-mus, at the word privetur, Cod. de sacro-sancta Ecclesia, and l. 5. v. si habeas, Cod. de iurisdict. omn. iudic.; and it is the common opinion, as Cremensis testifies, singul. 7.; Iason leg. 2. num. 13. and 15. Cod. de iure emphyteut.; Tiraquel. with many, leg. si unquam, v. revertatur, n. 21. and following, Cod. de revocatione donat.; the same is found in other laws related by Sanchez lib. 3. de matrimonio, disp. 8. num. 2.
It is proved by the reason of D. Bonavent. in the places adduced. Without consent a contract is deprived of its substance, leg. obligationum, ff. de act. et oblig.; but where fear is present, consent is lacking, from what has been said: Therefore; and it is plain from the rule Nihil consensui 117. ff. de regul. iuris, there: Nothing is so contrary to consent as force and fear; and c. cum locum, de sponsal., there: consent has no place where fear or coercion intervenes.
But the texts brought forward in opposition by Sanchez only show that such acts ought to be judged null for the sake of preserving peace, because often they could not have the effect of natural annulment through the power of the powerful.
Others, however, will only that the external act, say the entering upon an inheritance, be declared by a magistrate, or recalled to its state, as done without intention of taking possession. Therefore in cap. 2. de his, quae vi, it is found: Things done through fear and force ought by law to be recalled to nullity.
I answer secondly, from what has been said, that greater liberty is required by the nature of the thing for a Dowry and for marriage than for simple human contracts, on account of the reasons adduced above.
Sanchez brings forward, num. 4., the text of leg. 1. ff. de eo quod metus causa, where the Praetor says: quod metus causa gestum erit, ratum non habebo, where he notes, with Tiraquel and others, that it speaks in the future, that is, of what is to be annulled; and yet D. Bonavent. in 3. dist. 39. art. 3. quaest. 2. argumento 2., in the second place, so puts it in the present: ratum non habeo.
Note that it is the same thing, that what has already been done, ratum non habeo: and that what he has, he will not have; whence Sanchez accomplishes nothing; for the annulment follows the deed, and from the nature of the thing, all the more as regards the declaration of the judge in the external forum. It would perhaps serve, if he had said: What is done through fear, I will not ratify. But not even so: for the sense would be that it is null at all times.
There remains the doubt: Whether a Vow emitted from grave fear justly struck is null.
The first opinion is that it is null. So Lopez, prima parte Instruct. cap. 45. col. 3.; Manuel, tomo 2 of the summa, disp. 93.; Vega, Tomo 2 of the summa, cap. 29. casu 17.; and in the similar case of marriage they assert it, as Sanchez reports, lib. 4. disp. 13. The reason is, because it still takes away liberty.
The second opinion is that it is valid. So Sanchez in the cited lib. on marriage, and lib 4. summae, cap. 3. num. 21., with Medina lib. 1. summae, cap. 14. §. 6. fol. 86. quaest. 1. ad ultimum, and in 3. dist. 39. art. 3. quaest. 2. ad 3., where he does not admit fear falling upon a constant man when it arises from justice; for then there is no fear that can deter a constant man from what is just and deflect him, and consequently pertain to annulling contracts, as I said above against Sanchez in his notes.
I assert that a Vow emitted in grave fear justly struck is valid.
It is proved by the reason of D. Bonavent. there, because then no fear falling upon a constant man is struck into him by another, but he rather strikes fear into himself, as is found in leg. si mulier 21. at the beginning, ff. de eo, quod metus causa. For he is himself to himself the cause of fearing sin, or the evil of penalty, one of which looms to be chosen. Which reason Sanchez uses, lib. 4. de matrimonio, disp. 13. num. 3.
This doctrine destroys the foundation of the adversaries; for the vow is voluntary, since the fear was struck from within, duly, and is therefore not coercing; for coercion and force are from without.
From these you can gather that Vows extorted by light fear are valid; for liberty is not gravely assailed thereby.
Here Sanchez discourses at greater length on the excommunication of the holy Council of Trent, sess. 25. de regul. cap. 18., which is fulminated first against those compelling women to enter a monastery, or to take on the habit of Religion, or to make profession.
Secondly, against those giving aid or favor to that end.
Thirdly, against those who, knowing that a woman does not enter or take the habit or emit profession spontaneously, interpose in any way whatever power, or consent, or authority to that act.
Fourthly, against those impeding, without just cause, the voluntary act of the woman willing to emit Vows and enter religion. On this Suarez, Tom. 5. in 3. part. disp. 23. sect. 5., where he treats of Censures, which is the place of this disputation, and which will be treated by us in the 3. part. Tom. 2. Tract. de Censuris.