Question LVIII. Whether she had chastity?

Latin (Borgnet)English

p. 102

QUAESTIO LVIII. Utrum habuerit castitatem?

Sequitur de speciebus temperantiae, quae sunt castitas, modestia, et sobrietas. Et primo de castitate. Quod autem beatissima Virgo omnem creaturam excellebat in castitate, sic probatur:

1. In omnibus viatoribus puris hominibus castitas est cum pugna contra fomitem, et cum casu ad minus in primum motum venialem, et cum possibilitate cadendi etiam in mortalem, exceptis in utero sanctificatis et Apostolis Spiritu sancto repletis: in beatissima autem Virgine fuit castitas sine pugna fomitis, sine casu mortali, sine possibilitate cadendi etiam casu veniali: ergo castitas ejus omni homini fuit improportionabilis.

2. Item, Castitas beatissimae Mariae Virginis castitatem Angelorum quinque gradibus excellit. Est enim multiplicior, nobilior, utilior, gloriosior, laudabilior. Multiplicior: Angeli enim habent tantum castitatem in spiritu, haec autem in carne et spiritu. Item est nobilior: quia illa naturalis, ista gratuita. Item, utilior: illa enim est naturalis et non meritoria, ista meritoria. Item, gloriosior: haec enim sine victoria, illa autem cum victoria. Item, laudabilior: haec enim est necessaria, illa vero voluntaria.

Patet igitur, quod beatissima Virgo omnem creaturam excellit in castitate ¹.

QUESTION LVIII. Whether she had chastity?

There follows concerning the species of temperance, which are chastity, modesty, and sobriety. And first concerning chastity. That the most blessed Virgin surpassed every creature in chastity is proved thus:

1. In all pure human wayfarers, chastity exists with struggle against the tinder of sin, and with a fall at least into the first venial movement, and with the possibility of falling even into mortal sin, excepting those sanctified in the womb and the Apostles filled with the Holy Spirit. But in the most blessed Virgin there was chastity without the struggle of the tinder, without mortal fall, without the possibility of falling even by a venial fall. Therefore her chastity was disproportionate to every man.

2. Likewise, the chastity of the most blessed Virgin Mary surpasses the chastity of the Angels by five degrees. For it is more manifold, nobler, more useful, more glorious, and more praiseworthy. More manifold: for the Angels have chastity only in spirit, but she has it in flesh and spirit. Likewise it is nobler, because that one is natural, this one gratuitous. Likewise, more useful: for that one is natural and not meritorious, this one meritorious. Likewise, more glorious: for this one is without victory, but that one with victory. Likewise, more praiseworthy: for this one is necessary, but that one voluntary.

Therefore it is clear that the most blessed Virgin surpasses every creature in chastity ¹.

Notes

For the solution of the objections, see below after Question LXI. (Pro solutione objectionum, vide infra post Quaest. LXI.) ↩