Question 168. That this blessing comprehends the second blessing by which God blessed Adam and Eve?

Latin (Borgnet)English

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QUAESTIO CLXVIII. Quod ista benedictio comprehendat in se secundam benedictionem qua benedixit Deus Adae et Hevae?

Secunda est benedictio, qua benedixit Deus Adae et Hevae. Genes. I, 28: Crescite, et multiplicamini, et replete terram, et subjicite eam, et dominamini piscibus maris, et volatilibus caeli, et universis animantibus quae moventur super terram.

Haec benedictio tria complectitur in se,

QUESTION 168. That this blessing comprehends in itself the second blessing by which God blessed Adam and Eve?

The second is the blessing by which God blessed Adam and Eve. Genesis 1:28: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the birds of heaven, and all living things which move upon the earth.

This blessing embraces three things in itself,

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naturae foecunditatem, terrae subjectionem, animalium dominationem. Foecunditas duplex est, carnalis, et spiritualis. Utramque habuit beatissima Virgo in summo. Foecunditatem carnalem super foecunditatem naturalem, et spiritualem universalem, quoniam omnium bonorum mater est.

Habuit etiam terrae subjectionem in summo: terram enim corporis sui ita prae omnibus sibi habuit subjectam, quod etiam numquam primum motum rebellionis habuit contra spiritum. Terram etiam spiritualium sibi habuit subjectam, cum sit Domina omnium Angelorum.

Habuit etiam beata Virgo omnium animalium subjectionem et dominationem: dominatur enim per potentiam piscibus maris, id est, daemonibus in amaritudine inferni constitutis: dominatur etiam per sapientiam volatilibus caeli, id est, Angelis caeli elevatis et volantibus ad altitudinem contemplationis Dei: dominatur etiam per misericordiam omnibus animantibus quae moventur super terram, id est, universis hominibus in mobili vita constitutis.

Et sic beatissima Virgo habuit benedictionem primorum parentum, scilicet Adae et Hevae.

the fecundity of nature, the subjection of the earth, and the dominion of animals. Fecundity is twofold, carnal and spiritual. The most blessed Virgin had both in the highest degree: carnal fecundity above natural fecundity, and universal spiritual fecundity, since she is the mother of all good things.

She also had the subjection of the earth in the highest degree. For she had the earth of her body so subject to herself before all others that she never even had the first movement of rebellion against the spirit. She also had subject to herself the earth of spiritual beings, since she is Lady of all the Angels.

The blessed Virgin also had the subjection and dominion of all animals: for by power she rules over the fish of the sea, that is, over demons established in the bitterness of hell; she also rules by wisdom over the birds of heaven, that is, over the Angels of heaven raised up and flying to the height of the contemplation of God; she also rules by mercy over all living things that move upon the earth, that is, over all human beings established in the changeable life.

And thus the most blessed Virgin had the blessing of the first parents, namely Adam and Eve.