Question VII: How certain rules of prudence, applicable to the monastic and the political state, are drawn from the angelic hierarchy

SINCE the Church Militant is governed and ordered according to the order of the Church Triumphant, as it is said sap 9. Thou hast commanded me to build a temple, and an Altar according to the likeness of thy holy Tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning, the Seraphic Bonaventure, the wonderful sublimity of whose genius shines forth pre-eminently here, discourses on how the threefold state of those to be saved is conformed to the threefold Choir of Angels, both in public and private governance: And he says this threefold state is designated in that Ezechielis 14. If there be in the city these three men (namely Daniel, Noe, and Iob), shall they deliver their own souls. Daniel indeed, obtaining that supernatural Understanding by the merit of Abstinence, bears the Type of the Cloistered, who by abstaining even from things licit and illicit merit to be illumined from above. Noe, however, Governing the Ark, indicates prelates, to whom the Ark of the Church, to be saved from the Deluge of sin, has been entrusted by God. Truly Iob, a married man, intent on the works of piety and mercy, designates the assembly of the active and of married men.

Of these, the first, entrusted to God by the vow of Religion, and emulating the supreme perfection and the better Charisms, are compared to the supreme choir of Angels; for these indeed pre-eminently surpass the others both in the fire of Love and in the privilege of Knowledge and in the balance of Justice.

The SECOND, however, who exercise the office of Prelacy, are assimilated to the other Angelic choir; for Prelacy was instituted by God, either for the discipline and correction of morals, on account of which there is the sacerdotal dignity — to the Dominations they correspond: or for rescinding disputes and composing peace, which the judicial power serves, conformed to the Powers: or finally for coercing malice and Tyranny; and for this end the Regal, or Imperial Power was given, configured to the Potestates.

The LAST are truly compared to the third choir; for if they are subjects and humble, they are like the principalities; if continent, like the Archangels; if finally devoted to the works of piety, they are configured to the ANGELS.

Of the first state we must first treat briefly in certain sections.