Disputation I: On Religion in General

Since whatever can proceed from man must first be conceived in the heart, then be brought forth by the mouth, and finally be consummated in deed, RELIGION occupies in every way these three receptacles of human acts, so that the whole man may be able to devote himself to God, from whom he is wholly derived. Thus the whole heart of man is consecrated to God, while by Faith, Hope, and Charity it conceives the honor due to Him. Likewise man makes progress with the mouth in the offering of divine worship, while by adoring, praising, blessing, and giving thanks, he openly acknowledges that all honor is owed to God. Finally, while by deed he completes what he conceived in mind and uttered with tongue, by offering, burning incense, and kneeling, he brings Religion to completion. The Seraphic Doctor (loc. cit. above) thus divides its offices and acts into three parts, whereby he moreover appends to it certain considerations, such as repenting of a crime committed, weighing the vicissitudes of things and times, and holding light the instability of temporal goods, also emulating truth, just as committing oneself wholly to God. Thus in few words the Saintly Doctor surveys the whole compass of Religion, ubi supra. But since certain Scholastic difficulties occur in this matter, I shall examine them more strictly, after I have premised a brief explanation of this name.