Question II: On the state of perfection

The state of perfection can be considered in three ways, with the Saintly Doctor here, in the sermon cited, namely according to profession, conversation, and contemplation; the Perfection of profession shines forth especially in Regulars, not in the fact, so to speak, but in the becoming; since they are bound to labor for its acquisition: the Perfection of conversation shines forth especially in Bishops, whose it is to behave well in the house of God, as D. Paul writes to Timothy, who was a Bishop, 1. Tim. 3. that you may know how you ought to behave in the house of God; and since this conversation is of immense burden, and honor; hence it is that Bishops are supposed to be in the state of perfection, as I shall say below. Finally Contemplation has its place in those leading a solitary life; whether this be cenobitic, or eremitic; for below, where I treat of the active, and contemplative life, I shall show that both can serve contemplation.

But the Saintly Doctor teaches that these states of perfection consist in their own governance, and the exclusion of sin; whence he says that they are signified by those three Kings, of whom Eccl. 49. says that they alone sinned not: besides David, Ezechias, and Josias, all the kings committed sin. In David, who is interpreted desirable in countenance, the perfection of contemplation is shown: in Ezechia, which name signifies the help of the Lord, perfect conversation is indicated, which needs to lean on divine help: in Josias, however, who is interpreted, in whom is sacrifice, perfect profession is designated, sacrificing itself in Religion: But since various grades, and modes of perfection, which are exercised in this life, can be numbered with these, I shall discuss this material more aptly in several doubts.