Question — Bontempi, Palladium Theologicum V · from Schola Thomistica

Sole Question: What presumption is, and what kind of sin

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1.

Here Presumption is taken for the act opposed to Hope by excess.

2.

Now Hope is of obtaining from God grace, and glory, and the other supernatural gifts inordinately, that is, otherwise than God has ordained that they be obtained. Therefore it fights against the glory of God, as the Holy Doctor observes, in the first sermon of the Hexaëmeron.

3.

HENCE you have, that it is a sin mortal in genus: for it gravely fights against God's judgment and will. So D. Bonaventure, in the place cited, D. Thomas 2. 2. question 21. article 1. Suarez disp. 1. sect. 3. Sanchez Tom. 1. Decal. Lib. 2. cap. 14. Valencia disp. 2. question 3. part 2. Bannes question 21. article 2. disp. 2. Fagundez on the first precept of the Decal. cap. 31. num. 20.

4.

IT SEEMS, moreover, that Despair is graver than Presumption: for the latter is against God's mercy, which is most natural to him and proper in its effects; but Presumption is against Justice, as D. Bonaventure notes in 3. dist. 26. dub. 2. at the end, and D. Thomas question 1. article 2. Suarez disp. 2. sect. 3. Fagundez Lib. 1. cap. 31. n. 26.

5.

Presumption, moreover, is opposed not only to Hope, but also to Fear, as Holy Thomas teaches, article 3. Valencia disp. 2. question 3. part 2. and D. Bonaventure dist. 34.

6.

The Holy Doctor observes, moreover, dist. 26. art. 1. question 3. ad 2. that Hope is a mean between presumption and despair, not after the manner of a participation of the extremes, but as excluding the extremes.

7.

THEREFORE Presumption can be manifold: First, by willing beatitude by one's own powers, with Pelagius. Second, without penance and works, with Luther, etc. Third, by willing at the end of life, after a lax life, to be raised up by God. So Suarez disp. 2. section 4. Sanchez Tom. 1. Decal. Lib. 2. cap. 33. Medina Lib. 1. of the summa, cap. 14. §. 2. folio 79. Bannes in the place cited, Azorius Tom. 1. Lib. 9. cap. 2. question 7. Fagundez number 2.

8.

MOREOVER it can be with heresy and without heresy. It will be with heresy if there be present the judgment that salvation can be had by one's own powers, or without merits. So Valencia question 3. part 2. Sanchez num. 8. Fagundez 1. 2. Bassaeus V. Spes.

9.

BUT NOTE that Presumption can be against humility, as D. Bonaventure teaches p. p. Cenil. sect. 17. and it is a species of pride. It can be against fortitude, and coincide with temerity, etc. But of these species of presumption this is not the place to treat.