Question XI: Whether faith has grown in certitude

I assert first, that faith does not grow in the respect of its intrinsic certainty.

It is proved by D. Bonav. first, because it hangs on the first truth, which is immutable.

Second, because it hangs on the Divine foreknowledge, and decree, which are immutable.

Third, because it hangs on the divine predictions, which are always certain in the same way.

Fourth. That is more certain which is further removed from error, as that is whiter which recedes more from black, as Aristotle has it 3. Top. chapter 4.; but the ancient faith, and ours, are equally removed from all error: Therefore.

I assert second, that faith grows on the side of the believers, by reason of clearer instruction, and devotion.

It is proved by D. Bonav. first. For that is more certain which is made known by more means; but the mysteries have been expounded with new light, and in new ways: Therefore.

Second, because the mysteries of Christ, which were to come, are now rendered more certain from the fact.

Third, because faith abounds with many witnesses, namely, those who have received the Catholic faith. By which argument D. August. was moved, book against the letter of Fundam. chapter 4. and book on the profit of believing, chapter 14. How much more does the consensus of those who came after St. August. move? Surely so many men did not come to the faith for private advantages, but so many rich, so many wise, so many Princes ran to despoilings of their goods, to prisons, to martyrdoms, as St. Justin argues Apol. 2. to the Emperor. Behold even in our times so many Heroes turning the ribbons of the world into haircloth, and proud roofs into humble little cells.

Then there are the most splendid testimonies of so many martyrs triumphing amid torments, from which, even in our times, in England, and other northern regions, whence every evil is spread, by the cruelty, and unbelief of the sectaries, and Mahometans, have been produced men most wise, and most holy.

Fourth, of so many Kings, Emperors, flourishing with the torque of wisdom in the world, there are testimonies; I mean of those who came to the faith by most splendid conversions down to these very times.

Fifth, the assaults, wars, persecutions surmounted by the Church against heretical sectaries, who watered France, Germany, England with blood, that they might overturn the Catholic faith: Surely these seem to have far surpassed the savageries of the pagan Roman Caesars.

Sixth, the miracles multiplied down to these very times, even in the most remote Indians beyond the seas: By which argument Christ used Matth. 11. But if the miracles are not, and without miracles the Church stands, and grows; what greater miracle can there be? Thus argues St. August. 22. de civitate, chapter 5.: It is a great miracle that the Church navigates safe amid innumerable storms down to these times.

Seventh, even our enemies are witnesses Deuter. 32. Josephus the Hebrew book 18. antiq. chapter 9. the pagan Emperors in Eusebius book 4. Hist. chapter 13. and book 9. chapter 9. and Justin Apol. 2. to the Emperor.

Eighth, let them testify with the characters of blood, who assailed our faith. I pass over the ancients: Luther died suddenly: Calvin eaten by worms, and others: Adolphus King of Sweden crushed in war. But if in ancient times this was an incentive to faith, while they saw the pagan Caesars slain, Arius pouring out his bowels, Julian the Apostate struck by lightning, how much more ought it now to move, while we have beheld all the others suddenly snatched from the midst by a terrible death?

Let there come forward so many Councils of Wise men, and of Saints, so many prophetic oracles confirmed, so many arduous labors endured by the Confessors, so many wonders wrought in the Church, which now prevails with the highest majesty, and power: And there is the acclamation Math. 16. The gates of hell shall not prevail. How rightly Richard of St. Victor, book 1. on the Trinity, chapter 2. Lord, if we are deceived, thou hast deceived us; But that God cannot deceive I showed question 4. The Seraphic Doctor shows his indefectible perpetuity in Hexaëm. and Boët. in demonstr. 8.

At last the Seraphic Doctor proves that faith has been made more certain, or, let me say, more founded, by devotion, which fosters faith. Surely the devotion of our Church is marveled at everywhere in the ancient Canticles, as the Fathers expound. For now the army of Saints, the ranks of Martyrs, the choirs of Virgins abound, as St. Bonav. discourses most sweetly here, and in the sermons of the Hexaëmer., especially 8. and following.