Question — Bontempi, Palladium Theologicum V · from Schola Thomistica
Question III: Whether the gift of counsel remains in heaven
IT MUST BE ASSERTED that the Gift of Counsel remains in the fatherland.
An Donum CONCILII maneat in patria.
ASSERENDUM, manere in patria Donum Consilii.
It is proved first from D. Thom. When the mover is the cause only of motion, the end having been had, it ceases to move; as when a house is being built, it is promoted; but when it has already been built, it is no longer built; but when the mover is the cause not only of the motion, but also of the form to which the motion is, then the action of the mover does not cease even after the attainment of the form, as the Sun illuminates the air even after it has been illuminated; and in this way God causes in us both the virtue and the cognition, not only when we first acquire them, but also as long as we persevere in them: but thus God causes cognition in the blessed, not as in the ignorant, but by continuing in them the whole cognition of the things to be done. About those things which they do not know, they consult God, not with anxious inquiry, as we do, but with simple conversion.
Probatur primo a D. Thom. Quando movens est causa tantum motus, habito fine, cessat movere; ut quando domus aedificatur, promovetur; at quando iam aedificata est, non amplius aedificatur; at vero quando movens est causa, non solum motus, sed etiam formae, ad quam est motus; tunc non cessat actio moventis etiam post adeptionem formae, sicut Sol illuminat aërem, etiam postquam est illuminatus, et hoc modo Deus causat in nobis, et virtutem, et cognitionem, non solum quando primo acquirimus, sed etiam quamdiu in eis perseveramus: sic autem Deus in beatis causat cognitionem, non quasi in ignorantibus, sed continuando in eis cognitionem totam, quae agenda sunt. Circa ea vero, quae nesciunt, Deum consulunt, non inquisitione anxia, ut nos, sed simplici conversione.
It is proved secondly from D. Bonaventure here in the body. The state of glory is much more abundant and perfect than the state of Grace; but the state of grace admits all the gifts by which the soul is conducted to Deiform perfection; and among these is Counsel; Therefore. The consequence is plain, because where the Deiformity of the soul is greater, there the Gifts which effect it should rather be given; but in the fatherland the Deiformity is greater: Therefore. Nevertheless the Saintly Doctor adverts that the Gifts and habits are admitted there as to the nobler acts and uses; but not as to those things which hardly regard imperfection.
Probatur secundo a D. Bonaventura hic in corpore. Multo abundatior, et perfectior est status gloriae, quam status Gratiae; sed status gratiae admittit omnia dona, quibus anima ad Deiformem perfectionem conducatur; inter haec autem est Consilium; Ergo. Consequentia patet, quia ubi maior est animae Deiformitas, ibi potius danda sunt Dona, quae id praestent; sed in patria maior est Deiformitas: Ergo. Advertit tamen S. Doctor, Dona, et habitus ibi admitti quo ad nobiliores actus, et usus; non vero quo ad ea, quae viz imperfectionem respiciunt.
It is proved secondly from the Seraphic Doctor, fundam. 2. We shall not be more blessed in the fatherland than Christ was on the way; but Christ had the Gift of Counsel, as Isaias has it; therefore from the perfection of the fatherland there does not follow the evacuation of Counsel.
Probatur secundo a Seraphico fundam. 2. Non erimus nos beatiores in patria, quam fuerit Christus in via; sed Christus habuit Donum Consilii, ut habet Isaias; ergo ex perfectione patriae non sequitur Consilii evacuatio.
It is confirmed fundam. 4. The lowest of the Gifts, namely fear, will not be evacuated in the fatherland; for it is said in the Psalm: The fear of the Lord is holy, remaining unto age of age: Therefore much less Counsel.
Confirmatur fundam. 4. Infimum Donorum, scilicet timor, in patria non evacuabitur; dicitur enim in Psalmo. Timor Domini sanctus, permanens in saeculum saeculi: Ergo multo minus Consilium.
You will object. Where there will be no defect of doubt, or of Composition and discussion, there will be no Counsel, which carries these two with it; but those will not be in the fatherland: Therefore.
Obiicies. Ubi non erit defectus dubitationis, aut Compositio discussus, ibi non erit Consilium, quod haec duo secum portat; sed ista non erunt in patria: Ergo.
The Saintly Doctor answers ad 4. Counsel implies a weighed discussion of the parts, and a stable, firm, and certain election of the worthier part: the first is accidental, and of imperfection; wherefore it will be taken away: but the second is essential to Counsel, and of perfection, whence it will remain.
Respondet S. Doctor ad 4. Consilium Importare ponderatam partium discussionem, et stabilem, firmam, certamque dignioris partis electionem: primum est accidentale, et imperfectionis; quare tolletur: secundum vero Consilio est essentiale, et perfectionis, unde remanebit.
But what the function of Counsel is in the fatherland is gathered from D. Bonaventure, discoursing at length on the seven Gifts, de Dono Consilii, cap. 5. 6. and 7., where he describes most excellently the whole family of the Soul banqueting on spiritual dishes and seasoned drinks, and prescribes the manner in which, even on the way, this Gift may be foretasted; see it yourself, whose words, something divine and savoring, read through in their proper place, suggest what for that reason it was not my wish to transfer here.
Quodnam autem sit Consilii munus in patria, colligitur e D. Bonaventura, late differente de septem Donis, de Dono Consilii, cap. 5. 6. et 7. ubi totam Animae familiam spiritualibus ferculis, et conditis poculis convivantem eximie describit, modumque praescribit, quo, etiam in via, hoc Donum praegustetur; ipsum vide, cuius verba, divinum quid, et sapidum, proprio loco perlecta, suggerunt, quae ideo huc transferre non libuit.