Question XLIX: Whether those having perfect charity are bound to fulfill the things that are of perfection

PERFECTION consists in Charity, which is the bond of perfection, as is said: Colossians 3.

The Seraphic Doctor notes five kinds of perfections.

THE FIRST is necessary, of which Matt. 5: Be you perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect, as Bellarmine also notes, on monks, chapter 9.

THE SECOND perfection is of counsel, which keeps the Evangelical Counsels, of which Matt. 19: If you will be perfect, go, sell all that you have, and give to the poor.

THE THIRD is the perfection of prelacy, or due from the office of Prelate. Of this Luke 6: Every one shall be perfect, if he be as his master.

THE FOURTH is the perfection due from good example, enjoined upon us. Of this Genesis 6: Noë was a just and perfect man in his generations. To avoid scandal.

THE FIFTH is the perfection of tranquillity, by which the best works are chosen. Such is that of which it is said, 1 John 4: Perfect Charity casts out fear, and by which Blessed Teresa vowed always to do those things which she understood to be more perfect.

Therefore a man perfect in the first perfection is bound to the precepts. Thus Matt. 19: If you will enter into life, keep the commandments. By which he shows that by the sole observance of the commandments one arrives at eternal life. But in this he is not bound to that perfection of guarding every single word, of which James 3: He who offends not in word: the same is a perfect man.

But one perfect by reason of the obligation of a vow is bound to the promises.

Likewise a Prelate to the works of his office to be executed, etc. See St. Bonaventure.