Doubt III: Who are in the state of perfection

IT IS TO BE NOTED, from D. Bonaventure, the assigned questions, dubit. 1., that perfection and the state of perfection are not the same: for to the state there is required, first, some obligation with a certain immobility, or release from that obligation. Second, it is required that the aforesaid obligation be made with some solemnity, as Tannerus says disp. 6. quaest. 3. dub. 1., from D. Thom. art. 4.

But one can be perfect without some obligation and solemnity required for the state of perfection; and conversely, one can have them and be in sin, as some religious are, as Valencia notes puncto 3.

I ASSERT first, that Bishops and religious are in the state of perfection. Thus D. Thom. art. 5., D. Bonaventure in Apolog. pauperum, cap. 3. responsionis primae, for both bind themselves with solemnity to the works of perfection; the religious indeed, so that, all things having been set behind, they may cleave to God; the Bishops, however, so that, if need be, they lay down their life for the sheep, as is evident Ioan. 10., and there the Saintly Doctor proceeds further.

Of Bishops this disp. 2.; of religious I shall show d. 3.

They ask, however, whether also Prelates, inferior to Bishops, are in the state of perfection. S. Thom. denies it art. 6., but it is a question of the name, as Cajetan observes there; for if by the name of state you understand any condition of these men, on account of which they are bound to Charity and to some works of perfection, it is certain that those Prelates are in the state of perfection; but if you understand the obligation by which one is bound to all, or nearly all, the actions of life, it is established that they are not in the state of perfection.

They ask also whether the state of Bishop is more perfect than the state of Religion.

The Saintly Doctor answers that each is related as the exceeding and the exceeded; for Bishops bind themselves to the work of Charity of undergoing death for the sheep, but the religious to the renunciation of all goods.

For indeed Dionysius de Eccl. Hier. places religious among the Seraphim and the other spirits of the first Hierarchy, but Bishops among the inferior Dominations; but I shall treat this question disp. 3., after I have expounded the perfections of both states.