Tractatus de Divina Gratia
[Italy ? early 18th century]. 4to, pp. 390, [6]; text in Latin throughout, and divided into several different sections; contemporary full parchment, manuscript title on spine, sprinkled edges; covers splayed, light foxing, very good. The book includes the Tractatus and a theological dissertation on Grace as a First Act. The Tractatus is divided into three parts, with an introduction, five arguments (Disputatio) in part one, complete with objections and responses, a defense of St. Augustine's Doctrine of Divine Grace, an explanation of Catholic Dogma on Divine Grace, and a concluding argument. Part Two contains an introduction and three arguments (Disputatio), with counter-arguments posited by the author, some drawn from the views of Luther and Calvin (both men are explicitly mentioned multiple times within the text). Part Two also includes a discussion of how to renounce sin. Part Three discusses who is able to deserve Divine Grace, and how free will is necessary for one to merit Grace. This section explicitly references St. Thomas Aquinas in defense of its claims. The author breaks Part Three into two arguments (Disputatio), with each argument containing defense premises in its sections. The Dissertation is divided into six justifications, with a few sections of objections placed after the justifications. Throughout the text evidence of editing is visible, as some text is crossed out and some sections are re-numbered. Finally, the book contains an index denoting where each new premise of the arguments can be found within the text. The name Segovia is written on the spine, but we cannot match this exact text to any known existing theological text, making it likely that this was a seminary student's original dissertation on Divine Grace. A fascinating example of philosophy of religion written during the Enlightenment. The author apparently took painstaking care to organize his argument into numbered sections and premises that build upon one another. He was also careful to consider objections and opposing views to his argument. The structure of the work is similar to how students of philosophy today are taught to write. This is a fascinating example of a carefully constructed argument on philosophy and theology. Item #53298
Price: $750.00
