|
Objection 1: It would seem that in the soul of Christ there was
only one habit of knowledge. For the more perfect knowledge is, the
more united it is; hence the higher angels understand by the more
universal forms, as was said in the FP, Question 55, Article
3. Now Christ's knowledge was most perfect. Therefore it was most
one. Therefore it was not distinguished by several habits.
Objection 2: Further, our faith is derived from Christ's
knowledge; hence it is written (Heb. 12:2): "Looking on
Jesus the author and finisher of faith." But there is only one habit
of faith about all things believed, as was said in the SS, Question
4, Article 6. Much more, therefore, was there only one habit of
knowledge in Christ.
Objection 3: Further, knowledge is distinguished by the divers
formalities of knowable things. But the soul of Christ knew
everything under one formality, i.e. by a divinely infused light.
Therefore in Christ there was only one habit of knowledge.
On the contrary, It is written (Zach. 3:9) that on "one"
stone, i.e. Christ, "there are seven eyes." Now by the eye is
understood knowledge. Therefore it would seem that in Christ there
were several habits of knowledge.
I answer that, As stated above (Articles 4,5), the knowledge
imprinted on Christ's soul has a mode connatural to a human soul.
Now it is connatural to a human soul to receive species of a lesser
universality than the angels receive; so that it knows different
specific natures by different intelligible species. But it so happens
that we have different habits of knowledge, because there are different
classes of knowable things, inasmuch as what are in one genus are known
by one habit; thus it is said (Poster. i, 42) that "one science
is of one class of object." And hence the knowledge imprinted on
Christ's soul was distinguished by different habits.
Reply to Objection 1: As was said (Article 4), the knowledge
of Christ's soul is most perfect, and exceeds the knowledge of angels
with regard to what is in it on the part of God's gift; but it is
below the angelic knowledge as regards the mode of the recipient. And
it pertains to this mode that this knowledge is distinguished by various
habits, inasmuch as it regards more particular species.
Reply to Objection 2: Our faith rests upon the First Truth; and
hence Christ is the author of our faith by the Divine knowledge,
which is simply one.
Reply to Objection 3: The divinely infused light is the common
formality for understanding what is divinely revealed, as the light of
the active intellect is with regard to what is naturally known.
Hence, in the soul of Christ there must be the proper species of
singular things, in order to know each with proper knowledge; and in
this way there must be divers habits of knowledge in Christ's soul,
as stated above.
|
|