Bonaventure

In his own words on Hosea

• Hosea 1:2

  Against conjugal chastity it is objected: every act and movement that alienates from God is foreign to virtue: but the act of conjugal continence is such: therefore it is foreign to virtue. Proof of the middle term: Hosea 1; the Gloss: "Just as wine intoxicates a man and alienates him from the state of his mind, so the law of marriage alienates a man from the things that are of God." To this it must be said that something is said to alienate from God in two ways: either simply, or with respect to some act or state. In the first way it cannot be without sin: in the second way it can be through the punishment of sin and also through an act of virtue: just as the exercise of action retards and for a time impedes the act of contemplation, just as also sleep impedes the exercise in virtue.

  Disputed Questions on Evangelical Perfection, Question 3

• Hosea 4:6

  Because the ecclesiastical hierarchy is founded upon Scripture, which is compared to the water of the sea, therefore sentence has been passed against those who do not possess this knowledge. In Hosea: "Because you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you, that you shall not minister to me as priest." He who knows nothing of governance is driven from the helm of the ship and from the rule of the city. If the foundations of the Church consist in the knowledge of sacred Scripture, therefore he who does not know sacred Scripture must be driven from ecclesiastical office and dignity. If a blind man wished to lead another, it would be the greatest folly. A helmsman is not to be chosen by lot or by friendship. And it should be known that knowledge is rejected when a man does not take care to learn it.

  Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 4

• Hosea 6:6

  Counsel disposes to mercy: for there is nothing God counsels more in Scripture than to show mercy, which he esteems above all holocausts.

  Breviloquium, Part 5

• Hosea 6:6

  A man sees the slaughter of bodies, he grieves greatly. He therefore who sees the slaughter of souls, how can he restrain himself from tears? This grief is greatly pleasing to God. The Lord says concerning this knowledge: "I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than holocausts." I know the infirmities of others: I ought to suffer with them.

  Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 4

• Hosea 7:4

  Those who bent their knee to drink are those who inclined themselves totally to philosophy: and the same are inclined to an infinite number of errors, and that is how the leaven of error is warmed. As Osee writes, "the city rested a little from the mingling of the leaven, till the whole was leavened." They warm the eggs of asps, so that what has been warmed breaks out into a serpent.

  Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 19

• Hosea 10:1

  In Scripture there is first a fixing of the roots of virtue, as in the Patriarchs. But later, in the establishment of commands and sacrifices, there is a production of green foliage. Hence, in Hosea, "Israel is a luxuriant vine." And because foliage is not to last forever, but is to be followed by flowers, there followed prophecy with both fragrance and beauty.

  Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 14

• Hosea 13:14

  We have been brought to life in Christ through Christ, because Christ triumphed over death: whence death could not swallow him up, but rather the font of life swallowed up death, according to what was said: "I will be your death, O death." In no other way could we be healed and saved.

  Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 1