Theological Theses · §2415 · Louis Le Blanc de Beaulieu

Universal and particular grace: Polanus

Thesis XXVI. Many theologians of the Reformed school also commonly distinguish grace into universal and particular grace, though not all in the same sense.

In his Syntagma (book 2, chapter 21), Polanus opens the chapter by dividing grace into the grace residing in God and the grace God gives. Near its close he writes that the grace God gives to people is of two sorts. Universal grace includes natural grace, bestowed on everyone without exception, and supernatural grace before the fall. Particular grace is supernatural grace after the fall, granted only to part of humankind.

Latin

XXVI. Praeterea multi Scholae Reformatae Theologi gratiam distinguere solent in gratiam Universalem, & gratiam particularem: sed non omnes eodem sensu. Polanus syntagmatis sui libro 2. capite 21. postquam initio capitis distinxit gratiam in eam quae in Deo residet, & eam quae a Deo data est, sub finem ait, Gratia hominibus a Deo data vel universalis est, ut tum gratia naturalis quae omnibus & singulis hominibus datur, tum gratia supernaturalis ante lapsum: vel particularis, ut gratia supernaturalis post lapsum, quae parti duntaxat humani generis confertur.

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