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past masters commons

Annotation Guide:

cover
The Ordinatio of John Duns Scotus
cover
Ordinatio. Book 4. Distinctions 14 - 42.
Book Four. Distinctions 14 - 42
Twenty Third Distinction
Single Question. Whether Extreme Unction is a Sacrament of the New Law
I. To the Question
A. About the Possibility, Fittingness, and Reality of this Sacrament

A. About the Possibility, Fittingness, and Reality of this Sacrament

7. First as follows: it is possible for God to remit venial sins finally; therefore it is possible for him to institute an efficacious sign of this remission. The consequence is plain, because it is possible for man to institute a practical efficacious sign of any work of his; therefore much more forcefully is this possible for God; and thus is he able to institute any sensible sign whatever, whose institution does not include a contradiction, as a practical efficacious sign of this effect.

8. This is also fitting, namely that someone about to depart this life be finally absolved of venial sins, because when not remitted they would be an impediment to attaining glory, and they could fail to be remitted up to the point of departure, because a sinner is as it were continually sinning with such sins.

9. That this was also done is proved by the words of James 5.15, “If he is in sin, they will be remitted him.” He does not mean it about mortal sins because these are only remitted in baptism or penitence; therefore about venial sins.

10. Let the first conclusion be, therefore that, with respect to final remission of venial sins, it is fitting to be and it can be and it is a sacrament of the New Law.