Memory and intellect served by the method; DIVISIONES of theology 1–5
A method of this kind most agrees with a full syntagma of common places, and is most useful to memory and understanding (which alone is to be looked to in method).
To memory, because when a few elements — subjects, objects, ends — are known, from their varied combination as of letters one may see and number in order many classes of acts as of words.
To understanding, because this method will keep more exactly and set out more clearly the analogy of the Church, household, and commonwealth of God, of father and prince; of the Christian as son and subject; of pastor, steward, legate, and the like.
The DIVISIONS of theology vary no less.
1. Some divide into doctrine concerning God and concerning God's actions or works.
2. Others, with doctrine of principles, end, and efficient cause first set down, divide into the methodological and the therapeutic.
3. Others, with principles first — the Word of God and God himself — set as parts the causes of our salvation, and so God's works and effects, and its subject, namely man.
4. Others divide into the knowledge of God and of ourselves.
5. Others into doctrine concerning God and the Church.
Latin
Hujusmodi methodus pleno locorum communium syntagmati maxime congruit, memoriaeque atque intellectui (quod in methodo unice spectandum) utilissima est. Memoriae quidem, quod paucis cognitis elementis, subjectis, objectis, finibus, ex illorum, quasi literarum, varia combinatione plurimas actuum, quasi vocum, classes ordine videre ac numerare liceat. Intellectui vero, quod haec methodus analogiam Ecclesiae, domus, reip. Dei, patris, principis: Christiani, filii, subditi; pastoris, oeconomi, legati & similes exactius servatura & perspicue propositura sit. DIVISIONES theologiae non minus variant. Nam 1. Alii dividunt in doctrinam de Deo & de actionibus seu operibus Dei. 2. Alii praemissa doctrina de principiis, fine & efficiente, dividunt in μαθολογικὴν & θεραπευτικὴν. 3. Alii, praemissis principiis, verbo Dei & ipso Deo, pro partibus ponunt causas salutis nostrae, adeoque opera & effecta Dei, & subjectum ejus, nempe hominem. 4. Alii dividunt in cognitionem Dei & nostri. 5. Alii in doctrinam de Deo & Ecclesia.