Theological Theses · §1604 · Louis Le Blanc de Beaulieu

Rivet: the reigning saints pray in general for the Church still fighting

Others readily grant, and think it probable, that the saints reigning with Christ in heaven pray at least in general for the Church fighting here, since this seems wholly in keeping with the love that burns in them and with the communion between the two Churches, the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant.

Andrew Rivet states his view this way: "We do not deny that the Church of the saints who reign with Christ cares for the members still fighting here. But that care is general. It does not come from knowing each person's condition but from their general knowledge: they know that the whole Church has not yet been received where they reign, and that some are always fighting on earth. We do not doubt that they pray to God for the preservation and completion of these, just as they always ask for the growth of his kingdom." (Summary of Controversies, second treatise, question 48.)

Latin

XLVII. Alii vero non gravate concedunt, & probabile existimant Sanctos in caelis cum Christo regnantes, in genere saltem pro Ecclesia hic pugnante orare: quoniam id videtur plane consentaneum & charitati qua fervent, & communioni quae est inter utramque Ecclesiam, Militantem atque Triumphantem. Sic ea de re sententiam suam exponit Andreas Rivetus. Non negamus, inquit, Sanctorum Ecclesiam cum Christo regnantem, de membris hic pugnantibus esse sollicitam. Sed ea cura est communis, non ex cujusque conditionis notitia, sed ex generali eorum scientia, qua norunt quod, cum tota Ecclesia nondum sit recepta ubi regnant, semper aliqui militent in terra, pro quorum conservatione ac complemento, eos Deum precari, ut ejus regni incrementum semper petunt, non dubitamus. Summa controversiarum tractatu secundo, quaest. 48.

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