OF THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF RELIGIOUS LIFE
(In Eight Articles)
We must now consider the different kinds of religious life, and under
this head there are eight points of inquiry:
(1) Whether there are different kinds of religious life or only one?
(2) Whether a religious order can be established for the works of the
active life?
(3) Whether a religious order can be directed to soldiering?
(4) Whether a religious order can be established for preaching and
the exercise of like works?
(5) Whether a religious order can be established for the study of
science?
(6) Whether a religious order that is directed to the contemplative
life is more excellent than one that is directed to the active life?
(7) Whether religious perfection is diminished by possessing
something in common?
(8) Whether the religious life of solitaries is to be preferred to
the religious life of those who live in community?
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