After treating of faith, we must consider hope and (1) hope itself; (2) the gift of fear; (3) the contrary vices; (4) the corresponding precepts. The first of these points gives rise to a twofold consideration: (1) hope, considered in itself; (2) its subject.

Under the first head there are eight points of inquiry:

A1 Whether hope is a virtue?

A2 Whether its object is eternal happiness?

A3 Whether, by the virtue of hope, one man may hope for another's happiness?

A4 Whether a man may lawfully hope in man?

A5 Whether hope is a theological virtue?

A6 Of its distinction from the other theological virtues?

A7 Of its relation to faith;

A8 Of its relation to charity.