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We must now consider the various kinds of law: under which head there
are six points of inquiry:
(1) Whether there is an eternal law?
(2) Whether there is a natural law?
(3) Whether there is a human law?
(4) Whether there is a Divine law?
(5) Whether there is one Divine law, or several?
(6) Whether there is a law of sin?
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Objection 1: It would seem that there is no eternal law. Because every law is
imposed on someone. But there was not someone from eternity on whom a law
could be imposed: since God alone was from eternity. Therefore no law is
eternal.
Objection 2: Further, promulgation is essential to law. But promulgation could
not be from eternity: because there was no one to whom it could be
promulgated from eternity. Therefore no law can be eternal.
Objection 3: Further, a law implies order to an end. But nothing ordained to
an end is eternal: for the last end alone is eternal. Therefore no law is
eternal.
On the contrary, Augustine says (De Lib. Arb. i, 6): "That Law which is
the Supreme Reason cannot be understood to be otherwise than unchangeable
and eternal."
I answer that, As stated above (Question [90], Article [1], ad 2; Articles [3],4), a law is nothing else but a dictate of practical reason emanating from the ruler who governs a perfect community. Now it is evident, granted that the world is ruled by Divine Providence, as was stated in the FP, Question [22], Articles [1],2, that the whole community of the universe is governed by Divine Reason. Wherefore the very Idea of the government of things in God the Ruler of the universe, has the nature of a law. And since the Divine Reason's conception of things is not subject to time but is eternal, according to Prov. 8:23, therefore it is that this kind of law must be called eternal.
Reply to Objection 1: Those things that are not in themselves, exist with God,
inasmuch as they are foreknown and preordained by Him, according to Rm.
4:17: "Who calls those things that are not, as those that are."
Accordingly the eternal concept of the Divine law bears the character of
an eternal law, in so far as it is ordained by God to the government of
things foreknown by Him.
Reply to Objection 2: Promulgation is made by word of mouth or in writing; and in
both ways the eternal law is promulgated: because both the Divine Word
and the writing of the Book of Life are eternal. But the promulgation
cannot be from eternity on the part of the creature that hears or reads.
Reply to Objection 3: The law implies order to the end actively, in so far as it
directs certain things to the end; but not passively---that is to say,
the law itself is not ordained to the end---except accidentally, in a
governor whose end is extrinsic to him, and to which end his law must
needs be ordained. But the end of the Divine government is God Himself,
and His law is not distinct from Himself. Wherefore the eternal law is
not ordained to another end.
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Objection 1: It would seem that there is no natural law in us. Because man is
governed sufficiently by the eternal law: for Augustine says (De Lib.
Arb. i) that "the eternal law is that by which it is right that all
things should be most orderly." But nature does not abound in
superfluities as neither does she fail in necessaries. Therefore no law
is natural to man.
Objection 2: Further, by the law man is directed, in his acts, to the end, as
stated above (Question [90], Article [2]). But the directing of human acts to their end
is not a function of nature, as is the case in irrational creatures,
which act for an end solely by their natural appetite; whereas man acts
for an end by his reason and will. Therefore no law is natural to man.
Objection 3: Further, the more a man is free, the less is he under the law.
But man is freer than all the animals, on account of his free-will, with
which he is endowed above all other animals. Since therefore other
animals are not subject to a natural law, neither is man subject to a
natural law.
On the contrary, A gloss on Rm. 2:14: "When the Gentiles, who have not
the law, do by nature those things that are of the law," comments as
follows: "Although they have no written law, yet they have the natural
law, whereby each one knows, and is conscious of, what is good and what
is evil."
I answer that, As stated above (Question [90], Article [1], ad 1), law, being a rule
and measure, can be in a person in two ways: in one way, as in him that
rules and measures; in another way, as in that which is ruled and
measured, since a thing is ruled and measured, in so far as it partakes
of the rule or measure. Wherefore, since all things subject to Divine
providence are ruled and measured by the eternal law, as was stated above
(Article [1]); it is evident that all things partake somewhat of the eternal
law, in so far as, namely, from its being imprinted on them, they derive
their respective inclinations to their proper acts and ends. Now among
all others, the rational creature is subject to Divine providence in the
most excellent way, in so far as it partakes of a share of providence, by
being provident both for itself and for others. Wherefore it has a share
of the Eternal Reason, whereby it has a natural inclination to its proper
act and end: and this participation of the eternal law in the rational
creature is called the natural law. Hence the Psalmist after saying (@Ps. 4:6): "Offer up the sacrifice of justice," as though someone asked what
the works of justice are, adds: "Many say, Who showeth us good things?"
in answer to which question he says: "The light of Thy countenance, O
Lord, is signed upon us": thus implying that the light of natural reason,
whereby we discern what is good and what is evil, which is the function
of the natural law, is nothing else than an imprint on us of the Divine
light. It is therefore evident that the natural law is nothing else than
the rational creature's participation of the eternal law.
Reply to Objection 1: This argument would hold, if the natural law were something
different from the eternal law: whereas it is nothing but a participation
thereof, as stated above.
Reply to Objection 2: Every act of reason and will in us is based on that which
is according to nature, as stated above (Question [10], Article [1]): for every act of
reasoning is based on principles that are known naturally, and every act
of appetite in respect of the means is derived from the natural appetite
in respect of the last end. Accordingly the first direction of our acts
to their end must needs be in virtue of the natural law.
Reply to Objection 3: Even irrational animals partake in their own way of the
Eternal Reason, just as the rational creature does. But because the
rational creature partakes thereof in an intellectual and rational
manner, therefore the participation of the eternal law in the rational
creature is properly called a law, since a law is something pertaining to
reason, as stated above (Question [90], Article [1]). Irrational creatures, however, do
not partake thereof in a rational manner, wherefore there is no
participation of the eternal law in them, except by way of similitude.
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Objection 1: It would seem that there is not a human law. For the natural law
is a participation of the eternal law, as stated above (Article [2]). Now
through the eternal law "all things are most orderly," as Augustine
states (De Lib. Arb. i, 6). Therefore the natural law suffices for the
ordering of all human affairs. Consequently there is no need for a human
law.
Objection 2: Further, a law bears the character of a measure, as stated above
(Question [90], Article [1]). But human reason is not a measure of things, but vice
versa, as stated in Metaph. x, text. 5. Therefore no law can emanate from
human reason.
Objection 3: Further, a measure should be most certain, as stated in Metaph.
x, text. 3. But the dictates of human reason in matters of conduct are
uncertain, according to Wis. 9:14: "The thoughts of mortal men are
fearful, and our counsels uncertain." Therefore no law can emanate from
human reason.
On the contrary, Augustine (De Lib. Arb. i, 6) distinguishes two kinds
of law, the one eternal, the other temporal, which he calls human.
I answer that, As stated above (Question [90], Article [1], ad 2), a law is a dictate
of the practical reason. Now it is to be observed that the same procedure
takes place in the practical and in the speculative reason: for each
proceeds from principles to conclusions, as stated above (De Lib. Arb. i,
6). Accordingly we conclude that just as, in the speculative reason, from
naturally known indemonstrable principles, we draw the conclusions of the
various sciences, the knowledge of which is not imparted to us by nature,
but acquired by the efforts of reason, so too it is from the precepts of
the natural law, as from general and indemonstrable principles, that the
human reason needs to proceed to the more particular determination of
certain matters. These particular determinations, devised by human
reason, are called human laws, provided the other essential conditions of
law be observed, as stated above (Question [90], Articles [2],3,4). Wherefore Tully says
in his Rhetoric (De Invent. Rhet. ii) that "justice has its source in
nature; thence certain things came into custom by reason of their
utility; afterwards these things which emanated from nature and were
approved by custom, were sanctioned by fear and reverence for the law."
Reply to Objection 1: The human reason cannot have a full participation of the
dictate of the Divine Reason, but according to its own mode, and
imperfectly. Consequently, as on the part of the speculative reason, by a
natural participation of Divine Wisdom, there is in us the knowledge of
certain general principles, but not proper knowledge of each single
truth, such as that contained in the Divine Wisdom; so too, on the part
of the practical reason, man has a natural participation of the eternal
law, according to certain general principles, but not as regards the
particular determinations of individual cases, which are, however,
contained in the eternal law. Hence the need for human reason to proceed
further to sanction them by law.
Reply to Objection 2: Human reason is not, of itself, the rule of things: but the
principles impressed on it by nature, are general rules and measures of
all things relating to human conduct, whereof the natural reason is the
rule and measure, although it is not the measure of things that are from
nature.
Reply to Objection 3: The practical reason is concerned with practical matters,
which are singular and contingent: but not with necessary things, with
which the speculative reason is concerned. Wherefore human laws cannot
have that inerrancy that belongs to the demonstrated conclusions of
sciences. Nor is it necessary for every measure to be altogether unerring
and certain, but according as it is possible in its own particular genus.
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Objection 1: It would seem that there was no need for a Divine law. Because,
as stated above (Article [2]), the natural law is a participation in us of the
eternal law. But the eternal law is a Divine law, as stated above (Article [1]).
Therefore there was no need for a Divine law in addition to the natural
law, and human laws derived therefrom.
Objection 2: Further, it is written (Ecclus. 15:14) that "God left man in the
hand of his own counsel." Now counsel is an act of reason, as stated
above (Question [14], Article [1]). Therefore man was left to the direction of his
reason. But a dictate of human reason is a human law as stated above
(Article [3]). Therefore there is no need for man to be governed also by a
Divine law.
Objection 3: Further, human nature is more self-sufficing than irrational
creatures. But irrational creatures have no Divine law besides the
natural inclination impressed on them. Much less, therefore, should the
rational creature have a Divine law in addition to the natural law.
On the contrary, David prayed God to set His law before him, saying (@Ps. 118:33): "Set before me for a law the way of Thy justifications, O Lord."
I answer that, Besides the natural and the human law it was necessary
for the directing of human conduct to have a Divine law. And this for
four reasons. First, because it is by law that man is directed how to
perform his proper acts in view of his last end. And indeed if man were
ordained to no other end than that which is proportionate to his natural
faculty, there would be no need for man to have any further direction of
the part of his reason, besides the natural law and human law which is
derived from it. But since man is ordained to an end of eternal happiness
which is inproportionate to man's natural faculty, as stated above (Question [5], Article [5]), therefore it was necessary that, besides the natural and the human
law, man should be directed to his end by a law given by God.
Secondly, because, on account of the uncertainty of human judgment,
especially on contingent and particular matters, different people form
different judgments on human acts; whence also different and contrary
laws result. In order, therefore, that man may know without any doubt
what he ought to do and what he ought to avoid, it was necessary for man
to be directed in his proper acts by a law given by God, for it is
certain that such a law cannot err.
Thirdly, because man can make laws in those matters of which he is
competent to judge. But man is not competent to judge of interior
movements, that are hidden, but only of exterior acts which appear: and
yet for the perfection of virtue it is necessary for man to conduct
himself aright in both kinds of acts. Consequently human law could not
sufficiently curb and direct interior acts; and it was necessary for this
purpose that a Divine law should supervene.
Fourthly, because, as Augustine says (De Lib. Arb. i, 5,6), human law
cannot punish or forbid all evil deeds: since while aiming at doing away
with all evils, it would do away with many good things, and would hinder
the advance of the common good, which is necessary for human intercourse.
In order, therefore, that no evil might remain unforbidden and
unpunished, it was necessary for the Divine law to supervene, whereby all
sins are forbidden.
And these four causes are touched upon in Ps. 118:8, where it is said:
"The law of the Lord is unspotted," i.e. allowing no foulness of sin;
"converting souls," because it directs not only exterior, but also
interior acts; "the testimony of the Lord is faithful," because of the
certainty of what is true and right; "giving wisdom to little ones," by
directing man to an end supernatural and Divine.
Reply to Objection 1: By the natural law the eternal law is participated
proportionately to the capacity of human nature. But to his supernatural
end man needs to be directed in a yet higher way. Hence the additional
law given by God, whereby man shares more perfectly in the eternal law.
Reply to Objection 2: Counsel is a kind of inquiry: hence it must proceed from
some principles. Nor is it enough for it to proceed from principles
imparted by nature, which are the precepts of the natural law, for the
reasons given above: but there is need for certain additional principles,
namely, the precepts of the Divine law.
Reply to Objection 3: Irrational creatures are not ordained to an end higher than
that which is proportionate to their natural powers: consequently the
comparison fails.
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Objection 1: It would seem that there is but one Divine law. Because, where there is one king in one kingdom there is but one law. Now the whole of mankind is compared to God as to one king, according to Ps. 46:8: "God is the King of all the earth." Therefore there is but one Divine law.
Objection 2: Further, every law is directed to the end which the lawgiver
intends for those for whom he makes the law. But God intends one and the
same thing for all men; since according to 1 Tim. 2:4: "He will have all
men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Therefore
there is but one Divine law.
Objection 3: Further, the Divine law seems to be more akin to the eternal law,
which is one, than the natural law, according as the revelation of grace
is of a higher order than natural knowledge. Therefore much more is the
Divine law but one.
On the contrary, The Apostle says (@Heb. 7:12): "The priesthood being
translated, it is necessary that a translation also be made of the law."
But the priesthood is twofold, as stated in the same passage, viz. the
levitical priesthood, and the priesthood of Christ. Therefore the Divine
law is twofold, namely the Old Law and the New Law.
I answer that, As stated in the FP, Question [30], Article [3], distinction is the
cause of number. Now things may be distinguished in two ways. First, as
those things that are altogether specifically different, e.g. a horse and
an ox. Secondly, as perfect and imperfect in the same species, e.g. a boy
and a man: and in this way the Divine law is divided into Old and New.
Hence the Apostle (@Gal. 3:24,25) compares the state of man under the Old
Law to that of a child "under a pedagogue"; but the state under the New
Law, to that of a full grown man, who is "no longer under a pedagogue."
Now the perfection and imperfection of these two laws is to be taken in
connection with the three conditions pertaining to law, as stated above.
For, in the first place, it belongs to law to be directed to the common
good as to its end, as stated above (Question [90], Article [2]). This good may be
twofold. It may be a sensible and earthly good; and to this, man was
directly ordained by the Old Law: wherefore, at the very outset of the
law, the people were invited to the earthly kingdom of the Chananaeans
(@Ex. 3:8,17). Again it may be an intelligible and heavenly good: and to
this, man is ordained by the New Law. Wherefore, at the very beginning of
His preaching, Christ invited men to the kingdom of heaven, saying (@Mt. 4:17): "Do penance, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Hence
Augustine says (Contra Faust. iv) that "promises of temporal goods are
contained in the Old Testament, for which reason it is called old; but
the promise of eternal life belongs to the New Testament."
Secondly, it belongs to the law to direct human acts according to the
order of righteousness (Article [4]): wherein also the New Law surpasses the Old
Law, since it directs our internal acts, according to Mt. 5:20: "Unless
your justice abound more than that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you
shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Hence the saying that "the
Old Law restrains the hand, but the New Law controls the mind" ( Sentent.
iii, D, xl).
Thirdly, it belongs to the law to induce men to observe its
commandments. This the Old Law did by the fear of punishment: but the New
Law, by love, which is poured into our hearts by the grace of Christ,
bestowed in the New Law, but foreshadowed in the Old. Hence Augustine
says (Contra Adimant. Manich. discip. xvii) that "there is little
difference [*The 'little difference' refers to the Latin words 'timor'
and 'amor'---'fear' and 'love.'] between the Law and the Gospel---fear
and love."
Reply to Objection 1: As the father of a family issues different commands to the
children and to the adults, so also the one King, God, in His one
kingdom, gave one law to men, while they were yet imperfect, and another
more perfect law, when, by the preceding law, they had been led to a
greater capacity for Divine things.
Reply to Objection 2: The salvation of man could not be achieved otherwise than
through Christ, according to Acts 4:12: "There is no other name . . .
given to men, whereby we must be saved." Consequently the law that brings
all to salvation could not be given until after the coming of Christ. But
before His coming it was necessary to give to the people, of whom Christ
was to be born, a law containing certain rudiments of righteousness unto
salvation, in order to prepare them to receive Him.
Reply to Objection 3: The natural law directs man by way of certain general
precepts, common to both the perfect and the imperfect: wherefore it is
one and the same for all. But the Divine law directs man also in certain
particular matters, to which the perfect and imperfect do not stand in
the same relation. Hence the necessity for the Divine law to be twofold,
as already explained.
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Objection 1: It would seem that there is no law of the "fomes" of sin. For
Isidore says (Etym. v) that the "law is based on reason." But the "fomes"
of sin is not based on reason, but deviates from it. Therefore the
"fomes" has not the nature of a law.
Objection 2: Further, every law is binding, so that those who do not obey it
are called transgressors. But man is not called a transgressor, from not
following the instigations of the "fomes"; but rather from his following
them. Therefore the "fomes" has not the nature of a law.
Objection 3: Further, the law is ordained to the common good, as stated above
(Question [90], Article [2]). But the "fomes" inclines us, not to the common, but to our
own private good. Therefore the "fomes" has not the nature of sin.
On the contrary, The Apostle says (@Rm. 7:23): "I see another law in my
members, fighting against the law of my mind."
I answer that, As stated above (Article [2]; Question [90], Article [1], ad 1), the law, as to
its essence, resides in him that rules and measures; but, by way of
participation, in that which is ruled and measured; so that every
inclination or ordination which may be found in things subject to the
law, is called a law by participation, as stated above (Article [2]; Question [90], Article [1], ad 1). Now those who are subject to a law may receive a twofold
inclination from the lawgiver. First, in so far as he directly inclines
his subjects to something; sometimes indeed different subjects to
different acts; in this way we may say that there is a military law and a
mercantile law. Secondly, indirectly; thus by the very fact that a
lawgiver deprives a subject of some dignity, the latter passes into
another order, so as to be under another law, as it were: thus if a
soldier be turned out of the army, he becomes a subject of rural or of
mercantile legislation.
Accordingly under the Divine Lawgiver various creatures have various
natural inclinations, so that what is, as it were, a law for one, is
against the law for another: thus I might say that fierceness is, in a
way, the law of a dog, but against the law of a sheep or another meek
animal. And so the law of man, which, by the Divine ordinance, is
allotted to him, according to his proper natural condition, is that he
should act in accordance with reason: and this law was so effective in
the primitive state, that nothing either beside or against reason could
take man unawares. But when man turned his back on God, he fell under the
influence of his sensual impulses: in fact this happens to each one
individually, the more he deviates from the path of reason, so that,
after a fashion, he is likened to the beasts that are led by the impulse
of sensuality, according to Ps. 48:21: "Man, when he was in honor, did
not understand: he hath been compared to senseless beasts, and made like
to them."
So, then, this very inclination of sensuality which is called the
"fomes," in other animals has simply the nature of a law (yet only in so
far as a law may be said to be in such things), by reason of a direct
inclination. But in man, it has not the nature of law in this way, rather
is it a deviation from the law of reason. But since, by the just sentence
of God, man is destitute of original justice, and his reason bereft of
its vigor, this impulse of sensuality, whereby he is led, in so far as it
is a penalty following from the Divine law depriving man of his proper
dignity, has the nature of a law.
Reply to Objection 1: This argument considers the "fomes" in itself, as an
incentive to evil. It is not thus that it has the nature of a law, as
stated above, but according as it results from the justice of the Divine
law: it is as though we were to say that the law allows a nobleman to be
condemned to hard labor for some misdeed.
Reply to Objection 2: This argument considers law in the light of a rule or
measure: for it is in this sense that those who deviate from the law
become transgressors. But the "fomes" is not a law in this respect, but
by a kind of participation, as stated above.
Reply to Objection 3: This argument considers the "fomes" as to its proper
inclination, and not as to its origin. And yet if the inclination of
sensuality be considered as it is in other animals, thus it is ordained
to the common good, namely, to the preservation of nature in the species
or in the individual. And this is in man also, in so far as sensuality is
subject to reason. But it is called "fomes" in so far as it strays from
the order of reason.