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Question: 22 [<< | >>]
We must now consider the precepts relating to hope and fear: under which
head there are two points of inquiry:
(1) The precepts relating to hope;
(2) The precepts relating to fear.
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Question: 22 [<< | >>]
Article: 1 [<< | >>]
Objection 1: It would seem that no precept should be given relating to the
virtue of hope. For when an effect is sufficiently procured by one cause,
there is no need to induce it by another. Now man is sufficiently induced
by his natural inclination to hope for good. Therefore there is no need
of a precept of the Law to induce him to do this.
Objection 2: Further, since precepts are given about acts of virtue, the chief
precepts are about the acts of the chief virtues. Now the chief of all
the virtues are the three theological virtues, viz. hope, faith and
charity. Consequently, as the chief precepts of the Law are those of the
decalogue, to which all others may be reduced, as stated above (FS,
Question [100], Article [3]), it seems that if any precept of hope were given, it should
be found among the precepts of the decalogue. But it is not to be found
there. Therefore it seems that the Law should contain no precept of hope.
Objection 3: Further, to prescribe an act of virtue is equivalent to a
prohibition of the act of the opposite vice. Now no precept is to be
found forbidding despair which is contrary to hope. Therefore it seems
that the Law should contain no precept of hope.
On the contrary, Augustine says on Jn. 15:12, "This is My commandment,
that you love one another" (Tract. lxxxiii in Joan.): "How many things
are commanded us about faith! How many relating to hope!" Therefore it is
fitting that some precepts should be given about hope.
I answer that, Among the precepts contained in Holy Writ, some belong to
the substance of the Law, others are preambles to the Law. The preambles
to the Law are those without which no law is possible: such are the
precepts relating to the act of faith and the act of hope, because the
act of faith inclines man's mind so that he believes the Author of the
Law to be One to Whom he owes submission, while, by the hope of a reward,
he is induced to observe the precepts. The precepts that belong to the
substance of the Law are those which relate to right conduct and are
imposed on man already subject and ready to obey: wherefore when the Law
was given these precepts were set forth from the very outset under form
of a command.
Yet the precepts of hope and faith were not to be given under the form
of a command, since, unless man already believed and hoped, it would be
useless to give him the Law: but, just as the precept of faith had to be
given under the form of an announcement or reminder, as stated above
(Question [16], Article [1]), so too, the precept of hope, in the first promulgation of
the Law, had to be given under the form of a promise. For he who promises
rewards to them that obey him, by that very fact, urges them to hope:
hence all the promises contained in the Law are incitements to hope.
Since, however, when once the Law has been given, it is for a wise man
to induce men not only to observe the precepts, but also, and much more,
to safeguard the foundation of the Law, therefore, after the first
promulgation of the Law, Holy Writ holds out to man many inducements to
hope, even by way of warning or command, and not merely by way of
promise, as in the Law; for instance, in the Ps. 61:9: "Hope [Douay:
'Trust'] in Him all ye congregation of the people," and in many other
passages of the Scriptures.
Reply to Objection 1: Nature inclines us to hope for the good which is
proportionate to human nature; but for man to hope for a supernatural
good he had to be induced by the authority of the Divine law, partly by
promises, partly by admonitions and commands. Nevertheless there was need
for precepts of the Divine law to be given even for those things to which
natural reason inclines us, such as the acts of the moral virtues, for
sake of insuring a greater stability, especially since the natural reason
of man was clouded by the lusts of sin.
Reply to Objection 2: The precepts of the law of the decalogue belong to the
first promulgation of the Law: hence there was no need for a precept of
hope among the precepts of the decalogue, and it was enough to induce men
to hope by the inclusion of certain promises, as in the case of the first
and fourth commandments.
Reply to Objection 3: In those observances to which man is bound as under a duty,
it is enough that he receive an affirmative precept as to what he has to
do, wherein is implied the prohibition of what he must avoid doing: thus
he is given a precept concerning the honor due to parents, but not a
prohibition against dishonoring them, except by the law inflicting
punishment on those who dishonor their parents. And since in order to be
saved it is man's duty to hope in God, he had to be induced to do so by
one of the above ways, affirmatively, so to speak, wherein is implied the
prohibition of the opposite.
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Question: 22 [<< | >>]
Article: 2 [<< | >>]
Objection 1: It would seem that, in the Law, there should not have been given
a precept of fear. For the fear of God is about things which are a
preamble to the Law, since it is the "beginning of wisdom." Now things
which are a preamble to the Law do not come under a precept of the Law.
Therefore no precept of fear should be given in the Law.
Objection 2: Further, given the cause, the effect is also given. Now love is
the cause of fear, since "every fear proceeds from some kind of love," as
Augustine states (Qq. lxxxiii, qu. 33). Therefore given the precept of
love, it would have been superfluous to command fear.
Objection 3: Further, presumption, in a way, is opposed to fear. But the Law
contains no prohibition against presumption. Therefore it seems that
neither should any precept of fear have been given.
On the contrary, It is written (Dt. 10:12): "And now, Israel, what doth
the Lord thy God require of thee, but that thou fear the Lord thy God?"
But He requires of us that which He commands us to do. Therefore it is a
matter of precept that man should fear God.
I answer that, Fear is twofold, servile and filial. Now just as man is
induced, by the hope of rewards, to observe precepts of law, so too is he
induced thereto by the fear of punishment, which fear is servile.
And just as according to what has been said (Article [1]), in the promulgation
of the Law there was no need for a precept of the act of hope, and men
were to be induced thereto by promises, so neither was there need for a
precept, under form of command, of fear which regards punishment, and men
were to be induced thereto by the threat of punishment: and this was
realized both in the precepts of the decalogue, and afterwards, in due
sequence, in the secondary precepts of the Law.
Yet, just as wise men and the prophets who, consequently, strove to
strengthen man in the observance of the Law, delivered their teaching
about hope under the form of admonition or command, so too did they in
the matter of fear.
On the other hand filial fear which shows reverence to God, is a sort of
genus in respect of the love of God, and a kind of principle of all
observances connected with reverence for God. Hence precepts of filial
fear are given in the Law, even as precepts of love, because each is a
preamble to the external acts prescribed by the Law and to which the
precepts of the decalogue refer. Hence in the passage quoted in the
argument, "On the contrary," man is required "to have fear, to walk in
God's ways," by worshipping Him, and "to love Him."
Reply to Objection 1: Filial fear is a preamble to the Law, not as though it were
extrinsic thereto, but as being the beginning of the Law, just as love
is. Hence precepts are given of both, since they are like general
principles of the whole Law.
Reply to Objection 2: From love proceeds filial fear as also other good works
that are done from charity. Hence, just as after the precept of charity,
precepts are given of the other acts of virtue, so at the same time
precepts are given of fear and of the love of charity, just as, in
demonstrative sciences, it is not enough to lay down the first
principles, unless the conclusions also are given which follow from them
proximately or remotely.
Reply to Objection 3: Inducement to fear suffices to exclude presumption, even as inducement to hope suffices to exclude despair, as stated above (Article [1], ad 3).