Part III (Secunda Secundae) Part 10 (2/2)

Reply Obj. 3: The understanding of principles results from man's very nature, which is equally shared by all: whereas faith results from the gift of grace, which is not equally in all, as explained above (I-II, Q. 112, A. 4). Hence the comparison fails.

Nevertheless the truth of principles is more known to one than to another, according to the greater capacity of intellect.

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QUESTION 6

OF THE CAUSE OF FAITH (In Two Articles)

We must now consider the cause of faith, under which head there are two points of inquiry:

(1) Whether faith is infused into man by G.o.d?

(2) Whether lifeless faith is a gift of G.o.d?

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FIRST ARTICLE [II-II, Q. 6, Art. 1]

Whether Faith Is Infused into Man by G.o.d?

Objection 1: It would seem that faith is not infused into man by G.o.d.

For Augustine says (De Trin. xiv) that ”science begets faith in us, and nourishes, defends and strengthens it.” Now those things which science begets in us seem to be acquired rather than infused.

Therefore faith does not seem to be in us by Divine infusion.

Obj. 2: Further, that to which man attains by hearing and seeing, seems to be acquired by him. Now man attains to belief, both by seeing miracles, and by hearing the teachings of faith: for it is written (John 4:53): ”The father ... knew that it was at the same hour, that Jesus said to him, Thy son liveth; and himself believed, and his whole house”; and (Rom. 10:17) it is said that ”faith is through hearing.” Therefore man attains to faith by acquiring it.

Obj. 3: Further, that which depends on a man's will can be acquired by him. But ”faith depends on the believer's will,” according to Augustine (De Praedest. Sanct. v). Therefore faith can be acquired by man.

_On the contrary,_ It is written (Eph. 2:8, 9): ”By grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves ... that no man may glory ... for it is the gift of G.o.d.”

_I answer that,_ Two things are requisite for faith. First, that the things which are of faith should be proposed to man: this is necessary in order that man believe anything explicitly. The second thing requisite for faith is the a.s.sent of the believer to the things which are proposed to him. Accordingly, as regards the first of these, faith must needs be from G.o.d. Because those things which are of faith surpa.s.s human reason, hence they do not come to man's knowledge, unless G.o.d reveal them. To some, indeed, they are revealed by G.o.d immediately, as those things which were revealed to the apostles and prophets, while to some they are proposed by G.o.d in sending preachers of the faith, according to Rom. 10:15: ”How shall they preach, unless they be sent?”

As regards the second, viz. man's a.s.sent to the things which are of faith, we may observe a twofold cause, one of external inducement, such as seeing a miracle, or being persuaded by someone to embrace the faith: neither of which is a sufficient cause, since of those who see the same miracle, or who hear the same sermon, some believe, and some do not. Hence we must a.s.sert another internal cause, which moves man inwardly to a.s.sent to matters of faith.

The Pelagians held that this cause was nothing else than man's free-will: and consequently they said that the beginning of faith is from ourselves, inasmuch as, to wit, it is in our power to be ready to a.s.sent to things which are of faith, but that the consummation of faith is from G.o.d, Who proposes to us the things we have to believe.

But this is false, for, since man, by a.s.senting to matters of faith, is raised above his nature, this must needs accrue to him from some supernatural principle moving him inwardly; and this is G.o.d.

Therefore faith, as regards the a.s.sent which is the chief act of faith, is from G.o.d moving man inwardly by grace.

Reply Obj. 1: Science begets and nourishes faith, by way of external persuasion afforded by science; but the chief and proper cause of faith is that which moves man inwardly to a.s.sent.

Reply Obj. 2: This argument again refers to the cause that proposes outwardly the things that are of faith, or persuades man to believe by words or deeds.

Reply Obj. 3: To believe does indeed depend on the will of the believer: but man's will needs to be prepared by G.o.d with grace, in order that he may be raised to things which are above his nature, as stated above (Q. 2, A. 3).

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SECOND ARTICLE [II-II, Q. 6, Art. 2]

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