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State of the question. It seems that the most universal
cause can directly produce only the most universal effect,
that is, the being of all things inasmuch as it is being,
but not the most particular effect, for example, forming
this particular body out of matter.
Reply. The reply is in the affirmative, for we read in
the Scriptures: "The Lord God formed man of the slime
of the earth."[964] The reason is that a being in
passive potency can be reduced to act by that active
potency which has this being in its power. But matter is
under the power of God inasmuch as it is produced by
God. Therefore matter can be reduced to act by the
divine power.
Reply to first objection. An angel cannot do this
because matter is not in its power.[965] An angel
cannot directly change water into wine by a direct action
on the matter itself to educe the form of wine without
preliminary alterations. The angel can only move bodies
locally, but it can do this quickly and
skillfully.[966]
Reply to second objection. If God acted by a necessity
of nature, He could produce but one effect, but God
acts freely, not only with the freedom with which man
freely begets only a man, but God acts directly by His
will and intellect and He knows not only the universal
natures of things but also this particular form which is to
be imprinted on the slime of the earth.
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