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Objection 1: It would seem that the angel did not possess beatitude
instantly after one act of merit. For it is more difficult for a man
to do well than for an angel. But man is not rewarded at once after
one act of merit. Therefore neither was the angel.
Objection 2: Further, an angel could act at once, and in an
instant, from the very outset of his creation, for even natural bodies
begin to be moved in the very instant of their creation; and if the
movement of a body could be instantaneous, like operations of mind and
will, it would have movement in the first instant of its generation.
Consequently, if the angel merited beatitude by one act of his will,
he merited it in the first instant of his creation; and so, if their
beatitude was not retarded, then the angels were in beatitude in the
first instant.
Objection 3: Further, there must be many intervals between things
which are far apart. But the beatific state of the angels is very far
remote from their natural condition: while merit comes midway between.
Therefore the angel would have to pass through many stages of merit in
order to reach beatitude.
On the contrary, Man's soul and an angel are ordained alike for
beatitude: consequently equality with angels is promised to the
saints. Now the soul separated from the body, if it has merit
deserving beatitude, enters at once into beatitude, unless there be
some obstacle. Therefore so does an angel. Now an angel instantly,
in his first act of charity, had the merit of beatitude. Therefore,
since there was no obstacle within him, he passed at once into
beatitude by only one meritorious act.
I answer that, The angel was beatified instantly after the first act
of charity, whereby he merited beatitude. The reason whereof is
because grace perfects nature according to the manner of the nature; as
every perfection is received in the subject capable of perfection,
according to its mode. Now it is proper to the angelic nature to
receive its natural perfection not by passing from one stage to
another; but to have it at once naturally, as was shown above
(Article 1; Question 58, Articles 3,4). But as the angel
is of his nature inclined to natural perfection, so is he by merit
inclined to glory. Hence instantly after merit the angel secured
beatitude. Now the merit of beatitude in angel and man alike can be
from merely one act; because man merits beatitude by every act informed
by charity. Hence it remains that an angel was beatified straightway
after one act of charity.
Reply to Objection 1: Man was not intended to secure his ultimate
perfection at once, like the angel. Hence a longer way was assigned
to man than to the angel for securing beatitude.
Reply to Objection 2: The angel is above the time of corporeal
things; hence the various instants regarding the angels are not to be
taken except as reckoning the succession of their acts. Now their act
which merited beatitude could not be in them simultaneously with the act
of beatitude, which is fruition; since the one belongs to imperfect
grace, and the other to consummate grace. Consequently, it remains
for different instants to be conceived, in one of which the angel
merited beatitude, and in another was beatified.
Reply to Objection 3: It is of the nature of an angel instantly to
attain the perfection unto which he is ordained. Consequently, only
one meritorious act is required; which act can so far be called an
interval as through it the angel is brought to beatitude.
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