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Objection 1: It would seem that the natural law can be abolished
from the heart of man. Because on Rm. 2:14, "When the
Gentiles who have not the law," etc. a gloss says that "the law of
righteousness, which sin had blotted out, is graven on the heart of
man when he is restored by grace." But the law of righteousness is
the law of nature. Therefore the law of nature can be blotted out.
Objection 2: Further, the law of grace is more efficacious than the
law of nature. But the law of grace is blotted out by sin. Much more
therefore can the law of nature be blotted out.
Objection 3: Further, that which is established by law is made
just. But many things are enacted by men, which are contrary to the
law of nature. Therefore the law of nature can be abolished from the
heart of man.
On the contrary, Augustine says (Confess. ii): "Thy law is
written in the hearts of men, which iniquity itself effaces not."
But the law which is written in men's hearts is the natural law.
Therefore the natural law cannot be blotted out.
I answer that, As stated above (Articles 4,5), there belong to
the natural law, first, certain most general precepts, that are known
to all; and secondly, certain secondary and more detailed precepts,
which are, as it were, conclusions following closely from first
principles. As to those general principles, the natural law, in the
abstract, can nowise be blotted out from men's hearts. But it is
blotted out in the case of a particular action, in so far as reason is
hindered from applying the general principle to a particular point of
practice, on account of concupiscence or some other passion, as stated
above (Question 77, Article 2). But as to the other, i.e.
the secondary precepts, the natural law can be blotted out from the
human heart, either by evil persuasions, just as in speculative
matters errors occur in respect of necessary conclusions; or by vicious
customs and corrupt habits, as among some men, theft, and even
unnatural vices, as the Apostle states (Rm. i), were not esteemed
sinful.
Reply to Objection 1: Sin blots out the law of nature in particular
cases, not universally, except perchance in regard to the secondary
precepts of the natural law, in the way stated above.
Reply to Objection 2: Although grace is more efficacious than
nature, yet nature is more essential to man, and therefore more
enduring.
Reply to Objection 3: This argument is true of the secondary
precepts of the natural law, against which some legislators have framed
certain enactments which are unjust.
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