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Objection 1: It would seem that presumption is not a sin. For no
sin is a reason why man should be heard by God. Yet, through
presumption some are heard by God, for it is written (Judith
9:17): "Hear me a poor wretch making supplication to Thee, and
presuming of Thy mercy." Therefore presumption on God's mercy is
not a sin.
Objection 2: Further, presumption denotes excessive hope. But
there cannot be excess of that hope which is in God, since His power
and mercy are infinite. Therefore it seems that presumption is not a
sin.
Objection 3: Further, that which is a sin does not excuse from
sin: for the Master says (Sent. ii, D, 22) that "Adam
sinned less, because he sinned in the hope of pardon," which seems to
indicate presumption. Therefore presumption is not a sin.
On the contrary, It is reckoned a species of sin against the Holy
Ghost.
I answer that, As stated above (Question 20, Article 1) with
regard to despair, every appetitive movement that is conformed to a
false intellect, is evil in itself and sinful. Now presumption is an
appetitive movement, since it denotes an inordinate hope. Moreover it
is conformed to a false intellect, just as despair is: for just as it
is false that God does not pardon the repentant, or that He does not
turn sinners to repentance, so is it false that He grants forgiveness
to those who persevere in their sins, and that He gives glory to those
who cease from good works: and it is to this estimate that the movement
of presumption is conformed.
Consequently presumption is a sin, but less grave than despair,
since, on account of His infinite goodness, it is more proper to God
to have mercy and to spare, than to punish: for the former becomes
God in Himself, the latter becomes Him by reason of our sins.
Reply to Objection 1: Presumption sometimes stands for hope,
because even the right hope which we have in God seems to be
presumption, if it be measured according to man's estate: yet it is
not, if we look at the immensity of the goodness of God.
Reply to Objection 2: Presumption does not denote excessive hope,
as though man hoped too much in God; but through man hoping to obtain
from God something unbecoming to Him; which is the same as to hope
too little in Him, since it implies a depreciation of His power; as
stated above (Article 1, ad 1).
Reply to Objection 3: To sin with the intention of persevering in
sin and through the hope of being pardoned, is presumptuous, and this
does not diminish, but increases sin. To sin, however, with the
hope of obtaining pardon some time, and with the intention of
refraining from sin and of repenting of it, is not presumptuous, but
diminishes sin, because this seems to indicate a will less hardened in
sin.
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