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Objection 1: It would seem that the articles of faith are unsuitably
formulated. For those things, which can be known by demonstration,
do not belong to faith as to an object of belief for all, as stated
above (Article 5). Now it can be known by demonstration that there
is one God; hence the Philosopher proves this (Metaph. xii,
text. 52) and many other philosophers demonstrated the same truth.
Therefore that "there is one God" should not be set down as an
article of faith.
Objection 2: Further, just as it is necessary to faith that we
should believe God to be almighty, so is it too that we should believe
Him to be "all-knowing" and "provident for all," about both of
which points some have erred. Therefore, among the articles of
faith, mention should have been made of God's wisdom and providence,
even as of His omnipotence.
Objection 3: Further, to know the Father is the same things as to
know the Son, according to Jn. 14:9: "He that seeth Me,
seeth the Father also." Therefore there ought to be but one article
about the Father and Son, and, for the same reason, about the Holy
Ghost.
Objection 4: Further, the Person of the Father is no less than
the Person of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Now there are
several articles about the Person of the Holy Ghost, and likewise
about the Person of the Son. Therefore there should be several
articles about the Person of the Father.
Objection 5: Further, just as certain things are said by
appropriation, of the Person of the Father and of the Person of the
Holy Ghost, so too is something appropriated to the Person of the
Son, in respect of His Godhead. Now, among the articles of
faith, a place is given to a work appropriated to the Father, viz.
the creation, and likewise, a work appropriated to the Holy Ghost,
viz. that "He spoke by the prophets." Therefore the articles of
faith should contain some work appropriated to the Son in respect of
His Godhead.
Objection 6: Further, the sacrament of the Eucharist presents a
special difficulty over and above the other articles. Therefore it
should have been mentioned in a special Article and consequently it
seems that there is not a sufficient number of articles.
On the contrary stands the authority of the Church who formulates the
articles thus.
I answer that, As stated above (Articles 4,6), to faith those
things in themselves belong, the sight of which we shall enjoy in
eternal life, and by which we are brought to eternal life. Now two
things are proposed to us to be seen in eternal life: viz. the secret
of the Godhead, to see which is to possess happiness; and the mystery
of Christ's Incarnation, "by Whom we have access" to the glory of
the sons of God, according to Rm. 5:2. Hence it is written
(Jn. 17:3): "This is eternal life: that they may know
Thee, the . . . true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast
sent." Wherefore the first distinction in matters of faith is that
some concern the majesty of the Godhead, while others pertain to the
mystery of Christ's human nature, which is the "mystery of
godliness" (1 Tim. 3:16).
Now with regard to the majesty of the Godhead, three things are
proposed to our belief: first, the unity of the Godhead, to which
the first article refers; secondly, the trinity of the Persons, to
which three articles refer, corresponding to the three Persons; and
thirdly, the works proper to the Godhead, the first of which refers
to the order of nature, in relation to which the article about the
creation is proposed to us; the second refers to the order of grace,
in relation to which all matters concerning the sanctification of man
are included in one article; while the third refers to the order of
glory, and in relation to this another article is proposed to us
concerning the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting. Thus
there are seven articles referring to the Godhead.
In like manner, with regard to Christ's human nature, there are
seven articles, the first of which refers to Christ's incarnation or
conception; the second, to His virginal birth; the third, to His
Passion, death and burial; the fourth, to His descent into hell;
the fifth, to His resurrection; the sixth, to His ascension; the
seventh, to His coming for the judgment, so that in all there are
fourteen articles.
Some, however, distinguish twelve articles, six pertaining to the
Godhead, and six to the humanity. For they include in one article
the three about the three Persons; because we have one knowledge of
the three Persons: while they divide the article referring to the work
of glorification into two, viz. the resurrection of the body, and the
glory of the soul. Likewise they unite the conception and nativity
into one article.
Reply to Objection 1: By faith we hold many truths about God,
which the philosophers were unable to discover by natural reason, for
instance His providence and omnipotence, and that He alone is to be
worshiped, all of which are contained in the one article of the unity
of God.
Reply to Objection 2: The very name of the Godhead implies a kind
of watching over things, as stated in the FP, Question 13,
Article 8. Now in beings having an intellect, power does not work
save by the will and knowledge. Hence God's omnipotence includes,
in a way, universal knowledge and providence. For He would not be
able to do all He wills in things here below, unless He knew them,
and exercised His providence over them.
Reply to Objection 3: We have but one knowledge of the Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost, as to the unity of the Essence, to which the
first article refers: but, as to the distinction of the Persons,
which is by the relations of origin, knowledge of the Father does
indeed, in a way, include knowledge of the Son, for He would not be
Father, had He not a Son; the bond whereof being the Holy Ghost.
From this point of view, there was a sufficient motive for those who
referred one article to the three Persons. Since, however, with
regard to each Person, certain points have to be observed, about
which some happen to fall into error, looking at it in this way, we
may distinguish three articles about the three Persons. For Arius
believed in the omnipotence and eternity of the Father, but did not
believe the Son to be co-equal and consubstantial with the Father;
hence the need for an article about the Person of the Son in order to
settle this point. In like manner it was necessary to appoint a third
article about the Person of the Holy Ghost, against Macedonius.
In the same way Christ's conception and birth, just as the
resurrection and life everlasting, can from one point of view be united
together in one article, in so far as they are ordained to one end;
while, from another point of view, they can be distinct articles, in
as much as each one separately presents a special difficulty.
Reply to Objection 4: It belongs to the Son and Holy Ghost to be
sent to sanctify the creature; and about this several things have to be
believed. Hence it is that there are more articles about the Persons
of the Son and Holy Ghost than about the Person of the Father,
Who is never sent, as we stated in the FP, Question 43,
Article 4.
Reply to Objection 5: The sanctification of a creature by grace,
and its consummation by glory, is also effected by the gift of
charity, which is appropriated to the Holy Ghost, and by the gift of
wisdom, which is appropriated to the Son: so that each work belongs
by appropriation, but under different aspects, both to the Son and to
the Holy Ghost.
Reply to Objection 6: Two things may be considered in the sacrament
of the Eucharist. One is the fact that it is a sacrament, and in
this respect it is like the other effects of sanctifying grace. The
other is that Christ's body is miraculously contained therein and thus
it is included under God's omnipotence, like all other miracles which
are ascribed to God's almighty power.
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