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Objection 1: It would seem that charity increases through every act
of charity. For that which can do what is more, can do what is less.
But every act of charity can merit everlasting life; and this is more
than a simple addition of charity, since it includes the perfection of
charity. Much more, therefore, does every act of charity increase
charity.
Objection 2: Further, just as the habits of acquired virtue are
engendered by acts, so too an increase of charity is caused by an act
of charity. Now each virtuous act conduces to the engendering of
virtue. Therefore also each virtuous act of charity conduces to the
increase of charity.
Objection 3: Further, Gregory [St. Bernard, Serm. ii in
Festo Purif.] says that "to stand still in the way to God is to go
back." Now no man goes back when he is moved by an act of charity.
Therefore whoever is moved by an act of charity goes forward in the way
to God. Therefore charity increases through every act of charity.
On the contrary, The effect does not surpass the power of its cause.
But an act of charity is sometimes done with tepidity or slackness.
Therefore it does not conduce to a more excellent charity, rather does
it dispose one to a lower degree.
I answer that, The spiritual increase of charity is somewhat like the
increase of a body. Now bodily increase in animals and plants is not a
continuous movement, so that, to wit, if a thing increase so much in
so much time, it need to increase proportionally in each part of that
time, as happens in local movement; but for a certain space of time
nature works by disposing for the increase, without causing any actual
increase, and afterwards brings into effect that to which it had
disposed, by giving the animal or plant an actual increase. In like
manner charity does not actually increase through every act of charity,
but each act of charity disposes to an increase of charity, in so far
as one act of charity makes man more ready to act again according to
charity, and this readiness increasing, man breaks out into an act of
more fervent love, and strives to advance in charity, and then his
charity increases actually.
Reply to Objection 1: Every act of charity merits everlasting
life, which, however, is not to be bestowed then and there, but at
its proper time. In like manner every act of charity merits an
increase of charity; yet this increase does not take place at once,
but when we strive for that increase.
Reply to Objection 2: Even when an acquired virtue is being
engendered, each act does not complete the formation of the virtue,
but conduces towards that effect by disposing to it, while the last
act, which is the most perfect, and acts in virtue of all those that
preceded it, reduces the virtue into act, just as when many drops
hollow out a stone.
Reply to Objection 3: Man advances in the way to God, not merely
by actual increase of charity, but also by being disposed to that
increase.
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