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Objection 1: It would seem that in this life it is possible to
fulfil this precept of the love of God. For according to Jerome
[Pelagius, Exposit. Cath. Fid.] "accursed is he who says that
Cod has commanded anything impossible." But God gave this
commandment, as is clear from Dt. 6:5. Therefore it is possible
to fulfil this precept in this life.
Objection 2: Further, whoever does not fulfil a precept sins
mortally, since according to Ambrose (De Parad. viii) sin is
nothing else than "a transgression of the Divine Law, and
disobedience of the heavenly commandments." If therefore this precept
cannot be fulfilled by wayfarers, it follows that in this life no man
can be without mortal sin, and this is against the saying of the
Apostle (1 Cor. 1:8): "(Who also) will confirm you unto
the end without crime," and (1 Tim. 3:10): "Let them
minister, having no crime."
Objection 3: Further, precepts are given in order to direct man in
the way of salvation, according to Ps. 18:9: "The commandment
of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes." Now it is useless
to direct anyone to what is impossible. Therefore it is not impossible
to fulfill this precept in this life.
On the contrary, Augustine says (De Perfect. Justit. viii):
"In the fulness of heavenly charity this precept will be fulfilled:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God," etc. For as long as any carnal
concupiscence remains, that can be restrained by continence, man
cannot love God with all his heart.
I answer that, A precept can be fulfilled in two ways; perfectly,
and imperfectly. A precept is fulfilled perfectly, when the end
intended by the author of the precept is reached; yet it is fulfilled,
imperfectly however, when although the end intended by its author is
not reached, nevertheless the order to that end is not departed from.
Thus if the commander of an army order his soldiers to fight, his
command will be perfectly obeyed by those who fight and conquer the
foe, which is the commander's intention; yet it is fulfilled, albeit
imperfectly, by those who fight without gaining the victory, provided
they do nothing contrary to military discipline. Now God intends by
this precept that man should be entirely united to Him, and this will
be realized in heaven, when God will be "all in all," according to
1 Cor. 15:28. Hence this precept will be observed fully and
perfectly in heaven; yet it is fulfilled, though imperfectly, on the
way. Nevertheless on the way one man will fulfil it more perfectly
than another, and so much the more, as he approaches by some kind of
likeness to the perfection of heaven.
Reply to Objection 1: This argument proves that the precept can be
fulfilled after a fashion on the way, but not perfectly.
Reply to Objection 2: Even as the soldier who fights legitimately
without conquering is not blamed nor deserves to be punished for this,
so too he that does not fulfil this precept on the way, but does
nothing against the love of God, does not sin mortally.
Reply to Objection 3: As Augustine says (De Perfect. Justit.
viii), "why should not this perfection be prescribed to man,
although no man attains it in this life? For one cannot run straight
unless one knows whither to run. And how would one know this if no
precept pointed it out."
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