Choose a topic from Part 2A:
1. A governor has in mind the type of order he desiresamong his subjects. God is the infinite and all-perfect governor.God therefore has in himself the "type" of what creaturesare to do to attain their end and purpose. This "type" isdivine wisdom viewed as eternal law. Hence, we say, "Theeternal law is the type of divine wisdom directing all acts andmovements."
2. Normal human beings, as they emerge from infancy intoresponsible life (the use of reason), begin to have a grasp of therequirements of eternal law. They are increasingly aware of themeaning of duty and obligation; that is, theyrecognize the requirement of doing good and avoidingevil. Thus does human reason reflect the eternal law. As wehave seen, this human awareness of the eternal law is called thenatural law.
3. Since God is the first and perfect governor, the trueplans and laws of lesser governors must be in line with God'splan and law. Therefore, all right and true laws are, in lastanalysis, derived from the eternal law.
4. God is not subject to his own eternal law, for Godhimself is the eternal law.
5. All actions and movements in the universe are subjectto the eternal law working through divine providence and divinegovernment.
6. Therefore, all human affairs fall under the directionof eternal law. Good men are perfectly subject to the eternal law;bad men are imperfectly subject. Ultimately, order and triumphantjustice must prevail; good men and evil men will ultimately be inharmony with justice, whether in glory or in punishment.
"There is nothing which gives greater security to our actions, or more effectually cuts the snares the devil lays for us, than to follow another person’s will, rather than our own, in doing good."
St Philip Neri
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"Happy is the youth, because he has time before him to do good. "
St Philip Neri
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"God commands not impossibilities, but by commanding he suggests to you to do what you can, to ask for what is beyond your strength; and he helps you, that you may be able."
St Augustine
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