Reply Obj. 3:  The yoke of the law could not be borne without the help of grace, which the law did not confer:  for it is written (Rom. 9:16):  “It is not him that willeth, nor of him that runneth,” viz. that he wills and runs in the commandments of God, “but of God that showeth mercy.”  Wherefore it is written (Ps. 118:32):  “I have run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou didst enlarge my heart,” i.e. by giving me grace and charity. ________________________

SECOND ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 98, Art. 2]

Whether the Old Law Was from God?

Objection 1:  It would seem that the Old Law was not from God.  For it is written (Deut. 32:4):  “The works of God are perfect.”  But the Law was imperfect, as stated above (A. 1).  Therefore the Old Law was not from God.

Obj. 2:  Further, it is written (Eccles. 3:14):  “I have learned that all the works which God hath made continue for ever.”  But the Old Law does not continue for ever:  since the Apostle says (Heb. 7:18):  “There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment, because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.”  Therefore the Old Law was not from God.

Obj. 3:  Further, a wise lawgiver should remove, not only evil, but also the occasions of evil.  But the Old Law was an occasion of sin, as stated above (A. 1, ad 2).  Therefore the giving of such a law does not pertain to God, to Whom “none is like among the lawgivers” (Job 36:22).

Obj. 4:  Further, it is written (1 Tim. 2:4) that God “will have all men to be saved.”  But the Old Law did not suffice to save man, as stated above (A. 1).  Therefore the giving of such a law did not appertain to God.  Therefore the Old Law was not from God.

On the contrary, Our Lord said (Matt. 15:6) while speaking to the Jews, to whom the Law was given:  “You have made void the commandment of God for your tradition.”  And shortly before (verse 4) He had said:  “Honor thy father and mother,” which is contained expressly in the Old Law (Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16).  Therefore the Old Law was from God.

I answer that, The Old Law was given by the good God, Who is the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  For the Old Law ordained men to Christ in two ways.  First by bearing witness to Christ; wherefore He Himself says (Luke 24:44):  “All things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law . . . and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me”:  and (John 5:46):  “If you did believe Moses, you would perhaps believe Me also; for he wrote of Me.”  Secondly, as a kind of disposition, since by withdrawing men from idolatrous worship, it enclosed (concludebat) them in the worship of one God, by Whom the human race was to be saved through Christ.  Wherefore the Apostle says (Gal. 3:23):  “Before the faith came, we were kept under the law shut up (conclusi), unto that faith which was to be revealed.”  Now it is evident that the same thing it is, which gives a disposition