QUESTION 100

OF THE MORAL PRECEPTS OF THE OLD LAW
(In Twelve Articles)

We must now consider each kind of precept of the Old Law:  and (1) the moral precepts, (2) the ceremonial precepts, (3) the judicial precepts.  Under the first head there are twelve points of inquiry: 

(1) Whether all the moral precepts of the Old Law belong to the law of nature?

(2) Whether the moral precepts of the Old Law are about the acts of all the virtues?

(3) Whether all the moral precepts of the Old Law are reducible to the ten precepts of the decalogue?

(4) How the precepts of the decalogue are distinguished from one another?

(5) Their number;

(6) Their order;

(7) The manner in which they were given;

(8) Whether they are dispensable?

(9) Whether the mode of observing a virtue comes under the precept of the Law?

(10) Whether the mode of charity comes under the precept?

(11) The distinction of other moral precepts;

(12) Whether the moral precepts of the Old Law justified man?
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FIRST ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 100, Art. 1]

Whether All the Moral Precepts of the Old Law Belong to the Law of
Nature?

Objection 1:  It would seem that not all the moral precepts belong to the law of nature.  For it is written (Ecclus. 17:9):  “Moreover He gave them instructions, and the law of life for an inheritance.”  But instruction is in contradistinction to the law of nature; since the law of nature is not learnt, but instilled by natural instinct.  Therefore not all the moral precepts belong to the natural law.

Obj. 2:  Further, the Divine law is more perfect than human law.  But human law adds certain things concerning good morals, to those that belong to the law of nature:  as is evidenced by the fact that the natural law is the same in all men, while these moral institutions are various for various people.  Much more reason therefore was there why the Divine law should add to the law of nature, ordinances pertaining to good morals.

Obj. 3:  Further, just as natural reason leads to good morals in certain matters, so does faith:  hence it is written (Gal. 5:6) that faith “worketh by charity.”  But faith is not included in the law of nature; since that which is of faith is above nature.  Therefore not all the moral precepts of the Divine law belong to the law of nature.

On the contrary, The Apostle says (Rom. 2:14) that “the Gentiles, who have not the Law, do by nature those things that are of the Law”:  which must be understood of things pertaining to good morals.  Therefore all the moral precepts of the Law belong to the law of nature.