Reply Obj. 1:  When that which conduces to an end is sufficient to conduce thereto, then one such thing suffices for one end:  thus one remedy, if it be efficacious, suffices sometimes to restore men to health, and then the remedy needs not to be repeated.  But when that which conduces to an end is weak and imperfect, it needs to be multiplied:  thus many remedies are given to a sick man, when one is not enough to heal him.  Now the ceremonies of the Old Law were weak and imperfect, both for representing the mystery of Christ, on account of its surpassing excellence; and for subjugating men’s minds to God.  Hence the Apostle says (Heb. 7:18, 19):  “There is a setting aside of the former commandment because of the weakness and unprofitableness thereof, for the law brought nothing to perfection.”  Consequently these ceremonies needed to be in great number.

Reply Obj. 2:  A wise lawgiver should suffer lesser transgressions, that the greater may be avoided.  And therefore, in order to avoid the sin of idolatry, and the pride which would arise in the hearts of the Jews, were they to fulfil all the precepts of the Law, the fact that they would in consequence find many occasions of disobedience did not prevent God from giving them many ceremonial precepts.

Reply Obj. 3:  The Old Law lessened bodily worship in many ways.  Thus it forbade sacrifices to be offered in every place and by any person.  Many such like things did it enact for the lessening of bodily worship; as Rabbi Moses, the Egyptian testifies (Doct.  Perplex. iii).  Nevertheless it behooved not to attenuate the bodily worship of God so much as to allow men to fall away into the worship of idols. ________________________

FOURTH ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 101, Art. 4]

Whether the Ceremonies of the Old Law Are Suitably Divided into
Sacrifices, Sacred Things, Sacraments, and Observances?

Objection 1:  It would seem that the ceremonies of the Old Law are unsuitably divided into “sacrifices, sacred things, sacraments, and observances.”  For the ceremonies of the Old Law foreshadowed Christ.  But this was done only by the sacrifices, which foreshadowed the sacrifice in which Christ “delivered Himself an oblation and a sacrifice to God” (Eph. 5:2).  Therefore none but the sacrifices were ceremonies.

Obj. 2:  Further, the Old Law was ordained to the New.  But in the New Law the sacrifice is the Sacrament of the Altar.  Therefore in the Old Law there should be no distinction between “sacrifices” and “sacraments.”

Obj. 3:  Further, a “sacred thing” is something dedicated to God:  in which sense the tabernacle and its vessels were said to be consecrated.  But all the ceremonial precepts were ordained to the worship of God, as stated above (A. 1).  Therefore all ceremonies were sacred things.  Therefore “sacred things” should not be taken as a part of the ceremonies.

Obj. 4:  Further, “observances” are so called from having to be observed.  But all the precepts of the Law had to be observed:  for it is written (Deut. 8:11):  “Observe [Douay:  ‘Take heed’] and beware lest at any time thou forget the Lord thy God, and neglect His commandments and judgments and ceremonies.”  Therefore the “observances” should not be considered as a part of the ceremonies.