Reply Obj. 4:  Those things which Our Lord prescribed about the true love of our enemies, and other similar sayings (Matt. 5; Luke 6), may be referred to the preparation of the mind, and then they are necessary for salvation; for instance, that man be prepared to do good to his enemies, and other similar actions, when there is need.  Hence these things are placed among the precepts.  But that anyone should actually and promptly behave thus towards an enemy when there is no special need, is to be referred to the particular counsels, as stated above.  As to those matters which are set down in Matt. 10 and Luke 9 and 10, they were either disciplinary commands for that particular time, or concessions, as stated above (A. 2, ad 3).  Hence they are not set down among the counsels. ________________________

TREATISE ON GRACE (QQ. 109-114)
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QUESTION 109

OF THE NECESSITY OF GRACE
(In Ten Articles)

We must now consider the exterior principle of human acts, i.e.  God, in so far as, through grace, we are helped by Him to do right:  and, first, we must consider the grace of God; secondly, its cause; thirdly, its effects.

The first point of consideration will be threefold:  for we shall consider (1) The necessity of grace; (2) grace itself, as to its essence; (3) its division.

Under the first head there are ten points of inquiry: 

(1) Whether without grace man can know anything?

(2) Whether without God’s grace man can do or wish any good?

(3) Whether without grace man can love God above all things?

(4) Whether without grace man can keep the commandments of the Law?

(5) Whether without grace he can merit eternal life?

(6) Whether without grace man can prepare himself for grace?

(7) Whether without grace he can rise from sin?

(8) Whether without grace man can avoid sin?

(9) Whether man having received grace can do good and avoid sin without any further Divine help?

(10) Whether he can of himself persevere in good?
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FIRST ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 109, Art. 1]

Whether Without Grace Man Can Know Any Truth?

Objection 1:  It would seem that without grace man can know no truth.  For, on 1 Cor. 12:3:  “No man can say, the Lord Jesus, but by the Holy Ghost,” a gloss says:  “Every truth, by whomsoever spoken is from the Holy Ghost.”  Now the Holy Ghost dwells in us by grace.  Therefore we cannot know truth without grace.

Obj. 2:  Further, Augustine says (Solil. i, 6) that “the most certain sciences are like things lit up by the sun so as to be seen.  Now God Himself is He Who sheds the light.  And reason is in the mind as sight is in the eye.  And the eyes of the mind are the senses of the soul.”  Now the bodily senses, however pure, cannot see any visible object, without the sun’s light.  Therefore the human mind, however perfect, cannot, by reasoning, know any truth without Divine light:  and this pertains to the aid of grace.