Reply Obj. 1:  The Divine care may be looked at in two ways:  first, as regards the Divine act, which is simple and uniform; and thus His care looks equally to all, since by one simple act He administers great things and little.  But, secondly, it may be considered in those things which come to be considered by the Divine care; and thus, inequality is found, inasmuch as God by His care provides greater gifts to some, and lesser gifts for others.

Reply Obj. 2:  This objection is based on the first kind of magnitude of grace; since grace cannot be greater by ordaining to a greater good, but inasmuch as it more or less ordains to a greater or less participation of the same good.  For there may be diversity of intensity and remissness, both in grace and in final glory as regards the subjects’ participation.

Reply Obj. 3:  Natural life pertains to man’s substance, and hence cannot be more or less; but man partakes of the life of grace accidentally, and hence man may possess it more or less. ________________________

FIFTH ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 112, Art. 5]

Whether Man Can Know That He Has Grace?

Objection 1:  It would seem that man can know that he has grace.  For grace by its physical reality is in the soul.  Now the soul has most certain knowledge of those things that are in it by their physical reality, as appears from Augustine (Gen. ad lit. xii, 31).  Hence grace may be known most certainly by one who has grace.

Obj. 2:  Further, as knowledge is a gift of God, so is grace.  But whoever receives knowledge from God, knows that he has knowledge, according to Wis. 7:17:  The Lord “hath given me the true knowledge of the things that are.”  Hence, with equal reason, whoever receives grace from God, knows that he has grace.

Obj. 3:  Further, light is more knowable than darkness, since, according to the Apostle (Eph. 5:13), “all that is made manifest is light.”  Now sin, which is spiritual darkness, may be known with certainty by one that is in sin.  Much more, therefore, may grace, which is spiritual light, be known.

Obj. 4:  Further, the Apostle says (1 Cor. 2:12):  “Now we have received not the Spirit of this world, but the Spirit that is of God; that we may know the things that are given us from God.”  Now grace is God’s first gift.  Hence, the man who receives grace by the Holy Spirit, by the same Holy Spirit knows the grace given to him.

Obj. 5:  Further, it was said by the Lord to Abraham (Gen. 22:12):  “Now I know that thou fearest God,” i.e.  “I have made thee know.”  Now He is speaking there of chaste fear, which is not apart from grace.  Hence a man may know that he has grace.

On the contrary, It is written (Eccles. 9:1):  “Man knoweth not whether he be worthy of love or hatred.”  Now sanctifying grace maketh a man worthy of God’s love.  Therefore no one can know whether he has sanctifying grace.