11 July 2019

The Catechism of the Summa - XVIII. OF THE STATE OF HAPPINESS IN WHICH MAN WAS CREATED (A)

(A)

Was man created by God in a state of great perfection?

Yes.

What did the state of perfection in which man was created comprise?

It comprised the mind's complete knowledge void of error; original justice with all the virtues of mind and: will; entire command of the soul over the body and over every creature inferior to man (XCIV., XCV., XCVI.).

Was this state of perfection proper to the first man only or ought it to have been common to all who are descendants from Adam by generation?

It was proper to Adam as regards the gift of knowledge only; but since original justice and the gifts of integrity and complete moral rectitude are inseparable from human nature as such these would have been transmitted to all by way of origin or generation had not sin stood in the way (XCIV., CI. 1).

In this state in which man was created, would he have been subject to death?

No, in this state man would not have died (CXVII. 1)

Would man have suffered in this state?

No, for by a special privilege man's body was guarded from all evil by the soul which itself was incapable of suffering so long as it remained subjected to God by its will (XCVII. a).

Next -The Catechism of the Summa - XVIII. OF THE STATE OF HAPPINESS IN WHICH MAN WAS CREATED (B)

Pegues OP, R P Thomas. Catechism of the "Summa Theologica" of Saint Thomas Aquinas for the Use of the Faithful (pp. 79-80). Veritatis Splendor Publications. Kindle Edition.

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