(A)
As regards the changes that come about, or can come about in created things, can creatures act and do they act one upon the other?
Yes; and it is indeed the action of one creature upon another which constitutes, properly speaking, the order of the universe (XLVII. 3).
Is this action of creatures, one upon the other, subjected also to the action of the divine government?
Yes; and in the most intimate way (CIII. 6).
What is meant by this?
By this is meant that by the action of creatures one upon the other, God directs the whole assemblage of His creatures to the end He has fixed for them (ibid.).
Could God alone, and by His own activity, lead each one of His creatures to its end?
Without doubt He could do this; but it was better for Him to have willed to employ thus the actions of creatures one upon the other in order to lead them to their end; for thereby creatures are more perfect and God's power is made more manifest.
Why are creatures thereby more perfect?
Because, thus, creatures participate in the sovereign activity of God, whereby He directs them to their end (CIII. 6, Obj. 2).
And why is God's power made more manifest?
Because it is a mark of power and greatness for a sovereign to have in his service a throng of ministers to put his orders into execution (CIII. 6, Obj. 3).
When creatures then act one upon the other they are simply executing the orders of God?
Yes, for their actions can never evade the perfect and sovereign sway of the divine government (CIII. 8, Obj. 1, and Obj. 2).
Next - The Catechism of the Summa - XXI. OF THE ACTION THIS GOVERNMENT; OF THE UNIVERSE OF CREATURES IN AND OF THE ORDER OF THE UNIVERSE (B)
Pegues OP, R P Thomas. Catechism of the "Summa Theologica" of Saint Thomas Aquinas for the Use of the Faithful (pp. 89-90). Veritatis Splendor Publications. Kindle Edition.
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