Who are able to make this act of faith?
Those only who have the supernatural virtue of faith (IV., V.).
Then unbelievers cannot make this act of faith?
No, for they do not believe what God has revealed with a view to their supernatural happiness; and this either because they are ignorant thereof, or do not trust in the will of God, who is able to give to them the good that He thinks fit; or because having known His revelation they refuse to give their assent to it (X.).
Can the impious make this act of faith?
No, because even though they may hold to be true what God has revealed by reason of the authority of God, who can neither deceive nor be deceived, their assent is not the effect of a supernatural love for the word of God; on the contrary, the word of God is hateful to them, although in spite of themselves they are forced to admit its truth (V. 2, ad 2).
Are there men who believe the word of God, and yet do not make an act of the supernatural virtue?
Yes, and in this they imitate the devils (V. 2).
Can heretics make an act of faith?
No, for even though in their minds they assent to such and such a point of revealed doctrine, they do not give this assent on the word of God, but on their own private judgment (V. 3).
As regards the act of faith are heretics more to be blamed than the impious or the devils?
Yes, because the word of God or His authority is not the motive of their assent
Can apostates make an act of faith?
No, because their mind rejects entirely what formerly they believed on the word of God (XII.).
Can sinners make an act of faith?
Yes, provided they actually have this virtue; and they can have it, although imperfectly, when they have not charity, that is when they are in the state of mortal sin (IV. 1,4).
Every mortal sin then is not a sin against faith?
No (X. 1,4).
Next - The Catechism of the Summa -SECOND SECTION - A DETAILED SURVEY OF MAN'S RETURN TO GOD -II. OF FAITH AND ITS NATURE: OF THE CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR AN ACT OF FAITH; OF THE "I BELIEVE" AND THE FORMULA OF AN ACT OF FAITH; OF THE SINS OPPOSED TO FAITH: VIZ., INFIDELITY, HERESY, APOSTASY, AND BLASPHEMY (H)
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