Are there in God's law any precepts relating to the virtue of hope and the gift of fear?
Yes, in God's law there are certain precepts relating to the virtue of hope and the gift of fear; but like the precepts relating to faith, these precepts in their primary notion have a special character distinct from the precepts properly so-called that are contained in God's law (XXII. 1,2).
In what consists this special character of the precepts of faith and of hope as regards what is primarily essential to them?
It consists in this: they are not given in the manner of precepts; but under the form of propositions in the case of faith; and under the form of promises or threats in the case of hope and fear (XXII. 1).
Why are these precepts given under this special form?
The reason is because of necessity they precede the precepts properly so-called such as are contained in the law (XXII. 1).
Why should these precepts attaching to faith, hope, and fear necessarily precede the precepts properly so-called that are contained in the law?
It is because the act of faith makes man's mind ready to acknowledge that the author of the law is such as to whom one is in duty bound to submit; and the hope of reward or the fear of chastisement makes man ready to observe the precepts (XXII. 1).
What are the precepts properly so-called which constitute the substance of the law?
They are those which are given to man thus subject and ready to obey, whereby he may order and regulate his life, especially in regard to the virtue of justice.
Next - The Catechism of the Summa - SECOND SECTION - A DETAILED SURVEY OF MAN'S RETURN TO GOD - VII. OF THE PRECEPTS RELATING TO HOPE (B)
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