Choose a topic from Part 2A:
1. A governor has in mind the type of order he desiresamong his subjects. God is the infinite and all-perfect governor.God therefore has in himself the "type" of what creaturesare to do to attain their end and purpose. This "type" isdivine wisdom viewed as eternal law. Hence, we say, "Theeternal law is the type of divine wisdom directing all acts andmovements."
2. Normal human beings, as they emerge from infancy intoresponsible life (the use of reason), begin to have a grasp of therequirements of eternal law. They are increasingly aware of themeaning of duty and obligation; that is, theyrecognize the requirement of doing good and avoidingevil. Thus does human reason reflect the eternal law. As wehave seen, this human awareness of the eternal law is called thenatural law.
3. Since God is the first and perfect governor, the trueplans and laws of lesser governors must be in line with God'splan and law. Therefore, all right and true laws are, in lastanalysis, derived from the eternal law.
4. God is not subject to his own eternal law, for Godhimself is the eternal law.
5. All actions and movements in the universe are subjectto the eternal law working through divine providence and divinegovernment.
6. Therefore, all human affairs fall under the directionof eternal law. Good men are perfectly subject to the eternal law;bad men are imperfectly subject. Ultimately, order and triumphantjustice must prevail; good men and evil men will ultimately be inharmony with justice, whether in glory or in punishment.
"A man should keep himself down, and not busy himself in mirabilibus super se."
St Philip Neri
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"A single act of uniformity with the divine will suffices to make a saint."
St Alphonsus de Liguori
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"God gives us some things, as the beginning of faith, even when we do not pray. Other things, such as perseverance, he has only provided for those who pray."
St Augustine
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