Monday, June 19, 2006

Q23 A4: Whether the predestined are chosen by God?

Yes. All the predestinate are objects of election and love because love precedes election in the order of reason, and election precedes predestination.

Election in us precedes love because in us the will in loving does not cause good, but we are incited to love by the good which already exists; and therefore we choose someone to love.

In God, however, it is the reverse. For His will, by which in loving He wishes good to someone, is the cause of that good possessed by some in preference to others.

If the communication of the divine goodness in general be considered, God communicates His goodness without election, inasmuch as there is nothing which does not in some way share in His goodness.

But if we consider the communication of this or that particular good, He does not allot it without election, since He gives certain goods to some men, which He does not give to others. Thus in the conferring of grace and glory election is implied.