Summa contra Gentiles3.77 Chapter LXXVII. Out by secondary causes

It must be observed that two things are required for providence, the order and the execution of the order. The first of the operative power. Now these two are in inverse proportion to each other. For the ordering is the more perfect according as it extends to the smallest things:

perfect wisdom in ordering, and the most perfect power for operation. Consequently, He it is who by His wisdom disposes all things even the very least in their order; and who executes the least or lowest things by means of other It is fitting therefore that there should be inferior active powers to execute divine providence.

Again. It was proved above’ that the divine operation does not exclude the operations of secondary causes. And whatever is effected by the operations of secondary causes, is subject to divine providence, since God directs all individual things by Himself, as was proved above.? Therefore secondary causes execute divine providence.

Besides. The stronger the power of an agent, the further does its operation extend: thus the greater the fire, the more distant things does it heat. But this is not the case with an agent that does not act through an intermediary, because everything on which it acts is close to it. Since then the power of divine providence is supreme, it must bring its operation to bear on the most distant things through certain intermediaries.

Further. It belongs to the dignity of a ruler to have many ministers and various executors of his rule: because the greater the number of his subordinates of various degrees, the more complete and extensive is his dominion shown to be. But no government can compare with the divine in point of dignity. Therefore it is fitting that the execution of divine providence be committed to agents of various degrees.

Moreover. Suitable order is a proof of perfect providence, for order is the proper effect of providence. Now suitable order implies that nothing be allowed to be out of order. Consequently the perfection of divine providence requires that it should reduce the excess of certain things over others, to a suitable order. And this is done by allowing those who have less to benefit from the superabundance of others. Since then the perfection of the universe requires that some share more abundantly in the divine goodness, as we proved above,’ the perfection of divine providence demands that the execution of the divine government be fulfilled by those things which have the larger share of divine goodness.

Again. The order of causes excels the order of effects even as the cause excels the effect: consequently it is a greater Therefore the perfection of divine providence requires inter- (Ps. cil. 21): Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts: you ministers of His who do His will; and (Ps. cxlviii. 8): Five, hail, snow, ice, stormy winds, which fulfil His word.