The Right Of Seigniory In Theocratic Society
Chapter 6
How divine dominion possesses the nature of right
569. It may be objected that it is difficult to see how the third of the five constitutive elements of right is present in God. We have defined this element as, `a good inherent in the activity forming the subject of right'.(50) God does not in fact receive from creatures any good that can make him more blissful. His dominion over them, therefore, has no value for him, it would seem, and hence lacks the good which is an essential element of right. The notion of right, therefore, would not seem to be present in God.
570. It is true that God's bliss, which is essential to him, can neither increase nor decrease. The divine essence is itself divine bliss. At the same time we have to note that the free act with which God from eternity has created things in time, ruling and governing them, is not in him really different from his substance. Granted his free will in creating the universe, dominion over it belongs to his divine substance. Considered like this, dominion is not only a good for God, but an infinite good; it is his very own bliss because it is not really distinct from his substance. The third constitutive element of right, that is, good as inherent in activity, is not lacking from divine right, therefore, but is fully present in God, where it is infinite, supreme and so complete that rights in other beings cannot compare with it.
571. It may still be objected that there is no possibility of jural damage to this right because no one can inflict harm or pain on God. We answer that damage to right does not consist only in harming or paining the subject of right; it is also present when this is attempted.(51)
572. Two important truths follow from this: 1, a person refusing to acknowledge divine dominion, or attempting to withdraw from it, attempts to destroy the divine essence; 2, such an act is not only unjust to the highest degree, but in addition ignorant and foolish.
Notes
(50) Cf. ER, 252-255.
(51) Cf. ER, 360.