Question III: Whether latria, or religion, is a special virtue

I assert that Religion is a special Virtue.

It is proved first from the Saintly Doctor: That habit which has a special object is special; but Religion has a special object, namely the worship of God, which is a special good; therefore. D. Thomas uses the same argument.

Secondly. That habit which has in its object a special difficulty is special; such is Religion; therefore.

Thirdly. That habit to which a special vice is opposed is special; but Idolatry is opposed to Religion; therefore.

You will object first: The virtue by which God is worshipped is Faith, Hope, and Charity, from D. Augustine, book 19 de Civitate Dei, chapter 6.

It is answered that there worship of God is taken generally for the obedience rendered to God; but not as signifying a special servitude owed to God on account of His excellence, which servitude is called by us Religion and Latria.

You will object secondly from D. Augustine, book 10 de Civitate, chapter 6: True sacrifice is every work done so that we may be joined to God in holy fellowship; but sacrifice pertains to Religion, as S. Augustine says there; therefore every good work pertains to Religion.

The Saintly Doctor answers that just as the worship of God is said in many ways, so also Sacrifice: for there is the Sacrifice of good operation, and the Sacrifice of devout prayer, and the Sacrifice of immolation. The first is of all the virtues. The second is of the Theological virtues. The third pertains to Latria, whose office it is to immolate to God, to whom alone Sacrifice is due, as D. Augustine says at the place cited; and this is the elicited act, which nevertheless the virtue also commands the other sacrifices recounted above, as D. Thomas also notes.

You will object thirdly: Everyone who obeys God serves Him; but this servitude is Latria, and a general virtue which complies with all the Divine Laws.

The Saintly Doctor answers that Latria is not the general virtue of obedience, which contains also subjection to men, acting as God's vicars, but a special obedience rendered to God alone by reason of His excellence; and this is Religion.

You will object fourthly: Directing all one's works to the glory of God, one acts according to His worship; but this comprehends all works; for the Apostle says, 1 Corinthians 10: Do all to the glory of God.

It is answered that to act from Religion is to direct in a singular manner to the glory of God by a special motive, as I said; but Religion commands all good works that are done for the glory of God, as D. Thomas also says.