Question VI: Whether religion is necessary

FROM the Etymologies of Religion (q. 1.) it is sufficiently drawn out that the worship of Religion is necessary.

It is however further confirmed by arguments. The first is that of D. Bonaventure, 3 dist. 9, art. 2, q. 1: Since God created man a MICROCOSM, placing in him the perfections of the whole world, and having gifted him with the orb as a pilgrim, prepared Paradise; it was altogether fitting that, acknowledging his God, he should worship and venerate Him, and bearing all things acceptable to Him, pay tribute; and indeed justice constrained him.

It is the argument of Tully de Inventione, Macrobius, book 1, In Somnium Scipionis, chapter 8, who for that reason placed Religion among the parts of moral justice; so also D. Augustine in the book de vera Religione, D. Thomas, q. 81, art. 1 and 2, and other Fathers and Theologians, who define Religion: It is the virtue rendering to God the worship due to Him, as to the first principle of things and the last end. Boverius adds, Demonstration of the first Symbol, article 1, that man was created for this, that he might render the services of servitude to his Lord, as D. Augustine collects in Psalm 70, concio 2, and book 8 de Genesi ad litteram, chapter 6, and from the precept given to Adam; and I showed it, p. 1, tract. 10; and the Saintly Doctor shows it, on Luke 17, in the parable of the servant who, when he has fulfilled all the commands of his Lord and rendered Him all services, is not acknowledged with acts of thanks.

The second argument of D. Bonaventure, at the place cited, is: since all are held to confess that there is a Monarchy in the world, governing and directing all things, who would not confess it laudable and commanded to obey so great a Lord? Who would deny Him services and adorations? Or would not pray in necessities? Would not beseech Him to be propitious? etc.

The third argument of D. Bonaventure, at the place cited, is: Since man is created for the blessed life, as all Philosophers and Theologians unanimously agree; and since that life is to be acquired by the merits of the virtues — which even the Pagans felt — by having recourse to grace with God toward keeping the end, rendering services to the fountain and Lord of beatitude: who does not see that the acts of Religious service are to be assumed? Thus argues Asclepius, last chapter; Plato in the Epinomis; Aristotle, book de Republica; Alexander of Aphrodisias de Providentia; Hierocles Against the Atheists, chapter 1; Iamblichus de Mysteriis Aegyptiorum, chapter 45; Tully, book 1 de Legibus. Why do I recount outsiders? This is what the Christian Religion professes, what the oracles of the sacred letters decree, what the Gospel preaching everywhere scatters abroad: that salvation is established in the true worship of God. Boethius also urges this at the place cited.