>>214274254
I answer that, It was necessary for man's salvation that there should be a knowledge
revealed by God besides philosophical science built up by human reason. Firstly, indeed,
because man is directed to God, as to an end that surpasses the grasp of his reason: "The
eye hath not seen, O God, besides Thee, what things Thou hast prepared for them that wait
for Thee" (Is. 66:4). But the end must first be known by men who are to direct their thoughts
and actions to the end. Hence it was necessary for the salvation of man that certain truths
which exceed human reason should be made known to him by divine revelation. Even as
regards those truths about God which human reason could have discovered, it was necessary
that man should be taught by a divine revelation; because the truth about God such as
reason could discover, would only be known by a few, and that after a long time, and with
the admixture of many errors. Whereas man's whole salvation, which is in God, depends
upon the knowledge of this truth. Therefore, in order that the salvation of men might be
brought about more fitly and more surely, it was necessary that they should be taught divine
truths by divine revelation. It was therefore necessary that besides philosophical science
built up by reason, there should be a sacred science learned through revelation.