Whether natural contingents are subject to the eternal law?

❌ Objection 1 : It would seem that natural contingents are not subject to the eternal law. Because promulgation is essential to law, as stated above (Question [90], Article [4]). But a law cannot be promulgated except to rational creatures, to whom it is possible to make an announcement. Therefore none but rational creatures are subject to the eternal law; and consequently natural contingents are not.

❌ Objection 2 : Further, "Whatever obeys reason partakes somewhat of reason," as stated in Ethic. i. But the eternal law, is the supreme type, as stated above (Article [1]). Since then natural contingents do not partake of reason in any way, but are altogether void of reason, it seems that they are not subject to the eternal law.

❌ Objection 3 : Further, the eternal law is most efficient. But in natural contingents defects occur. Therefore they are not subject to the eternal law.