De Moor I:22: The End of Natural Theology

With respect to the End of Natural Theology:

α.  Negatively, it is not the Salvation of fallen man, which is proven from its Insufficiency, demonstrated in § 19, 20.  But,

β.  Positively, it is various, a.  With respect to God, a demonstration of His Infinite Goodness, Psalm 145:9; Acts 14:17:  b.  With respect to men, 1.  As far as the Elect are concerned, an easier Leading unto Faith, and a more abundant Confirmation in it.  For those that cleave to the false worship of the Gods are best convicted at first as guilty of vain superstition through Natural Theology, and thus are freed from the false prejudices; in which having been imbued, they tenaciously cleave to ancestral errors, neither do they make room for the better wisdom revealed; in which manner Paul was dealing with the Athenians.[1]  Then, the very suffrage of right reason is not a little able to confirm the infirm souls of the faithful, in immovable assent of the truth revealed from heaven.  2.  As far as the Reprobates are concerned, their Conviction and greater ἀναπολογησία/inexcusability, Romans 1:20; τὰ γὰρ ἀόρατα αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ κτίσεως κόσμου τοῖς ποιήμασι νοούμενα καθορᾶται, ἥ τε ἀΐδιος αὐτοῦ δύναμις καὶ θειότης, εἰς τὸ εἶναι αὐτοὺς ἀναπολογήτους, for the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse, in which the εἰς, so that, is ἐκβατικὸν, expressive of result or event, and τελικὸν, expressive of purpose or end, at the same time.  3.  Finally, as far as Reprobates and Elect together are concerned, especially before the Calling of the latter, Natural Theology is serviceable for greater Restraint, that it might be a fetter of external discipline among men, lest the world descend into brigandage; compare Romans 2:14, 15.  For, if Sacred Scripture alone reproved vices, men might more easily resist; now, when nature on its part does the same, they are more greatly deterred from them.

[1] Acts 17:16-34.