Merit is Not from Man

That the sin of Adam which is in the proprium of everyone, cannot be taken away by the powers of human nature, nor by any other remedy than the merit of the one Mediator our Lord Jesus Christ. (Sess. V. 3, June 17, 1546.)

[16.] The meritorious cause of justification is the dearly beloved the only begotten of God, who when we were enemies, on account of the exceeding charity wherewith He loved us, merited justification for us, by His most holy passion on the wood of the cross, and made satisfaction for us unto God the Father. (Sess. VI. 7:2, Jan. 13, 1547.)

[17.] Man is justified freely, because none of those things which precede justification, whether of faith or works, merit the grace of justification itself; for if it be grace, it is not by works, otherwise grace would not be grace. (Sess. VI. 8.)

[18.] There is a continual influx of virtue from Jesus Christ Himself, as from the head into the members, and from a vine into the branches; which virtue always precedes, accompanies and follows their works, and without which they could not by any means be acceptable and meritorious in the sight of God. That which is termed our justice, is the justice of God, because it is infused into us by God through the merit of Christ. Far be it, therefore, from any Christian man either to trust or glory in himself, and not in the Lord, whose goodness towards men is so great, that He wishes that the things which are His gifts may be their merits. (Sess. VI. 18.)

[19.] If anyone saith, that man may be justified in the sight of God by his own works, which are done either through the teaching of human nature, or through the teaching of the law, without Divine grace through Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. (Can. 1, Concerning Justification.)

[20.] If anyone saith, that without the preventing inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and without His help, man can believe, hope, love, or be penitent as he ought, so that the grace of justification may be bestowed upon him, let him be accursed. (Canon 3, On Justification.)

[21.] If anyone saith, that men are just without the justice of Christ, whereby He merited for us to be justified, let him be accursed. (Canon 10, On Justification.)

[22.] For we, who can do nothing of ourselves, as of ourselves, can do all things, he cooperating, who strengthens us. Thus man has not wherein to glory, but all our glory is in Christ; in whom we live; in whom we merit; in whom we satisfy; bringing forth fruit worthy of repentance, which from him have efficacy, by him are offered to the Father, and through him are accepted by the Father. [Sess. XIV.] (Chap. 8, Concerning Satisfaction, p. 125.)

[23.] III They Do Them Through the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Repentance

The merit of Jesus Christ is applied both to adults and to infants, by the sacrament of baptism rightly administered; for there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved. Whence that voice, Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world; and that other, As many as have been baptized, have put on Christ. (Sess. V., June 17, 1546, p. 5.)

[24.] If anyone denies, that, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is conferred in baptism, the guilt of original sin is remitted, or asserts that the whole of that which has the true and proper nature of sin is not taken away; but says it is only erased, or not imputed; let him be accursed. But that in the baptized there remains concupiscence or an incentive [to sin] the Synod confesses and is sensible of, and that this concupiscence is not sin, but is from sin, and inclines to sin. (Sess. V., June 17, 1546, p. 5.)

[25.] That from the merit of Christ they are justified by repentance, when they purpose to receive baptism, to begin a new life, and to keep the Divine commandments. (Sess. VI., Chap. 6.)

[26.] That by the sacrament of repentance, by the merit of Christ, the grace lost can be recovered. (Sess. VI., Chap 14.)