MERIT IS NOT OF MAN

Adam's sin, which belongs to every man, is not taken away by the power of human nature, or by any other remedy than the merit of the only mediator, our Lord Jesus Christ, Session V, 17th June 1546, P. 3.

[16.] The meritorious cause of justification is the dearly beloved only-begotten of God, who, when we were yet enemies, because of the abounding charity with which He loved us, merited justification for us by His most holy passion on the tree of the cross, and made satisfaction for us to God the Father, Session VI, 13th January 1547, Chapter 7, para. 2.

[17.] Man is justified freely, because none of those things which precede justification, whether faith or works, deserves the grace of justification; for if there is a grace, it is not of works, or the grace would not be a grace, Ibid. Chapter 8.

[18.] Since Jesus Christ Himself continually imparts strength, as the head does to the members of the body, and as the vine does to its branches - a strength which always precedes, accompanies, and follows their works, and without which these cannot in any way be welcome and meritorious - that justice of ours is the same as God's justice, because it is imparted by God through Christ's merit. However, far be it from a Christian to trust or boast in himself and not in the Lord, whose goodness towards men is so great that He wills that the things which are His gifts should be their merits, Ibid. Chapter 16.

[19.] If anyone says that man can be justified before God by his own works, which are done either in the strength of human nature, or through the teaching of the law apart from Divine grace through Jesus Christ, let him be anathema, Canon I, concerning Justification.

[20.] If anyone says that, without the prevenient inspiration of the Holy Spirit and its help, man can believe, hope, love, or repent, as he ought, in order that the grace of justification may be bestowed upon him, let him be anathema, Canon III, concerning Justification.

[21.] If anyone says that men are justified without Christ's justice, by which He achieved merit for us, let him be anathema, Canon X, concerning Justification.

[22.] Since we can do nothing of ourselves, but can do everything with the co-operation of Him who strengthens us, man has no cause to boast of this, but all our boasting is in Christ, in Whom we live, in Whom we have merit, and in Whom we make satisfaction; bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance, which from Him have their effectiveness, by Him are offered to the Father, and through Him are received by the Father, Session XIV, Chapter 8, concerning Contrition, p. 125.

[23.] THESE THINGS TAKE PLACE THROUGH THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM AND THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

The merit of Christ Jesus is applied both to adults and children through the due administration of the Sacrament of Baptism, since there is no other title under heaven given to men under which we ought to be saved. Whence this declaration, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sins of the world; and this other, As many as have been baptised have put on Christ, Session V, 17th June 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 anathema. Yet the Synod admits that there remains in those baptised concupiscence or an incitement, and is of the opinion that this concupiscence is not sin, but is from sin, and inclines to sin, Session V, 17th June 1546, P. 5.

[25.] Of Christ's merit, men are justified through penance, when proposing to undergo baptism, begin a new life, and keep the Divine commandments, Ibid. [Session VI,] Chapter 6.

[26.] Of Christ's merit, by the Sacrament of Penance, lost grace can be recovered, Ibid. Chapter 14.