Question 114 — Of Merit

We must now consider merit, which is the effect of cooperating grace; and under this head there are ten points of inquiry:

(1) Whether a man can merit anything from God?

• (2) Whether without grace anyone can merit eternal life?
• (3) Whether anyone with grace may merit eternal life condignly?
• (4) Whether it is chiefly through the instrumentality of charity that grace is the principle of merit?
• (5) Whether a man may merit the first grace for himself?
• (6) Whether he may merit it for someone else?
• (7) Whether anyone can merit restoration after sin?
• (8) Whether he can merit for himself an increase of grace or charity?
• (9) Whether he can merit final perseverance?
• (10) Whether temporal goods fall under merit?