A "meritum congrui" (title to reward based upon equity) they attribute to a work which has been performed not against but in accordance to the divine law, inasmuch as an evil work is subject not to a reward but a penalty.
The "meritum condigni" (a title to reward based upon desert) they attribute not to the work itself but to its quality as being performed in a state of grace.
And this I think to be the meaning of that distinction of the Schooles, between Meritum Congrui, and Meritum Condigni.
Why then do the Scotists and the Thomists, about that they call meritum congrui and meritum condigni, no better agree together?
The phrase “without any preceding merits” (nullis praecedentibus meritis) excludes both the meritumde condigno and the meritum de congruo.
Eck did not, however, approve the term meritum de condigno; he preferred meritum digni.
Positive capacity or disposition differs from both prayer or quasi-merit (meritum de congruo).
This is equally true of themeritum de condigno and the meritum de congruo.
Because of the ambiguity of the word “equity” Dominicus Soto, Becanus, and a few other Scholastics rejected the use of the term meritumde congruo in theology.
The meritum de condigno is based on a strict claim of justice, not on mere equity.
To assume the existence of a strict meritum naturae for it, would be to deny the gratuity as well as the supernatural character of grace.
If man were able to merit final perseverance by good works (meritum de condigno), God would be in justice bound to give him this precious grace.
Therefore we justly find fault with the doctrine concerning meritum condigni, since it teaches nothing of justifying faith, and obscures the glory and office of Christ as Mediator.
For the scholastics, moved by this reason, seem to have devised the meritum condigni.
This argument has moved the scholastics to invent the meritum condigni; for there must be (they think) a difference between those who are saved and those who are damned.
Hence it can also be understood why we find fault with the doctrine of the adversaries concerning meritum condigni.
The above list will hopefully give you a few useful examples demonstrating the appropriate usage of "meritum" in a variety of sentences. We hope that you will now be able to make sentences using this word.
