3. [27.] III
Though Christ died for all, it is not all that receive the benefits of His death; but only those to whom the merit of His passion is communicated. So, if they are not reborn in Christ, they are never justified; since, in that rebirth through the merit of His passion, the grace by which they are made just is bestowed upon them, Session VI, 13th January 1547, Chapter 3.
[28.] The justification of a wicked man is a transference from the state in which the man is born a child of the first Adam to a state of grace, and to adoption among the children of God through the second Adam, Jesus Christ our Saviour. This transference is effected by means of the laver of regeneration, that is, baptism and its promise, Ibid. Chapter 4.
[29.] Justification is not only the remission of sins, it is also sanctification and the renewal of the inner man by his voluntary reception of grace and [Divine] gifts. So that man, from being unjust, becomes just; from being an enemy, becomes a friend; and becomes an heir in hope of eternal life, Ibid. Chapter 7.
[30.] Though no one can be just, except him to whom the merit of Christ Jesus's passion is communicated, yet this is done, in this justification of the wicked, when - by the merit of that same most holy passion - God's charity is diffused by His Holy Spirit in the hearts of those who are being justified, and adheres therein. It is from this that in the very act of justification accompanied by the remission of sins a man receives all these gifts imparted together through Jesus Christ, in Whom he is implanted by faith, hope, and charity. For faith, unless hope and charity are added to it, neither unites man perfectly with Christ nor makes him a living member of His body, Ibid. Chapter 7, para. 3.
[31.] For which reason it is said that faith without works is dead and profitless; faith works by charity. For the same reason [they who are being justified] immediately heed Christ's saying, If you would enter into life, keep the commandments. Thus receiving true and Christian justice, they are bidden immediately on being born again to Preserve it pure and spotless, as the first robe given them through Jesus Christ in lieu of that which Adam, by his disobedience, lost for himself and for us; that they might bear it before the judgment seat of our Lord Jesus Christ, and have eternal life, Ibid. Chapter 7, para. 4.
[32.] Man is justified by works, and not by faith only, Ibid. Chapter 10.
[33.] Through Jesus Christ men have access to grace, Ibid. Chapter 11.
[34.] If anyone says that the just ought not, for their good works done in God, to expect and hope for an eternal recompense from God, through His mercy and the merit of Jesus Christ, if they persevere in well doing and keeping the Divine commandments to the very end, let him be anathema, Ibid. Canons 26.
[35.] If anyone says that through the very sacraments of the new law grace is not conferred from the act performed, but that faith alone in the Divine promise is sufficient for obtaining grace, let him be anathema, Session VII. Canons 8; concerning the Sacraments.