S. 5. * Mereri swim e I talus jufli- ti,ecommutati- ve:idooxviali- taemoperis et* meeeedis requi- rit. Parzus in Muth. z5.zo. e8 ) SECT. V. 2. He wordMerit alfo is very ambiguous.t.Sometime it is ma- terially taken for that which by the proportion of its worth to another deferveth fomewhat anfwerable in Commutative Juftice. In this fenceour Divinesufe the word, againit the Papifis commonly, * when they fay that whichMeriteth, mull not be due to the other, mull advantage him, muff be proportioned to the Reward, &c. 2. Sometime it is taken for fome defert by eminent fervice for the Commonwealth , above what the Lawof that Commonwealth impofeth as Davich killing golials ; the as of his worthies , Sampfons exploits, &c. which a Reaor, as fuch, among men, is obliged in Juffice to Reward, both for the com- mon good thereby advanced, and for encouraging of gallant men. 3. Sometime it is taken for defert by fo perfe& obedience to the Redor as is very eminent and exemplary, or as perfect as he can require : Such as .4e/ams in Paradife should have been. 4. Some- time it is:taken for an ad of meer love, fuppofed to deferve a re- turn of love, though the party beloved receive no benefit by it. 5,. Sometime for fome eminent expreffionof that love, as by ven- turing ones life, or lofing limbs or life in anothers caufe, and for hisfake, though he receive no benefit by it. 6. Sometime for very great fufferings or lofres fultained in the execution of fome commands, which it isfuppofed deferve fomereparation, or bene- fit from the Commander : as maimed Souldiers deferve to be maintained. 7. Sometime it is improperly taken, for the perfor- mance of any condition to which a Reward is promifed by the Redor, though it advantage him not, and have no proportion to theReward, and were it fell due ; yet becaufe the work pleafeth him,as beinga thinghe loveth,therefore he promifeth the Reward, and upon thefe two grounds conjund the vertuoufnefs of the work,and the Obligation ofthe promife,they call the performance of the condition, Merit : much more, ifany ofthe former concur. 8. Sometime it is taken for any performanceof the condition ofa Promile or Gift, though the nature of the condition be not fo much pofitively to *ale, as negatively not to difpleafe, As in a free gift, where naturally among all men thefe three conditions are
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