Question Eight
That souls existing in Purgatory cannot merit
It is asked whether souls in Purgatory, by patiently enduring punishments or by some other act, can merit a speedier liberation.
To this it is answered as follows. Meritorious human action and salutary penance extend only to the time of the present life, after which nothing remains except either to receive punishments for sins or rewards for virtues.
Therefore, although souls in Purgatory, in accordance with their state, can act well and rightly and be piously disposed according to the charity which they possess, nevertheless through this they merit neither an increase of charity nor a diminution of punishment.
Their punishment can, however, be increased or prolonged—not because of sins committed in Purgatory, but because of the examples, things, causes, or, incidentally, doctrines which they left in the world when they died, if by the occasion of such things certain persons should have erred, fallen into vices by which they were damned, or diminished the honor of God.
Similarly, from good things left here by which certain persons should advance toward salvation, the punishment of the souls there decreases or is shortened.
It must therefore be said conclusively that, although souls existing in Purgatory are not yet at the terminus but are still in the way, far from obtaining final beatitude, and possess the use of reason together with freedom of will, nevertheless they cannot merit there, because meritorious human actions extend only to the time of the present life, as was said.
This must be held as the more probable position in this matter. These things are from John of Torquemada in the place cited above and Henry of Hesse upon Genesis.