I should admit, indeed, that the ordinary notion of merit becomes inapplicable (see the next section). But I do not see that Perfection becomes less an End to be aimed at, because we cease to regard its attainment as meritorious. The inapplicability of the notion of `merit' to Divine action has never been felt to detract from the Perfection of the Divine Nature.
ME Book 1 Chapter 5 Section 3