Whether perseverance needs the help of grace? [*Cf. FS, Question [109], Article [10]]

❌ Objection 1 : It seems that perseverance does not need the help of grace. For perseverance is a virtue, as stated above (Article [1]). Now according to Tully (De Invent. Rhet. ii) virtue acts after the manner of nature. Therefore the sole inclination of virtue suffices for perseverance. Therefore this does not need the help of grace.

❌ Objection 2 : Further, the gift of Christ's grace is greater than the harm brought upon us by Adam, as appears from Rm. 5:15, seqq. Now "before sin man was so framed that he could persevere by means of what he had received," as Augustine says (De Correp. et Grat. xi). Much more therefore can man, after being repaired by the grace of Christ, persevere without the help of a further grace.

❌ Objection 3 : Further, sinful deeds are sometimes more difficult than deeds of virtue: hence it is said in the person of the wicked (Wis. 5:7): "We . . . have walked through hard ways." Now some persevere in sinful deeds without the help of another. Therefore man can also persevere in deeds of virtue without the help of grace.