Pope Stephen III On Firmness Of Mind

Pope Stephen III, To Charles and Carloman (Codex Epistolaris Carolinus 45), 769: “When we remember the eminent lives and meritorious conduct of all God’s elect, we certainly find that no change in their condition can move them from their state of mind and pristine constancy of commitment. Therefore, despite being besieged by the various promptings and allurements of the ancient enemy, they have maintained unalterably their firmness of mind, and as a result have deservedly attained with triumphant victory the joys they hoped for. It is to be noted in particular that, if anyone is seduced and overcome by any prompting, he deviates at once from the right path that leads to eternal life, and so descends on a steep incline and falls into headlong ruin.”