To Florus 1.130
but creates his image, that is, all human beings, good (compare Genesis 1:26–27). Even when they have been ruined by perverse pursuits, he desires to restore them through the generosity of his remedies. To him the Church indeed sings “mercy and judgment” (Psalm 101:1; LXX Psalm 100:1) (Genesis 1:26–27). He is kind to those who have done no wrong, and by a just judgment punishes those who, created good by God, sinned by their own will and rejected the help of mercy. This is the mercy and this the judgment sung by the Church of the catholics. In your church, however, nothing of the kind can resound, since it says that God, the Creator of evil people, without justice, judgment, or mercy, forms those whom he will punish, and punishes them because he himself formed them from Adam (Psalm 101:1;).
Latin
Sed imaginem suam, id est, omnes homines bonos condere, qui etiam demolitos studiorum pravitate, reformare remediorum desiderat largitate. Ipsi quidem cantat Ecclesia misericordiam et iudicium [n336] ; quia et illis est benignus qui nihil deliquerunt, et iusto punit iudicio eos qui boni a Deo conditi suapte voluntate peccarunt, ac misericordiae subsidia respuerunt. Hanc igitur misericordiam, et hoc iudicium cantat Ecclesia Catholicorum; ceterum in vestra nihil potest tale resonare, quae dicit sine iustitia, sine iudicio, sine misericordia, Deum conditorem malorum, formare quos puniat; atque ob hoc punire, quod eos ex Adam ipse formaverit.
About this text
Julian’s six preserved books to Florus, quoted section by section in Augustine’s unfinished reply. Augustine’s refutations are omitted. Latin of Julian’s words is on each section.
Julian’s own books do not survive as a separate manuscript. English follows his words as Augustine quotes them in the Unfinished Work Against Julian. Augustine’s replies are omitted. We do not restore a Julian text independent of Augustine.
Witnesses
- Copy-text Augustine, Unfinished Work Against Julian (Latin · Julian’s words as quoted, Books 1–6)
- Checked print Augustinus.it Latin of the Unfinished Work (Latin · Same work)
- Checked print Migne PL 45 (Latin · Hard cases)
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Latin on each section (or the Latin source witness link) for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.