To Florus 1.27
Put an end, then, to the appetite for undisciplined interpretations. Let no words be thought capable of prevailing against God's manifest justice. If they come from someone whom we are bound to revere, defend them with explanations consistent with divine fairness. If they were spoken by an author who commands no such reverence, reject them even without resolving their meaning. We are now discussing God's judgment. Of him it is written: 'God is faithful, and in him there is no injustice; the Lord God is just and holy' (Deuteronomy 32:4). And again: 'The Lord is just, and he has loved justice; his face has looked upon fairness' (Psalm 11:7; LXX Psalm 10:8). And again: 'All your judgments are fairness' (Psalm 119:172; LXX Psalm 118:172). Countless testimonies in the sacred books proclaim divine fairness. Yet no one among either the nations or the heretics has doubted it, except the Manichaeans and the advocates of inherited sin.
Latin
Exstinguatur itaque indisciplinatarum expositionum libido; nihil agere contra manifestam Dei iustitiam verba credantur; quae si eius personae sunt, quam venerari necesse est, defendantur explanationibus divinae congruentibus aequitati; sin autem non metuendo sunt auctore prolata, etiam ineliquata pellantur. Igitur nunc Dei iudicio disputatur, de quo scribitur : Deus fidelis, in quo non est iniquitas; iustus et sanctus Dominus Deus [n23] . Et iterum: Iustus Dominus, et iustitiam dilexit, aequitatem vidit vultus eius [n24] . Et iterum: Omnia iudicia tua aequitas [n25] . Innumera sunt testimonia, quibus aequitas divina in sacris Voluminibus praedicatur; de qua nemo tamen vel Gentilium, vel haereticorum, praeter Manichaeos Traducianosque dubitavit.
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.