To Florus 1.37
This majestic virtue, which settles the account of what each person deserves, flashes forth in the works of God's image, the human soul (compare Genesis 1:26–27), according to the measure and strength of the creature. In God himself, however, the Creator of all things out of nothing, it shines eternally in a boundless, brilliant sphere. Its origin is divinity; its age is eternity, an eternity that knows neither an ending in the future nor a beginning in the past. Thus its genus, by which term I mean nothing other than its origin, is God; its species appears in the proclamation of laws and the effects of judgments (Genesis 1:26–27).
Latin
Haec igitur augusta virtus, expunctrix uniuscuiusque meritorum, in operibus quidem imaginis Dei, id est humanae animae, pro creaturae ipsius modo et viribus intermicat; in ipso vero Deo, omnium quae sunt ex nihilo conditore, immenso et claro per aeternum orbe resplendet. Origo eius divinitas est, aetas eius aeternitas, et aeternitas ultro citro nescia vel desinere vel coepisse. Ut ergo genus eius (quo nomine nihil aliud quam originem intellegi volo) Deus est; ita species eius in legum promulgatione iudiciorumque apparet effectibus.
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.