To Florus 1.96
It is solely because of this free choice, the Teacher of the Nations writes, that we must be revealed before Christ's judgment seat, so that each may receive what belongs to the body's deeds, according to what he has done, whether good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:10). Catholics acknowledge this free choice, but you deny it, not only with Mani but also with Jovinian, whom you dare to pin on us. Your denial takes a different form but involves similar impiety. To make this clearer, let us examine the distinctions. We say that a person's sin changes not the state of nature but the character of what the person deserves. That is, in the sinner the nature of free choice remains the same: through it he can cease from sin, just as through it he was able to depart from righteousness.
Latin
Hoc ergo arbitrium liberum, propter quod solum nos manifestari ante tribunal Christi, Magister Gentium scribit, ut reportet unusquisque propria corporis prout gessit, sive bonum, sive malum [n247] , sicut Catholici quidem confitentur; ita vos non solum cum Manichaeo, sed etiam cum Ioviniano, quem nobis audes impingere, diverso quidem genere, sed impietate simili denegatis. Quod ut planius fiat, divisionum adhibeatur examen. Nos dicimus peccato hominis, non naturae statum mutari, sed meriti qualitatem; id est, et in peccante hanc esse liberi arbitrii naturam, per quam potest a peccato desinere, quae fuit in eo ut posset a iustitia deviare.
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.