To Florus 2.103

‘And the gift,’ he says, ‘is not as it was through one who sinned. For the judgment was from one to condemnation, but grace is from many offenses to justification’ (Romans 5:16). You attach this explanation to the apostle’s words: ‘“From one”—from one what,’ you ask, ‘if not offense? For what follows is “But grace is from many offenses.” Let these people say how judgment comes from one offense to condemnation, unless even the single original sin that passed into all human beings is sufficient for condemnation. Grace, however, is from many offenses to justification because it releases not only that single sin inherited at birth, but also the other sins each person adds by the movement of his own will. “For if through one man’s offense death reigned through one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and righteousness reign in life through the one Jesus Christ. Therefore, as through one man’s offense it came upon all human beings to condemnation, so through one man’s righteousness it came upon all human beings to justification of life”’ (Romans 5:17–18; Augustine, Marriage and Desire 2.46). After these apostolic words, as though you had achieved something, you insult us: ‘Let them persist in the vanity of their minds (Ephesians 4:17) and say that one man did not transmit sin by descent but supplied an example of it. How, then, does it come “through one man’s offense upon all human beings to condemnation,” rather than through each person’s many offenses, unless that one sin alone is sufficient to bring condemnation even when no other sins are added? It does so to dying infants born from Adam, unless they are reborn in Christ. Why, then, does this man ask us what he refuses to hear from the apostle: through what sin is found in an infant—whether through will, marriage, or parents? Let him hear through what. Let him hear and be silent: through what sin is found in an infant. The apostle says, “Through one man’s offense upon all human beings to condemnation”’ (Romans 5:18; Augustine, Marriage and Desire 2.46). We know that you fear nothing more than questioning that probes your mind and doctrine. That is why you use every resource to obtain from the powers of this world a refusal of examination. You understand that you must act by force when reason’s help deserts you.