To Florus 2.129
Now, however, I maintain consistently that the apostle had no notion of Manichaean inherited transmission. He showed that it would gravely insult the mysteries if they were in every respect comparable to sins—that is, if grace did not help more effectively than the example of sin had harmed. The Teacher of the Gentiles therefore located the Christian faith’s highest dignity in his affirmation that it surpasses offenses. That is why he took care to rank the medicine’s effect above the old diseases (compare Romans 5:15) (Romans 5:15).
Latin
Nunc vero assero consequenter nihil Apostolum de Manichaea traduce suspicatum; ostendit quippe ad gravem iniuriam pertinere mysteriorum, si compararentur per cuncta peccatis, id est si non efficacius prodesset gratia, quam culpae forma nocuisset. Maximam ergo christianae fidei dignitatem in eo Magister Gentium collocavit, quod eam affirmavit antestare delictis; ob hoc illi curae fuit, ut morbis veteribus medicinae praeferret effectum.
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.