To Florus 2.19
Clear reasoning also showed that those who say sins are natural deny free will. Indeed, the Carthaginian denied it, not in his own words—lest they carry too little weight—but with a testimony from the Gospel (John 8:36), as though that gave his denial greater authority. By explaining this testimony, we restored it to the Gospel’s dignity. We also freed the apostle Paul’s testimony from the slanderer’s snares and, with the prophet as witness, showed that our God, the potter of good vessels, is the creator of everyone (Romans 9:21; Isaiah 45:8–13) (Romans 9:21) (Isaiah 45:8–13).
Latin
Liberum autem arbitrium negari ab his, qui dicunt peccata esse naturalia, lucida est disputatione monstratum. Quod quidem Poenus, non suo sermone, ne minus ponderis haberet, sed Evangelii testimonio, quasi auctoratius, denegavit, quod nos exponendo, evangelicae reddidimus dignitati. Apostoli quoque Pauli testimonium laqueis calumniatoris exemimus, et bonorum vasorum figulum Deum nostrum esse omnium conditorem, Propheta teste monstravimus.
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.