To Florus 2.39
If, then, the apostle does not accuse the infant of a personal will, understanding that such a will could not yet have existed, he certainly declares that no sign of guilt appears in the infant. This is especially true when the judge is justice, which imputes no sin except one from which abstention is possible. But, not content to grant this alone, you add: ‘Nor does the apostle accuse marriage, insofar as it is marriage, which has not only its institution but also its blessing from God’ (Augustine, Marriage and Desire 2.45). This by itself could equally suffice to overthrow natural sin. For if the apostle knows, as he does know, that marriage is not to be accused, and if the pleasurable union of the sexes, instituted and blessed by God, belongs to marriage as its means and instrument of union, then no possession by the devil can sprout from marriage. Nor is its fruit guilty, especially before that justice which imputes no sin except one from which abstention is possible.
Latin
Ergo si Apostolus non arguit in illo propriam voluntatem, quam intellegit nec esse potuisse; pronuntiat utique, nec signum in eo criminis apparere, ea maxime iudicante iustitia, quae non imputat peccatum, nisi a quo liberum est abstinere. Verum non hoc solum tribuisse contentus, addis: Neque nuptias arguit Apostolus, in quantum nuptiae sunt, quae habent a Deo non solum institutionem, verum etiam benedictionem [n46] . Quod per se solum aeque posset ad expugnandum peccatum naturale sufficere; quia, si scit Apostolus, ut scit, non esse nuptias arguendas, ad quarum conciliationem et ministerium et instrumentum pertinet a Deo instituta et benedicta sexuum cum voluptate commixtio; non potest de his diabolica germinare possessio, nec fructus earum reus est, apud eam maxime iustitiam, quae peccatum non imputat, nisi unde liberum est abstinere.
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.