To Florus 4.112
But fortunately you first relieved me of the burden of such persons. In the book you composed to Timasius against free choice, holy Pelagius had recalled venerable men, both Ambrose and Cyprian, who had commended free choice in their books. You replied that their authority placed no burden upon you, even saying that if they had thought anything wrongly, they had atoned for it through progress toward a better life (compare Augustine, On Nature and Grace 71). Let your own words be returned to you so that you are ashamed to stir hostility from names alone. Yet the statements of Ambrose and the others whose reputation you strive to stain by associating them with your party can be defended by clear and kindly reasoning.
Latin
Sed bene quod nos onere talium personarum prior levasti. Nam in libro quem ad Timasium contra liberum arbitrium texuisti, cum sanctus Pelagius venerabilium virorum tam Ambrosii quam Cypriani recordatus fuisset, qui liberum arbitrium in libris suis commendaverant, respondisti nulla te gravari auctoritate talium; ita ut diceres, eos processu vitae melioris, si quid male senserant, expiasse [n164] . Tua tibi ad hoc relata sint, ut excitare de solis nominibus erubescas invidiam. Ceterum vel Ambrosii dicta, vel aliorum, quorum famam vestrorum nitimini maculare consortio, clara benignaque possunt ratione defendi.