To Florus 1.3
I had, however, passed over some scriptural testimonies from which they suppose a case can be made against us. I had promised to explain them, to show that the ambiguous words of the Law that our enemies commonly use cannot count against a clearly established truth. They must be understood in accordance with what the clearest authorities of Holy Scripture and unanswerable reasoning establish. Anyone who thinks the divine Law can authorize something that justice cannot vindicate thereby reveals himself to be an ignorant and irreverent interpreter of that Law.
Latin
Testimonia tamen Scripturarum, quibus contra nos agi aliquid posse existimant, nonnulla praeterieram, quae me explanatum ire pollicitus eram, ut docerem ambigua quaeque Legis verba, quae ab inimicis nostris assumi solent, nec veritati praeiudicare perspicuae, et secundum hoc esse intellegenda, quod absolutissimis Scripturae sanctae auctoritatibus et insuperabili ratione firmatur. Siquidem hoc ipso, quam sit divinae Legis imperitus interpres et profanus apparet, quisquis putat eius sanctione defendi, quod iustitia non potest vindicari.
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.