To Florus 1.5
Nothing, then, can be done through God's Law against God, the author of the Law. This single brief argument rules out whatever those in error usually object. Nevertheless, to show how rich is the truth we believe, we also bring the light of explanation to passages of Scripture whose tangled wording has veiled their meaning. Once opened up, they may retain the dignity of their origin, rather than being cut off from their sacred ancestry as though they were illegitimate or degenerate offspring.
Latin
Nihil ergo per Legem Dei agi potest contra Deum Legis auctorem. Quo uno compendio excluditur quidem quidquid ab errantibus consuevit obici; sed nos ad docendum quam sit veritas locuples cui credimus, illis quoque Scripturarum locis, quae intellectum sententiae elocutionum perplexitate velarunt, expositionis lucem solemus afferre; ut originis suae dignitatem reserata possideant, nec ab stemmate sacro velut notha aut degenerantia separentur.
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.