To Florus 1.95
This grace, then, which in baptism not only forgives sins but along with that gift of pardon also advances, adopts, and consecrates us, changes what the guilty deserve. It does not create free choice, which we receive when we are created and use when we acquire the power to distinguish good and evil. We therefore do not deny that countless forms of divine help assist a good will. But this does not mean that these forms of help construct a freedom of choice that had been destroyed, or that at some time freedom is excluded and a necessity of either good or evil is thought to lie upon anyone. Rather, every help cooperates with free choice.
Latin
Haec ergo gratia, quae in Baptismate non solum peccata condonat, sed cum hoc indulgentiae beneficio, et provehit, et adoptat, et consecrat; haec, inquam, gratia, meritum mutat reorum, non liberum condit arbitrium; quod eo accipimus tempore, quo creamur; utimur autem, quo valentiam inter bonum et malum discretionis adipiscimur. Bonae itaque voluntati innumeras adiutorii divini adesse species non negamus; sed ita ut non per adiutorii genera aut fabricetur, quae fuerit arbitrii destructa libertas, aut aliquando ea exclusa, vel boni vel mali cuiquam necessitas credatur incumbere; verum arbitrio libero omne adiutorium cooperatur.
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.