To Florus 2.208
If natural sin transferred to the devil’s kingdom everyone whom human fertility produced, and some are thought to have been freed from it through Christ in the world’s final age, what truth or authority belongs to that teacher who, against such clear evidence from the whole world, says righteousness abounded to more people than guilt? Why believe him when he discusses obscure doctrines, if he lies about things so obvious? But to think this is sacrilege, and it was your doctrine that forced it to be said. Let the apostle’s honor therefore crush the Manichaeans’ worthlessness (compare Romans 5:15) (Romans 5:15).
Latin
Nam si universitatem, quam fecunditas humana protulit, regno diaboli peccatum naturale transcripsit et inde in extrema aetate mundi aliqui liberati per Christum putantur, quae veritas est aut quae auctoritas eius Magistri, qui contra tam clarum testimonium totius mundi dicit in plures iustitiam abundasse quam culpam? Quid ergo ei creditur de involutis dogmatibus disserenti, si de rebus tam perspicuis mentiatur? Quod quia sentire sacrilegium est, id autem dici dogma tuum compulit, honore Apostoli Manichaeorum vilitas conteratur.
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.