To Florus 5.18
This is what we understood. Speaking about nature’s institution, we brought forward what the apostle plainly meant. What, then, did you accomplish by replying that he calls it natural rather than marital use? Or with what mouth do you add: ‘When someone unites with a prostitute using the same organs, it is natural use, yet not praiseworthy but blameworthy’ (Romans 1:27)? Let us show here too what we have often disclosed: you utter not even one sentence that does not count strongly against you. If the use involved in fornication is called natural, yet not praiseworthy but blameworthy because it is intercourse with a prostitute, you will undoubtedly confess marital intercourse, because it is honorable and lawful, to be not blameworthy but praiseworthy (compare Romans 1:27).
Latin
Hoc nos intelleximus, cumque de naturae institutione loqueremur, id protulimus quod Apostolum sensisse constabat. Tu igitur quid promovisti, ut referres non ab eo usum coniugalem, sed naturalem vocari? Aut quo ore subiungis, quoniam " cum iisdem membris meretrici quisque miscetur, naturalis est usus, nec tamen laudabilis, sed culpabilis "? Ut enim etiam hic ostendamus, quod frequenter aperuimus, unam a te saltem sententiam non proferri, quae non adversum te plurimum valeat; si usus fornicationis naturalis, nec tamen laudabilis, sed culpabilis dicitur, ob hoc quia meretricis usus est; sine dubio coniugalem, quia honestum atque licitum, non culpabilem, sed laudabilem profiteberis.
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.