On the Proceedings of Pelagius
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ancient and modern sources may differ slightly, so the year orders the corpus without pretending diary-level certainty.","GeoCards":[{"Label":"Region","Key":"Region:1"},{"Label":"Terra Avita","Key":"TerraAvita:5"},{"Label":"Terra Avita Region","Key":"TerraAvitaRegion:19"},{"Label":"Modern Country","Key":"Country:DZA:5"}],"OriginalTitle":"De gestis Pelagii","Language":"Latin","DisciplineCards":[{"Label":"Primary Discipline","Key":"Discipline:ethics"},{"Label":"Secondary Discipline","Key":"Discipline:philosophy-of-religion"}],"Tradition":"Latin Christian Platonism, late antique philosophy, theology, exegesis, and controversy","FullText":{"Title":"Full Text","Copy":"Full text from New Advent Fathers: On the Proceedings of Pelagius .","Url":"","Label":"","Kicker":"","Cards":[]},"CoreThesis":["Augustine reviews the Pelagian case to clarify grace, responsibility, and doctrinal accountability."],"Classification":{"AlternateTitles":"","KeyConcepts":"On the Proceedings of Pelagius; Augustine; will; love; grace; signs; memory; time; evil; interpretation; ecclesial order","Methodology":"Philosophical argument, biblical exegesis, introspection, theological controversy, pastoral instruction, and late antique rhetorical analysis.","Structure":"Stable named Augustine work or collection page accepted under the All Named Works policy; letters and sermons are represented at collection level."},"Arguments":["Connects Augustine\u0027s account of God, soul, will, love, signs, evil, grace, Church, Scripture, and civic order to a specific named work or collection."],"Influence":{"InfluencedBy":"Scripture, Cicero, Plato, Plotinus, Porphyry, Ambrose of Milan, Paul the Apostle, Manichaean controversy, and late antique rhetoric.","InfluenceOn":""},"Significance":["Part of Augustine\u0027s stable named corpus as cross-checked against Augustinus.it, New Advent, CCEL, and public-text catalogues.","Used in contemporary work on memory, time, will, grace, evil, love, language, interpretation, political order, and the history of Christian philosophy."],"EvidenceNote":["Accepted under the All Named Works policy because Augustinus.it, New Advent, CCEL, Wikisource, or public-text catalogues preserve this as a stable Augustine work title."],"MainSections":[{"Kind":"RawSection","Title":"Full Versions","BodyHtml":"\u003cdiv class=\"dz-philo__full-version-grid\"\u003e\n \u003carticle class=\"dz-philo__full-version-card\"\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"dz-philo__full-version-provider\"\u003eNew Advent Fathers\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003ch3 class=\"dz-philo__full-version-title\"\u003eOn the Proceedings of Pelagius\u003c/h3\u003e\n \u003cp class=\"dz-philo__full-version-meta\"\u003eHtmlText · LinkOnlyReady\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003ca class=\"dz-philo__full-version-link\" href=\"https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1505.htm\"\u003eOpen full version\u003c/a\u003e\n \u003c/article\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e"},{"Kind":"TextSection","Title":"Core Thesis","Paragraphs":["Augustine reviews the Pelagian case to clarify grace, responsibility, and doctrinal accountability."]},{"Kind":"FieldSection","Title":"Classification","Fields":[{"Label":"Alternate Titles","Value":""},{"Label":"Key Concepts","Value":"On the Proceedings of Pelagius; Augustine; will; love; grace; signs; memory; time; evil; interpretation; ecclesial order"},{"Label":"Methodology","Value":"Philosophical argument, biblical exegesis, introspection, theological controversy, pastoral instruction, and late antique rhetorical analysis."},{"Label":"Structure","Value":"Stable named Augustine work or collection page accepted under the All Named Works policy; letters and sermons are represented at collection level."}]},{"Kind":"TextSection","Title":"Arguments","Paragraphs":["Connects Augustine\u0027s account of God, soul, will, love, signs, evil, grace, Church, Scripture, and civic order to a specific named work or collection."]},{"Kind":"FieldSection","Title":"Influence","Fields":[{"Label":"Influenced By","Value":"Scripture, Cicero, Plato, Plotinus, Porphyry, Ambrose of Milan, Paul the Apostle, Manichaean controversy, and late antique rhetoric."},{"Label":"Influence On","Value":"Medieval scholasticism, Latin Christian theology, Anselm, Aquinas, Bonaventure, Reformation theology, political theology, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of religion."}]},{"Kind":"TextSection","Title":"Significance","Paragraphs":["Part of Augustine\u0027s stable named corpus as cross-checked against Augustinus.it, New Advent, CCEL, and public-text catalogues.","Used in contemporary work on memory, time, will, grace, evil, love, language, interpretation, political order, and the history of Christian philosophy."]},{"Kind":"TextSection","Title":"Evidence Note","Paragraphs":["Accepted under the All Named Works policy because Augustinus.it, New Advent, CCEL, Wikisource, or public-text catalogues preserve this as a stable Augustine work title."]},{"Kind":"RawSection","Title":"Full Text","BodyHtml":"\u003cp class=\"dz-philo__section-copy dz-philo__full-text-source\"\u003eFull text from \u003ca href=\"https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1505.htm\"\u003eNew Advent Fathers: On the Proceedings of Pelagius\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003carticle class=\"dz-philo__full-text-body\"\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eOn the Proceedings of Pelagius\u003c/h1\u003e\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWritten about the commencement of the year, A.D. 417.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExtract from Augustine\u0027s Retractions (Book II, Chapter 45):\u003c/strong\u003e About the same time, in the East (that is to say, in Palestinian Syria), Pelagius was summoned by certain Catholic brethren before a tribunal of bishops, and was heard on his trial by fourteen prelates, in the absence of his accusers, who were unable to be present on the day of the synod. On his condemning the very dogmas which were read from the indictment against him, as assailing the grace of Christ, they pronounced him to be a Catholic. But when the Acts of this synod found their way into our hands, I wrote a treatise on them, to prevent the idea gaining ground that, because he had been in a manner acquitted, his opinions also were approved by the bishops; or that the accused could by any chance have escaped condemnation at their hands, unless he had condemned the opinions charged against him. This treatise of mine begins with these words: \u0027After there came into my hands.\u0027\"\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe several heads of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerror\u003c/a\u003e which were alleged against Pelagius at the Synod in Palestine, with his answers to each charge, are minutely discussed. Augustine shows that, although Pelagius was acquitted by the synod, there still clave to him the suspicion of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e; and that the acquittal of the accused by the synod was so contrived, that the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e itself with which he was charged was unhesitatingly condemned.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 1.\u0026mdash; Introduction\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter there came into my hands, \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e father Aurelius, the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eecclesiastical\u003c/a\u003e proceedings, by which fourteen \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e of the province of Palestine pronounced Pelagius a catholic, my hesitation, in which I was previously reluctant to make any lengthy or confident statement about the defense which he had made, came to an end. This defense, indeed, I had already read in a paper which he himself forwarded to me. Forasmuch, however, as I received no letter therewith from him, I was afraid that some discrepancy might be detected between my statement and the record of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eecclesiastical\u003c/a\u003e proceedings; and that, should Pelagius perhaps deny that he had sent me any paper (and it would have been difficult for me to prove that he had, when there was only one \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15677a.htm\"\u003ewitness\u003c/a\u003e), I should rather seem guilty in the eyes of those who would readily credit his denial, either of an underhanded falsification, or else (to say the least) of a reckless credulity. Now, however, when I am to treat of matters which are shown to have actually transpired, and when, as it appears to me, all \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e is removed whether he really acted in the way described, your \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholiness\u003c/a\u003e, and everybody who reads these pages, will no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e be able to judge, with greater readiness and certainty, both of his defense and of this my treatment of it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 2 [I.]\u0026mdash; The First Item in the Accusation, and Pelagius\u0027 Answer\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFirst of all, then, I offer to the Lord my \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, who is also my defense and guide, unspeakable thanks, because I was not misled in my views respecting our \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e brethren and fellow \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e who sat as judges in that case. His answers, indeed, they not without reason approved; because they had not to consider how he had in his writings stated the points which were objected against him, but what he had to say about them in his reply at the pending examination. A case of unsoundness in the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e is one thing, one of incautious statement is another thing. Now sundry objections were urged against Pelagius out of a written complaint, which our \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e brethren and fellow \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e in \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06395b.htm\"\u003eGaul\u003c/a\u003e, Heros and Lazarus, presented, being themselves unable to be present, owing (as we afterwards learned from credible information) to the severe indisposition of one of them. The first of these was, that he writes, in a certain book of his, this: \u003cq\u003eNo man can be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e unless he has acquired a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law.\u003c/q\u003e After this had been read out, the synod inquired: \u003cq\u003eDid you, Pelagius, express yourself thus?\u003c/q\u003e Then in answer he said: \u003cq\u003eI certainly used the words, but not in the sense in which they understand them. I did not say that a man is unable to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e who has acquired a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law; but that he is by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law assisted towards not sinning, even as it is written, \u0027He has given them a law for help\u0027\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/isa008.htm#verse20\"\u003eIsaiah\u0026nbsp;8:20\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Upon hearing this, the synod declared: \u003cq\u003eThe words which have been spoken by Pelagius are not different from the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e Assuredly they are not different, as he expressed them in his answer; the statement, however, which was produced from his book has a different meaning. But this the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e, who were Greek-speaking men, and who heard the words through an interpreter, were not concerned with discussing. All they had to consider at the moment was, what the man who was under examination said was his meaning \u0026mdash; not in what words his opinion was alleged to have been expressed in his book.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 3.\u0026mdash; Discussion of Pelagius\u0027 First Answer\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNow to say that \u003cq\u003ea man is by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law assisted towards not sinning,\u003c/q\u003e is a different assertion from saying that \u003cq\u003ea man cannot be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e unless he has acquired a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law.\u003c/q\u003e We see, for example, that grain-floors may be threshed without threshing-sledges \u0026mdash; however much these may assist the operation if we have them; and that boys can find their way to school without the pedagogue \u0026mdash; however valuable for this may be the office of pedagogues; and that many \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e recover from sickness without physicians \u0026mdash; although the doctor\u0027s skill is clearly of greatest use; and that men sometimes live on other aliments besides bread \u0026mdash; however valuable the use of bread must needs be allowed to be; and many other illustrations may occur to the thoughtful reader, without our prompting. From which examples we are undoubtedly reminded that there are two sorts of aids. Some are indispensable, and without their help the desired result could not be attained. Without a ship, for instance, no man could take a voyage; no man could speak without a voice; without legs no man could walk; without light nobody could see; and so on in numberless instances. Amongst them this also may be reckoned, that without God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e no man can live rightly. But then, again, there are other helps, which render us assistance in such a way that we might in some other way effect the object to which they are ordinarily auxiliary in their absence. Such are those which I have already mentioned \u0026mdash; the threshing-sledges for threshing grain, the pedagogue for conducting the child, medical art applied to the recovery of health, and other like instances. We have therefore to inquire to which of these two classes belongs the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law, \u0026mdash; in other words, to consider in what way it helps us towards the avoidance of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e. If it be in the sense of indispensable aid without which the end cannot be attained; not only was Pelagius\u0027 answer before the judges \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etrue\u003c/a\u003e, but what he wrote in his book was \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etrue\u003c/a\u003e also. If, however, it be of such a character that it helps indeed if it is present, but even if it be absent, then the result is still possible to be attained by some other means \u0026mdash; his answer to the judges was still \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etrue\u003c/a\u003e, and not unreasonably did it find favour with the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e that \u003cq\u003eman is assisted not to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law;\u003c/q\u003e but what he wrote in his book is not \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etrue\u003c/a\u003e, that \u003cq\u003ethere is no man without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e except him who has acquired a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law,\u003c/q\u003e \u0026mdash; a statement which the judges left undiscussed, as they were \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07648a.htm\"\u003eignorant\u003c/a\u003e of the Latin language, and were content with the confession of the man who was pleading his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03459a.htm\"\u003ecause\u003c/a\u003e before them, especially as no one was present on the other side who could oblige the interpreter to expose his meaning by an explanation of the words of his book, and to show why it was that the brethren were not groundlessly disturbed. For but very few \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e are thoroughly acquainted with the law. The mass of the members of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eChrist\u003c/a\u003e, who are scattered abroad everywhere, being \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07648a.htm\"\u003eignorant\u003c/a\u003e of the very profound and complicated contents of the law, are commended by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12748a.htm\"\u003epiety\u003c/a\u003e of simple \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e and unfailing hope in \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, and sincere \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09397a.htm\"\u003elove\u003c/a\u003e. Endowed with such gifts, they trust that by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God they may be purged from their \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e through \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eour Lord Jesus Christ\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 4 [II.]\u0026mdash; The Same Continued\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf Pelagius, as he possibly might, were to say in reply to this, that that very thing was what he meant by \u003cq\u003ethe \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law, without which a man is unable to be free from \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e which is communicated by the teaching of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e to converts and to babes in \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eChrist\u003c/a\u003e, and in which candidates for \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02258b.htm\"\u003ebaptism\u003c/a\u003e are catechetically instructed with a view to their \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowing\u003c/a\u003e the creed, certainly this is not what is usually meant when any one is said to have a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law. This phrase is only applied to such \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e as are skilled in the law. But if he persists in describing the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law by the words in question, which, however few in number, are great in weight, and are used to designate all who are faithfully \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02258b.htm\"\u003ebaptized\u003c/a\u003e according to the prescribed rule of the Churches; and if he maintains that it was of this that he said, \u003cq\u003eNo one is without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, but the man who has acquired the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law,\u003c/q\u003e \u0026mdash; a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e which must needs be conveyed to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05769a.htm\"\u003ebelievers\u003c/a\u003e before they attain to the actual remission of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e \u0026mdash; even in such case there would crowd around him a countless multitude, not indeed of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01489a.htm\"\u003eangry\u003c/a\u003e disputants, but of crying \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02258b.htm\"\u003ebaptized\u003c/a\u003e infants, who would exclaim \u0026mdash; not, to be sure, in words, but in the very \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruthfulness\u003c/a\u003e of innocence \u0026mdash;\u003cq\u003eWhat is it, O what is it that you have written: \u0027He only can be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e who has acquired a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law.\u0027 See here are we, a large flock of lambs, without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, and yet we have no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law.\u003c/q\u003e Now surely they with their silent tongue would compel him to silence, or, perhaps, even to confess that he was corrected of his great perverseness; or else (if you will), that he had already for some time entertained the opinion which he acknowledged before his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eecclesiastical\u003c/a\u003e examiners, but that he had failed before to express his opinion in words of sufficient care \u0026mdash; that his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e, therefore, should be approved, but this book revised and amended. For, as the \u003ca href=\"../bible/index.html\"\u003eScripture\u003c/a\u003e says: \u003cq\u003eThere is that slips in his speech, but not in his heart.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/sir019.htm#verse16\"\u003eSirach\u0026nbsp;19:16\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Now if he would only admit this, or were already saying it, who would not most readily forgive those words which he had committed to writing with too great heedlessness and neglect, especially on his declining to defend the opinion which the said words contain, and affirming that to be his proper view which the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e approves? This we must suppose would have been in the minds of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12748a.htm\"\u003epious\u003c/a\u003e judges themselves, if they could only have duly understood the contents of his Latin book, thoroughly interpreted to them, as they understood his reply to the synod, which was spoken in Greek, and therefore quite intelligible to them, and adjudged it as not alien from the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e. Let us go on to consider the other cases.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 5 [III.]\u0026mdash; The Second Item in the Accusation; And Pelagius\u0027 Answer\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe synod of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e then proceeded to say: \u003cq\u003eLet another section be read.\u003c/q\u003e Accordingly there was read the passage in the same book wherein Pelagius had laid down the position that \u003cq\u003eall \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003emen\u003c/a\u003e are ruled by their own will.\u003c/q\u003e On this being read, Pelagius said in answer: \u003cq\u003eThis I stated in the interest of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e. God is its helper whenever it chooses good; man, however, when sinning is himself in fault, as under the direction of a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e Upon hearing this, the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e exclaimed: \u003cq\u003eNor again is this opposed to the doctrine of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e For who indeed could condemn or deny the freedom of the will, when God\u0027s help is associated with it? His opinion, therefore, as thus explained in his answer, was, with good reason, deemed satisfactory by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e. And yet, after all, the statement made in his book, \u003cq\u003eAll men are ruled by their own will,\u003c/q\u003e ought without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e to have deeply disturbed the brethren, who had discovered what these men are accustomed to dispute against the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e. For it is said, \u003cq\u003eAll men are ruled by their own will,\u003c/q\u003e as if God rules no man, and the \u003ca href=\"../bible/index.html\"\u003eScripture\u003c/a\u003e says in vain, \u003cq\u003eSave Your people, and bless Your inheritance; rule them, and lift them up forever.\u003c/q\u003e They would not, of course, stay, if they are ruled only by their own will without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, even as sheep which have no shepherd: which, God forbid for us. For, unquestionably to be led is something more compulsory than to be ruled. He who is ruled at the same time does something himself \u0026mdash; indeed, when ruled by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, it is with the express view that he should also act rightly; whereas the man who is led can hardly be understood to do anything himself at all. And yet the Saviour\u0027s helpful \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e is so much better than our own wills and desires, that the apostle does not hesitate to say: \u003cq\u003eAs many as are led by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07409a.htm\"\u003eSpirit of God\u003c/a\u003e, they are the sons of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom008.htm#verse14\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;8:14\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e And our \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e can do nothing better for us than to submit itself to be led by Him who can do nothing amiss; and after doing this, not to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e that it was helped to do it by Him of whom it is said in the psalm, \u003cq\u003eHe is my \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, His mercy shall go before me.\u003c/q\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 6.\u0026mdash; Pelagius\u0027 Answer Examined\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIndeed, in this very book which contains these statements, after laying down the position, \u003cq\u003eAll men are governed by their own will, and every one is submitted to his own desire,\u003c/q\u003e Pelagius goes on to adduce the testimony of Scripture, from which it is evident enough that no man ought to trust to himself for direction. For on this very subject the Wisdom of Solomon declares: \u003cq\u003eI myself also am a mortal man like all; and the offspring of him that was first made of the earth,\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/wis007.htm#verse1\"\u003eWisdom\u0026nbsp;7:1\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e \u0026mdash; with other similar words to the conclusion of the paragraph, where we read: \u003cq\u003eFor all \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003emen\u003c/a\u003e have one entrance into life, and the like going out therefrom: wherefore I \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003eprayed\u003c/a\u003e and understanding was given to me; I called, and the Spirit of Wisdom came into me.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/wis007.htm#verse6\"\u003eWisdom\u0026nbsp;7:6-7\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Now is it not clearer than light itself, how that this man, on duly considering the wretchedness of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman\u003c/a\u003e frailty, did not dare to commit himself to his own direction, but \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003eprayed\u003c/a\u003e, and understanding was given to him, concerning which the apostle says: \u003cq\u003eBut we have the understanding of the Lord;\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co002.htm#verse16\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;2:16\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e and called, and the Spirit of Wisdom entered into him? Now it is by this Spirit, and not by the strength of their own will, that they who are God\u0027s children are governed and led.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 7.\u0026mdash; The Same Continued\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs for the passage from the psalm, \u003cq\u003eHe loved cursing, and it shall come upon him; and he willed not blessing, so it shall be far removed from him,\u003c/q\u003e which he quoted in the same book of Chapters, as if to prove that \u003cq\u003eall \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003emen\u003c/a\u003e are ruled by their own will,\u003c/q\u003e who can be \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07648a.htm\"\u003eignorant\u003c/a\u003e that this is a fault not of nature as God created it, but of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman\u003c/a\u003e will which departed from God? The fact indeed is, that even if he had not loved cursing, and had willed blessing, he would in this very case, too, deny that his will had received any assistance from \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e; in his ingratitude and impiety, moreover, he would submit himself to be ruled by himself, until he found out by his penalties that, sunk as he was into ruin, without God to govern him he was utterly unable to direct his own self. In like manner, from the passage which he quoted in the same book under the same head, \u003cq\u003eHe has set fire and water before you; stretch forth your hand unto whether you will; before man are good and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e, life and death, and whichever he likes shall be given to him,\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/sir015.htm#verse16\"\u003eSirach\u0026nbsp;15:16-17\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e it is manifest that, if he applies his hand to fire, and if \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e and death please him, his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman\u003c/a\u003e will effects all this; but if, on the contrary, he loves goodness and life, not alone does his will accomplish the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07131b.htm\"\u003ehappy\u003c/a\u003e choice, but it is assisted by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003edivine grace\u003c/a\u003e. The eye indeed is sufficient for itself, for not seeing, that is, for darkness; but for seeing, it is in its own light not sufficient for itself unless the assistance of a clear external light is rendered to it. God forbid, however, that they who are \u003cq\u003ethe called according to His purpose, whom He also foreknew, and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12378a.htm\"\u003epredestinated\u003c/a\u003e to be conformed to the likeness of His Son,\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom008.htm#verse29\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;8:29\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e should be given up to their own desire to perish. This is suffered only by \u003cq\u003ethe vessels of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01489a.htm\"\u003ewrath\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom009.htm#verse22\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;9:22\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e who are perfected for perdition; in whose very destruction, indeed, God \u003cq\u003emakes \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknown\u003c/a\u003e the riches of His \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06585a.htm\"\u003eglory\u003c/a\u003e on the vessels of His mercy.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom009.htm#verse23\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;9:23\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Now it is on this account that, after saying, \u003cq\u003eHe is my \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, His mercy shall go before me,\u003c/q\u003e he immediately adds, \u003cq\u003eMy God will show me vengeance upon my enemies.\u003c/q\u003e That therefore happens to them which is mentioned in Scripture, \u003cq\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e gave them up to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09438a.htm\"\u003elusts\u003c/a\u003e of their own heart.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom001.htm#verse24\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;1:24\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e This, however, does not happen to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12378a.htm\"\u003epredestinated\u003c/a\u003e, who are ruled by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07409a.htm\"\u003eSpirit of God\u003c/a\u003e, for not in vain is their cry: \u003cq\u003eDeliver me not, O Lord, to the sinner, according to my desire.\u003c/q\u003e With regard, indeed, to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09438a.htm\"\u003elusts\u003c/a\u003e which assail them, their \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003eprayer\u003c/a\u003e has ever assumed some such shape as this: \u003cq\u003eTake away from me the concupiscence of the belly; and let not the desire of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09438a.htm\"\u003elust\u003c/a\u003e take hold of me.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/sir013.htm#verse5\"\u003eSirach\u0026nbsp;23:5-6\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Upon those whom He governs as His subjects does God bestow this gift; but not upon those who think themselves capable of governing themselves, and who, in the stiff-necked confidence of their own will, disdain to have Him as their ruler.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 8.\u0026mdash; The Same Continued\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis being the case, how must God\u0027s children, who have learned the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e of all this and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07131b.htm\"\u003erejoice\u003c/a\u003e at being ruled and led by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07409a.htm\"\u003eSpirit of God\u003c/a\u003e, have been affected when they heard or read that Pelagius had declared in writing that \u003cq\u003eall \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003emen\u003c/a\u003e are governed by their own will, and that every one is submitted to his own desire?\u003c/q\u003e And yet, when questioned by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e, he fully perceived what an \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e impression these words of his might produce, and told them in answer that \u003cq\u003ehe had made such an assertion in the interest of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e\u0026mdash; adding at once, \u003cq\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e is its helper whenever it chooses good; while man is himself in fault when he \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e, as being under the influence of a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e Although the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12748a.htm\"\u003epious\u003c/a\u003e judges approved of this sentiment also, they were unwilling to consider or examine how incautiously he had written, or indeed in what sense he had employed the words found in his book. They thought it was enough that he had made such a confession concerning \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e, as to admit that God helped the man who chose the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06636b.htm\"\u003egood\u003c/a\u003e, whereas the man who \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esinned\u003c/a\u003e was himself to blame, his own will sufficing for him in this direction. According to this, God rules those whom He assists in their choice of the good. So far, then, as they rule anything themselves, they rule it rightly, since they themselves are ruled by Him who is right and good.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 9.\u0026mdash; The Third Item in the Accusation; And Pelagius\u0027 Answer\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnother statement was read which Pelagius had placed in his book, to this effect: \u003cq\u003eIn the day of judgment no forbearance will be shown to the ungodly and the sinners, but they will be consumed in \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e fires.\u003c/q\u003e This induced the brethren to regard the statement as open to the objection, that it seemed so worded as to imply that all sinners whatever were to be punished with an \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e punishment, without excepting even those who hold Christ as their foundation, although \u003cq\u003ethey build thereupon wood, hay, stubble,\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co003.htm#verse12\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;3:12\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e concerning whom the apostle writes: \u003cq\u003eIf any man\u0027s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he shall himself be saved, yet so as by fire.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co003.htm#verse15\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;3:15\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e When, however, Pelagius responded that \u003cq\u003ehe had made his assertion in accordance with the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06655b.htm\"\u003eGospel\u003c/a\u003e, in which it is written concerning sinners, \u0027These shall go away into \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e punishment, but the righteous into life \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e,\u0027\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/mat025.htm#verse46\"\u003eMatthew\u0026nbsp;25:46\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e it was impossible for \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03712a.htm\"\u003eChristian\u003c/a\u003e judges to be dissatisfied with a sentence which is written in the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06655b.htm\"\u003eGospel\u003c/a\u003e, and was spoken by the Lord; especially as they \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknew\u003c/a\u003e not what there was in the words taken from Pelagius\u0027 book which could so disturb the brethren, who were accustomed to hear his discussions and those of his followers. Since also they were absent who presented the indictment against Pelagius to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishop\u003c/a\u003e Eulogius, there was no one to urge him that he ought to distinguish, by some exception, between those sinners who are to be saved by fire, and those who are to be punished with everlasting perdition. If, indeed, the judges had come to understand by these means the reason why the objection had been made to his statement, had he then refused to allow the distinction, he would have been \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08571c.htm\"\u003ejustly\u003c/a\u003e open to blame.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 10.\u0026mdash; Pelagius\u0027 Answer Examined. On Origen\u0027s Error Concerning the Non-Eternity of the Punishment of the Devil and the Damned\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut what Pelagius added, \u003cq\u003eWho believes differently is an Origenist,\u003c/q\u003e was approved by the judges, because in very deed the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e most \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08571c.htm\"\u003ejustly\u003c/a\u003e abominates the opinion of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11306b.htm\"\u003eOrigen\u003c/a\u003e, that even they whom the Lord says are to be punished with everlasting punishment, and the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/04764a.htm\"\u003edevil\u003c/a\u003e himself and his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01476d.htm\"\u003eangels\u003c/a\u003e, after a time, however protracted, will be purged, and released from their penalties, and shall then cleave to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/04171a.htm\"\u003esaints\u003c/a\u003e who reign with God in the association of blessedness. This additional sentence, therefore, the synod pronounced to be \u003cq\u003enot opposed to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e\u0026mdash; not in accordance with Pelagius, but rather in accordance with the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06655b.htm\"\u003eGospel\u003c/a\u003e, that such ungodly and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esinful\u003c/a\u003e men shall be consumed by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e fires as the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06655b.htm\"\u003eGospel\u003c/a\u003e determines to be worthy of such a punishment; and that he is a sharer in \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11306b.htm\"\u003eOrigen\u0027s\u003c/a\u003e abominable opinion, who affirms that their punishment can possibly ever come to an end, when the Lord has said it is to be \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e. Concerning those sinners, however, of whom the apostle declares that \u003cq\u003ethey shall be saved, yet so as by fire, after their work has been burnt up,\u003c/q\u003e inasmuch as no objectionable opinion in reference to them was manifestly charged against Pelagius, the synod determined nothing. Wherefore he who says that the ungodly and sinner, whom the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e consigns to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e punishment, can ever be liberated therefrom, is not unfitly designated by Pelagius as an \u003cq\u003e \u003cem\u003eOrigenist\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e But, on the other hand, he who supposes that no sinner whatever deserves mercy in the judgment of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, may be designated by whatever name Pelagius is disposed to give to him, only it must at the same time be quite understood that this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerror\u003c/a\u003e is not received as \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e. \u003cq\u003eFor he shall have judgment without mercy that has showed no mercy.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/jam002.htm#verse13\"\u003eJames\u0026nbsp;2:13\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 11.\u0026mdash; The Same Continued\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut how this judgment is to be accomplished, it is not easy to understand from \u003ca href=\"../bible/index.html\"\u003eHoly Scripture\u003c/a\u003e; for there are many modes therein of describing that which is to come to pass only in one mode. In one place the Lord declares that He will \u003cq\u003eshut the door\u003c/q\u003e against those whom He does not admit into His kingdom; and that, on their clamorously demanding admission, \u003cq\u003eOpen unto us, . . . we have eaten and drunk in Your presence,\u003c/q\u003e and so forth, as the \u003ca href=\"../bible/index.html\"\u003eScripture\u003c/a\u003e describes, \u003cq\u003eHe will say unto them in answer, I \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknow\u003c/a\u003e you not, . . . all you workers of iniquity.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/luk013.htm#verse25\"\u003eLuke\u0026nbsp;13:25-27\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e In another passage He reminds us that He will command \u003cq\u003eall which would not that He should reign over them to be brought to Him, and be slain in His presence.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/luk019.htm#verse27\"\u003eLuke\u0026nbsp;19:27\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e In another place, again, He tells us that He will come with His \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01476d.htm\"\u003eangels\u003c/a\u003e in His majesty; and before Him shall be gathered all nations, and He shall separate them one from another; some He will set on His right hand, and after enumerating their good works, will award to them \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e life; and others on His left hand, whose barrenness in all good works He will expose, will He condemn to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07207a.htm\"\u003eeverlasting fire\u003c/a\u003e. \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/mat025.htm#verse33\"\u003eMatthew\u0026nbsp;25:33\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e In two other passages He deals with that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003ewicked\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14057c.htm\"\u003eslothful\u003c/a\u003e servant, who neglected to trade with His money, \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/luk019.htm#verse20\"\u003eLuke\u0026nbsp;19:20-24\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e and with the man who was found at the feast without the wedding garment \u0026mdash; and He orders them to be bound hand and foot, and to be cast into outer darkness. \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/mat022.htm#verse11\"\u003eMatthew\u0026nbsp;22:11-13\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e And in yet another scripture, after admitting the five \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15458a.htm\"\u003evirgins\u003c/a\u003e who were wise, He shuts the door against the other five foolish ones. \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/mat025.htm#verse1\"\u003eMatthew\u0026nbsp;25:1-10\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Now these descriptions \u0026mdash; and there are others which at the instant do not occur to me \u0026mdash; are all intended to represent to us the future judgment, which of course will be held not over one, or over five, but over multitudes. For if it were a solitary case only of the man who was cast into outer darkness for not having on the wedding garment, He would not have gone on at once to give it a plural turn, by saying: \u003cq\u003eFor many are called, but few are chosen;\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/mat022.htm#verse14\"\u003eMatthew\u0026nbsp;22:14\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e whereas it is plain that, after the one was cast out and condemned, many still remained behind in the house. However, it would occupy us too long to discuss all these questions to the full. This brief remark, however, I may make, without prejudice (as they say in pecuniary affairs) to some better discussion, that by the many descriptions which are scattered throughout the \u003ca href=\"../bible/index.html\"\u003eHoly Scriptures\u003c/a\u003e there is signified to us but one mode of final judgment, which is inscrutable to us \u0026mdash; with only the variety of deservings preserved in the rewards and punishments. Touching the particular point, indeed, which we have before us at present, it is sufficient to remark that, if Pelagius had actually said that all sinners whatever without exception would be punished in an \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternity\u003c/a\u003e of punishment by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07207a.htm\"\u003eeverlasting fire\u003c/a\u003e, then whosoever had approved of this judgment would, to begin with, have brought the sentence down on his own head. \u003cq\u003eFor who will boast that he is pure from \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e?\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/pro020.htm#verse9\"\u003eProverbs\u0026nbsp;20:9\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Forasmuch, however, as he did not say \u003cem\u003eall\u003c/em\u003e, nor \u003cem\u003ecertain\u003c/em\u003e, but made an indefinite statement only \u0026mdash; and afterwards, in explanation, declared that his meaning was according to the words of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06655b.htm\"\u003eGospel\u003c/a\u003e \u0026mdash; his opinion was affirmed by the judgment of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e to be \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etrue\u003c/a\u003e; but it does not even now appear what Pelagius really thinks on the subject, and in consequence there is no indecency in inquiring further into the decision of the episcopal judges.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 12 [IV.]\u0026mdash; The Fourth Item in the Accusation; And Pelagius\u0027 Answer\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was further objected against Pelagius, as if he had written in his book, that \u003cq\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e does not enter our thoughts.\u003c/q\u003e In reply, however, to this charge, he said: \u003cq\u003eWe made no such statement. What we did say was, that the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03712a.htm\"\u003eChristian\u003c/a\u003e ought to be careful not to have \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e thoughts.\u003c/q\u003e Of this, as it became them, the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e approved. For who can \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e ought not to be thought of? And, indeed, if what he said in his book about \u003cq\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e not being thought\u003c/q\u003e runs in this form, \u003cq\u003eneither is \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e to be thought of,\u003c/q\u003e the ordinary meaning of such words is \u003cq\u003ethat \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e ought not even to be thought of.\u003c/q\u003e Now if any person denies this, what else does he in fact say, than that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e ought to be thought of? And if this were \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etrue\u003c/a\u003e, it could not be said in praise of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09397a.htm\"\u003elove\u003c/a\u003e that \u003cq\u003eit thinks no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e!\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co013.htm#verse5\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;13:5\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e But after all, the phrase about \u003cq\u003e \u003cem\u003enot entering into the thoughts\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/q\u003e of righteous and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e men is not quite a commendable one, for this reason, that what enters the mind is commonly called a thought, even when assent to it does not follow. The thought, however, which contracts blame, and is \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08571c.htm\"\u003ejustly\u003c/a\u003e forbidden, is never unaccompanied with assent. Possibly those men had an incorrect copy of Pelagius\u0027 writings, who thought it proper to object to him that he had used the words: \u003cq\u003eEvil does not enter into our thoughts;\u003c/q\u003e that is, that whatever is \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e never enters into the thoughts of righteous and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e men. Which is, of course, a very absurd statement. For whenever we censure \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e things, we cannot enunciate them in words, unless they have been thought. But, as we said before, that is termed a culpable thought of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e which carries with it assent.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 13 [V.]\u0026mdash; The Fifth Item of the Accusation; And Pelagius\u0027 Answer\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the judges had accorded their approbation to this answer of Pelagius, another passage which he had written in his book was read aloud: \u003cq\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of heaven\u003c/a\u003e was promised even in the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e Upon this, Pelagius remarked in vindication: \u003cq\u003eThis can be \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12454c.htm\"\u003eproved\u003c/a\u003e by the \u003ca href=\"../bible/index.html\"\u003eScriptures\u003c/a\u003e: but \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretics\u003c/a\u003e, in order to disparage the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e, deny this. I, however, simply followed the authority of the \u003ca href=\"../bible/index.html\"\u003eScriptures\u003c/a\u003e when I said this; for in the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12477a.htm\"\u003eprophet\u003c/a\u003e Daniel it is written: \u0027The \u003ca href=\"../cathen/04171a.htm\"\u003esaints\u003c/a\u003e shall receive the kingdom of the Most. High.\u0027\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/dan007.htm#verse18\"\u003eDaniel\u0026nbsp;7:18\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e After they had heard this answer, the synod said: \u003cq\u003eNeither is this opposed to the Church\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 14.\u0026mdash; Examination of This Point. The Phrase \u003cq\u003eOld Testament\u003c/q\u003e Used in Two Senses. The Heir of the Old Testament. In the Old Testament There Were Heirs of the New Testament\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWas it therefore without reason that our brethren were moved by his words to include this charge among the others against him? Certainly not. The fact is, that the phrase \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e is constantly employed in two different ways \u0026mdash; in one, following the authority of the \u003ca href=\"../bible/index.html\"\u003eHoly Scriptures\u003c/a\u003e; in the other, following the most common custom of speech. For the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eApostle Paul\u003c/a\u003e says, in his Epistle to the Galatians: \u003cq\u003eTell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01051a.htm\"\u003eAbraham\u003c/a\u003e had two sons, the one by a bond-maid, the other by a free \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15687b.htm\"\u003ewoman\u003c/a\u003e. . . .Which things are an allegory: for these are the \u003cem\u003etwo testaments\u003c/em\u003e; the one which genders to bondage, which is Agar. For this is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and is conjoined with the Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children; whereas the Jerusalem which is above is free, and is the mother of us all.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/gal004.htm#verse21\"\u003eGalatians\u0026nbsp;4:21-26\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Now, inasmuch as the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e belongs to bondage, whence it is written, \u003cq\u003eCast out the bond-\u003ca href=\"../cathen/15687b.htm\"\u003ewoman\u003c/a\u003e and her son, for the son of the bond-\u003ca href=\"../cathen/15687b.htm\"\u003ewoman\u003c/a\u003e shall not be heir with my son Isaac,\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/gal004.htm#verse30\"\u003eGalatians\u0026nbsp;4:30\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e but the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of heaven\u003c/a\u003e to liberty; what has the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of heaven\u003c/a\u003e to do with the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e? Since, however, as I have already remarked, we are accustomed, in our ordinary use of words, to designate all those Scriptures of the law and the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12477a.htm\"\u003eprophets\u003c/a\u003e which were given previous to the Lord\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07706b.htm\"\u003eincarnation\u003c/a\u003e, and are embraced together by canonical authority, under the name and title of \u003cem\u003ethe \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e, what man who is ever so moderately informed in \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eecclesiastical\u003c/a\u003e lore can be \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07648a.htm\"\u003eignorant\u003c/a\u003e that the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of heaven\u003c/a\u003e could be quite as well promised in those early Scriptures as even the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14530a.htm\"\u003eNew Testament\u003c/a\u003e itself, to which the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of heaven\u003c/a\u003e belongs? At all events, in those ancient Scriptures it is most distinctly written: \u003cq\u003eBehold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will consummate a new testament with the house of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08193a.htm\"\u003eIsrael\u003c/a\u003e and with the house of Jacob; not according to the testament that I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand, to lead them out of the land of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05329b.htm\"\u003eEgypt\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/jer031.htm#verse31\"\u003eJeremiah\u0026nbsp;31:31-32\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e This was done on Mount Sinai. But then there had not yet risen the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12477a.htm\"\u003eprophet\u003c/a\u003e Daniel to say: \u003cq\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"../cathen/04171a.htm\"\u003esaints\u003c/a\u003e shall receive the kingdom of the Most High.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/dan007.htm#verse18\"\u003eDaniel\u0026nbsp;7:18\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e For by these words he foretold the merit not of the Old, but of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14530a.htm\"\u003eNew Testament\u003c/a\u003e. In the same manner did the same \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12477a.htm\"\u003eprophets\u003c/a\u003e foretell that Christ Himself would come, in whose blood the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14530a.htm\"\u003eNew Testament\u003c/a\u003e was \u003ca href=\"../cathen/04276a.htm\"\u003econsecrated\u003c/a\u003e. Of this Testament also the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01626c.htm\"\u003eapostles\u003c/a\u003e became the ministers, as the most \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eblessed Paul\u003c/a\u003e declares: \u003cq\u003eHe has made us able ministers of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14530a.htm\"\u003eNew Testament\u003c/a\u003e; not in its letter, but in spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/2co003.htm#verse6\"\u003e2\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;3:6\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e In that testament, however, which is properly called the Old, and was given on Mount Sinai, only earthly \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07131b.htm\"\u003ehappiness\u003c/a\u003e is expressly promised. Accordingly that land, into which the nation, after being led through the wilderness, was conducted, is called the land of promise, wherein peace and royal power, and the gaining of victories over enemies, and an abundance of children and of fruits of the ground, and gifts of a similar kind are the promises of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e. And these, indeed, are figures of the spiritual blessings which appertain to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14530a.htm\"\u003eNew Testament\u003c/a\u003e; but yet the man who lives under God\u0027s law with those earthly blessings for his sanction, is precisely the heir of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e, for just such rewards are promised and given to him, according to the terms of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e, as are the objects of his desire according to the condition of the old man. But whatever blessings are there figuratively set forth as appertaining to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14530a.htm\"\u003eNew Testament\u003c/a\u003e require the new man to give them effect. And no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e the great apostle understood perfectly well what he was saying, when he described the two testaments as capable of the allegorical distinction of the bond-\u003ca href=\"../cathen/15687b.htm\"\u003ewoman\u003c/a\u003e and the free \u0026mdash; attributing the children of the flesh to the Old, and to the New the children of the promise: \u003cq\u003eThey,\u003c/q\u003e says he, \u003cq\u003ewhich are the children of the flesh, are not the children of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e; but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom009.htm#verse8\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;9:8\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e The children of the flesh, then, belong to the earthly Jerusalem, which is in bondage with her children; whereas the children of the promise belong to the Jerusalem above, the free, the mother of us all, \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e in the heavens. \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/gal004.htm#verse25\"\u003eGalatians\u0026nbsp;4:25-26\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Whence we can easily see who they are that appertain to the earthly, and who to the heavenly kingdom. But then the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07131b.htm\"\u003ehappy\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e, who even in that early age were by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God taught to understand the distinction now set forth, were thereby made the children of promise, and were accounted in the secret purpose of God as heirs of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14530a.htm\"\u003eNew Testament\u003c/a\u003e; although they continued with perfect fitness to administer the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e to the ancient people of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, because it was divinely appropriated to that people in God\u0027s distribution of the times and seasons.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 15.\u0026mdash; The Same Continued\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHow then should there not be a feeling of just disquietude entertained by the children of promise, children of the free Jerusalem, which is \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e in the heavens, when they see that by the words of Pelagius the distinction which has been drawn by Apostolic and catholic authority is abolished, and Agar is supposed to be by some means on a par with Sarah? He therefore does injury to the scripture of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e with \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretical\u003c/a\u003e impiety, who with an impious and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/13321a.htm\"\u003esacrilegious\u003c/a\u003e face denies that it was inspired by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06636b.htm\"\u003egood\u003c/a\u003e, supreme, and very \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e \u0026mdash; as \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09645c.htm\"\u003eMarcion\u003c/a\u003e does, as Manich\u0026aelig;us does, and other pests of similar opinions. On this account (that I may put into as brief a space as I can what my own views are on the subject), as much injury is done to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14530a.htm\"\u003eNew Testament\u003c/a\u003e, when it is put on the same level with the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e, as is inflicted on the Old itself when men deny it to be the work of the supreme God of goodness. Now, when Pelagius in his answer gave as his reason for saying that even in the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e there was a promise of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of heaven\u003c/a\u003e, the testimony of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12477a.htm\"\u003eprophet\u003c/a\u003e Daniel, who most plainly foretold that the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/04171a.htm\"\u003esaints\u003c/a\u003e should receive the kingdom of the Most High, it was fairly decided that the statement of Pelagius was not opposed to the catholic \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e, although not according to the distinction which shows that the earthly promises of Mount Sinai are the proper characteristics of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e; nor indeed was the decision an improper one, considering that mode of speech which designates all the canonical Scriptures which were given to men before the Lord\u0027s coming in the flesh by the title of the \u003cq\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e The kingdom of the Most High is of course none other than the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of God\u003c/a\u003e; otherwise, anybody might boldly contend that the kingdom of God is one thing, and the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of heaven\u003c/a\u003e another.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 16 [VI.]\u0026mdash; The Sixth Item of the Accusation, and Pelagius\u0027 Reply\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe next objection was to the effect that Pelagius in that same book of his wrote thus: \u003cq\u003eA man is able, if he likes, to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e;\u003c/q\u003e and that writing to a certain \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15617c.htm\"\u003ewidow\u003c/a\u003e he said, flatteringly: \u003cq\u003eIn you \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12748a.htm\"\u003epiety\u003c/a\u003e may find a dwelling-place, such as she finds nowhere else; in you righteousness, though a stranger, can find a home; \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e, which no one any longer recognises, can discover an abode and a friend in you; and the law of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, which almost everybody despises, may be honoured by you alone.\u003c/q\u003e And in another sentence he writes to her: \u003cq\u003eO how \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07131b.htm\"\u003ehappy\u003c/a\u003e and blessed are you, when that righteousness which we must \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieve\u003c/a\u003e to flourish only in heaven has found a shelter on earth only in your heart!\u003c/q\u003e In another work addressed to her, after reciting the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003eprayer\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eour Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ\u003c/a\u003e, and teaching her in what manner \u003ca href=\"../cathen/04171a.htm\"\u003esaints\u003c/a\u003e ought to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003epray\u003c/a\u003e, he says: \u003cq\u003eHe worthily raises his hands to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, and with a good \u003ca href=\"../cathen/04268a.htm\"\u003econscience\u003c/a\u003e does he pour out his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003eprayer\u003c/a\u003e, who is able to say, \u0027Thou, O Lord, \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08675a.htm\"\u003eknow\u003c/a\u003e how \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e, and harmless, and pure from all injury and iniquity and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15446a.htm\"\u003eviolence\u003c/a\u003e, are the hands which I stretch out to You; how righteous, and pure, and free from all deceit, are the lips with which I offer to You my supplication, that You would have mercy upon me.\u0027\u003c/q\u003e To all this Pelagius said in answer: \u003cq\u003eWe asserted that a man could be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, and could keep God\u0027s commandments if he wished; for this capacity has been given to him by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e. But we never said that any man could be found who at no time whatever, from infancy to old age, had committed \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e: but that if any person were converted from his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e, he could by his own labour and God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e; and yet not even thus would he be incapable of change ever afterwards. As for the other statements which they have made against us, they are not to be found in our books, nor have we at any time said such things.\u003c/q\u003e Upon hearing this vindication, the synod put this question to him: \u003cq\u003eYou have denied having ever written such words; are you therefore ready to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematize\u003c/a\u003e those who do hold these opinions?\u003c/q\u003e Pelagius answered: \u003cq\u003eI \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematize\u003c/a\u003e them as fools, not as \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretics\u003c/a\u003e, for there is no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05089a.htm\"\u003edogma\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e The \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e then pronounced their judgment in these words: \u003cq\u003eSince now Pelagius has with his own mouth \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e this vague statement as foolish verbiage, \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08571c.htm\"\u003ejustly\u003c/a\u003e declaring in his reply, \u0027That a man is able with God\u0027s assistance and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e,\u0027 let him now proceed to answer the other heads of accusation against him.\u003c/q\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 17.\u0026mdash; Examination of the Sixth Charge and Answers\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWell, now, had the judges either the power or the right to condemn these unrecognised and vague words, when no person on the other side was present to assert that Pelagius had written the very culpable sentences which were alleged to have been addressed by him to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15617c.htm\"\u003ewidow\u003c/a\u003e? In such a matter, it surely could not be enough to produce a manuscript, and to read out of it words as his, if there were not also witnesses forthcoming in case he denied, on the words being read out, that they ever dropped from his pen. But even here the judges did all that lay in their power to do, when they asked Pelagius whether he would \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematize\u003c/a\u003e the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e who held such sentiments as he declared he had never himself propounded either in speech or in writing. And when he answered that he did \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematize\u003c/a\u003e them as fools, what right had the judges to push the inquiry any further on the matter, in the absence of Pelagius\u0027 opponents?\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 18.\u0026mdash; The Same Continued\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut perhaps the point requires some consideration, whether he was right in saying that \u003cq\u003esuch as held the opinions in question deserved \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathema\u003c/a\u003e, not as \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretics\u003c/a\u003e, but as fools, since it was no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05089a.htm\"\u003edogma\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e The question, when fairly confronted, is no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e far from being an unimportant one \u0026mdash; how far a man deserves to be described as a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretic\u003c/a\u003e; on this occasion, however, the judges acted rightly in abstaining from it altogether. If any one, for example, were to allege that eaglets are suspended in the talons of the parent bird, and so exposed to the rays of the sun, and such as wink are flung to the ground as spurious, the light being in some \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10662a.htm\"\u003emysterious\u003c/a\u003e way the gauge of their genuine nature, he is not to be accounted a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretic\u003c/a\u003e, if the story happens to be untrue. And, since it occurs in the writings of the learned and is very commonly received as fact, ought it to be considered a foolish thing to mention it, even though it be not \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etrue\u003c/a\u003e? Much less ought our credit, which gains for us the name of being trustworthy, to be affected, on the one hand injuriously if the story be \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieved\u003c/a\u003e by us, or beneficially if disbelieved. If, to go a step further in illustration, any one were from this opinion to contend that there \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05543b.htm\"\u003eexisted\u003c/a\u003e in birds reasonable \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14153a.htm\"\u003esouls\u003c/a\u003e, from the notion that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14153a.htm\"\u003esouls\u003c/a\u003e at intervals passed into them, then indeed we should have to reject from our mind and ears alike an idea like this as the rankest \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e; and even if the story about the eagles were \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etrue\u003c/a\u003e (as there are many curious facts about bees before our eyes, that are \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etrue\u003c/a\u003e), we should still have to consider, and demonstrate, the great difference that exists between the condition of creatures like these, which are quite irrational, however surprising in their powers of sensation, and the nature which is common (not to men and beasts, but) to men and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01476d.htm\"\u003eangels\u003c/a\u003e. There are, to be sure, a great many foolish things said by foolish and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07648a.htm\"\u003eignorant\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e, which yet fail to prove them \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretics\u003c/a\u003e. One might instance the silly talk so commonly heard about the pursuits of other people, from \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e who have never learned these pursuits \u0026mdash; equally hasty and untenable whether in the shape of excessive and indiscriminate praise of those they \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09397a.htm\"\u003elove\u003c/a\u003e, or of blame in the case of those they happen to dislike. The same remark might be made concerning the usual curent of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman\u003c/a\u003e conversation: whenever it does touch on a subject which requires dogmatic acuracy of statement, but is thrown out at random or suggested by the passing moment, it is too often pervaded by foolish levity, whether uttered by the mouth or expressed in writing. Many \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e, indeed, when gently reminded of their reckless gossip, have afterwards much regretted their conduct; they scarcely recollected what they had never uttered with a fixed purpose, but had poured forth in a sheer volley of casual and unconsidered words. It is, unhappily, almost impossible to be quite clear of such faults. Who is he \u003cq\u003ethat slips not in his tongue,\u003c/q\u003e and \u003cq\u003eoffends not in word?\u003c/q\u003e It, however, makes all the difference in the world, to what extent, and from what motive, and whether in fact at all, a man when warned of his fault corrects it, or obstinately clings to it so as to make a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05089a.htm\"\u003edogma\u003c/a\u003e and settled opinion of that which he had not at first uttered on purpose, but only in levity. Although, then, it turns out eventually that every \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretic\u003c/a\u003e is a fool, it does not follow that every fool must immediately be named a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretic\u003c/a\u003e. The judges were quite right in saying that Pelagius had \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e the vague folly under consideration by its fitting designation for even if it were \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e, there could be no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e of its being foolish prattle. Whatever, therefore, it was, they designated the offense under a general name. But whether the quoted words had been used with any definitely dogmatic purpose, or only in a vague and indeterminate sense, and with an unmeaningness which should be capable of an easy correction, they did not deem it necessary to discuss on the present occasion, since the man who was on his trial before them denied that the words were his at all, in whatever sense they had been employed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 19.\u0026mdash; The Same Continued\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNow it so happened that, while we were reading this defense of Pelagius in the small paper which we received at first, there were present certain \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e brethren, who said that they had in their possession some hortatory or consolatory works which Pelagius had addressed to a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15617c.htm\"\u003ewidow\u003c/a\u003e lady whose name did not appear, and they advised us to examine whether the words which he had abjured for his own occurred anywhere in these books. They were not themselves aware whether they did or not. The said books were accordingly read through, and the words in question were actually discovered in them. Moreover, they who had produced the copy of the book, affirmed that for now almost four years they had had these books as Pelagius\u0027, nor had they once heard a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e expressed about his authorship. Considering, then, from the integrity of these servants of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, which was very well known to us, how impossible it was for them to use deceit in the matter, the conclusion seemed inevitable, that Pelagius must be supposed by us to have rather been the deceiver at his trial before the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e; unless we should think it possible that something may have been published, even for so many years, in his name, although not actually composed by him; for our informants did not tell us that they had received the books from Pelagius himself, nor had they ever heard him admit his own authorship. Now, in my own case, certain of our brethren have told me that sundry writings have found their way into \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14169b.htm\"\u003eSpain\u003c/a\u003e under my name. Such \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e, indeed, as had read my genuine writings could not recognise those others as mine; although by other \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e my authorship of them was quite \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieved\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 20.\u0026mdash; The Same Continued. Pelagius Acknowledges the Doctrine of Grace in Deceptive Terms\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere can be no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e that what Pelagius has acknowledged as his own is as yet very obscure. I suppose, however, that it will become apparent in the subsequent details of these proceedings. Now he says: \u003cq\u003eWe have affirmed that a man is able to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, and to keep the commandments of God if he wishes, inasmuch as God has given him this ability. But we have not said that any man can be found, who from infancy to old age has never committed \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e; but that if any person were converted from his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e, he could by his own exertion and God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e; and yet not even thus would he be incapable of change afterwards.\u003c/q\u003e Now it is quite uncertain what he means in these words by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e; and the judges, catholic as they were, could not possibly understand by the phrase anything else than the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e which is so very strongly recommended to us in the apostle\u0027s teaching. Now this is the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e whereby we hope that we can be delivered from the body of this death through \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eour Lord Jesus Christ\u003c/a\u003e, \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom007.htm#verse24\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;7:24-25\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e [VII.] and for the obtaining of which we \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003epray\u003c/a\u003e that we may not be led into \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14504a.htm\"\u003etemptation\u003c/a\u003e. \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/mat006.htm#verse13\"\u003eMatthew\u0026nbsp;6:13\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e This \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e is not nature, but that which renders assistance to frail and corrupted nature. This \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e is not the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law, but is that of which the apostle says: \u003cq\u003eI will not make void the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/gal002.htm#verse21\"\u003eGalatians\u0026nbsp;2:21\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Therefore it is not \u003cq\u003ethe letter that kills, but the life-giving spirit.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/2co003.htm#verse6\"\u003e2\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;3:6\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e For the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law, without the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07409a.htm\"\u003eSpirit\u003c/a\u003e, produces all kinds of concupiscence in man; for, as the apostle says, \u003cq\u003eI had not \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknown\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e but by the law: I had not \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknown\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09438a.htm\"\u003elust\u003c/a\u003e, unless the law had said, You shall not \u003ca href=\"../cathen/04462a.htm\"\u003ecovet\u003c/a\u003e. But \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom007.htm#verse7\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;7:7-8\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e By saying this, however, he blames not the law; he rather praises it, for he says afterwards: \u003cq\u003eThe law indeed is \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e, and the commandment \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e, and just, and good.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom007.htm#verse12\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;7:12\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e And he goes on to ask: \u003cq\u003eWas then that which is \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06636b.htm\"\u003egood\u003c/a\u003e made death unto me? God forbid. But \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, that it might appear \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, wrought death in me by that which is \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06636b.htm\"\u003egood\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom007.htm#verse13\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;7:13\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e And, again, he praises the law by saying: \u003cq\u003eWe \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknow\u003c/a\u003e that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e. For that which I do I \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknow\u003c/a\u003e not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07149b.htm\"\u003ehate\u003c/a\u003e, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06636b.htm\"\u003egood\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom007.htm#verse14\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;7:14-16\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Observe, then, he \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknows\u003c/a\u003e the law, praises it, and consents to it; for what it commands, that he also wishes; and what it forbids, and condemns, that he also \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07149b.htm\"\u003ehates\u003c/a\u003e: but for all that, what he \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07149b.htm\"\u003ehates\u003c/a\u003e, that he actually does. There is in his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10321a.htm\"\u003emind\u003c/a\u003e, therefore, a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e law of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, but still his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e concupiscence is not cured. He has a good will within him, but still what he does is \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e. Hence it comes to pass that, amidst the mutual struggles of the two \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09053a.htm\"\u003elaws\u003c/a\u003e within him \u0026mdash;\u003cq\u003ethe law in his members warring against the law of his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10321a.htm\"\u003emind\u003c/a\u003e, and making him captive to the law of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom007.htm#verse23\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;7:23\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e \u0026mdash; he confesses his misery; and exclaims in such words as these: \u003cq\u003eO wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from this body of death? The \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, through \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eJesus Christ\u003c/a\u003e our Lord.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom007.htm#verse24\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;7:24-25\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 21 [VIII.]\u0026mdash; The Same Continued\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt is not nature, therefore, which, sold as it is under \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e and wounded by the offense, longs for a Redeemer and Saviour; nor is it the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law \u0026mdash; through which comes the discovery, not the expulsion, of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e\u0026mdash; which delivers us from the body of this death; but it is the Lord\u0027s good \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e through \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eour Lord Jesus Christ\u003c/a\u003e. \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom007.htm#verse25\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;7:25\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 21 [IX.]\u0026mdash; The Same Continued\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e is not dying nature, nor the slaying letter, but the vivifying spirit; for already did he possess nature with freedom of will, because he said: \u003cq\u003eTo will is present with me.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom007.htm#verse18\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;7:18\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Nature, however, in a healthy condition and without a flaw, he did not possess, for he said: \u003cq\u003eI \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknow\u003c/a\u003e that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells nothing good.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom007.htm#verse18\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;7:18\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Already had he the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e law, for he said: \u003cq\u003eI had not \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknown\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e but through the law;\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom007.htm#verse7\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;7:7\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e yet for all that, he did not possess strength and power to practise and fulfil righteousness, for he complained: \u003cq\u003eWhat I would, that do I not; but what I \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07149b.htm\"\u003ehate\u003c/a\u003e, that do I.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom007.htm#verse15\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;7:15\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e And again, \u003cq\u003eHow to accomplish that which is \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06636b.htm\"\u003egood\u003c/a\u003e I find not.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom007.htm#verse18\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;7:18\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Therefore it is not from the liberty of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman\u003c/a\u003e will, nor from the precepts of the law, that there comes deliverance from the body of this death; for both of these he had already \u0026mdash; the one in his nature, the other in his learning; but all he wanted was the help of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, through \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eJesus Christ\u003c/a\u003e our Lord.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 22 [X.]\u0026mdash; The Same Continued. The Synod Supposed that the Grace Acknowledged by Pelagius Was that Which Was So Thoroughly Known to the Church\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e, then, which was most completely \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknown\u003c/a\u003e in the catholic Church (as the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e were well aware), they supposed Pelagius made confession of, when they heard him say that \u003cq\u003ea \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003eman\u003c/a\u003e, when converted from his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e, is able by his own exertion and the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e For my own part, however, I remembered the treatise which had been given to me, that I might refute it, by those servants of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, who had been Pelagius\u0027 followers. They, notwithstanding their great affection for him, plainly acknowledged that the passage was his; when, on this question being proposed, because he had already given offense to very many \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e from advancing views against the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, he most expressly admitted that \u003cq\u003ewhat he meant by God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e was that, when our nature was created, it received the capacity of not \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003ening, because it was created with \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e On account, therefore, of this treatise, I cannot help feeling still anxious, while many of the brethren who are well acquainted with his discussions, share in my anxiety, lest under the ambiguity which notoriously characterizes his words there lies some latent reserve, and lest he should afterwards tell his followers that it was without prejudice to his own doctrine that he made any admissions, \u0026mdash; discoursing thus: \u003cq\u003eI no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e asserted that a man was able by his own exertion and the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God to live without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e; but you \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknow\u003c/a\u003e very well what I mean by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e; and you may recollect reading that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e is that in which we are created by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e with a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e Accordingly, while the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e understood him to mean the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e by which we have by adoption been made new creatures, not that by which we were created (for most plainly does \u003ca href=\"../bible/index.html\"\u003eHoly Scripture\u003c/a\u003e instruct us in the \u003cem\u003eformer\u003c/em\u003e sense of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e as the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etrue\u003c/a\u003e one), \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07648a.htm\"\u003eignorant\u003c/a\u003e of his being a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretic\u003c/a\u003e, they acquitted him as a catholic. I must say that my suspicion is excited also by this, that in the work which I answered, he most openly said that \u003cq\u003erighteous Abel never \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esinned\u003c/a\u003e at all.\u003c/q\u003e Now, however, he thus expresses himself: \u003cq\u003eBut we did not say that any man could be found who at no time whatever, from infancy to old age, has committed \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e; but that, if any man were converted from his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e, he could by his own labour and God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e When speaking of righteous Abel, he did not say that after being converted from his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e he became sinless in a new life, but that he never committed \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e at all. If, then, that book be his, it must of course be corrected and amended from his answer. For I should be sorry to say that he was insincere in his more recent statement; lest perhaps he should say that he had forgotten what he had previously written in the book we have quoted. Let us therefore direct our view to what afterwards occurred. Now, from the sequel of these \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eecclesiastical\u003c/a\u003e proceedings, we can by God\u0027s help show that, although Pelagius, as some suppose, cleared himself in his examination, and was at all events acquitted by his judges (who were, however, but \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman\u003c/a\u003e beings after all), that this great \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e, which we should be most unwilling to see making further progress or becoming aggravated in guilt, was undoubtedly itself condemned.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 23 [XI.]\u0026mdash; The Seventh Item of the Accusation: the Breviates of C\u0026oelig;lestius Objected to Pelagius\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThen follow sundry statements charged against Pelagius, which are said to be found among the opinions of his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05029a.htm\"\u003edisciple\u003c/a\u003e C\u0026oelig;lestius: how that \u003cq\u003eAdam was created mortal, and would have died whether he had \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esinned\u003c/a\u003e or not \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esinned\u003c/a\u003e; that Adam\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e injured only himself and not the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman race\u003c/a\u003e; that the law no less than the gospel leads us to the kingdom; that there were sinless men previous to the coming of Christ; that new-born infants are in the same condition as \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01129a.htm\"\u003eAdam\u003c/a\u003e was before the fall; that the whole \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman race\u003c/a\u003e does not, on the one hand, die through Adam\u0027s death or transgression, nor, on the other hand, does the whole \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman race\u003c/a\u003e rise again through the resurrection of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eChrist\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e These have been so objected to, that they are even said to have been, after a full hearing, condemned at \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03385a.htm\"\u003eCarthage\u003c/a\u003e by your \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholiness\u003c/a\u003e and other \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e associated with you. I was not present on that occasion, as you will recollect; but afterwards, on my arrival at \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03385a.htm\"\u003eCarthage\u003c/a\u003e, I read over the Acts of the synod, some of which I perfectly well remember, but I do not \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknow\u003c/a\u003e whether all the tenets now mentioned occur among them. But what matters it if some of them were possibly not mentioned, and so not included in the condemnation of the synod when it is quite clear that they deserve condemnation? Sundry other points of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerror\u003c/a\u003e were next alleged against him, connected with the mention of my own name. They had been transmitted to me from \u003ca href=\"../cathen/13772a.htm\"\u003eSicily\u003c/a\u003e, some of our \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03449a.htm\"\u003eCatholic\u003c/a\u003e brethren there being perplexed by questions of this kind; and I drew up a reply to them in a little work addressed to Hilary, who had consulted me respecting them in a letter. My answer, in my opinion, was a sufficient one. These are the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerrors\u003c/a\u003e referred to: \u003cq\u003eThat a man is able to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e if he wishes. That infants, even if they die unbaptized, have \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e life. That rich men, even if they are \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02258b.htm\"\u003ebaptized\u003c/a\u003e, unless they renounce all, have, whatever good they may seem to have done, nothing of it reckoned to them; neither can they possess the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of God\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 24.\u0026mdash; Pelagius\u0027 Answer to the Charges Brought Together Under the Seventh Item\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe following, as the proceedings testify, was Pelagius\u0027 own answer to these charges against him: \u003cq\u003eConcerning a man\u0027s being able indeed to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, we have spoken,\u003c/q\u003e says he, \u003cq\u003ealready; concerning the fact, however, that before the Lord\u0027s coming there were \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, we say now that, previous to Christ\u0027s advent, some men lived \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e and righteous lives, according to the teaching of the sacred Scriptures. The rest were not said by me, as even their testimony goes to show, and for them, I do not feel that I am responsible. But for the satisfaction of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e synod, I \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematize\u003c/a\u003e those who either now hold, or have ever held, these opinions.\u003c/q\u003e After hearing this answer of his, the synod said: \u003cq\u003eWith regard to these charges aforesaid, Pelagius has in our presence given us sufficient and proper satisfaction, by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematizing\u003c/a\u003e the opinions which were not his.\u003c/q\u003e We see, therefore, and maintain that the most pernicious \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevils\u003c/a\u003e of this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e have been condemned, not only by Pelagius, but also by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e who presided over that inquiry:\u0026mdash; that \u003cq\u003eAdam was made mortal;\u003c/q\u003e (and, that the meaning of this statement might be more clearly understood, it was added, \u003cq\u003eand he would have died whether he had \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esinned\u003c/a\u003e or not \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esinned\u003c/a\u003e;\u003c/q\u003e) that his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e injured only himself and not the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman race\u003c/a\u003e; that the law, no less than the gospel, leads us to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of heaven\u003c/a\u003e; that new born infants are in the same condition that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01129a.htm\"\u003eAdam\u003c/a\u003e was before the fall; that the entire \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman race\u003c/a\u003e does not, on the one hand, die through Adam\u0027s death and transgression, nor, on the other hand, does the whole \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman race\u003c/a\u003e rise again through the resurrection of Christ; that infants, even if they die unbaptized, have \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e life; that rich men even if \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02258b.htm\"\u003ebaptized\u003c/a\u003e, unless they renounce and give up all, have, whatever good they may seem to have done, nothing of it reckoned to them, neither can they possess the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of God\u003c/a\u003e; \u0026mdash; all these opinions, at any rate, were clearly condemned in that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eecclesiastical\u003c/a\u003e court \u0026mdash; Pelagius pronouncing the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathema\u003c/a\u003e, and the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e the interlocutory sentence.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 25.\u0026mdash; The Pelagians Falsely Pretended that the Eastern Churches Were on Their Side\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNow, by reason of these questions, and the very contentious assertions of these tenets, which are everywhere accompanied with heated feelings, many weak brethren were disturbed. We have accordingly, in the anxiety of that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09397a.htm\"\u003elove\u003c/a\u003e which it becomes us to feel towards the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eChrist\u003c/a\u003e through His \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e, and out of regard to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09639a.htm\"\u003eMarcellinus\u003c/a\u003e of blessed memory (who was extremely vexed day by day by these disputers, and who asked my advice by letter), been \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11189a.htm\"\u003eobliged\u003c/a\u003e to write on some of these questions, and especially on the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02258b.htm\"\u003ebaptism\u003c/a\u003e of infants. On this same subject also I afterwards, at your request, and assisted by your \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003eprayers\u003c/a\u003e, delivered an earnest address, to the best of my ability, in the church of the \u003cem\u003eMajores\u003c/em\u003e, holding in my hands an epistle of the most \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06585a.htm\"\u003eglorious\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09736b.htm\"\u003emartyr\u003c/a\u003e Cyprian, and reading therefrom and applying his words on the very matter, in order to remove this dangerous \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerror\u003c/a\u003e out of the hearts of sundry \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e, who had been persuaded to take up with the opinions which, as we see, were condemned in these proceedings. These opinions it has been attempted by their promoters to force upon the minds of some of the brethren, by threatening, as if from the Eastern Churches, that unless they adopted the said opinions, they would be formally condemned by those Churches. Observe, however, that no less than fourteen \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e of the Eastern Church, assembled in synod in the land where the Lord manifested His presence in the days of His flesh, refused to acquit Pelagius unless he condemned these opinions as opposed to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03449a.htm\"\u003eCatholic\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e. Since, therefore, he was then acquitted because he \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e such views, it follows beyond a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e that the said opinions were condemned. This, indeed, will appear more clearly still, and on still stronger evidence, in the sequel.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 26.\u0026mdash; The Accusations in the Seventh Item, Which Pelagius Confessed\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLet us now see what were the two points out of all that were alleged which Pelagius was unwilling to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematize\u003c/a\u003e, and admitted to be his own opinions, but to remove their offensive aspect explained in what sense he held them. \u003cq\u003eThat a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003eman\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e says he, \u003cq\u003eis able to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e has been asserted already.\u003c/q\u003e Asserted no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e, and we remember the assertion quite well; but still it was mitigated, and approved by the judges, in that God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e was added, concerning which nothing was said in the original draft of his doctrine. Touching the second, however, of these points, we ought to pay careful attention to what he said in answer to the charge against him. \u003cq\u003eConcerning the fact, indeed,\u003c/q\u003e says he, \u003cq\u003ethat before the Lord\u0027s coming there were \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, we now again assert that previous to Christ\u0027s advent some men lived \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e and righteous lives, according to the teaching of the sacred Scriptures.\u003c/q\u003e He did not dare to say: \u003cq\u003eWe now again assert that previous to Christ\u0027s advent there were \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e although this had been laid to his charge after the very words of C\u0026oelig;lestius. For he perceived how dangerous such a statement was, and into what trouble it would bring him. So he reduced the sentence to these harmless dimensions: \u003cq\u003eWe again assert that before the coming of Christ there were \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e who led \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e and righteous lives.\u003c/q\u003e Of course there were: who would deny it? But to say this is a very different thing from saying that they lived \u003cq\u003ewithout \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e Because, indeed, those ancient worthies lived \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e and righteous lives, they could for that very reason better confess: \u003cq\u003eIf we say that we have no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, we deceive ourselves, and the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e is not in us.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1jo001.htm#verse8\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;John\u0026nbsp;1:8\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e In the present day, also, many men live \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e and righteous lives; but yet it is no untruth they utter when in their \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003eprayer\u003c/a\u003e they say: \u003cq\u003eForgive us our debts, even as we forgive our debtors.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/mat006.htm#verse12\"\u003eMatthew\u0026nbsp;6:12\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e This avowal was accordingly acceptable to the judges, in the sense in which Pelagius solemnly declared his belief; but certainly not in the sense which C\u0026oelig;lestius, according to the original charge against him, was said to hold. We must now treat in detail of the topics which still remain, to the best of our ability.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 27 [XII.]\u0026mdash; The Eighth Item in the Accusation\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePelagius was charged with having said: \u003cq\u003eThat the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e here is without spot or wrinkle.\u003c/q\u003e It was on this point that the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05121a.htm\"\u003eDonatists\u003c/a\u003e also were constantly at conflict with us in our conference. We used, in their case, to lay special stress on the mixture of bad men with good, like that of the chaff with the wheat; and we were led to this idea by the similitude of the threshing-floor. We might apply the same illustration in answer to our present opponents, unless indeed they would have the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e consist only of good men, whom they assert to be without any \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e whatever, that so the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e might be without spot or wrinkle. If this be their meaning, then I repeat the same words as I quoted just now; for how can they be members of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e, of whom the voice of a truthful humility declares, \u003cq\u003eIf we say that we have no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, we deceive ourselves, and the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e is not in us?\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1jo001.htm#verse8\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;John\u0026nbsp;1:8\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e or how could the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e offer up that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003eprayer\u003c/a\u003e which the Lord taught her to use, \u003cq\u003eForgive us our debts,\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/mat006.htm#verse12\"\u003eMatthew\u0026nbsp;6:12\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e if in this world the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e is without a spot or blemish? In short, they must themselves submit to be strictly catechised respecting themselves: do they really allow that they have any \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e of their own? If their answer is in the negative, then they must be plainly told that they are deceiving themselves, and the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e is not in them. If, however, they shall acknowledge that they do commit \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, what is this but a confession of their own wrinkle and spot? They therefore are not members of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e; because the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e is without spot and wrinkle, while they have both spot and wrinkle.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 28.\u0026mdash; Pelagius\u0027 Reply to the Eighth Item of Accusation\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut to this objection he replied with a watchful caution such as the catholic judges no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e approved. \u003cq\u003eIt has,\u003c/q\u003e says he, \u003cq\u003ebeen asserted by me \u0026mdash; but in such a sense that the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e is by the laver cleansed from every spot and wrinkle, and in this purity the Lord wishes her to continue.\u003c/q\u003e Whereupon the synod said: \u003cq\u003eOf this also we approve.\u003c/q\u003e And who among us denies that in \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02258b.htm\"\u003ebaptism\u003c/a\u003e the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e of all \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003emen\u003c/a\u003e are remitted, and that all \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05769a.htm\"\u003ebelievers\u003c/a\u003e come up spotless and pure from the laver of regeneration? Or what catholic \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03712a.htm\"\u003eChristian\u003c/a\u003e is there who wishes not, as his Lord also wishes, and as it is meant to be, that the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e should remain always without spot or wrinkle? For in very deed God is now in His mercy and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e bringing it about, that His \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e Church should be conducted to that perfect state in which she is to remain without spot or wrinkle for evermore. But between the laver, where all past stains and deformities are removed, and the kingdom, where the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e will remain for ever without any spot or wrinkle, there is this present intermediate time of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003eprayer\u003c/a\u003e, during which her cry must of necessity be: \u003cq\u003eForgive us our debts.\u003c/q\u003e Hence arose the objection against them for saying that \u003cq\u003ethe \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e here on earth is without spot or wrinkle;\u003c/q\u003e from the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e whether by this opinion they did not boldly prohibit that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003eprayer\u003c/a\u003e whereby the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e in her present \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02258b.htm\"\u003ebaptized\u003c/a\u003e state entreats day and night for herself the forgiveness of her \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e. On the subject of this intervening period between the remission of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e which takes place in \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02258b.htm\"\u003ebaptism\u003c/a\u003e, and the perpetuity of sinlessness which is to be in the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of heaven\u003c/a\u003e, no proceedings ensued with Pelagius, and no decision was pronounced by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e. Only he thought that some brief indication ought to be given that he had not expressed himself in the way which the accusation against him seemed to state. As to his saying, \u003cq\u003eThis has been asserted by me \u0026mdash; but in such a sense,\u003c/q\u003e what else did he mean to convey than the idea that he had not in fact expressed himself in the same manner as he was supposed to have done by his accusers? That, however, which induced the judges to say that they were satisfied with his answer was \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02258b.htm\"\u003ebaptism\u003c/a\u003e as the means of being washed from our \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e; and the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of heaven\u003c/a\u003e, in which the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e Church, which is now in process of cleansing, shall continue in a sinless state for ever: this is clear from the evidence, so far as I can form an opinion.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 29 [XIII.]\u0026mdash; The Ninth Item of the Accusation; And Pelagius\u0027 Reply\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe next objections were urged out of the book of C\u0026oelig;lestius, following the contents of each several chapter, but rather according to the sense than the words. These indeed he expatiates on rather fully; they, however, who presented the indictment against Pelagius said that they had been unable at the moment to adduce all the words. In the first chapter, then, of C\u0026oelig;lestius\u0027 book they alleged that the following was written: \u003cq\u003eThat we do more than is commanded us in the law and the gospel.\u003c/q\u003e To this Pelagius replied: \u003cq\u003eThis they have set down as my statement. What we said, however, was in keeping with the apostle\u0027s assertion concerning \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15458a.htm\"\u003evirginity\u003c/a\u003e, of which \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003ePaul\u003c/a\u003e writes: \u0027I have no commandment of the Lord.\u0027\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co007.htm#verse25\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;7:25\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Upon this the synod said: \u003cq\u003eThis also the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e receives.\u003c/q\u003e I have read for myself the meaning which C\u0026oelig;lestius gives to this in his book \u0026mdash; for he does not deny that the book is his. Now he made this statement obviously with the view of persuading us that we possess through the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10715a.htm\"\u003enature\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e so great an ability for avoiding \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, that we are able to do more than is commanded us; for a perpetual \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15458a.htm\"\u003evirginity\u003c/a\u003e is maintained by very many \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e, and this is not commanded; whereas, in order to avoid \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, it is sufficient to fulfil what is commanded. When the judges, however, accepted Pelagius\u0027 answer, they did not take it to convey the idea that those \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e keep all the commandments of the law and the gospel who over and above maintain the state of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15458a.htm\"\u003evirginity\u003c/a\u003e, which is not commanded \u0026mdash; but only this, that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15458a.htm\"\u003evirginity\u003c/a\u003e, which is not commanded, is something more than conjugal \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03637d.htm\"\u003echastity\u003c/a\u003e, which is commanded; so that to observe the one is of course more than to keep the other; whereas, at the same time, neither can be maintained without the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, inasmuch as the apostle, in speaking of this very subject, says: \u003cq\u003eBut I would that all \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003emen\u003c/a\u003e were even as I myself. Every man, however, has his proper gift of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, one after this manner, and another after that.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co007.htm#verse7\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;7:7\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e And even the Lord Himself, upon the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05029a.htm\"\u003edisciples\u003c/a\u003e remarking, \u003cq\u003eIf the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry\u003c/q\u003e (or, as it may be better expressed in Latin, \u003cq\u003eit is not expedient to take a wife\u003c/q\u003e), said to them: \u003cq\u003eAll men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/mat019.htm#verse10\"\u003eMatthew\u0026nbsp;19:10-11\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e This, therefore, is the doctrine which the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e of the synod declared to be received by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e, that the state of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15458a.htm\"\u003evirginity\u003c/a\u003e, persevered in to the last, which is not commanded, is more than the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03637d.htm\"\u003echastity\u003c/a\u003e of married life, which is commanded. In what view Pelagius or C\u0026oelig;lestius regarded this subject, the judges were not aware.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 30 [XIV.]\u0026mdash; The Tenth Item in the Accusation. The More Prominent Points of C\u0026oelig;lestius\u0027 Work Continued\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter this we find objected against Pelagius some other points of C\u0026oelig;lestius\u0027 teaching \u0026mdash; prominent ones, and undoubtedly worthy of condemnation; such, indeed, as would certainly have involved Pelagius in condemnation, if he had not \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e them in the synod. Under his third head C\u0026oelig;lestius was alleged to have written: \u003cq\u003eThat God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e and assistance is not given for single actions, but is imparted in the freedom of the will, or in the law and in doctrine.\u003c/q\u003e And again: \u003cq\u003eThat God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e is given in proportion to our deserts; because, were He to give it to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esinful\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e, He would seem to be unrighteous.\u003c/q\u003e And from these words he inferred that \u003cq\u003etherefore \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e itself has been placed in my will, according as I have been either worthy or unworthy of it. For if we do all things by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e, then whenever we are overcome by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, it is not \u003cem\u003ewe\u003c/em\u003e who are overcome, but God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e, which wanted by all means to help us, but was not able.\u003c/q\u003e And once more he says: \u003cq\u003eIf, when we conquer \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, it is by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e; then it is He who is in fault whenever we are conquered by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, because He was either altogether unable or unwilling to keep us safe.\u003c/q\u003e To these charges Pelagius replied: \u003cq\u003eWhether these are really the opinions of C\u0026oelig;lestius or not, is the concern of those who say that they are. For my own part, indeed, I never entertained such views; on the contrary, I \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematize\u003c/a\u003e every one who does entertain them.\u003c/q\u003e Then the synod said: \u003cq\u003eThis \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e synod accepts you for your condemnation of these impious words.\u003c/q\u003e Now certainly there can be no mistake, in regard to these opinions, either as to the clear way in which Pelagius pronounced on them his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathema\u003c/a\u003e, or as to the absolute terms in which the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e condemned them. Whether Pelagius or C\u0026oelig;lestius, or both of them, or neither of them, or other \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e with them or in their name, have ever held or still hold these sentiments \u0026mdash; may be doubtful or obscure; but nevertheless by this judgment of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e it has been declared plainly enough that they have been condemned, and that Pelagius would have been condemned along with them, unless he had himself condemned them too. Now, after this trial, it is certain that whenever we enter on a controversy touching opinions of this kind, we only discuss an already condemned \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 31.\u0026mdash; Remarks on the Tenth Item\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eI shall make my next remark with greater satisfaction. In a former section I expressed a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06021a.htm\"\u003efear\u003c/a\u003e that, when Pelagius said that \u003cq\u003ea man was able by the help of God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e to live without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e he perhaps meant by the term \u003cq\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/q\u003e the capability possessed by nature as created by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e with a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e, as it is understood in that book which I received as his and to which I replied; and that by these means he was deceiving the judges, who were \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07648a.htm\"\u003eignorant\u003c/a\u003e of the circumstances. Now, however, since he \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematizes\u003c/a\u003e those \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e who hold that \u003cq\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u0027s\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e and assistance is not given for single actions, but is imparted in the freedom of the will, or in the law and in doctrine,\u003c/q\u003e it is quite evident that he really means the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e which is preached in the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eChrist\u003c/a\u003e, and is conferred by the ministration of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07409a.htm\"\u003eHoly Ghost\u003c/a\u003e for the purpose of helping us in our single actions, whence it is that we \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003epray\u003c/a\u003e for needful and suitable \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e that we enter not into any \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14504a.htm\"\u003etemptation\u003c/a\u003e. Nor, again, have I any longer a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06021a.htm\"\u003efear\u003c/a\u003e that, when he said, \u003cq\u003eNo man can be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e unless he has acquired a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law,\u003c/q\u003e and added this explanation of his words, that \u003cq\u003ehe posited in the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law, help towards the avoidance of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e he at all meant the said \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e to be considered as tantamount to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e; for, observe, he \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematizes\u003c/a\u003e such as hold this opinion. See, too, how he refuses to hold our natural \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e, or the law and doctrine, as equivalent to that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God which helps us through our single actions. What else then is left to him but to understand that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e which the apostle tells us is given by \u003cq\u003ethe supply of the Spirit?\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/phi001.htm#verse19\"\u003ePhilippians\u0026nbsp;1:19\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e and concerning which the Lord said: \u003cq\u003eTake no thought how or what you shall speak; for it shall be given you in that same hour what you shall speak. For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/mat010.htm#verse19\"\u003eMatthew\u0026nbsp;10:19-20\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Nor, again, need I be under any apprehension that, when he asserted, \u003cq\u003eAll men are ruled by their own will,\u003c/q\u003e and afterwards explained that he had made that statement \u003cq\u003ein the interest of the freedom of our \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15624a.htm\"\u003ewill\u003c/a\u003e, of which \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e is the helper whenever it makes choice of good,\u003c/q\u003e that he perhaps here also held God\u0027s helping \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e as synonymous with our natural \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e and the teaching of the law. For inasmuch as he rightly \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e who hold that God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e or assistance is not given for single actions, but lies in the gift of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e, or in the law and doctrine, it follows, of course, that God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e or assistance is given us for single actions, \u0026mdash; \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e, or the law and the doctrine, being left out of consideration; and thus through all the single actions of our life, when we act rightly, we are ruled and directed by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e; nor is our \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003eprayer\u003c/a\u003e a useless one, wherein we say: \u003cq\u003eOrder my steps according to Your word, and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.\u003c/q\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 32.\u0026mdash; The Eleventh Item of the Accusation\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut what comes afterwards again fills me with anxiety. On its being objected to him, from the fifth chapter of C\u0026oelig;lestius\u0027 book, that \u003cq\u003ethey say that every individual has the ability to possess all powers and graces, thus taking away that \u0027diversity of graces,\u0027 which the apostle teaches,\u003c/q\u003e Pelagius replied: \u003cq\u003eWe have certainly said so much; but yet they have laid against us a malignant and blundering charge. We do not take away the diversity of graces; but we declare that God gives to the person, who has \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12454c.htm\"\u003eproved\u003c/a\u003e himself worthy to receive them, all graces, even as He conferred them on the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eApostle Paul\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e Hereupon the Synod said: \u003cq\u003eYou accordingly do yourself hold the doctrine of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e touching the gift of the graces, which are collectively possessed by the apostle.\u003c/q\u003e Here some one may say, \u003cq\u003eWhy then is he anxious? Do you on your side deny that all the powers and graces were combined in the apostle?\u003c/q\u003e For my own part, indeed, if all those are to be understood which the apostle has himself mentioned together in one passage \u0026mdash; as, I suppose, the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e understood Pelagius to mean when they approved of his answer, and pronounced it to be in keeping with the sense of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e \u0026mdash; then I do not \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e that the apostle had them all; for he says: \u003cq\u003eAnd God has set some in the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e, first, \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01626c.htm\"\u003eapostles\u003c/a\u003e; secondarily, \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12477a.htm\"\u003eprophets\u003c/a\u003e; thirdly, teachers; after that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10338a.htm\"\u003emiracles\u003c/a\u003e; then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co012.htm#verse28\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;12:28\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e What then? Shall we say that the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eApostle Paul\u003c/a\u003e did not possess all these gifts himself? Who would be bold enough to assert this? The very fact that he was an apostle showed, of course, that he possessed the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of the \u003cem\u003e apostolate\u003c/em\u003e. He possessed also that of \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/12473a.htm\"\u003eprophecy\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e; for was not that a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12473a.htm\"\u003eprophecy\u003c/a\u003e of his in which he says: \u003cq\u003eIn the last times some shall depart from the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils?\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1ti004.htm#verse1\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Timothy\u0026nbsp;4:1\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e He was, moreover, \u003cq\u003ethe \u003cem\u003e teacher\u003c/em\u003e of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06422a.htm\"\u003eGentiles\u003c/a\u003e in \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e and verity.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1ti002.htm#verse7\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Timothy\u0026nbsp;2:7\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e He performed \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/10338a.htm\"\u003emiracles\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e also and cures; for he shook off from his hand, unhurt, the biting viper; \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/act028.htm#verse5\"\u003eActs\u0026nbsp;28:5\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e and the cripple stood upright on his feet at the apostle\u0027s word, and his strength was at once restored. \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/act014.htm#verse8\"\u003eActs\u0026nbsp;14:8-9\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e It is not clear what he means by \u003cem\u003ehelps\u003c/em\u003e, for the term is of very wide application; but who can say that he was wanting even in this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e, when through his labours such helps were manifestly afforded towards the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/13407a.htm\"\u003esalvation\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003emankind\u003c/a\u003e? Then as to his possessing the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003cq\u003e \u003cem\u003egovernment\u003c/em\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e what could be more excellent than his administration, when the Lord at that time governed so many churches by his personal agency, and governs them still in our day through his epistles? And in respect of the \u003cq\u003e \u003cem\u003ediversities of tongues\u003c/em\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e what tongues could have been wanting to him, when he says himself: \u003cq\u003eI thank my God that I speak with tongues more than you all?\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co014.htm#verse18\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;14:18\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e It being thus inevitable to suppose that not one of these was wanting to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eApostle Paul\u003c/a\u003e, the judges approved of Pelagius\u0027 answer, wherein he said \u003cq\u003ethat all graces were conferred upon him.\u003c/q\u003e But there are other graces in addition to these which are not mentioned here. For it is not to be supposed, however greatly the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eApostle Paul\u003c/a\u003e excelled others as a member of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eChrist\u0027s\u003c/a\u003e body, that the very Head itself of the entire body did not receive more and ampler graces still, whether in His flesh or His \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14153a.htm\"\u003esoul\u003c/a\u003e as man; for such a created nature did the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09328a.htm\"\u003eWord of God\u003c/a\u003e assume as His own into the unity of His Person, that He might be our Head, and we His body. And in very deed, if all gifts could be in each member, it would be evident that the similitude, which is used to illustrate this subject, of the several members of our body is inapplicable; for some things are common to the members in general, such as life and health, while other things are peculiar to the separate members, since the ear has no perception of colors, nor the eye of voices. Hence it is written: \u003cq\u003eIf the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co012.htm#verse17\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;12:17\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Now this of course is not said as if it were impossible for \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e to impart to the ear the sense of seeing, or to the eye the function of hearing. However, what He does in Christ\u0027s body, which is the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e, and what the apostle meant by diversity of graces as if through the different members, there might be gifts proper even to every one separately, is clearly \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknown\u003c/a\u003e. Why, too, and on what ground they who raised the objection were so unwilling to have taken away all difference in graces, why, moreover, the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e of the synod were able to approve of the answer given by Pelagius in deference to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eApostle Paul\u003c/a\u003e, in whom we admit the combination of all those graces which he mentioned in the one particular passage, is by this time clear also.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 33.\u0026mdash; Discussion of the Eleventh Item Continued\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat, then, is the reason why, as I said just now, I felt anxious on the subject of this head of his doctrine? It is occasioned by what Pelagius says in these words: \u003cq\u003eThat God gives to the man who has \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12454c.htm\"\u003eproved\u003c/a\u003e himself worthy to receive them, all graces, even as He conferred them on the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eApostle Paul\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e Now, I should not have felt any anxiety about this answer of Pelagius, if it were not closely connected with the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03459a.htm\"\u003ecause\u003c/a\u003e which we are bound to guard with the utmost care \u0026mdash; even that God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e may never be attacked, while we are silent or dissembling in respect of so great an \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e. As, therefore, he does not say, that God gives to whom He will, but that \u003cq\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e gives to the man \u003cem\u003ewho has \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12454c.htm\"\u003eproved\u003c/a\u003e himself worthy to receive them\u003c/em\u003e, all these graces,\u003c/q\u003e I could not help being suspicious, when I read such words. For the very name of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e, and the thing that is meant by it, is taken away, if it is not bestowed gratuitously, but he only receives it who is worthy of it. Will anybody say that I do the apostle wrong, because I do not admit him to have been worthy of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e? Nay, I should indeed rather do him wrong, and bring on myself a punishment, if I refused to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieve\u003c/a\u003e what he himself says. Well, now, has he not pointedly so defined \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e as to show that it is so called because it is bestowed gratuitously? These are his own very words: \u003cq\u003eAnd if by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e, then is it no more of works; otherwise \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e is no more \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom011.htm#verse6\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;11:6\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e In accordance with this, he says again: \u003cq\u003eNow to him that works is the reward not reckoned of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e, but of debt.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom004.htm#verse4\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;4:4\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Whosoever, therefore, is worthy, to him it is due; and if it is thus due to him, it ceases to be \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e; for \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e is given, but a debt is paid. Grace, therefore, is given to those who are unworthy, that a debt may be paid to them when they become worthy. He, however, who has bestowed on the unworthy the gifts which they possessed not before, does Himself take care that they shall have whatever things He means to recompense to them when they become worthy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 34.\u0026mdash; The Same Continued. On the Works of Unbelievers; Faith is the Initial Principle from Which Good Works Have Their Beginning; Faith is the Gift of God\u0027s Grace\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe will perhaps say to this: \u003cq\u003eIt was not because of his works, but in consequence of his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e, that I said the apostle was worthy of having all those great graces bestowed upon him. His \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e deserved this distinction, but not his works, which were not previously good.\u003c/q\u003e Well, then, are we to suppose that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e does not work? Surely \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e does work in a very real way, for it \u003cq\u003eworks by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09397a.htm\"\u003elove\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/gal005.htm#verse6\"\u003eGalatians\u0026nbsp;5:6\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Preach up, however, as much as you like, the works of unbelieving men, we still \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknow\u003c/a\u003e how \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etrue\u003c/a\u003e and invincible is the statement of this same apostle: \u003cq\u003eWhatsoever is not of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e is \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom014.htm#verse23\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;14:23\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e The very reason, indeed, why he so often declares that righteousness is imputed to us, not out of our works, but our \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e, whereas \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e rather works through \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09397a.htm\"\u003elove\u003c/a\u003e, is that no man should think that he arrives at \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e itself through the merit of his works; for it is \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e which is the beginning whence good works first proceed; since (as has already been stated) whatsoever comes not from \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e is \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e. Accordingly, it is said to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e, in the Song of Songs: \u003cq\u003eYou shall come and pass by from the beginning of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/son004.htm#verse8\"\u003eSong\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;Songs\u0026nbsp;4:8\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Although, therefore, \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e procures the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of producing good works, we certainly do not deserve by any \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e that we should have \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e itself; but, in its bestowal upon us, in order that we may follow the Lord by its help, \u003cq\u003eHis mercy has prevented us.\u003c/q\u003e Was it we ourselves that gave it to us? Did we ourselves make ourselves faithful? I must by all means say here, emphatically: \u003cq\u003eIt is He that has made us, and not we ourselves.\u003c/q\u003e And indeed nothing else than this is pressed upon us in the apostle\u0027s teaching, when he says: \u003cq\u003eFor I declare, through the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e that is given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom012.htm#verse3\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;12:3\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Whence, too, arises the well-known challenge: \u003cq\u003eWhat do you have that you did not receive?\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co004.htm#verse7\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;4:7\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e inasmuch as we have received even that which is the spring from which everything we have of good in our actions takes its beginning.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 35.\u0026mdash; The Same Continued\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cq\u003eWhat, then, is the meaning of that which the same apostle says: \u0027I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day;\u0027 \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/2ti004.htm#verse7\"\u003e2\u0026nbsp;Timothy\u0026nbsp;4:7\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e if these are not recompenses paid to the worthy, but gifts, bestowed on the unworthy?\u003c/q\u003e He who says this, does not consider that the crown could not have been given to the man who is worthy of it, unless \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e had been first bestowed on him while unworthy of it. He says indeed: \u003cq\u003eI have fought a good fight;\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/2ti004.htm#verse7\"\u003e2\u0026nbsp;Timothy\u0026nbsp;4:7\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e but then he also says: \u003cq\u003eThanks be to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, who gives us the victory through \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eJesus Christ\u003c/a\u003e our Lord.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co015.htm#verse57\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;15:57\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e He says too: \u003cq\u003eI have finished my course;\u003c/q\u003e but he says again: \u003cq\u003eIt is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom009.htm#verse16\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;9:16\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e He says, moreover: \u003cq\u003eI have kept the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e;\u003c/q\u003e but then it is he too who says again: \u003cq\u003eI \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknow\u003c/a\u003e whom I have \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieved\u003c/a\u003e, and am persuaded that He is able to keep my deposit against that day\u003c/q\u003e \u0026mdash; that is, \u003cq\u003emy commendation;\u003c/q\u003e for some copies have not the word \u003cem\u003e depositum\u003c/em\u003e, but \u003cem\u003ecommendatum\u003c/em\u003e, which yields a plainer sense. Now, what do we commend to God\u0027s keeping, except the things which we \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003epray\u003c/a\u003e Him to preserve for us, and among these our very \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e? For what else did the Lord procure for the Apostle Peter by His \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003eprayer\u003c/a\u003e for him, of which He said, \u003cq\u003eI have \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003eprayed\u003c/a\u003e for you, Peter, that your \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e fail not,\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/luk022.htm#verse32\"\u003eLuke\u0026nbsp;22:32\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e than that God would preserve his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e, that it should not fail by giving way to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14504a.htm\"\u003etemptation\u003c/a\u003e? Therefore, \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eblessed Paul\u003c/a\u003e, you great preacher of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e, I will say it without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06021a.htm\"\u003efear\u003c/a\u003e of any man (for who will be less \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01489a.htm\"\u003eangry\u003c/a\u003e with me for so saying than yourself, who hast told us what to say, and taught us what to teach?)\u0026mdash; I will, I repeat, say it, and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06021a.htm\"\u003efear\u003c/a\u003e no man for the assertion: Their own crown is recompensed to their merits; but your merits are the gifts of God!\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 36.\u0026mdash; The Same Continued. The Monk Pelagius. Grace is Conferred on the Unworthy\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis due reward, therefore, is recompensed to the apostle as worthy of it; but still it was \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e which bestowed on him the apostleship itself, which was not his due, and of which he was not worthy. Shall I be sorry for having said this? God forbid! For under his own testimony shall I find a ready protection from such reproach; nor will any man charge me with audacity, unless he be himself audacious enough to charge the apostle with mendacity. He frankly says, nay he protests, that he commends the gifts of God within himself, so that he glories not in himself at all, but in the Lord; \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co001.htm#verse31\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;1:31\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e he not only declares that he possessed no good deserts in himself why he should be made an \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01626c.htm\"\u003eapostle\u003c/a\u003e, but he even mentions his own demerits, in order to manifest and preach the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e. \u003cq\u003eI am not meet,\u003c/q\u003e says he, \u003cq\u003eto be called an apostle;\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co015.htm#verse9\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;15:9\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e and what else does this mean than \u003cq\u003eI am not \u003cem\u003eworthy\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/q\u003e\u0026mdash; as indeed several Latin copies read the phrase. Now this, to be sure, is the very gist of our question; for undoubtedly in this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of apostleship all those graces are contained. For it was neither convenient nor right that an apostle should not possess the gift of \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/12473a.htm\"\u003eprophecy\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e, nor be a \u003cem\u003e teacher\u003c/em\u003e, nor be illustrious for \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/10338a.htm\"\u003emiracles\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003ethe gifts of healings\u003c/em\u003e, nor furnish needful \u003cem\u003ehelps\u003c/em\u003e, nor provide \u003cem\u003egovernments\u003c/em\u003e over the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003echurches\u003c/a\u003e, nor excel in \u003cem\u003e diversities of tongues.\u003c/em\u003e All these functions the one name of apostleship embraces. Let us, therefore, consult the man himself, nay listen wholly to him. Let us say to him: \u003cq\u003eHoly \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eApostle Paul\u003c/a\u003e, the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10487b.htm\"\u003emonk\u003c/a\u003e Pelagius declares that you were worthy to receive all the graces of your apostleship. What do you say yourself?\u003c/q\u003e He answers: \u003cq\u003eI am not worthy to be called an apostle.\u003c/q\u003e Shall I then, under pretence of honouring \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003ePaul\u003c/a\u003e, in a matter concerning \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003ePaul\u003c/a\u003e, dare to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieve\u003c/a\u003e Pelagius in preference to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003ePaul\u003c/a\u003e? I will not do so; for if I did, I should only prove to be more onerous to myself than honouring to him. Let us hear also why he is not worthy to be called an apostle: \u003cq\u003eBecause,\u003c/q\u003e says he, \u003cq\u003eI \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11703a.htm\"\u003epersecuted\u003c/a\u003e the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch of God\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co015.htm#verse9\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;15:9\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Now, were we to follow up the idea here expressed, who would not judge that he rather deserved from Christ condemnation, instead of an apostolic call? Who could so \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09397a.htm\"\u003elove\u003c/a\u003e the preacher as not to loathe the persecutor? Well, therefore, and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruly\u003c/a\u003e does he say of himself: \u003cq\u003eI am not worthy to be called an \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01626c.htm\"\u003eapostle\u003c/a\u003e, because I \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11703a.htm\"\u003epersecuted\u003c/a\u003e the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch of God\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e As you wrought then such \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e, how did you come to earn such good? Let all \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003emen\u003c/a\u003e hear his answer: \u003cq\u003eBut by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, I am what I am.\u003c/q\u003e Is there, then, no other way in which \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e is commended, than because it is conferred on an unworthy recipient? \u003cq\u003eAnd His \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e he adds, \u003cq\u003ewhich was bestowed on me was not in vain.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co015.htm#verse10\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;15:10\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e He says this as a lesson to others also, to show the freedom of the will, when he says: \u003cq\u003eWe then, as workers together with Him, beseech you also that you receive not the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e in vain.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/2co006.htm#verse1\"\u003e2\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;6:1\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Whence however does he derive his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12454c.htm\"\u003eproof\u003c/a\u003e, that \u003cq\u003eHis \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e bestowed on himself was not in vain,\u003c/q\u003e except from the fact which he goes on to mention: \u003cq\u003eBut I laboured more abundantly than they all?\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co015.htm#verse10\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;15:10\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e So it seems he did not labour in order to receive \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e, but he received \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e in order that he might labour. And thus, when unworthy, he gratuitously received \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e, whereby he might become worthy to receive the due reward. Not that he ventured to claim even his labour for himself; for, after saying: \u003cq\u003eI laboured more abundantly than they all,\u003c/q\u003e he at once subjoined: \u003cq\u003eYet not I, but the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God which was with me.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co015.htm#verse10\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;15:10\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e O mighty teacher, confessor, and preacher of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e! What means this: \u003cq\u003eI laboured more, yet not I?\u003c/q\u003e Where the will exalted itself ever so little, there \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12748a.htm\"\u003epiety\u003c/a\u003e was instantly on the watch, and humility trembled, because weakness recognised itself.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 37\u0026mdash; The Same Continued. John, Bishop of Jerusalem, and His Examination\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith great propriety, as the proceedings show, did John, the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e overseer of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e of Jerusalem, employ the authority of this same passage of the apostle, as he himself told our brethren the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e who were his assessors at that trial, on their asking him what proceedings had taken place before him previous to the trial. He told them that \u003cq\u003eon the occasion in question, while some were whispering, and remarking on Pelagius\u0027 statement, that \u0027without God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e man was able to attain perfection\u0027 (that is, as he had previously expressed it, \u0027man was able to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e\u0027), he censured the statement, and reminded them besides, that even the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eApostle Paul\u003c/a\u003e, after so many labours \u0026mdash; not indeed in his own strength, but by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God \u0026mdash; said: \u0027I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God that was with me;\u0027 \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co015.htm#verse10\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;15:10\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e and again: \u0027It is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy;\u0027 \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom009.htm#verse16\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;9:16\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e and again: \u0027Except the Lord build the house, they labour but in vain who build it.\u0027 And,\u003c/q\u003e he added, \u003cq\u003ewe quoted several other like passages out of the \u003ca href=\"../bible/index.html\"\u003eHoly Scriptures\u003c/a\u003e. When, however, they did not receive the quotations which we made out of the \u003ca href=\"../bible/index.html\"\u003eHoly Scriptures\u003c/a\u003e, but continued their murmuring noise, Pelagius said: \u0027This is what I also \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieve\u003c/a\u003e; let him be \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathema\u003c/a\u003e, who declares that a man is able, without God\u0027s help, to arrive at the perfection of all \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15472a.htm\"\u003evirtues\u003c/a\u003e.\u0027\u003c/q\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 38 [XV.]\u0026mdash; The Same Continued\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBishop John narrated all this in the hearing of Pelagius; but he, of course, might respectfully say: \u003cq\u003eYour \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholiness\u003c/a\u003e is in \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerror\u003c/a\u003e; you do not accurately remember the facts. It was not in reference to the passages of Scripture which you have quoted that I uttered the words: \u0027This is what I also \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieve\u003c/a\u003e.\u0027 Because this is not my opinion of them. I do not understand them to say, that God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e so co-operates with man, that his abstinence from \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e is due, not to \u0027him that wills, nor to him that runs, but to God that shows mercy.\u0027\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom009.htm#verse16\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;9:16\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 39 [XVI.]\u0026mdash; The Same Continued. Heros and Lazarus; Orosius\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNow there are some expositions of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003ePaul\u0027s\u003c/a\u003e Epistle to the Romans which are said to have been written by Pelagius himself, \u0026mdash; in which he asserts, that the passage: \u003cq\u003eNot of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy,\u003c/q\u003e was \u003cq\u003enot said in \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003ePaul\u0027s\u003c/a\u003e own person; but that he therein employed the language of questioning and refutation, as if such a statement ought not to be made.\u003c/q\u003e No safe conclusion, therefore, can be drawn, although the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishop\u003c/a\u003e John plainly acknowledged the passage in question as conveying the mind of the apostle, and mentioned it for the very purpose of hindering Pelagius from thinking that any man can avoid \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e without God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e, and declared that Pelagius said in answer: \u003cq\u003eThis is what I also \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieve\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e and did not, upon hearing all this, repudiate his admission by replying: \u003cq\u003eThis is not my belief.\u003c/q\u003e He ought, indeed, either to deny altogether, or unhesitatingly to correct and amend this perverse exposition, in which he would have it, that the apostle must not be regarded as entertaining the sentiment, \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom009.htm#verse16\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;9:16\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e but rather as refuting it. Now, whatever Bishop John said of our brethren who were absent \u0026mdash; whether our brother \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e Heros and Lazarus, or the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12406a.htm\"\u003epresbyter\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11322a.htm\"\u003eOrosius\u003c/a\u003e, or any others whose names are not there registered, \u0026mdash; I am sure that he did not mean it to operate to their prejudice. For, had they been present, they might possibly (I am far from saying it absolutely) have convicted him of untruth; at any rate they might perhaps have reminded him of something he had forgotten, or something in which he might have been deceived by the Latin interpreter \u0026mdash; not, to be sure, for the purpose of misleading him by untruth, but at least, owing to some difficulty occasioned by a foreign language, only imperfectly understood; especially as the question was not treated in the Proceedings, which were drawn up for the useful purpose of preventing deceit on the part of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e men, and of preserving a record to assist the memory of good men. If, however, any man shall be disposed by this mention of our brethren to introduce any question or \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e on the subject, and summon them before the Episcopal judgment, they will not be wanting to themselves, as occasion shall serve. Why need we here pursue the point, when not even the judges themselves, after the narrative of our brother \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishop\u003c/a\u003e, were inclined to pronounce any definite sentence in consequence of it?\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 40 [XVII.]\u0026mdash; The Same Continued\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSince, then, Pelagius was present when these passages of the \u003ca href=\"../bible/index.html\"\u003eScriptures\u003c/a\u003e were discussed, and by his silence acknowledged having said that he entertained the same view of their meaning, how happens it, that, after reconsidering the apostle\u0027s testimony, as he had just done, and finding that he said: \u003cq\u003eI am not meet to be called an \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01626c.htm\"\u003eapostle\u003c/a\u003e, because I \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11703a.htm\"\u003epersecuted\u003c/a\u003e the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch of God\u003c/a\u003e; but by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God I am what I am,\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co015.htm#verse9\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;15:9-10\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e he did not perceive that it was improper for him to say, respecting the question of the abundance of the graces which the said apostle received, that he had shown himself \u003cq\u003eworthy to receive them,\u003c/q\u003e when the apostle himself not only confessed, but added a reason to prove, that he was \u003cem\u003eunworthy\u003c/em\u003e of them \u0026mdash; and by this very fact set forth \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e \u003cem\u003eas \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e indeed?\u003c/em\u003e If he could not for some reason or other consider or recollect the narrative of his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholiness\u003c/a\u003e the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishop\u003c/a\u003e John, which he had heard some time before, he might surely have respected his own very recent answer at the synod, and remembered how he \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e, but a short while before, the opinions which had been alleged against him out of C\u0026oelig;lestius. Now among these it was objected to him that C\u0026oelig;lestius had said: \u003cq\u003eThat the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God is bestowed according to our merits.\u003c/q\u003e If, then, Pelagius \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruthfully\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e this, why does he say that all those graces were conferred on the apostle because he deserved them? Is the phrase \u003cq\u003eworthy to receive\u003c/q\u003e of different meaning from the expression \u003cq\u003eto receive according to merit\u003c/q\u003e? Can he by any disputatious subtlety show that a man is worthy who has no merit? But neither C\u0026oelig;lestius, nor any other, all of whose opinions he \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e, has any intention to allow him to throw clouds over the phrase, and to conceal himself behind them. He presses home the matter, and plainly says: \u003cq\u003eAnd this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e has been placed in my will, according as I have been either worthy or unworthy of it.\u003c/q\u003e If, then, a statement, wherein it is declared that \u003cq\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u0027s\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e is given in proportion to our deserts, to such as are worthy,\u003c/q\u003e was rightly and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruly\u003c/a\u003e condemned by Pelagius, how could his heart permit him to think, or his mouth to utter, such a sentence as this: \u003cq\u003eWe say that God gives to the person who has \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12454c.htm\"\u003eproved\u003c/a\u003e himself worthy to receive them, all graces?\u003c/q\u003e Who that carefully considers all this can help feeling some anxiety about his answer or defense?\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 41.\u0026mdash; Augustine Indulgently Shows that the Judges Acted Incautiously in Their Official Conduct of the Case of Pelagius\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhy, then (some one will say), did the judges approve of this? I confess that I hardly even now understand why they did. It is, however, not to be wondered at, if some brief word or phrase too easily escaped their attention and ear; or if, because they thought it capable of being somehow interpreted in a correct sense, from seeming to have from the accused himself such clear confessions of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e on the subject, they decided it to be hardly worth while to excite a discussion about a word. The same feeling might have occurred to ourselves also, if we had sat with them at the trial. For if, instead of the term \u003cem\u003eworthy\u003c/em\u003e, the word \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/12378a.htm\"\u003epredestinated\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/em\u003e had been used, or some such word, my mind would certainly not have entertained any \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e, much less have been disquieted by it; and yet if it were asserted, that he who is justified by the election of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e is called \u003cem\u003eworthy\u003c/em\u003e, through no antecedent merits of good indeed, but by destination, just as he is called \u003cq\u003eelect,\u003c/q\u003e it would be really difficult to determine whether he might be so designated at all, or at least without some offense to an intelligent view of the subject.\u003c/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eAs for myself, indeed, I might readily pass on from the discussion on this word, were it not that the treatise which called forth my reply, and in which he says that there is no God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e at all except our own nature gratuitously created with \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e, made me suspicious and anxious about the actual meaning of Pelagius \u0026mdash; whether he had procured the introduction of the term into the argument without any accurate intention as to its sense, or else as a carefully drawn dogmatic expression. The last remaining statements had such an effect on the judges, that they deemed them worthy of condemnation, without waiting for Pelagius\u0027 answer.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 42 [XVIII.]\u0026mdash; The Twelfth Item in the Accusation. Other Heads of C\u0026oelig;lestius\u0027 Doctrine Abjured by Pelagius\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor it was objected that in the sixth chapter of C\u0026oelig;lestius\u0027 work there was laid down this position: \u003cq\u003eMen cannot be called sons of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, unless they have become entirely free from all \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e It follows from this statement, that not even the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eApostle Paul\u003c/a\u003e is a child of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, since he said: \u003cq\u003eNot as though I had already attained, either were already perfect.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/phi003.htm#verse12\"\u003ePhilippians\u0026nbsp;3:12\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e In the seventh chapter he makes this statement: \u003cq\u003eForgetfulness and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07648a.htm\"\u003eignorance\u003c/a\u003e have no connection with \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, as they do not happen through the will, but through necessity;\u003c/q\u003e although David says: \u003cq\u003eRemember not the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e of my youth, nor my \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07648a.htm\"\u003eignorance\u003c/a\u003e;\u003c/q\u003e although too, in the law, \u003ca href=\"../cathen/13309a.htm\"\u003esacrifices\u003c/a\u003e are offered for \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07648a.htm\"\u003eignorance\u003c/a\u003e, as if for \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e. In his tenth chapter he says: \u003cq\u003eOur will is free, if it needs the help of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e; inasmuch as every one in the possession of his proper will has either something to do or to abstain from doing.\u003c/q\u003e In the twelfth he says: \u003cq\u003eOur victory comes not from God\u0027s help, but from our own \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e And this is a conclusion which he was said to draw in the following terms: \u003cq\u003eThe victory is ours, seeing that we took up arms of our own will; just as, on the other hand, being conquered is our own, since it was of our own will that we neglected to arm ourselves.\u003c/q\u003e And, after quoting the phrase of the Apostle Peter, \u003cq\u003epartakers of the divine nature,\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/2pe001.htm#verse4\"\u003e2\u0026nbsp;Peter\u0026nbsp;1:4\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e he is said to have made out of it this argument: \u003cq\u003eNow if our spirit or \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14153a.htm\"\u003esoul\u003c/a\u003e is unable to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, then even God is subject to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, since this part of Him, that is to say, the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14153a.htm\"\u003esoul\u003c/a\u003e, is exposed to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e In his thirteenth chapter he says: \u003cq\u003eThat pardon is not given to penitents according to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e and mercy of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, but according to their own merits and effort, since through repentance they have been worthy of mercy.\u003c/q\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 43 [XIX.]\u0026mdash; The Answer of the Monk Pelagius and His Profession of Faith\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter all these sentences were read out, the synod said: \u003cq\u003eWhat says the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10487b.htm\"\u003emonk\u003c/a\u003e Pelagius to all these heads of opinion which have been read in his presence? For this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e synod condemns the whole, as does also God\u0027s Holy \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03449a.htm\"\u003eCatholic\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e Pelagius answered: \u003cq\u003eI say again, that these opinions, even according to their own testimony, are not mine; nor for them, as I have already said, ought I to be held responsible. The opinions which I have confessed to be my own, I maintain are sound; those, however, which I have said are not my own, I reject according to the judgment of this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e synod, pronouncing \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathema\u003c/a\u003e on every man who opposes and gainsays the doctrines of the Holy \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03449a.htm\"\u003eCatholic\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e. For I \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieve\u003c/a\u003e in the Trinity of the one substance, and I hold all things in accordance with the teaching of the Holy \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03449a.htm\"\u003eCatholic\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e. If indeed any man entertains opinions different from her, let him be \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathema\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 44 [XX.]\u0026mdash; The Acquittal of Pelagius\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe synod said: \u003cq\u003eNow since we have received satisfaction on the points which have come before us touching the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10487b.htm\"\u003emonk\u003c/a\u003e Pelagius, who has been present; since, too, he gives his consent to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12748a.htm\"\u003epious\u003c/a\u003e doctrines, and even \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematizes\u003c/a\u003e everything that is contrary to the Church\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e, we confess him to belong to the communion of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03449a.htm\"\u003eCatholic\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 45 [XXI.]\u0026mdash; Pelagius\u0027 Acquittal Becomes Suspected\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf these are the proceedings by which Pelagius\u0027 friends \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07131b.htm\"\u003erejoice\u003c/a\u003e that he was exculpated, we, on our part \u0026mdash; since he certainly took much pains to prove that we were well affected towards him, by going so far as to produce even our private letters to him, and reading them at the trial \u0026mdash; undoubtedly wish and desire his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/13407a.htm\"\u003esalvation\u003c/a\u003e in Christ; but as regards his exculpation, which is rather \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieved\u003c/a\u003e than clearly shown, we ought not to be in a hurry to exult. When I say this, indeed, I do not charge the judges either with negligence or connivance, or with consciously holding unsound doctrine \u0026mdash; which they most certainly would be the very last to entertain. But although by their sentence Pelagius is held by those who are on terms of fullest and closest intimacy with him to have been deservedly acquitted, with the approval and commendation of his judges, he certainly does not appear to me to have been cleared of the charges brought against him. They conducted his trial as of one whom they \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknew\u003c/a\u003e nothing of, especially in the absence of those who had prepared the indictment against him, and were quite unable to examine him with diligence and care; but, in spite of this inability, they completely destroyed the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e itself, as even the defenders of his perverseness must allow, if they only follow the judgment through its particulars. As for those \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e, however, who well \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknow\u003c/a\u003e what Pelagius has been in the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07099b.htm\"\u003ehabit\u003c/a\u003e of teaching, or who have had to oppose his contentious efforts, or those who, to their \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07131b.htm\"\u003ejoy\u003c/a\u003e, have escaped from his erroneous doctrine, how can they possibly help suspecting him, when they read the affected confession, wherein he acknowledges past \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerrors\u003c/a\u003e, but so expresses himself as if he had never entertained any other opinion than those which he stated in his replies to the satisfaction of the judges?\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 46 [XXII.]\u0026mdash; How Pelagius Became Known to Augustine; C\u0026oelig;lestius Condemned at Carthage\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNow, that I may especially refer to my own relation to him, I first became acquainted with Pelagius\u0027 name, along with great praise of him, at a distance, and when he was living at \u003ca href=\"../cathen/13164a.htm\"\u003eRome\u003c/a\u003e. Afterwards reports began to reach us, that he disputed against the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e. This caused me much pain, for I could not refuse to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieve\u003c/a\u003e the statements of my informants; but yet I was desirous of ascertaining information on the matter either from himself or from some treatise of his, that, in case I should have to discuss the question with him, it should be on grounds which he could not disown. On his arrival, however, in Africa, he was in my absence kindly received on our coast of Hippo, where, as I found from our brethren, nothing whatever of this kind was heard from him; because he left earlier than was expected. On a subsequent occasion, indeed, I caught a glimpse of him, once or twice, to the best of my recollection, when I was very much occupied in preparing for the conference which we were to hold with the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretical\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05121a.htm\"\u003eDonatists\u003c/a\u003e; but he hastened away across the sea. Meanwhile the doctrines connected with his name were warmly maintained, and passed from mouth to mouth, among his reputed followers \u0026mdash; to such an extent that C\u0026oelig;lestius found his way before an \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eecclesiastical\u003c/a\u003e tribunal, and reported opinions well suited to his perverse character. We thought it would be a better way of proceeding against them, if, without mentioning any names of individuals, the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerrors\u003c/a\u003e themselves were met and refuted; and the men might thus be brought to a right mind by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06021a.htm\"\u003efear\u003c/a\u003e of a condemnation from the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e rather than be punished by the actual condemnation. And so both by books and by popular discussions we ceased not to oppose the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e doctrines in question.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 47 [XXIII.]\u0026mdash; Pelagius\u0027 Book, Which Was Sent by Timasius and Jacobus to Augustine, Was Answered by the Latter in His Work \u003cq\u003eOn Nature and Grace.\u003c/q\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut when there was actually placed in my hands, by those faithful servants of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07462a.htm\"\u003ehonourable\u003c/a\u003e men, Timasius and Jacobus, the treatise in which Pelagius dealt with the question of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e, it became very evident to me \u0026mdash; too evident, indeed, to admit of any further \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e\u0026mdash; how hostile to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/13407a.htm\"\u003esalvation\u003c/a\u003e by Christ was his poisonous perversion of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e. He treated the subject in the shape of an objection started, as if by an opponent, in his own terms against himself; for he was already suffering a good deal of obloquy from his opinions on the question, which he now appeared to solve for himself in no other way than by simply describing the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God as nature created with a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e, occasionally combining therewith either the help of the law, or even the remission of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e; although these additional admissions were not plainly made, but only sparingly suggested by him. And yet, even under these circumstances, I refrained from inserting Pelagius\u0027 name in my work, wherein I refuted this book of his; for I still thought that I should render a prompter assistance to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e if I continued to preserve a friendly relation to him, and so to spare his personal feelings, while at the same time I showed no mercy, as I was bound not to show it, to the productions of his pen. Hence, I must say, I now feel some annoyance, that in this trial he somewhere said: \u003cq\u003eI \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematize\u003c/a\u003e those who hold these opinions, or have at any time held them.\u003c/q\u003e He might have been contented with saying, \u003cq\u003e \u003cem\u003eThose who hold these opinions\u003c/em\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e which we should have regarded in the light of a self-censure; but when he went on to say, \u003cq\u003e \u003cem\u003eOr have at any time held them\u003c/em\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e in the first place, how could he dare to condemn so \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08010c.htm\"\u003eunjustly\u003c/a\u003e those harmless \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e who no longer hold the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerrors\u003c/a\u003e, which they had learned either from others, or actually from himself? And, in the second place, who among all those \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e that were aware of the fact of his not only having held the opinions in question, but of his having taught them, could help suspecting, and not unreasonably, that he must have acted insincerely in condemning those who now hold those opinions, seeing that he did not hesitate to condemn in the same strain and at the same moment those also who had at any time previously held them, when they would be sure to remember that they had no less a person than himself as their instructor in these \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerrors\u003c/a\u003e? There are, for instance, such \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e as Timasius and Jacobus, to say nothing of any others. How can he with unblushing face look at them, his dear friends (who have never relinquished their \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09397a.htm\"\u003elove\u003c/a\u003e of him) and his former \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05029a.htm\"\u003edisciples\u003c/a\u003e? These are the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e to whom I addressed the work in which I replied to the statements of his book. I think I ought not to pass over in silence the style and tone which they observed towards me in their correspondence, and I have here added a letter of theirs as a sample.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 48 [XXIV.]\u0026mdash; A Letter Written by Timasius and Jacobus to Augustine on Receiving His Treatise \u003cq\u003eOn Nature and Grace.\u003c/q\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cq\u003eTo his lordship, the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruly\u003c/a\u003e blessed and deservedly venerable father, Bishop Augustine, Timasius and Jacobus send greeting in the Lord. We have been so greatly refreshed and strengthened by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, which your word has ministered to us, my lord, our \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruly\u003c/a\u003e blessed and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08571c.htm\"\u003ejustly\u003c/a\u003e venerated father, that we may with the utmost sincerity and propriety say, \u0027He sent His word and healed them.\u0027 We have found, indeed, that your \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholiness\u003c/a\u003e has so thoroughly sifted the contents of his little book as to astonish us with the answers with which even the slightest points of his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerror\u003c/a\u003e have been confronted, whether it be on matters which every \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03712a.htm\"\u003eChristian\u003c/a\u003e ought to rebut, loathe, and avoid, or on those in which he is not with sufficient certainty found to have erred, \u0026mdash; although even in these he has, with incredible subtlety, suggested his belief that God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e should be kept out of sight. There is, however, one consideration which affects us under so great a benefit \u0026mdash; that this most illustrious gift of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God has, however slowly, so fully shone out upon us. If, indeed, it has happened that some are removed from the influence of this clearest light of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e, whose blindness required its illumination, yet even to them, we \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e not, the same \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e will find its steady way, however late, by the merciful favour of that God \u0027who will have all \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003emen\u003c/a\u003e to be saved and to come unto the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e.\u0027 \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1ti002.htm#verse4\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Timothy\u0026nbsp;2:4\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e As for ourselves, indeed, thanks to that loving spirit which is in you, we have, in consequence of your instruction, some time since thrown off our subjection to his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerrors\u003c/a\u003e; but we still have even now \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03459a.htm\"\u003ecause\u003c/a\u003e for continued gratitude in the fact that, as we have been informed, the false opinions which we formerly \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieved\u003c/a\u003e are now becoming apparent to others \u0026mdash; a way of escape opening out to them in the extremely precious discourse of your \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholiness\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e Then, in another hand: \u003cq\u003eMay the mercy of our God keep your blessedness in safety, and mindful of us, for His \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06585a.htm\"\u003eglory\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 49 [XXV.]\u0026mdash; Pelagius\u0027 Behaviour Contrasted with that of the Writers of the Letter\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf now that man, too, were to confess that he had once been implicated in this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerror\u003c/a\u003e as a person possessed, but that he now \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e all that hold these opinions, whoever should withhold his congratulation from him, now that he was in possession of the way of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e, would surely surrender all the bowels of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09397a.htm\"\u003elove\u003c/a\u003e. As the case, however, now stands, he has not only not acknowledged his liberation from his pestilential \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerror\u003c/a\u003e; but, as if that were a small thing, he has gone on to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematize\u003c/a\u003e men who have reached that freedom, who \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09397a.htm\"\u003elove\u003c/a\u003e him so well that they would fain desire his own emancipation. Amongst these are those very men who have expressed their good-will towards him in the letter, which they forwarded to me. For he it was whom they had chiefly in view when they said how much they were affected at the fact of my having at last written that work. \u003cq\u003eIf, indeed, it has happened,\u003c/q\u003e they say, \u003cq\u003ethat some are removed from the influence of this clearest light of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e, whose blindness required its illumination, yet even to them,\u003c/q\u003e they go on to remark, \u003cq\u003ewe \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e not, the self-same \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e will find its way, by the merciful favour of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e Any name, or names, even they, too, thought it desirable as yet to suppress, in order that, if friendship still lived on, the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerror\u003c/a\u003e of the friends might the more surely die.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 50.\u0026mdash; Pelagius Has No Good Reason to Be Annoyed If His Name Be at Last Used in the Controversy, and He Be Expressly Refuted\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut now if Pelagius thinks of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, if he is not ungrateful for His mercy in having brought him before this tribunal of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e, that thus he might be saved from the hardihood of afterwards defending these \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e opinions, and be at once led to acknowledge them as deserving of abhorrence and rejection, he will be more thankful to us for our book, in which, by mentioning his name, we shall open the wound in order to cure it, than for one in which we were afraid to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03459a.htm\"\u003ecause\u003c/a\u003e him pain, and, in fact, only produced irritation \u0026mdash; a result which causes us regret. Should he, however, feel \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01489a.htm\"\u003eangry\u003c/a\u003e with us, let him reflect how unfair such \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01489a.htm\"\u003eanger\u003c/a\u003e is; and, in order to subdue it, let him ask God to give him that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e which, in this trial, he has confessed to be necessary for each one of our actions, that so by His assistance he may gain a real victory. For of what use to him are all those great laudations contained in the letters of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e, which he thought fit to be mentioned, and even to be read and quoted in his favour \u0026mdash; as if all those \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e who heard his strong and, to some extent, earnest exhortations to goodness of life could not have easily discovered how perverse were the opinions which he was entertaining?\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 51 [XXVI.]\u0026mdash; The Nature of Augustine\u0027s Letter to Pelagius\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor my own part, indeed, in my letter which he produced, I not only abstained from all praises of him, but I even exhorted him, with as much earnestness as I could, short of actually mooting the question, to cultivate right views about the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e. In my salutation I called him \u003cq\u003e \u003cem\u003elord\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/q\u003e \u0026mdash; a title which, in our epistolary style, we usually apply even to some \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e who are not \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03712a.htm\"\u003eChristians\u003c/a\u003e \u0026mdash; and this without untruth, inasmuch as we do, in a certain sense, owe to all such \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e a \u003cem\u003eservice\u003c/em\u003e, which is yet freedom, to help them in obtaining the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/13407a.htm\"\u003esalvation\u003c/a\u003e which is in \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eChrist\u003c/a\u003e. I added the epithet \u003cq\u003e \u003cem\u003emost beloved\u003c/em\u003e;\u003c/q\u003e and as I now call him by this term, so shall I continue to do so, even if he be \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01489a.htm\"\u003eangry\u003c/a\u003e with me; because, if I ceased to retain my \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09397a.htm\"\u003elove\u003c/a\u003e towards him, because of his feeling the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01489a.htm\"\u003eanger\u003c/a\u003e, I should only injure myself rather than him. I, moreover, styled him \u003cq\u003e \u003cem\u003emost longed for\u003c/em\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e because I greatly longed to have a conversation with him in person; for I had already heard that he was endeavouring publicly to oppose \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e, whereby we are justified, whenever any mention was made of it. The brief contents of the letter itself indeed show all this; for, after thanking him for the pleasure he gave me by the information of his own health and that of his friends (whose bodily health we are bound of course to wish for, however much we may desire their amendment in other respects), I at once expressed the hope that the Lord would recompense him with such blessings as do not appertain to physical welfare, but which he used to think, and probably still thinks, consist solely in the freedom of the will and his own power \u0026mdash; at the same time, and for this reason, wishing him \u003cq\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e life.\u003c/q\u003e Then again, remembering the many good and kind wishes he had expressed for me in his letter, which I was answering, I went on to beg of him, too, that he would \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003epray\u003c/a\u003e for me, that the Lord would indeed make me such a man as he \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieved\u003c/a\u003e me to be already; that so I might gently remind him, against the opinion he was himself entertaining, that the very righteousness which he had thought worthy to be praised in me was \u003cq\u003enot of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom009.htm#verse16\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;9:16\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e This is the substance of that short letter of mine, and such was my purpose when I dictated it. This is a copy of it:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 52 [XXVII. And XXVIII.]\u0026mdash; The Text of the Letter\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cq\u003eTo my most beloved lord, and most longed-for brother Pelagius, Augustine sends greeting in the Lord. I thank you very much for the pleasure you have kindly afforded me by your letter, and for informing me of your good health. May the Lord requite you with blessings, and may you ever enjoy them, and live with Him for evermore in all \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternity\u003c/a\u003e, my most beloved lord, and most longed-for brother. For my own part, indeed, although I do not admit your high encomiums of me, which the letter of your Benignity conveys, I yet cannot be insensible of the benevolent view you entertain towards my poor deserts; at the same time requesting you to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003epray\u003c/a\u003e for me, that the Lord would make me such a man as you suppose me to be already.\u003c/q\u003e Then, in another hand, it follows: \u003cq\u003eBe mindful of us; may you be safe, and find favour with the Lord, my most beloved lord, and most longed-for brother.\u003c/q\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 53 [XXIX.]\u0026mdash; Pelagius\u0027 Use of Recommendations\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs to that which I placed in the postscript \u0026mdash; that he might \u003cq\u003efind favour with the Lord,\u003c/q\u003e \u0026mdash; I intimated that this lay rather in His \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e than in man\u0027s sole will; for I did not make it the subject either of exhortation, or of precept, or of instruction, but simply of my wish. But just in the same way as I should, if I had exhorted or enjoined, or even instructed him, simply have shown that all this appertained to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e, without, however, derogating from the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e; so in like manner, when I expressed the matter in the way of a wish, I asserted no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, but at the same time I did not quench the liberty of the will. Wherefore, then, did he produce this letter at the trial? If he had only from the beginning entertained views in accordance with it, very likely he would not have been at all summoned before the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e by the brethren, who, with all their kindness of disposition, could yet not help being offended with his perverse contentiousness. Now, however, as I have given on my part an account of this letter of mine, so would they, whose epistles he quoted, explain theirs also, if it were necessary;\u0026mdash; they would tell us either what they thought, or what they were \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07648a.htm\"\u003eignorant\u003c/a\u003e of, or with what purpose they wrote to him. Pelagius, therefore, may boast to his heart\u0027s content of the friendship of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e men, he may read their letters recounting his praises, he may produce whatever synodal acts he pleases to attest his own acquittal \u0026mdash; there still stands against him the fact, \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12454c.htm\"\u003eproved\u003c/a\u003e by the testimony of competent witnesses, that he has inserted in his books statements which are opposed to that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God whereby we are called and justified; and unless he shall, after \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etrue\u003c/a\u003e confession, \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematize\u003c/a\u003e these statements, and then go on to contradict them both in his writings and discussions, he will certainly seem to all those who have a fuller \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of him to have laboured in vain in his attempt to set himself right.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 54 [XXX.]\u0026mdash; On the Letter of Pelagius, in Which He Boasts that His Errors Had Been Approved by Fourteen Bishops\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor I will not be silent as to the transactions which took place after this trial, and which rather augment the suspicion against him. A certain epistle found its way into our hands, which was ascribed to Pelagius himself, writing to a friend of his, a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12406a.htm\"\u003epresbyter\u003c/a\u003e, who had kindly admonished him (as appears from the same epistle) not to allow any one to separate himself from the body of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e on his account. Among the other contents of this document, which it would be both tedious and unnecessary to quote here, Pelagius says: \u003cq\u003eBy the sentence of fourteen \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e our statement was received with approbation, in which we affirmed that \u0027a man is able to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, and easily to keep the commandments of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, if he wishes.\u0027 This sentence,\u003c/q\u003e says he, \u003cq\u003ehas filled the mouths of the gainsayers with confusion, and has separated asunder the entire set which was conspiring together for \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05649a.htm\"\u003eevil\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e Whether, indeed, this epistle was really written by Pelagius, or was composed by somebody in his name, who can fail to see, after what manner this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05525a.htm\"\u003eerror\u003c/a\u003e claims to have achieved a victory, even in the judicial proceedings where it was refuted and condemned? Now, he has adduced the words we have just quoted according to the form in which they occur in his book of \u003cq\u003eChapters,\u003c/q\u003e as it is called, not in the shape in which they were objected to him at his trial, and even repeated by him in his answer. For even his accusers, through some unaccountable inaccuracy, left out a word in their indictment, concerning which there is no small controversy. They made him say, that \u003cq\u003ea man is able to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, if he wishes; and, if he wishes, to keep the commandments of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e There is nothing said here about this being \u003cq\u003e \u003cem\u003eeasily\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/q\u003e done. Afterwards, when he gave his answer, he spoke thus: \u003cq\u003eWe said, that a man is able to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, and to keep the commandments of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, if he wishes;\u003c/q\u003e he did not then say, \u003cq\u003e \u003cem\u003eeasily\u003c/em\u003e keep,\u003c/q\u003e but only \u003cq\u003ekeep.\u003c/q\u003e So in another place, among the statements about which Hilary consulted me, and I gave him my views, it was objected to Pelagius that he had said, \u003cq\u003eA man is able, if he wishes, to live without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e To this he himself responded, \u003cq\u003eThat a man is able to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e has been said above.\u003c/q\u003e Now, on this occasion, we do not find on the part either of those who brought the objection or of him who rebutted it, that the word \u003cq\u003e \u003cem\u003eeasily\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/q\u003e was used at all. Then, again, in the narrative of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e Bishop John, which we have partly quoted above, he says, \u003cq\u003eWhen they were importunate and exclaimed, \u0027He is a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretic\u003c/a\u003e, because he says, It is \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etrue\u003c/a\u003e that a man is able, if he only will, to live without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e;\u0027 and then, when we questioned him on this point, he answered, \u0027I did not say that man\u0027s nature has received the power of being impeccable \u0026mdash; but I said, whosoever is willing, in the pursuit of his own \u003ca href=\"../cathen/13407a.htm\"\u003esalvation\u003c/a\u003e, to labour and struggle to abstain from sinning and to walk in the commandments of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, receives the ability to do so from \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e.\u0027 Then, while some were whispering, and remarking on the statement of Pelagius, that \u0027without God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e man was able to attain perfection,\u0027 I censured the statement, and reminded them, besides, that even the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eApostle Paul\u003c/a\u003e, after so many labours \u0026mdash; not, indeed, in his own strength, but by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e \u0026mdash; said, \u0027I laboured more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God that was with me.\u0027\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co015.htm#verse10\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;15:10\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e And so on, as I have already mentioned.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 55.\u0026mdash; Pelagius\u0027 Letter Discussed\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat, then, is the meaning of those vaunting words of theirs in this epistle, wherein they boast of having induced the fourteen \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e who sat in that trial to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieve\u003c/a\u003e not merely that a man has ability but that he has \u003cq\u003efacility\u003c/q\u003e to abstain from sinning, according to the position laid down in the \u003cq\u003eChapters\u003c/q\u003e of this same Pelagius, \u0026mdash; when, in the draft of the proceedings, notwithstanding the frequent repetition of the general charge and full consideration bestowed on it, this is nowhere found? How, indeed, can this word fail to contradict the very defense and answer which Pelagius made; since the Bishop John asserted that Pelagius put in this answer in his presence, that \u003cq\u003ehe wished it to be understood that the man who was willing to labour and agonize for his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/13407a.htm\"\u003esalvation\u003c/a\u003e was able to avoid \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e while Pelagius himself, at this time engaged in a formal inquiry and conducting his defense, said, that \u003cq\u003eit was by his own labour and the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God that a man is able to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e?\u003c/q\u003e Now, is a thing easy when labour is required to effect it? For I suppose that every man would agree with us in the opinion, that wherever there is labour there cannot be facility. And yet a carnal epistle of windiness and inflation flies forth, and, outrunning in speed the tardy record of the proceedings, gets first into men\u0027s hands; so as to assert that fourteen \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e in the East have determined, not only \u003cq\u003ethat a man is able to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, and to keep God\u0027s commandments,\u003c/q\u003e but \u003cq\u003e \u003cem\u003eeasily\u003c/em\u003e to keep.\u003c/q\u003e Nor is God\u0027s assistance once named: it is merely said, \u003cq\u003eIf he wishes;\u003c/q\u003e so that, of course, as nothing is affirmed of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003edivine grace\u003c/a\u003e, for which the earnest fight was made, it remains that the only thing one reads of in this epistle is the unhappy and self-deceiving \u0026mdash; because represented as victorious \u0026mdash; \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12405a.htm\"\u003epride\u003c/a\u003e. As if the Bishop John, indeed, had not expressly declared that he censured this statement, and that, by the help of three inspired texts of Scripture, he had, as if by thunderbolts, struck to the ground the gigantic mountains of such presumption which they had piled up against the still over-towering heights of heavenly \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e; or as if again those other \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e who were John\u0027s assessors could have borne with Pelagius, either in mind or even in ear, when he pronounced these words: \u003cq\u003eWe said that a man is able to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e and to keep the commandments of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, if he wishes,\u003c/q\u003e unless he had gone on at once to say: \u003cq\u003eFor the ability to do this God has given to him\u003c/q\u003e (for they were unaware that he was speaking of nature, and not of that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e which they had learned from the teaching of the apostle); and had afterwards added this qualification: \u003cq\u003eWe never said, however, that any man could be found, who at no time whatever from his infancy to his old age had committed \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, but that if any person were converted from his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e, he could by his own exertion and the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e Now, by the very fact that in their sentence they used these words, \u003cq\u003ehe has answered correctly, \u0027that a man can, when he has the assistance and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e;\u0027\u003c/q\u003e what else did they \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06021a.htm\"\u003efear\u003c/a\u003e than that, if he denied this, he would be doing a manifest wrong not to man\u0027s ability, but to God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e? It has indeed not been defined when a man may become without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e; it has only been judicially settled, that this result can only be reached by the assisting \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e; it has not, I say, been defined whether a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003eman\u003c/a\u003e, while he is in this flesh which \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09438a.htm\"\u003elusts\u003c/a\u003e against the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07409a.htm\"\u003eSpirit\u003c/a\u003e, ever has been, or now is, or ever can be, by his present use of reason and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e, either in the full society of man or in monastic solitude, in such a state as to be beyond the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10733a.htm\"\u003enecessity\u003c/a\u003e of offering up the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12345b.htm\"\u003eprayer\u003c/a\u003e, not in behalf of others, but for himself personally: \u003cq\u003eForgive us our debts;\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/mat006.htm#verse12\"\u003eMatthew\u0026nbsp;6:12\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e or whether this gift shall be consummated at the time when \u003cq\u003ewe shall be like Him, when we shall see Him as He is,\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1jo003.htm#verse2\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;John\u0026nbsp;3:2\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e \u0026mdash; when it shall be said, not by those that are fighting: \u003cq\u003eI see another law in my members, warring against the law of my \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10321a.htm\"\u003emind\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom007.htm#verse23\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;7:23\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e but by those that are triumphing: \u003cq\u003eO death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co015.htm#verse55\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;15:55\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Now, this is perhaps hardly a question which ought to be discussed between \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03449a.htm\"\u003eCatholics\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretics\u003c/a\u003e, but only among \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03449a.htm\"\u003eCatholics\u003c/a\u003e with a view to a peaceful settlement. \u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 56 [XXXI.]\u0026mdash; Is Pelagius Sincere?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHow, then, can it be \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieved\u003c/a\u003e that Pelagius (if indeed this epistle is his) could have been sincere, when he acknowledged the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, which is not nature with its \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e, nor the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law, nor simply the forgiveness of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e, but a something which is necessary to each of our actions; or could have sincerely \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e everybody who entertained the contrary opinion:\u0026mdash; seeing that in his epistle he set forth even the \u003cem\u003eease\u003c/em\u003e wherewith a man can avoid sinning (concerning which no question had arisen at this trial) just as if the judges had come to an agreement to receive even this word, and said nothing about the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, by the confession and subsequent addition of which he escaped the penalty of condemnation by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e?\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 57 [XXXII.]\u0026mdash; Fraudulent Practices Pursued by Pelagius in His Report of the Proceedings in Palestine, in the Paper Wherein He Defended Himself to Augustine\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere is yet another point which I must not pass over in silence. In the paper containing his defense which he sent to me by a friend of ours, one Charus, a citizen of Hippo, but a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/04647c.htm\"\u003edeacon\u003c/a\u003e in the Eastern Church, he has made a statement which is different from what is contained in the Proceedings of the Bishops. Now, these Proceedings, as regards their contents, are of a higher and firmer tone, and more straightforward in defending the catholic verity in opposition to this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretical\u003c/a\u003e pestilence. For, when I read this paper of his, previous to receiving a copy of the Proceedings, I was not aware that he had made use of those words which he had used at the trial, when he was present for himself; they are few, and there is not much discrepancy, and they do not occasion me much anxiety. [XXXIII.] But I could not help feeling annoyance that he can appear to have defended sundry sentences of C\u0026oelig;lestius, which, from the Proceedings, it is clear enough that he \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e. Now, some of these he disavowed for himself, simply remarking, that \u003cq\u003ehe was not in any way responsible for them.\u003c/q\u003e In his paper, however, he refused to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematize\u003c/a\u003e these same opinions, which are to this effect: \u003cq\u003eThat \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01129a.htm\"\u003eAdam\u003c/a\u003e was created mortal, and that he would have died whether he had \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esinned\u003c/a\u003e or not \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esinned\u003c/a\u003e. That Adam\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e injured only himself, and not the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman race\u003c/a\u003e. That the law, no less than the gospel, leads us to the kingdom. That new-born infants are in the same condition that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01129a.htm\"\u003eAdam\u003c/a\u003e was before he fell. That, on the one hand, the entire \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman race\u003c/a\u003e does not die owing to Adam\u0027s death and transgression; nor, on the other hand, does the whole \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman race\u003c/a\u003e rise again through the resurrection of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eChrist\u003c/a\u003e. That infants, even if they die unbaptized, have \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e life. That rich men, even if they are \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02258b.htm\"\u003ebaptized\u003c/a\u003e, unless they renounce and give up all, have, whatever good they may seem to have done, nothing of it reckoned to them; neither shall they possess the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of heaven\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e Now, in his paper, the answer which he gives to all this is: \u003cq\u003eAll these statements have not been made by me, even on their own testimony, nor do I hold myself responsible for them.\u003c/q\u003e In the Proceedings, however, he expressed himself as follows on these points: \u003cq\u003eThey have not been made by me, as even their testimony shows, and for them I do not feel that I am at all responsible. But yet, for the satisfaction of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e synod, I \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematize\u003c/a\u003e those who either now hold, or have ever held, them.\u003c/q\u003e Now, why did he not express himself thus in his paper also? It would not, I suppose, have cost much ink, or writing, or delay; nor have occupied much of the paper itself, if he had done this. Who, however, can help believing that there is a purpose in all this, to pass off this paper in all directions as an abridgment of the Episcopal Proceedings. In consequence of which, men might think that his right still to maintain any of these opinions which he pleased had not been taken away \u0026mdash; on the ground that they had been simply laid to his charge but had not received his approbation, nor yet had been \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e and condemned by him.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 58.\u0026mdash; The Same Continued\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe has, moreover, in this same paper, huddled together afterwards many of the points which were objected against him out of the \u003cq\u003eChapters,\u003c/q\u003e of C\u0026oelig;lestius\u0027 book; nor has he kept distinct, at the intervals which separate them in the Proceedings, the two answers in which he \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e these very heads; but has substituted one general reply for them all. This, I should have supposed, had been done for the sake of brevity, had I not perceived that he had a very special object in the arrangement which disturbs us. For thus has he closed this answer: \u003cq\u003eI say again, that these opinions, even according to their own testimony, are not mine; nor, as I have already said, am I to be held responsible for them. The opinions which I have confessed to be my own, I maintain are sound and correct; those, however, which I have said are not my own, I reject according to the judgment of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e Church, pronouncing \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathema\u003c/a\u003e on every man that opposes and gainsays the doctrines of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e and catholic Church; and likewise on those who by inventing false opinions have excited odium against us.\u003c/q\u003e This last paragraph the Proceedings do not contain; it has, however, no bearing on the matter which causes us anxiety. By all means let them have his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathema\u003c/a\u003e who have excited odium against him by their invention of false opinions. But, when first I read, \u003cq\u003eThose opinions, however, which I have said are not my own, I reject in accordance with the judgment of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e Church,\u003c/q\u003e being \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07648a.htm\"\u003eignorant\u003c/a\u003e that any judgment had been arrived at on the point by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e, since there is here nothing said about it, and I had not then read the Proceedings, I really thought that nothing else was meant than that he promised that he would entertain the same view about the \u003cq\u003eChapters\u003c/q\u003e as the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e, which had not yet determined the question, might some day decide respecting them; and that he was ready to reject the opinions which the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e had not yet indeed rejected, but might one day have occasion to reject; and that this, too, was the purport of what he further said: \u003cq\u003ePronouncing \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathema\u003c/a\u003e on every man that opposes and gainsays the doctrines of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e catholic Church.\u003c/q\u003e But in fact, as the Proceedings testify, a judgment of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e had already been pronounced on these subjects by the fourteen \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e; and it was in accordance with this judgment that he professed to reject all these opinions, and to pronounce his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathema\u003c/a\u003e against those \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e who, by reason of the said opinions, were contravening the judgment which had already, as the Proceedings show, been actually settled. For already had the judges asked: \u003cq\u003eWhat says the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10487b.htm\"\u003emonk\u003c/a\u003e Pelagius to all these heads of opinion which have been read in his presence? For this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e synod condemns them, as does also God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e catholic Church.\u003c/q\u003e Now, they who \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknow\u003c/a\u003e nothing of all this, and only read this paper of his, are led to suppose that some one or other of these opinions may lawfully be maintained, as if they had not been determined to be contrary to catholic doctrine, and as if Pelagius had declared himself to be ready to hold the same sentiments concerning them which the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e had not as yet determined, but might have to determine. He has not, therefore, expressed himself in this paper, to which we have so often referred, straightforwardly enough for us to discover the fact, of which we find a voucher in the Proceedings, that all those \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05089a.htm\"\u003edogmas\u003c/a\u003e by means of which this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e has been stealing along and growing strong with contentious audacity, have been condemned by fourteen \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e presiding in an \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eecclesiastical\u003c/a\u003e synod! Now, if he was afraid that this fact would become \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknown\u003c/a\u003e, as is the case, he has more reason for self-correction than for resentment at the vigilance with which we are watching the controversy to the best of our ability, however late. If, however, it is untrue that he had any such fears, and we are only indulging in a suspicion which is natural to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003eman\u003c/a\u003e, let him forgive us; but, at the same time, let him continue to oppose and resist the opinions which were rejected by him with \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathemas\u003c/a\u003e in the proceedings before the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e, when he was on his defense; for if he now shows any leniency to them, he would seem not only to have \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieved\u003c/a\u003e these opinions formerly, but to be cherishing them still.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 59 [XXXIV.]\u0026mdash; Although Pelagius Was Acquitted, His Heresy Was Condemned\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNow, with respect to this treatise of mine, which perhaps is not unreasonably lengthy, considering the importance and extent of its subject, I have wished to inscribe it to your Reverence, in order that, if it be not displeasing to your \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10321a.htm\"\u003emind\u003c/a\u003e, it may become \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknown\u003c/a\u003e to such \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e as I have thought may stand in need of it under the recommendation of your authority, which carries so much more weight than our own poor industry. Thus it may avail to crush the vain and contentious thoughts of those \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e who suppose that, because Pelagius was acquited, those Eastern \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e who pronounced the judgment approved of those \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05089a.htm\"\u003edogmas\u003c/a\u003e which are beginning to shed very pernicious influences against the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03712a.htm\"\u003eChristian\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e, and that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God whereby we are called and justified. These the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03712a.htm\"\u003eChristian\u003c/a\u003e verity never ceases to condemn, as indeed it condemned them even by the authoritative sentence of the fourteen \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e; nor would it, on the occasion in question, have hesitated to condemn Pelagius too, unless he had \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretical\u003c/a\u003e opinions with which he was charged. But now, while we render to this man the respect of brotherly affection (and we have all along expressed with all sincerity our anxiety for him and interest in him), let us observe, with as much brevity as is consistent with accuracy of observation, that, notwithstanding the undoubted fact of his having been acquitted by a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman\u003c/a\u003e verdict, the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e itself has ever been held worthy of condemnation by divine judgment, and has actually been condemned by the sentence of these fourteen \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e of the Eastern Church.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 60 [XXXV.]\u0026mdash; The Synod\u0027s Condemnation of His Doctrines\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the concluding clause of their judgment. The synod said: \u003cq\u003eNow forasmuch as we have received satisfaction in these inquiries from the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10487b.htm\"\u003emonk\u003c/a\u003e Pelagius, who has been present, who yields assent to godly doctrines, and rejects and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematizes\u003c/a\u003e those which are contrary to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e, we confess him still to belong to the communion of the catholic Church.\u003c/q\u003e Now, there are two facts concerning the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10487b.htm\"\u003emonk\u003c/a\u003e Pelagius here contained with entire perspicuity in this brief statement of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e who judged him: one, that \u003cq\u003ehe yields assent to godly doctrines;\u003c/q\u003e the other, that \u003cq\u003ehe rejects and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematizes\u003c/a\u003e those which are contrary to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e On account of these two concessions, Pelagius was pronounced to be \u003cq\u003ein the communion of the catholic Church.\u003c/q\u003e Let us, in pursuit of our inquiry, briefly recapitulate the entire facts, in order to discover what were the words he used which made those two points so clear, as far as men were able at the moment to form a judgment as to what were manifest points. For among the allegations which were made against him, he is said to have rejected and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e, as \u003cq\u003econtrary,\u003c/q\u003e all the statements which in his answer he denied were his. Let us, then, summarize the whole case as far as we can.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 61.\u0026mdash; History of the Pelagian Heresy. The Pelagian Heresy Was Raised by Sundry Persons Who Affected the Monastic State\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSince it was necessary that the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eApostle Paul\u0027s\u003c/a\u003e prediction should be accomplished \u0026mdash;\u003cq\u003eThere must be also \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresies\u003c/a\u003e among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you,\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co011.htm#verse19\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;11:19\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e \u0026mdash; after the older \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresies\u003c/a\u003e, there has been just now introduced, not by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12406a.htm\"\u003epresbyters\u003c/a\u003e or any rank of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/04049b.htm\"\u003eclergy\u003c/a\u003e, but by certain would-be \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10487b.htm\"\u003emonks\u003c/a\u003e, a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e which disputes, under color of defending \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e, against the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God which we have through \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eour Lord Jesus Christ\u003c/a\u003e; and endeavours to overthrow the foundation of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03712a.htm\"\u003eChristian\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e of which it is written, \u003cq\u003eBy one man, death, and by one man the resurrection of the dead; for as in \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01129a.htm\"\u003eAdam\u003c/a\u003e all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive;\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co015.htm#verse21\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;15:21-22\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e and denies God\u0027s help in our actions, by affirming that, \u003cq\u003ein order to avoid \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e and to fulfil righteousness, \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10715a.htm\"\u003enature\u003c/a\u003e can be sufficient, seeing that it has been created with \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e; and that God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e lies in the fact that we have been so created as to be able to do this by the will, and in the further fact that God has given to us the assistance of His law and commandments, and also in that He forgives their past \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esins\u003c/a\u003e when men turn to Him;\u003c/q\u003e that \u003cq\u003ein these things alone is God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e to be regarded as consisting, not in the help He gives to us for each of our actions,\u003c/q\u003e \u0026mdash; \u003cq\u003eseeing that a man can be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, and keep God\u0027s commandments easily if he wishes.\u003c/q\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 62.\u0026mdash; The History Continued. C\u0026oelig;lestius Condemned at Carthage by Episcopal Judgment. Pelagius Acquitted by Bishops in Palestine, in Consequence of His Deceptive Answers; But Yet His Heresy Was Condemned by Them\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e had deceived a great many \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e, and was disturbing the brethren whom it had failed to deceive, one C\u0026oelig;lestius, who entertained these sentiments, was brought up for trial before the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03385a.htm\"\u003eCarthage\u003c/a\u003e, and was condemned by a sentence of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e. Then, a few years afterwards, Pelagius, who was said to have been this man\u0027s instructor, having been accused of holding his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e, found also his way before an episcopal tribunal. The indictment was prepared against him by the Gallican \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e, Heros and Lazarus, who were, however, not present at the proceedings, and were excused from attendance owing to the illness of one of them. After all the charges were duly recited, and Pelagius had met them by his answers, the fourteen \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e of the province of Palestine pronounced him, in accordance with his answers, free from the perversity of this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e; while yet without hesitation condemning the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e itself. They approved indeed of his answer to the objections, that \u003cq\u003ea man is assisted by a \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law, towards not sinning; even as it is written, \u0027He has given them a law for a help;\u0027\u003c/q\u003e but yet they disapproved of this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08673a.htm\"\u003eknowledge\u003c/a\u003e of the law being that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God concerning which the \u003ca href=\"../bible/index.html\"\u003eScripture\u003c/a\u003e says: \u003cq\u003eWho shall deliver me from the body of this death? The \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God through \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eJesus Christ\u003c/a\u003e our Lord.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/rom007.htm#verse24\"\u003eRomans\u0026nbsp;7:24-25\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Nor did Pelagius say absolutely: \u003cq\u003eAll men are ruled by their own will,\u003c/q\u003e as if God did not rule them; for he said, when questioned on this point: \u003cq\u003eThis I stated in the interest of the freedom of our \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15624a.htm\"\u003ewill\u003c/a\u003e; God is its helper, whenever it makes choice of good. Man, however, when sinning, is himself in fault, as being under the direction of his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e They approved, moreover, of his statement, that \u003cq\u003ein the day of judgment no forbearance will be shown to the ungodly and sinners, but they will be punished in everlasting fires;\u003c/q\u003e because in his defense he said, \u003cq\u003ethat he had made such an assertion in accordance with the gospel, in which it is written concerning sinners, \u0027These shall go away into \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e punishment, but the righteous into life \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e.\u0027\u003c/q\u003e But he did not say, all sinners are reserved for \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e punishment, for then he would evidently have run counter to the apostle, who distinctly states that some of them will be saved, \u003cq\u003eyet so as by fire.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co003.htm#verse15\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;3:15\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e When also Pelagius said that \u003cq\u003ethe \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of heaven\u003c/a\u003e was promised even in the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e they approved of the statement, on the ground that he supported himself by the testimony of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12477a.htm\"\u003eprophet\u003c/a\u003e Daniel, who thus wrote: \u003cq\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"../cathen/04171a.htm\"\u003esaints\u003c/a\u003e shall take the kingdom of the Most High.\u003c/q\u003e They understood him, in this statement of his, to mean by the term \u003cq\u003e\u003ca href=\"../cathen/14526a.htm\"\u003eOld Testament\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e not simply the Testament which was made on Mount Sinai, but the entire body of the canonical Scriptures which had been given previous to the coming of the Lord. His allegation, however, that \u003cq\u003ea man is able to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, if he wishes,\u003c/q\u003e was not approved by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e in the sense which he had evidently meant it to bear in his book \u0026mdash; as if this was solely in a man\u0027s power by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e (for it was contended that he must have meant no less than this by his saying: \u003cq\u003eif he wishes\u003c/q\u003e), \u0026mdash; but only in the sense which he actually gave to the passage on the present occasion in his answer; in the very sense, indeed, in which the episcopal judges mentioned the subject in their own interlocution with special brevity and clearness, that a man is able to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e with the help and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e. But still it was left undetermined when the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/04171a.htm\"\u003esaints\u003c/a\u003e were to attain to this state of perfection, \u0026mdash; whether in the body of this death, or when death shall be swallowed up in victory.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 63.\u0026mdash; The Same Continued. The Dogmas of C\u0026oelig;lestius Laid to the Charge of Pelagius, as His Master, and Condemned\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOf the opinions which C\u0026oelig;lestius has said or written, and which were objected against Pelagius, on the ground that they were the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05089a.htm\"\u003edogmas\u003c/a\u003e of his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05029a.htm\"\u003edisciple\u003c/a\u003e, he acknowledged some as entertained also by himself; but, in his vindication, he said that he held them in a different sense from that which was alleged in the indictment. One of these opinions was thus stated: \u003cq\u003eBefore the advent of Christ some men lived \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e and righteous lives.\u003c/q\u003e C\u0026oelig;lestius, however, was stated to have said that \u003cq\u003ethey lived \u003cem\u003e sinless\u003c/em\u003e lives.\u003c/q\u003e Again, it was objected that C\u0026oelig;lestius declared \u003cq\u003ethe \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e to be without spot and wrinkle.\u003c/q\u003e Pelagius, however, said in his reply, \u003cq\u003ethat he had made such an assertion, but as meaning that the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e is by the laver cleansed from every spot and wrinkle, and that in this purity the Lord would have her continue.\u003c/q\u003e Respecting that statement of C\u0026oelig;lestius: \u003cq\u003eThat we do more than is commanded us in the law and the gospel,\u003c/q\u003e Pelagius urged in his own vindication, that \u003cq\u003ehe spoke concerning \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15458a.htm\"\u003evirginity\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/q\u003e of which \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003ePaul\u003c/a\u003e says: \u003cq\u003eI have no commandment of the Lord.\u003c/q\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co007.htm#verse25\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;7:25\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e Another objection alleged that C\u0026oelig;lestius had maintained that \u003cq\u003eevery individual has the ability to possess all powers and graces,\u003c/q\u003e thus annulling that \u003cq\u003ediversity of gifts\u003c/q\u003e which, the apostle sets forth. Pelagius, however, answered, that \u003cq\u003ehe did not annul the diversity of gifts, but declared that God gives to the man who has \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12454c.htm\"\u003eproved\u003c/a\u003e himself worthy to receive them, all graces, even as He gave the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eApostle Paul\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/q\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 64.\u0026mdash; How the Bishops Cleared Pelagius of Those Charges\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese four \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05089a.htm\"\u003edogmas\u003c/a\u003e, thus connected with the name of C\u0026oelig;lestius, were therefore not approved by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e in their judgment, in the sense in which C\u0026oelig;lestius was said to have set them forth but in the sense which Pelagius gave to them in his reply. For they saw clearly enough, that it is one thing to be without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, and another thing to live holily and righteously, as Scripture testifies that some lived even before the coming of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08374c.htm\"\u003eChrist\u003c/a\u003e. And that although the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eChurch\u003c/a\u003e here on earth is not without spot or wrinkle, she is yet both cleansed from every spot and wrinkle by the laver of regeneration, and in this state the Lord would have her continue. And continue she certainly will, for without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e she shall reign without spot or wrinkle in an everlasting felicity. And that the perpetual \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15458a.htm\"\u003evirginity\u003c/a\u003e, which is not commanded, is unquestionably more than the purity of wedded life, which is commanded \u0026mdash; although \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15458a.htm\"\u003evirginity\u003c/a\u003e is persevered in by many \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e, who, notwithstanding, are not without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e. And that all those graces which he enumerates in a certain passage were possessed by the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11567b.htm\"\u003eApostle Paul\u003c/a\u003e; and yet, for all that, either they could quite understand, in regard to his having been worthy to receive them, that the merit was not according to his works, but rather, in some way, according to \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12378a.htm\"\u003epredestination\u003c/a\u003e (for the apostle says himself: \u003cq\u003eI am not meet to be called an apostle;\u003c/q\u003e) \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/1co015.htm#verse9\"\u003e1\u0026nbsp;Corinthians\u0026nbsp;15:9\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e or else their attention was not arrested by the sense which Pelagius gave to the word, as he himself viewed it. Such are the points on which the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e pronounced the agreement of Pelagius with the doctrines of godly \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 65.\u0026mdash; Recapitulation of What Pelagius Condemned\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLet us now, by a like recapitulation, bestow a little more attention on those subjects which the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e said he rejected and condemned as \u003cq\u003econtrary;\u003c/q\u003e for herein especially lies the whole of that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e. We will entirely pass over the strange terms of adulation which he is reported to have put into writing in praise of a certain \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15617c.htm\"\u003ewidow\u003c/a\u003e; these he denied having ever inserted in any of his writings, or ever given utterance to, and he \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e all who held the opinions in question not indeed as \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheretics\u003c/a\u003e, but as fools. The following are the wild thickets of this \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e, which we are sorry to see shooting out buds, nay growing into trees, day by day:\u0026mdash; \u003cq\u003eThat \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01129a.htm\"\u003eAdam\u003c/a\u003e was made mortal, and would have died whether he had \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esinned\u003c/a\u003e or not; that Adam\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e injured only himself, and not the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman race\u003c/a\u003e; that the law no less than the gospel leads to the kingdom; that new-born infants are in the same condition that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01129a.htm\"\u003eAdam\u003c/a\u003e was before the transgression; that the whole \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman race\u003c/a\u003e does not, on the one hand, die in consequence of Adam\u0027s death and transgression, nor, on the other hand, does the whole \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003ehuman race\u003c/a\u003e rise again through the resurrection of Christ; that infants, even if they die unbaptized, have \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05551b.htm\"\u003eeternal\u003c/a\u003e life; that rich men, even if \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02258b.htm\"\u003ebaptized\u003c/a\u003e, unless they renounce and surrender everything, have, whatever good they may seem to have done, nothing of it reckoned to them, neither can they possess the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/08646a.htm\"\u003ekingdom of God\u003c/a\u003e; that God\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e and assistance are not given for single actions, but reside in \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e, and in the law and teaching; that the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e of God is bestowed according to our merits, so that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e really lies in the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15624a.htm\"\u003ewill\u003c/a\u003e of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/09580c.htm\"\u003eman\u003c/a\u003e, as he makes himself worthy or unworthy of it; that men cannot be called children of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, unless they have become entirely free from \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e; that forgetfulness and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07648a.htm\"\u003eignorance\u003c/a\u003e do not come under \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, as they do not happen through the will, but of necessity; that there is no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e, if it needs the help of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, inasmuch as every one has his proper will either to do something, or to abstain from doing it; that our victory comes not from God\u0027s help, but from \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06259a.htm\"\u003efree will\u003c/a\u003e; that from what Peter says, that \u0027we are partakers of the divine nature,\u0027 \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"../bible/2pe001.htm#verse4\"\u003e2\u0026nbsp;Peter\u0026nbsp;1:4\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e it must follow that the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14153a.htm\"\u003esoul\u003c/a\u003e has the power of being without \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14004b.htm\"\u003esin\u003c/a\u003e, just in the way that God Himself has.\u003c/q\u003e For this have I read in the eleventh chapter of the book, which bears no title of its author, but is commonly reported to be the work of C\u0026oelig;lestius \u0026mdash; expressed in these words: \u003cq\u003eNow how can anybody,\u003c/q\u003e asks the author, \u003cq\u003ebecome a \u003cem\u003epartaker\u003c/em\u003e of the thing from the condition and power of which he is distinctly declared to be a stranger?\u003c/q\u003e Accordingly, the brethren who prepared these objections understood him to have said that man\u0027s \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14153a.htm\"\u003esoul\u003c/a\u003e and God are of the same nature, and to have asserted that the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14153a.htm\"\u003esoul\u003c/a\u003e is part of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e; for thus they understood that he meant that the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/14153a.htm\"\u003esoul\u003c/a\u003e partakes of the same condition and power as \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e. Moreover in the last of the objections laid to his charge there occurs this position: \u003cq\u003eThat pardon is not given to penitents according to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06689a.htm\"\u003egrace\u003c/a\u003e and mercy of \u003ca href=\"../cathen/06608a.htm\"\u003eGod\u003c/a\u003e, but according to their own merits and effort, since through repentance they have been worthy of mercy.\u003c/q\u003e Now all these \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05089a.htm\"\u003edogmas\u003c/a\u003e, and the arguments which were advanced in support of them, were repudiated and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathematized\u003c/a\u003e by Pelagius, and his conduct herein was approved of by the judges, who accordingly pronounced that he had, by his rejection and \u003ca href=\"../cathen/01455e.htm\"\u003eanathema\u003c/a\u003e, condemned the opinions in question as contrary to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05752c.htm\"\u003efaith\u003c/a\u003e. Let us therefore \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07131b.htm\"\u003erejoice\u003c/a\u003e\u0026mdash; whatever may be the circumstances of the case, whether C\u0026oelig;lestius laid down these theses or not, or whether Pelagius \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02408b.htm\"\u003ebelieved\u003c/a\u003e them or not \u0026mdash; that the injurious principles of this new \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07256b.htm\"\u003eheresy\u003c/a\u003e were condemned before that \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03744a.htm\"\u003eecclesiastical\u003c/a\u003e tribunal; and let us thank God for such a result, and proclaim His praises.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChapter 66.\u0026mdash; The Harsh Measures of the Pelagians Against the Holy Monks and Nuns Who Belonged to Jerome\u0027s Charge\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCertain followers of Pelagius are said to have carried their support of his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03459a.htm\"\u003ecause\u003c/a\u003e after these judicial proceedings to an incredible extent of perverseness and audacity. They are said to have most cruelly beaten and maltreated the servants and handmaidens of the Lord who lived under the care of the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/07386a.htm\"\u003eholy\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"../cathen/12406a.htm\"\u003epresbyter\u003c/a\u003e Jerome, slain his \u003ca href=\"../cathen/04647c.htm\"\u003edeacon\u003c/a\u003e, and burnt his monastic houses; while he himself, by God\u0027s mercy, narrowly escaped the violent attacks of these impious assailants in the shelter of a well-defended fortress. However, I think it better becomes me to say nothing of these matters, but to wait and see what measures our brethren the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e may deem it their duty to adopt concerning such scandalous enormities; for nobody can suppose that it is possible for them to pass them over without notice. Impious \u003cem\u003edoctrines\u003c/em\u003e put forth by \u003ca href=\"../cathen/11726a.htm\"\u003epersons\u003c/a\u003e of this character it is no \u003ca href=\"../cathen/05141a.htm\"\u003edoubt\u003c/a\u003e the duty of all \u003ca href=\"../cathen/03449a.htm\"\u003eCatholics\u003c/a\u003e, however remote their residence, to oppose and refute, and so to hinder all injury from such opinions wheresoever they may happen to find their way; but impious \u003cem\u003eactions\u003c/em\u003e it belongs to the discipline of the episcopal authority on the spot to control, and they must be left for punishment to the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/02581b.htm\"\u003ebishops\u003c/a\u003e of the very place or immediate neighbourhood, to be dealt with as pastoral diligence and godly severity may suggest. We, therefore, who live at so great a distance, are bound to hope that such a stop may there be put to proceedings of this kind, that there may be no necessity elsewhere of further invoking judicial remedies. But what rather befits our personal activity is so to set forth the \u003ca href=\"../cathen/15073a.htm\"\u003etruth\u003c/a\u003e, that the minds of all those who have been severely wounded by the report, so widely spread everywhere, may be healed by the mercy of God following our efforts. With this desire, I must now at last terminate this work, which, should it succeed, as I hope, in commending itself to your \u003ca href=\"../cathen/10321a.htm\"\u003emind\u003c/a\u003e, will, I trust, with the Lord\u0027s blessing, become serviceable to its readers \u0026mdash; recommended to them rather by your name than by my own, and through your care and diligence receiving a wider circulation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n \u003ch2\u003eAbout this page\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSource.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eTranslated by Peter Holmes and Robert Ernest Wallis, and revised by Benjamin B. Warfield.\u003c/span\u003e From \u003cspan\u003eNicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan\u003eVol. 5.\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003eEdited by Philip Schaff.\u003c/span\u003e (\u003cspan\u003eBuffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co.,\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e1887.\u003c/span\u003e) \u003cspan\u003eRevised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight.\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u0026lt;https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1505.htm\u0026gt;.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContact information.\u003c/strong\u003e The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 \u003cem\u003eat\u003c/em\u003e newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) 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Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"../utility/contactus.htm\"\u003eCONTACT US\u003c/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"https://cleanmedia.net/p/?psid=491-308-20180429T2217479770\"\u003eADVERTISE WITH NEW ADVENT\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cins\u003e\u003c/ins\u003e \u003cins\u003e\u003c/ins\u003e\n \u003c/article\u003e"}],"SectionSequence":["Back Link","Work Title","Deck","Author","Period","Era","Composition","Date Note","Region","Terra Avita","Terra Avita Region","Modern Country","Original Title","Language","Primary Discipline","Secondary Discipline","Tradition","Full Versions","Core Thesis","Classification","Arguments","Influence","Significance","Evidence Note","Full Text"],"Counts":{"ContextCards":3,"GeoCards":4,"DisciplineCards":2,"Links":11,"Sections":25,"Styles":3,"Scripts":1}}