Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 5
Augustine — Anti-Pelagian Writings
SECTION 41
Chapter 39 [XXVI.]--The Conclusion Drawn, that All are Involved in Original Sin.
Chapter 39 [XXVI.]--The Conclusion Drawn, that All are Involved in Original Sin. It would be tedious, were we fully to discuss, at similar length, every testimony bearing on the question. I suppose it will be the more convenient course simply to collect the passages together which may turn up, or such as shall seem sufficient f…
856 wordsSECTION 42Chapter 41.--From the First Epistle of Peter.
Chapter 41.--From the First Epistle of Peter. See with what earnestness the apostles declare this doctrine, when they received it. Peter, in his first Epistle, says: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to His abundant mercy, who hath regenerated us unto the hope of eternal life, by the resurrectio…
1,345 wordsSECTION 43Chapter 44.--From the Epistles to the Corinthians.
Chapter 44.--From the Epistles to the Corinthians. Likewise to the Corinthians he says: "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures." [357] Again, in his Second Epistle to these Corinthians: "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thu…
979 wordsSECTION 44Chapter 47.--From the Epistle to the Colossians.
Chapter 47.--From the Epistle to the Colossians. To the Colossians he addresses these words: "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son; in whom we hav…
1,349 wordsSECTION 45Chapter 51.--From the Apocalypse.
Chapter 51.--From the Apocalypse. The Revelation of John likewise tells us that in a new song these praises are offered to Christ: "Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." [384] [384…
2,218 wordsSECTION 46Chapter 56.--No One is Reconciled to God Except Through Christ.
[402] 1 Pet. i. 5. [403] 1 Cor. xv. 22. [404] Rom. v. 18. [405] Malè credentium. [406] Matt. xii. 30. [407] 2 Thess. iii. 2. Chapter 56.--No One is Reconciled to God Except Through Christ. Taking into account all the inspired statements which I have quoted,--whether I regard the value of each passage one by one, or combin…
741 wordsSECTION 47Chapter 58 [XXX.]--In What Respect the Pelagians Regarded Baptism as Necessary for Infants.
Chapter 58 [XXX.]--In What Respect the Pelagians Regarded Baptism as Necessary for Infants. Let us now examine more carefully, so far as the Lord enables us, that very chapter of the Gospel where He says, "Except a man be born again,--of water and the Spirit,-- he shall not enter into the kingdom of God." [414] If it were not f…
1,751 wordsSECTION 48Chapter 61 [XXXII.]--The Serpent Lifted Up in the Wilderness Prefigured Christ Suspended on the Cross; Even Infants Themselves Poisoned by the Serpent's Bite.
Chapter 61 [XXXII.]--The Serpent Lifted Up in the Wilderness Prefigured Christ Suspended on the Cross; Even Infants Themselves Poisoned by the Serpent's Bite. And since this great and wonderful dignity can only be attained by the remission of sins, He goes on to say, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even s…
857 wordsSECTION 49Chapter 63 [XXXIV.]--The Form, or Rite, of Baptism. Exorcism.
Chapter 63 [XXXIV.]--The Form, or Rite, of Baptism. Exorcism. What shall I say of the actual form of this sacrament? I only wish some one of those who espouse the contrary side would bring me an infant to be baptized. What does my exorcism work in that babe, if he be not held in the devil's family? The man who brought the infan…
881 wordsSECTION 50Chapter 66.--Infants' Faults Spring from Their Sheer Ignorance.
Chapter 66.--Infants' Faults Spring from Their Sheer Ignorance. I should, however, wish any one who was wise on the point to tell me what sin he has seen or thought of in a new-born infant, for redemption from which he allows baptism to be already necessary; what kind of evil it has in its own proper life committed by its own m…
1,083 wordsSECTION 51Chapter 68 [XXXVII.]--If Adam Was Not Created of Such a Character as that in Which We are Born, How is It that Christ, Although Free from Sin, Was Born an Infant and in Weakness?
Chapter 68 [XXXVII.]--If Adam Was Not Created of Such a Character as that in Which We are Born, How is It that Christ, Although Free from Sin, Was Born an Infant and in Weakness? Some one will ask, If this nature is not pure, but corrupt from its origin, since Adam was not created thus, how is it that Christ, who is far more ex…
701 wordsSECTION 52Chapter 70 [XXXIX.]--How Far Sin is Done Away in Infants by Baptism, Also in Adults, and What Advantage Results Therefrom.
Chapter 70 [XXXIX.]--How Far Sin is Done Away in Infants by Baptism, Also in Adults, and What Advantage Results Therefrom. In infants it is certain that, by the grace of God, through His baptism who came in the likeness of sinful flesh, it is brought to pass that the sinful flesh is done away. This result, however, is so effect…
862 wordsSECTION 53Chapter 2 [II.]--Some Persons Attribute Too Much to the Freedom of Man's Will; Ignorance and Infirmity.
Chapter 2 [II.]--Some Persons Attribute Too Much to the Freedom of Man's Will; Ignorance and Infirmity. A solution is extremely necessary of this question about a human life unassailed by any deception or preoccupation of sin, in consequence even of our daily prayers. For there are some persons who presume so much upon the free…
1,163 wordsSECTION 54Chapter 5 [V.]--The Will of Man Requires the Help of God.
Chapter 5 [V.]--The Will of Man Requires the Help of God. Now for the commission of sin we get no help from God; but we are not able to do justly, and to fulfil the law of righteousness in every part thereof, except we are helped by God. For as the bodily eye is not helped by the light to turn away therefrom shut or averted, bu…
825 wordsSECTION 55Chapter 7 [VI.]--Four Questions on the Perfection of Righteousness: (1.) Whether a Man Can Be Without Sin in This Life.
Chapter 7 [VI.]--Four Questions on the Perfection of Righteousness: (1.) Whether a Man Can Be Without Sin in This Life. Now those who aver that a man can exist in this life without sin, must not be immediately opposed with incautious rashness; for if we should deny the possibility, we should derogate both from the free will of …
878 wordsSECTION 56Chapter 9.--The Beginning of Renewal; Resurrection Called Regeneration; They are the Sons of God Who Lead Lives Suitable to Newness of Life.
Chapter 9.--The Beginning of Renewal; Resurrection Called Regeneration; They are the Sons of God Who Lead Lives Suitable to Newness of Life. And hence in the passage, "Whosoever is born of God doth not sin, and he cannot sin, for His seed remaineth in him," [489] and in every other passage of like import, they much deceive them…
711 wordsSECTION 57Chapter 10 [VIII.]--Perfection, When to Be Realized.
Chapter 10 [VIII.]--Perfection, When to Be Realized. Our full adoption, then, as children, is to happen at the redemption of our body. It is therefore the first-fruits of the Spirit which we now possess, whence we are already really become the children of God; for the rest, indeed, as it is by hope that we are saved and renewed…
894 wordsSECTION 58Chapter 12 [X.]--He Reconciles Some Passages of Scripture.
Chapter 12 [X.]--He Reconciles Some Passages of Scripture. The statement, therefore, "He that is born of God sinneth not," [505] is not contrary to the passage in which it is declared by those who are born of God, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." [506] For however complete may b…
1,306 wordsSECTION 59Chapter 15.--Carnal Generation Condemned on Account of Original Sin.
Chapter 15.--Carnal Generation Condemned on Account of Original Sin. He sets forth that this absolute weakness, or rather condemnation, of carnal generation is from the transgression of original sin, when, treating of his own sins, he shows, as it were, their causes, and says that "man that is born of a woman hath but a short t…
866 wordsSECTION 60Chapter 17 [XII.]--No One Righteous in All Things. [527]
Chapter 17 [XII.]--No One Righteous in All Things. [527] That illustrious testimony of God, therefore, in which Job is commended, is not contrary to the passage in which it is said, "In Thy sight shall no man living be justified;" [528] for it does not lead us to suppose that in him there was nothing at all which might either b…
882 wordsSECTION 61Chapter 20.--Paul Worthy to Be the Prince of the Apostles, and Yet a Sinner.
Chapter 20.--Paul Worthy to Be the Prince of the Apostles, and Yet a Sinner. What commendation, however, is bestowed on Zacharias and Elisabeth which is not comprehended in what the apostle has said about himself before he believed in Christ? He said that, "as touching the righteousness which is in the law, he had been blameles…
806 wordsSECTION 62Chapter 21 [XIV.]--All Righteous Men Sinners.
Chapter 21 [XIV.]--All Righteous Men Sinners. In like manner, all who are described in the Scriptures as exhibiting in their present life good will and the actions of righteousness, and all who have lived like them since, although lacking the same testimony of Scripture; or all who are even now so living, or shall hereafter so …
810 wordsSECTION 63Chapter 23 [XXI.]--Why God Prescribes What He Knows Cannot Be Observed.
Chapter 23 [XXI.]--Why God Prescribes What He Knows Cannot Be Observed. We must not deny that God commands that we ought to be so perfect in doing righteousness, as to have no sin at all. Now that cannot be sin, whatever it may be, unless God has enjoined that it shall not be. Why then, they ask, does He command what He knows n…
885 wordsSECTION 64Chapter 25.--God Punishes Both in Wrath and in Mercy.
Chapter 25.--God Punishes Both in Wrath and in Mercy. Although there are some men who are so eminent in righteousness that God speaks to them out of His cloudy pillar, such as "Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among them that call upon His name," [556] the latter of whom is much praised for his piety and purity in …
805 wordsSECTION 65Chapter 27. [566] --The Divine Remedy for Pride.
Chapter 27. [566] --The Divine Remedy for Pride. You cannot therefore attribute to God the cause of any human fault. For of all human offences, the cause is pride. For the conviction and removal of this a great remedy comes from heaven. God in mercy humbles Himself, descends from above, and displays to man, lifted up by pride, …
764 wordsSECTION 66Chapter 30.--All Will is Either Good, and Then It Loves Righteousness, or Evil, When It Does Not Love Righteousness.
Chapter 30.--All Will is Either Good, and Then It Loves Righteousness, or Evil, When It Does Not Love Righteousness. Unless, therefore, we obtain not simply determination of will, which is freely turned in this direction and that, and has its place amongst those natural goods which a bad man may use badly; but also a good will,…
824 wordsSECTION 67Chapter 33.--Through Grace We Have Both the Knowledge of Good, and the Delight Which It Affords.
Chapter 33.--Through Grace We Have Both the Knowledge of Good, and the Delight Which It Affords. But when we pray Him to give us His help to do and accomplish righteousness, what else do we pray for than that He would open what was hidden, and impart sweetness to that which gave no pleasure? For even this very duty of praying t…
1,121 wordsSECTION 68Chapter 35 [XXI.]--Adam and Eve; Obedience Most Strongly Enjoined by God on Man.
Chapter 35 [XXI.]--Adam and Eve; Obedience Most Strongly Enjoined by God on Man. When the first human beings--the one man Adam, and his wife Eve who came out of him--willed not to obey the commandment which they had received from God, a just and deserved punishment overtook them. The Lord had threatened that, on the day they at…
1,147 wordsSECTION 69Chapter 37 [XXIII.]--The Corruption of Nature is by Sin, Its Renovation is by Christ.
Chapter 37 [XXIII.]--The Corruption of Nature is by Sin, Its Renovation is by Christ. From this law of sin is born the flesh of sin, which requires cleansing through the sacrament of Him who came in the likeness of sinful flesh, that the body of sin might be destroyed, which is also called "the body of this death," from which o…
1,026 wordsSECTION 70Chapter 39 [XXV.]--An Objection of Pelagians.
Chapter 39 [XXV.]--An Objection of Pelagians. The answer, which we have already given, [602] to those who say, "If a sinner has begotten a sinner, a righteous man ought also to have begotten a righteous man," we now advance in reply to such as argue that one who is born of a baptized man ought himself to be regarded as already …
830 wordsSECTION 71Chapter 42.--Sanctification Manifold; Sacrament of Catechumens.
Chapter 42.--Sanctification Manifold; Sacrament of Catechumens. Our opinions on this point are strictly in unison with the apostle's himself, who said, "From one all to condemnation," and "from one all to justification of life." [607] Now how consistent these statements are with what he elsewhere says, when treating of another …
849 wordsSECTION 72Chapter 44.--An Objection of the Pelagians.
Chapter 44.--An Objection of the Pelagians. Nor do they fail to see this point, that his own sins are no detriment to the parent after his conversion; they therefore raise the question: "How much more impossible is it that they should be a hinderance to his son?" But they who thus think do not attend to this consideration, that…
849 wordsSECTION 73Chapter 46. [618] --Guilt May Be Taken Away But Concupiscence Remain.
Chapter 46. [618] --Guilt May Be Taken Away But Concupiscence Remain. You must not be surprised at what I have said, that although the law of sin remains with its concupiscence, the guilt thereof is done away through the grace of the sacrament. For as wicked deeds, and words, and thoughts have already passed away, and cease to …
1,043 wordsSECTION 74Chapter 49 [XXX.]--An Objection of the Pelagians.
Chapter 49 [XXX.]--An Objection of the Pelagians. They therefore who say, "If through the sin of the first man it was brought about that we must die, by the coming of Christ it should be brought about that, believing in Him, we shall not die;" and they add what they deem a reason, saying, "For the sin of the first transgressor …
896 wordsSECTION 75Chapter 51.--Why the Devil is Said to Hold the Power and Dominion of Death.
Chapter 51.--Why the Devil is Said to Hold the Power and Dominion of Death. Hence the Lord Himself willed to die, "in order that," as it is written of Him, "through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." …
713 wordsSECTION 76Chapter 53 [XXXIII.]--An Objection of the Pelagians.
Chapter 53 [XXXIII.]--An Objection of the Pelagians. But those persons who say, "If the death of the body has happened by sin, we of course ought not to die after that remission of sins which the Redeemer has bestowed upon us," do not understand how it is that some things, whose guilt God has cancelled in order that they may no…
873 wordsSECTION 77Chapter 56.--The Case of David, in Illustration.
Chapter 56.--The Case of David, in Illustration. Some such thought has occurred to us about the patriarch David, in the Book of Kings. After the prophet was sent to him, and threatened him with the evils which were to arise from the anger of God on account of the sin which he had committed, he obtained pardon by the confession …
1,328 wordsSECTION 78Book III.
Book III. In the Shape of a Letter Addressed to the Same Marcellinus. In which Augustin refutes some errors of Pelagius on the question of the merits of sins and the baptism of infants--being sundry arguments of his which he had interspersed among his expositions of Saint Paul, in opposition to original sin. To his beloved so…
980 wordsSECTION 79Chapter 3.--Pelagius Makes God Unjust.
Chapter 3.--Pelagius Makes God Unjust. We are driven at last to yield our assent on divine authority to that which we are unable to investigate with even the clearest intellect. It is well that they remind us themselves that Christ's righteousness is unable to profit any but believers, while they yet allow that it somewhat prof…
1,106 wordsSECTION 80Chapter 7 [IV.]--Proof of Original Sin in Infants.
Chapter 7 [IV.]--Proof of Original Sin in Infants. Now, although I may not be able myself to refute the arguments of these men, I yet see how necessary it is to adhere closely to the clearest statements of the Scriptures, in order that the obscure passages may be explained by help of these, or, if the mind be as yet unequal to …
868 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.