Letter 25: CARTHAGINENSIS CONCII.

OF THE COUNCIL OF CARTHAGE, TO INNOCENT. [That to their own decision, by which they condemned the impieties of Pelagius and Coelestius, the authority of the apostolic see may be added. And finally, if these men should deny these doctrines to be theirs, anathema is decreed against any assertors whatsoever of them.] To our most blessed lord and most honorable holy brother, Pope Innocent: Aurelius, Numidius, Rusticianus, Fidentinus, Evagrius, Antonius, Palatinus, Adeodatus, Vincentius, Publianus, Tutus, Pannonius, Victor, Restitutus, another Restitutus, Rusticus, Fortunatianus, Ampelius, Bambivius, Felix, Donatianus, Adeodatus, Octavius, Serotinus, Majorinus, Postumianus, Crispulus, Victor, another Victor, Leucius, Macianus, Fructuosus, Faustinianus, Quodvultdeus, Candorius, Maximus, Megasius, Rusticus, Rufinianus, Proculus, Severus, Thomas, Januarius, Octavianus, Praetextatus, Sixtus, Quodvultdeus, Pentadius, Quodvultdeus, Cyprianus, Servilius, Pelagianus, Marcellus, Venantius, Didymus, Saturninus, Bizagenus, Germanus, Germanianus, Inventius, Majorinus, Inventius, Candidus, Cyprianus, Aemilianus, Romanus, Africanus, and Marcellinus, and the rest who were present in the council of the Church of Carthage. 1. When, according to custom, we had come together solemnly to the Church of Carthage, and a synod had been assembled out of us from various causes, our fellow presbyter Orosius delivered to us letters of our holy brothers and fellow priests Heros and Lazarus, the form of which we have determined ought to be appended to these. When therefore these had been read, we perceived Pelagius and Coelestius, the authors of an utterly wicked error, to be deserving of anathema by us all. Whence it came about that we asked to have reviewed what had been transacted here, almost five years before, before the Church of Carthage concerning the name of Coelestius. When this had been recited, just as your holiness will be able to perceive from the documents appended, although the judgment stood manifest, by which at that time, by episcopal judgment, this wound only seemed to have been cut away from the Church; nevertheless we have decreed by common deliberation that the authors of a persuasion of this kind, although the same Coelestius is said afterwards to have attained even to the presbyterate, unless they most openly anathematize these things, ought themselves to be anathematized, so that if a cure cannot be procured for them, at least it may be procured for those who have been deceived by them or can be deceived, once the sentence which has been pronounced against them is known. This transaction, therefore, lord brother, we have judged ought to be made known to your holy charity, so that to the decrees of our mediocrity the authority also of the apostolic see may be applied, for the protection of the salvation of many, and for the correction even of the perversity of certain men. 2. For these men effect this by their damnable disputations, that, by not defending but rather by exalting into a sacrilegious pride free will, they leave no place for the grace of God, by which we are Christians, by which even the very choice of our will truly becomes free, while it is freed from the dominion of carnal concupiscences, as the Lord says: If the Son shall make you free, then you shall be truly free [John 8:36], namely, our Lord Jesus. But these men assert, as we have learned from the brothers who have even read their books, that the grace of God is to be reckoned to consist in this, that He instituted and created human nature of such a kind that through its own will it can fulfill the law of God, whether written naturally in the heart, or given in letters. And that the same law also pertains to grace, in that God gave it as a help to men. But that grace by which, as has been said, we are Christians, of which the Apostle is the preacher, saying: For I delight in the law of God after the inner man; but I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin, which is in my members. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? The grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord [Romans 7:22 ff.] -- this grace they are altogether unwilling to acknowledge, nor indeed do they openly dare to attack it [1 Corinthians 2:14]. 3. But what else do they do, when they do not cease to persuade men who are animal, not perceiving the things that are of the Spirit of God, that for working and perfecting justice, and for fulfilling the commandments of God, human nature alone can suffice for them? -- not attending to what is written: The Spirit helps our infirmity [Romans 8:26]; and, It is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy [Romans 9:16]; and that we are one body in Christ Jesus, and every one members one of another, having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us [Romans 12:5]; and, By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace in me was not void, but I labored more than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God with me [1 Corinthians 15:10]; and, Thanks be to God, who gave us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ [1 Corinthians 15:57]; and, Not that we are sufficient to think anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God [2 Corinthians 3:5]; and, We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us [2 Corinthians 4:7]; and innumerable other things, which, if we should wish to gather them out of all the Scriptures, a book would not suffice. And we fear, lest, in recounting these very things to you, who yourself preach a greater grace from the apostolic see, we may seem to act unsuitably. But we do it for this reason, because, the weaker we are, in whatever direction each of us, in preaching the word of God, is reckoned more attentive, the more frequently and the more boldly we suffer them rising up against us. 4. If therefore Pelagius has, by the episcopal proceedings (of the synod of Diospolis), which are said to have been transacted in the East, seemed even to your veneration to be justly absolved; nevertheless the error itself and the impiety, which already has many assertors scattered through diverse places, is to be anathematized even by the authority of the apostolic see. For let your holiness consider, and have compassion on us with pastoral bowels, how pestilential and deadly it is to the sheep of Christ, what necessarily follows from the sacrilegious disputations of these men, namely, that we ought not even to pray that we may not enter into temptation; which the Lord both admonished his disciples and placed in the prayer which he taught [Matthew 6:13]: or that our faith may not fail, which he himself testified that he had prayed for on behalf of the Apostle Peter [Luke 22:32]. For if these things are placed by the possibility of nature and the will's free choice within our own power, who does not see that they are sought from the Lord in vain, and that we pray deceitfully, when those things are asked for in prayer which are already obtained by the sufficient powers of nature so constituted: and that the Lord Jesus ought not to have said, Watch and pray [Matthew 26:41], but only, Watch, lest you enter into temptation: nor to the most blessed Peter, the first of the Apostles, I have prayed for you, but, I admonish you, or, I command and enjoin, that your faith fail not [Luke 22:32]? It is contradicted also, by the contention of these men, with respect to our benedictions, so that we may seem to say in vain over the people whatever we beseech for them from the Lord, that by living rightly and piously they may please Him, or those things which the Apostle prays for on behalf of the faithful, saying: I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom all paternity in heaven and in earth is named, that he may grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit [Ephesians 3:14]. If therefore we should wish, in blessing, to say over the people: Grant to him, O Lord, to be strengthened with might by your Spirit: the disputation of these men contradicts us, affirming that free will is denied, if this is sought from God, which is in our own power. For if we wish to be strengthened with might, they say, we can do so by that possibility of nature, which we do not now receive, but received when we were created. 5. They also deny that little ones ought to be baptized for the sake of the salvation which is given through Christ the Savior; and thus by this death-bearing doctrine they slay them forever, promising that even if they are not baptized they will have eternal life, and that they do not pertain to those of whom the Lord says, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost [Luke 19:10]: because these, they say, were not lost, nor is there anything in them that should be saved, or redeemed at so great a price; because there is nothing vitiated in them, nothing held captive under the power of the devil, nor was blood shed for them, which we read was shed for the remission of sins. And yet that redemption is made through the baptism of Christ even of little ones, Coelestius in his little book in the Church of Carthage has already confessed. But many who are reported to be or to have been their disciples do not cease to affirm wherever they can these evils, by which they endeavor to overthrow the foundation of the Christian faith. 6. Whence even if Pelagius and Coelestius have been corrected, or say that they never held these views, and deny that whatsoever writings have been brought forward against them are theirs, and there is no way in which they can be convicted of lying: nevertheless, in a general manner, whoever dogmatizes and affirms that human nature can suffice of itself for conquering sins and doing the commandments of God, and in that manner is found an adversary of the grace of God, which is more evidently declared by the prayers of the saints: and whoever denies that little ones are by the baptism of Christ delivered from perdition and receive everlasting salvation, let him be anathema. But whatever other things are objected against them, we do not doubt that your veneration, when it has examined the episcopal proceedings (of the synod of Palestine), which are said to have been transacted in the East in the same cause, will so judge them, that we may all rejoice in the mercy of God. Pray for us, most blessed lord pope. LETTER 27. OF THE COUNCIL OF MILEVIS, TO POPE INNOCENT. [That by his own authority he may first restrain the pernicious heresy of the enemies of the grace of Christ.] To our most blessed lord, deservedly venerable and to be honored in Christ, Pope Innocent: Silvanus the senior, Valentinus, Aurelius, Donatus, Restitutus, Lucianus, Alypius, Augustinus, Placentius, Severus, Fortunatus, Possidius, Novatus, Secundus, Maurentius, Leo, Faustinianus, Cresconius, Malchus, Littorius, Fortunatus, Donatus, Ponticanus, Saturninus, Cresconius, Honoratus, Lucius, Adeodatus, Processus, Cresconius, Secundus, Felix, Asiaticus, Rufinianus, Faustinus, Servus, Terentius, Cresconius, Sperantius, Quadratus, Lucillus, Sabinus, Faustinus, Cresconius, Victor, Gicantius, Possidonius, Antoninus, Innocentius, Praesidius, Crescentius, Felix, Antoninus, Victor, Honoratus, Donatus, Petrus, Praesidius, Cresconius, Laufadius, Delphinus, from the council of Milevis, greeting in the Lord. 1. Because the Lord, by the singular gift of his grace, has placed you in the apostolic see, and has granted to our times such a one, that it would rather avail to our blame for negligence, if we should keep silent before your veneration about those things which are to be suggested on behalf of the Church, than that you should be able to receive them either disdainfully or negligently; we beseech you, deign to apply pastoral diligence to the great dangers of the weak members of Christ. 2. For a new heresy, and exceedingly pernicious, [is rising up,] of the enemies of the grace of Christ, who confide in their own strength, [maintaining] that to such perfection of justice without the help of the grace of the Savior, through the free choice of the will alone, one may attain, that it should not even be necessary to say, Forgive us our debts: but that which follows, Lead us not into temptation [Matthew 6:13], is not so to be understood as though we ought to seek the divine help that we may not, being tempted, fall into sin; but that this is placed within our own power, and that for fulfilling this the will of man alone suffices: as though the Apostle had said in vain, It is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy [Romans 9:16]; and, God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it [1 Corinthians 10:13]. In vain also will the Lord have said to the Apostle Peter, I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not [Luke 22:32]; and to all his own, Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation [Matthew 26:41]: if this whole matter is of human power. They also contend, with a presumption by no means Christian, that little children, even though they be imbued with no sacraments of Christian grace, will have eternal life, making void that which the Apostle says, By one man sin entered into the world, and by sin death, and so it passed upon all men, in whom all have sinned [Romans 5:12]; and in another place, As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive [1 Corinthians 15:22]. So that, to omit other things, the many points which they dispute against the holy Scriptures, [we set forth] in the meantime these two, by which they endeavor altogether to overthrow that whereby we are Christians, which faithful hearts cannot endure: namely, that God is not to be entreated to be our helper against the evil of sin and for the working of justice, and that the sacrament of Christian grace does not aid little ones for the obtaining of eternal life. 3. In setting forth these things to your apostolic breast, we have no need to say much, and to exaggerate so great an impiety with words; since without doubt these things so move you, that you cannot at all dissemble about correcting them, lest they creep more widely, and contaminate many, or rather destroy them, while under the name of Christ they utterly alienate them from the grace of Christ. The authors, moreover, of this most pernicious error are reported to be Pelagius and Coelestius, whom indeed we would rather have healed within the Church, than cut off from the Church with their salvation despaired of, if no necessity compels it. One of whom, that is Coelestius, is even said to have attained to the presbyterate in Asia. Concerning whom, what was transacted a few years ago, your holiness is better instructed from the Church of Carthage. But Pelagius, as letters sent from certain of our brothers declare, being established at Jerusalem, is asserted to deceive not a few. Nevertheless, many more, who have been able more diligently to investigate his views, contend against him on behalf of the grace of Christ and the truth of the Catholic faith, but especially your holy son, our brother and fellow presbyter Jerome. But we judge, with the mercy of the Lord our God assisting, who deigns both to govern you when you consult, and to hear you when you pray, that to the authority of your holiness, drawn forth from the authority of the holy Scriptures, they who hold such perverse and pernicious opinions will more easily yield; so that we may rather congratulate ourselves on their correction than be saddened at their destruction, most blessed lord. But whatever of these courses they themselves may choose, certainly either for them, or for others, whom they can ensnare in great numbers, if it be dissembled by us, to entangle in their snares, your venerableness sees that provision must be made instantly and swiftly. These things we have directed in writing to your holiness from the council of Numidia, imitating both the Church of Carthage and our fellow bishops of the province of Carthage, whom we have learned to have written about this cause to the apostolic see, which you blessedly illustrate. (And in another hand:) May you be increased, mindful of us in the grace of God, most blessed lord, and deservedly venerable and to be honored in Christ, holy pope. [The third letter, from Aurelius, Alypius, Augustine, Evodius, and Possidius:] They show that this is understood by the faithful. The same men also explain in what sense, or how, a man may, if not without error, yet tolerably, be said to be able to be without sin, if he will. To our most blessed lord and deservedly most honorable brother, Pope Innocent: Aurelius, Alypius, Augustinus, Evodius, and Possidius, greeting in the Lord. 1. Concerning the two councils of the province of Carthage and of Numidia, we have sent to your holiness letters subscribed by no small number of bishops, against the enemies of the grace of Christ, who trust in their own strength, and in a manner say to our Creator: You made us men, but we ourselves made ourselves just; who say that human nature is therefore free, that they may not seek a deliverer; therefore saved, that they may judge a Savior superfluous. For they say that it has such strength, that by the strength once received in the origin of its creation, it can, through free choice, without the further help of the grace of Him who created it, subdue and extinguish all desires, and overcome temptations. And many of them rise up against us, and say to our soul: There is no salvation for him in his God [Psalm 3:3]. The family of Christ, which says, When I am weak, then am I strong [2 Corinthians 12:10], they show to be understood by the faithful by no name. The same men also explain in what sense a man may be able to be without sin if he will, in what way truly, or in what way, even if not without error, yet tolerably, it may be said. These letters we have directed to your holiness from the council of Numidia, imitating both the Church of Carthage and our fellow bishops of the province of Carthage, whom we have learned to have written to the apostolic see, which you blessedly illustrate, concerning this cause. (And in another hand:) Mindful of us, may you be increased in the grace of God, most blessed lord, and deservedly venerable and to be honored in Christ, holy pope.

CARTHAGINENSIS CONCII.II AD INNOCENTIUM. l!l sentenliic sua;, qua Pelai/ii Coelestiitjue intpielales damnariint, aposiolictc sedis accedat auctoritas. Ac landcm si Itas itli suas csse «egenl ; quibusvis emum asscrtoribus aiiallieinn ilecernitur. Doinino bialissimo ct bonorandissimo sancto fratri Innocentio papa;, Aureliiis, Numidius, Rusticia- NUS, " FlDENTlNUS, EvAGIUUS,1' AnTONIUS, PaLATI- NUS, ADEODATUS,VlNCENTlUS, PUDLIANUS.TaEASlUS, Tutus,c Pannonius.Victor. Restitutus, aliusltE- STITUTUS , RUSTICUS , FORTINATIANUS , AMPELIUS, dAMBivius, Felix, Donatianus, Adeodatus, Octa- VIUS, SEROTlNUS,eMAJORlNUS, PosTUUMIANUS, CrIS- pdlus, Victor, alius Vir.TOR,r Leuciu;, Macianus, Fructuosis, FaUsTINIANUS, Quodvultdeus, Cando- rius, Maximus, b Meg.v ius, Rusticus, •" Rufinia- Nus,' Proculus, Severus.Tiiomas, Januarius, Oc- tavianus, Pr.^textatus, Sixtus, Quodvultdeus, PentadiusJ Quodvultdeus, Cvcrianus, Servii.ius, '- Pelagianus, Marcellus^Venantius, Didvmus.Sa- TURNINUS, ' BlZAGENUS, GkRMANUS, Gf.RMANIANUS, l!l Invenitus, Majhrinus, " Invenitls, Candidus.Cy- prianus, jEmii.ianiis, Romanus, Afiucanus, et Mar- Cellinus, "elciileri qui in c< ncilin Eccle^ia: Car- lliagineiisis adluimn-. 1. Cumexmore rad Carlliaginensein Ecclesiam so- leinniler vcni semus, atque cx divcrsis causis con- Qucsn., hu/iauas. Al Crab. cl edil. Rom. , Su/i- nitinus. 1 Garncrii conjeclur.c, qua Procitlianus lcgenilum pulat, liiillus e nosiiis niss. siiffiagatiir. Deinde ex mss. Corb ct Gciiii. alquc nova Aiignslini edilione snpplctur Sereri nonien, quml in aliis scripiis et cdiiis dccsl. I Uiuis ms. Colb., Bazalltinus ; allcr e Valic, Di- zaiciius ; duo alii Colb. ac Pilb., <iun cdit. Rom. ct Qiiesn., Bazaccnus ; Merl. cl Crab., Buzeccnus; Isid., Balecenus. Augustini edilionem scqnimur cuin mss. Corb. etGerm. consentienlem. 111 Apud August., lnientius.ln edit. Roni.,Qucsn., Crab. el Merl., ut in ins. Pilb., Jurenlius. lsid., Yi- ve.ilins. Aliis in mss., Invenitits. II Ediii ac mss. inox dicii,cum quibus Isidorus jani consentit, etiam bic ictineut Iueentius vel Juveutitts, cui voci Qucsii. pnulixil item. Islbi • qiiidcin codex Gorb, pr;c se ferl Juveniinitus, sed in nscripto In- ccniti nomcii, quod cliam h cduoColb. cl Gcriu. cx- hibenl, reiinel. 0 Primum in edii. August. aucioiitaie codicuni Corb. elGeiiu. hic adjecluin csl ettatteri. i' Mos eis er.it, utcirca inensem Junium vei < irea auluninuni Carilingiiicm convenucnl. Sed iiiui iis- dem inensibus consianier conveniebnnl. Quapropier illud c.t. morc inagis ad lotuui quam ad lempui at- tinet. SCS EPISTOL^E gregala ex nobis synodus liaberetnr ; conipresbyier nosier Orosius nobis littcras sanclorum Irairum et ronsacerdoium nostrorumdedil "Ilerolis el Lazari, quarum formam his constituimus esse subdendam. Hisergo lectis, Pelagiumet Ccelestium auctoresbar- gui nelarii prorsus et ab omnibus nobis anatbemandi erroris advertimus. Undc faetum est, ut recensen- dniii peteremus, quid anlc ferme quinquennium su- perCcelesiii nomine hicapud Ecclesiam Carlliagine:i- scin fiierilagitalinu. Quo recilalo, siciil ex c subditis advertere polerit sanctitas tua, quamvis judicalio manifestu constaret, qua illo lempore episcopali ju- dicio excisuin boe lantuni vulnus ab Ecclcsia vide- rciur ; nibilominus tanien id cominuni deliberatione censuimus, hujusmodi persuasionis auctores, quam- Vis et ad presbytcrium idem Ccclestius postea perve- nisse dicalur; nisi haec apertissime aniiheinaverini, ipsos anaihemari oporlere, ut si ipsoruni non potue- ril, saltem eurum quiab cis decepti siini vel decipi possunl, cognila senientia qu;e in eos lala est, sani- las procuretur. Iloe itaque gestum, doniine fraler, sanctae charitali tuo intiinandum duximus.ui statu- tis noslrae mediocritatis etiam apostolicse scdis adhi- beatur aucioritas, pro lueuda salute multorum, et qiiorumdani pcrversilale eliam corrigenda. 2. Id enim agunt isti damnabilibusdispuiaiionibiis suis, ut non defendendo, sed potius in sacrilegam superbiam extollendo liberum arbitriuin, niillum re- linquant locum gratiiv Dei, qua Clnisliani suiiius, qua et ipsimi noslrae voluniatis arbilriiini vere lit li- bcrum, dum a carnalium concupiscenliarum domi- natiune liberatur, dicenle Doinino : Si ros Filius liberaverit, tunc vert libcri crilis ( Joan. vm, 36 ). Jesu Doniino nostro. Isti aulem asscrunl, sieut a fralribtis, qni eliam eorum libros legerunl, cogno- vimus, in eo Dei gratiam deputandam, quod lalem bominis instituit creaviique naturam, quceperpro- piiam voluutatein legeni Dei possit implere, sive KT DECKETA. 50G A naluraliter in corde conscriptam, sive in litteris da- lam. Eamdem quoi|iie legem ad gratiani periincre, quod illam Deus in adjutorium liominibus dedit. II- lam verograiiain, qun, utdicimu est, Chrisiiani su- inus, eujus Apostolus prsedicaior est, dicens, Conde- leclor enim leyi Dei secundum interiorent hominem ; video aulem aliam legem in membrii meis repugnan- tem legi menlis meai, et captivanlem mc e sub lege pecctili,quos est in membrismeis. Miser egolwnw, quis me liberabil dc corpore mortis hujiis ? gratia Dei per Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum (Ram.\u,2!£seqq.) nolunl omnino cognoscere, nec aperie quidem oppu- gnare audeiil (I Cor. 11, 14). 5. Sed quid aliud agunt, eum hoininibus animali- bus non perripientibus quaesunt spiritus Dei persua- jj dere non eessant, ad operandam perliciendamque jusliliam, et Dei mandala complenda, solam sibi hu- inanam sufficere possc naluram ? non atlendenles quod scripium est, Spirilus adjuvat infinnitutem no- slram(Rom. vm, 26); et, iVon voleniis, neque curren- tis, scd miserentis esl Dei (Rom. ix, 16) ; et quod unuin corpus sumus in Christo Jesu, singuli autem alier alterius membra, habentes donadiversa secundunt graliam qum diiiu esi nobis (Rom. xn, v) ; et, Gratia Dei sum id quod sum, et gralia ejus in ine vacua noit fuil, sed plus omnibus illis laboravi : non ego autein, sed grulia Dei mecum (ICor. xv, 10) ; et, Grutiits Dco, qni dedit nobis victoriam per Dominuni noslrum Jesum Chrislum (Ibid., 57) ; ct, Non guia idonei sumus ali- quid coyiture quasi cx nobismetipsis, sed sufficienliu C iiostra exDcoest (II Cor. ui, 5); et, Habemus thesuu- rum istitm in vasis fictilibus, ul eminenlia viilittis sit Dei, cl non ex nobis ( Jbid. iv, 7); et innumerabilia, quoe de Scripiuris omnibus si colligere velimus, f lo- mus non suflicit. Et veremur, ne apud te ista ipsa eonimcinorando, 6 ipise majore gratia de sede apo- stolica prirdicas, inconvenienter facere videamur. Sed ideo facimus, quia eo, quo infirmiores sunnis, quaquaversus quisquenoslrum verbo Dei praedicando 0 In niss. Isid., Nerotis, aut Ancrotis. In edil. con- cil., Avciolhis. Eral lloros Arcl.ilcnsis, ct Lazarus Aquensis episcopus. Ainlioe sedibus suis pnlsi, cuin iu Palaeslinam pervenissenl, libelluni conlra Pela- giuiii ei Ccele^iium Eulogio Cxsareensi obtnlcruni ; cnjus deiude auctoritale Diospolitana synodus anno 415 congregaia fuil. Memoralae auiem episcopoium D illiiiniii litlorae excideruut. ' Kdit. Hoin., ex subseguciilibus. Coiieiiinius alii li- bri, cx subditis. Gcsia illa cpiscup.ilia, qti c epislolae binc siilincxa erant, iuiericruni, iis exceptiis, qu.i! M. Mercalor initio ComniOllilorii adversns Pelagia- nos ex illis delibat, elquae Aiiguslinua liini lili. n de Pei calo originali c. 5 ct 4, tura lib.de Gestis Pelagii cap. 11, ex iisdeui descriliil. Pr.cierea ab eodem Dociore in epistola 157, ad llilarium, n. 22, perstrin- guntiir. Ciim aliis libris retinemus fuiims ; quo vocahulu apud alltiquos epistola synodica significari solet. Et eo quidem sensu Aihar.asius Alexandrinse synodi epi- slolam loiniiin ad Antiochenos inscripsii : elconcilinm CP. episl. 15, ad Daniastiin, n. 4, xojjlov vocavil An- liocheni concilii epistolara. Ipsius Daraasi synodica epislnla 4, ab eodcm concilio CP.- can. 5, tomt no- inine designalur. Vocis hujus eodem intcllectu fre- queutior est usus in eoncilio Chalcedonensi, puia edit. Lab. lom. IV, pag. 187 d, 264 d, 49i e. Volgo eli nii i eleliris epistola Leonis ad Elavianuiii totntu iiuncupatur. Inlerduui eliani lomifi longioris sermo- uis Coiiipendiuin sonal, eaipie ralinne in pr.claiionc Tolelaui VJII concilii accipitur: ad litleiam vero ul est qiiud seclio. Ad Afros iptud atiiuel, iion aliitd bic silii vclle videntur, nisise cousueiaeepistohe modura exccssuros, si onniia, ipne e re saa suul, tesliuionia ciilligcrenl. 6 Edii. Itnni. el concil. post Crab., qui majore, Concinniiis alii libri, gutv inajore. 567 568 putatur atteniior, crebrius eos paiimur ei audacius A mitlentes, eliam si non baplizentur, habiluros vilam insurgentes. 4. Si ergo Pela;;ius episeopalibus geslis (Diospoli- tanm synoili), quse in Orienle conlecta dicuntur , etiam tucc venerationi ju*te visus fucrit absolutus; eiror lamen ipse et irnpietas, qui-j.iiii mnltos asser- tores habet ]ier diversa dispersos, cliam apostolicsc sedis auctoritate anathemanda esi. Consideret enim sanctitas tua, et pasloralibus nobis compalialur vi- sceribus, quam sit pestiferum ci exiiiale ovilms Cbristi, quid istorum sacrilegas dispiilationesneces- sario consequitur, ut nec orare debeamus ne inire- nms in lentationem ; quod Dominus ct discii ulos monuit el posuit in oratione qnam docuil (Matih. vi, 15) : aut n e deficiat lides nostra, quod pro apostolo Pelro se rogasseipse lesialus cst (Luc. xxn, 5-2). Si R enim haec possibilitale nalurse et arbitrio volunlalis inpolestate sunt conslituia, quis non ea videat ina- niiera Domiiio peii, et fallaciter orari , cum orando poscuntur, quai nalurse jam ita conditae sufflcienlibus viribus obtinenlur : nec debuisse dicere Dominum Jesum, Vigilale et orate (Mutth. xxiv, 41);scdtan- tummndo, Vigilate, ne intrelis in tentalionem : nec beaiissimo Peiro primo Apostolorum : liogavipro tc, sed, moneo le, vcl impero ac pratcipio, ne tlcficiat /ides tua (Luccc xxu, 32)? Contradicilnr eliam islo- rum contentione benedictionibus nostris , ut in cassum super populum dicere videamur, quidquid eisaDomino precamur, ut recte ac pie vivendo illi placeant, vcl illa, quxpro fldelibus prccaiur Aposlo- seternam, ncc pertinerc ad eos, ile quibus Dominus ait, Venit enim filius hominis qiwrere et salvare quud perierai (Luc. w\, 10) : quia isii, inquiuul, non per- ierant , nec esl qnod in eis salvelnr, vel tanlo pre- lio redimatur ; quia niliil esl in tis vitialum, iiikil teuelur sub diaboli potestate captivum, necproeis " fu^iis eslsanguis, <jui fusus in remissionem legiiur peccatoi iim. Quamquam per baptismum Cbristi etiam parvulorum >' fieri redemptionem liliello suo Cceles- lius iu Carlbaginensi eccle.sia jam confessusest. Sid multi, qui coruin perliibeiilui' cssevel fuisse discijuili, Ii.tc mala, quibus fundamcnli Clirislianx lidei co- iiantur evertere, quacumquc possunl c affirmare non cessant. 6. Unde etiamsi Pelagius Ccelesiiusque eorrccli suni, vel se ista iiumquam scnsissc dininl, et qua> cumque scripta contra eos prolata fueriot, sua csse negant, neeesl quemadmodum dc mcndacio couvin- canlur : generaliter tamen, quicumque dogmatizatct allirmat, humanam sibi ad d viucenda peccata , ct Doi mandata facienda, sufficerc posse naiuram, et eo modo graliae Dei, qua: sanctorumevidenlius ora- lionibus decl.nalur, adversarius invenilur : et qui- cuinqiie negat parvulos per baptismum Christi a per- dilione liberari, et saluiem percipere sempilernam, anathema sii. Quxcumque autem alia cis objiciuntur non dubilamus veneratiouem tuam, cura gesla epi- scopalia (Palwslinas synodi) perspexerit , quic in Orienle in eadem causa confecla dicuntur, id judica- Iusdicens : Flecto qenuameaad Patrem Domini nostri C turam, unde omnes in Dei misericordia gaudeannis. Jesu Cliristi, exquo onuiis paternitas inccclocl in terrn nominatur, ul dcl vobis secundum divitias gloriic smr, virtute corrobornri per Spirilum ejus (Eplics. m, 14). Si ergo voluerimus, benedicendo, super populum di- cere : Dn ilti, Domine, virtutem corroborari per Spiri- tuni tuum : islorum nobis dispulatio contradicit, af- firmans liberum negari arbitrium, si hoc a Deo po- scitur, quod in nostra est potestale. Viriule enim corroborari si volumiis, inquiunt, possumus ea pos- sibilitate naluroe, quam uoii iiiinc accipimus , scd cum crearemiir accepimus. 5. Parvulos eliam propter salutem, quse per Sal- valorem Christum datur, bapiizandos negant; ac sie eos mortifera ista doctrina in xteruum nccant, pro- Ora pro nobis, domine beatissime papa. FPISTOLA XXVII. MILEVITANI CONCILll AD 1NNQCENTIUM PAPAM. 1)1 inimicorum gratias Chrisli pcmiciosam hicrcsim (Hium primum aucloritale sua coerceat. Domino bealissimo mcriloque venerabili et in Chris- to bonorando papae Innocentio, Silvanus e senex, Valentinus, Aurelius, Donatus, Restitltus, Ll- cianus, Alypius, Augustinus, Placentius, Seve- rls, Fortunatus, Possidius, Novatus, Secundus, Maurentius, Leo, FaustiniAnus , Cresconius, MaLCHUS, f LlTTORIUS, FORTUNATUS, DONATUS, « Pib. ms., fusus esset ; Isid. neenon edit. Rom. etconcil. fusus esse, omisso deinde qui fusus : re- stauranlur i'X melioris nota) mss. Clirisli anleiii san- guis in remissionem peccalormn fundendus Mallli. xxvi, 28, legitur. Muedit. Rom. ui apud Merl. perperam hic addi- tur dicunt. lloe ipsum de Coelestio Angusiiiius epist. 157, n. 22, itaeloquilur : Coactusest confiteri propter baptiiandos parvulos, quod et ipsis redemptio sit nr- cessaria. Ubi, inquit, quamqiium noluerit de origtnali peccato nliqnid expressius dicere, tameti ipso ledem- plionis nomine non parum sibi piiescripsil. J In ins. Corb. a 1 inanii, ad nitenda, etsccundis cinis, ad. vitanda : quod et exstal in German. el in editione Angii&tirii prcelatnm esi. Rctinemus lamen D vincenda tum plurium mss. auctoritaie, tum quml iufra episl. 28, u. 15, episcopi quinque rursum scri- buni, Pelagium defendere possibilitatem natura: ad vincenda peccalii et itnpteniia miindntn. Qua prnpterei in Diospolitana synodo compulsus fuerat fateri, quando cnntra lentaliones concupiscenliasque illicitas dimicn- mus, non ex propria volunlate, sed ex adjulorio Dei provenire mctoriam. prima? sedis prorineiw Numidiae Subscribilur. Pnrro Afris periude est senex atque primus :quia apud il- los primatus ei deferebatur, qui ordinalione senior crat. ' Merl. et Crab. eum uno ms.. Lictorhts. Alitfl ix in oiiiiiiuiim iiosii is mss. i'\|o iiiiuiii'. lueni »11- nus apud Augiisiiiiiim et aJ calceni epistolx 128, «ex ecclesim Summensis, ei in fine epistnlae 129, 509 EPISTOL.-E aPONTICANUS, SaTURNINUS, b CrESCONILS, KONOKILS, Lucius, Aueodatus, Pbocessus, Cresconius, Se- CUNDUS, FELIX, ASIATICUS, n RuFINIANUS, FaUSTI- nus, Servus, Tekentius, CltESCONIUS, Sperantius, QUADRATUS, LUCILLUS, SABINUS, J FaUSTINUS, CllES- CONIUS, VlCTOR, e GlCANTIUS, POSSIDHNIUS, A.NTONI- nus, f Innocentius, Pr.csidius, Crescentius, Felix, Antoninus, Victob, Khnoratus, Donatus, Petrus, Pr.€sidius, Cresconics, Laufadius, Delphinus, ex concilio Milevilano in Domino sahiiein. 1. Quia le Dominus graii:o sum praecipno munere in sede aposiolica collocavii, lalenuiue noslris lem- poribus pr.eslilit, ul nobis potius ad culpam negli- gemia; valeat, si apud tuam veneralionem quae pro Ecclesia suggerenda sunt lacuerinius, quani ea lu possis vel fnstiiliosc vel negligcnlcr accipere; ma- guis periculis inlirmorum membrorum Christi pas- loralem diligentiam, qucesumus, adliibere digneris. 2. Nova quippe lueresis et nimium perniciosa Deicognitis, ad lantam perfeclionem jusliti;e siue adjulorio gratiae Salvatoris per solum liherte volun- tatis arbiirium pervenirc, ul ei nnn siljam neccssa- rium dicere, Dimitle nubis debita nostra : illud vcro quod sequilur, .Ye nos inferas in lentalionem (Ibitl , 13), non iia inlelligendum, tamquam divinum adju- lorium poscere debeamus, nc in peccaium lentaii decidamus; sed hoc in nostra esse positum poles- laie, et ad boc implendum solam sufficere hominis voluniaiem : lamquani liustra Apistolus dixerii, ET DECRETA. 570 A Non volentis, neque citrreniis, sed misereniis esi Dei (liom. ix, 16); el, Fidelis Detis, qui vos non permiltil tenlari super id, tjuod potcslis, sed [aciet cum lenlatio- ne etiam exilitin, itt possitis suslinere (I Cor. x, 15). Frustra eiiam Dominus dixerit apostolo Peiro, Rotja- vi pro te, ne deficint fides tua (Lttctr xxn, 52); el om- iiilms suis, Vigilale et orale, ne inlrelis in tertalionein (Maitli. xxiv, 41) : si boc toium est polestalis huma. nae. Pueros iiuoque parvulps, h eisi nullis imbuanlur Christianae gralise sacramentis,babiiuros vitam aeter- nam, ' nequaquam Cbristiana praesumplione conlen- dunt, evacuanles quod dicit Apostolus, Per unuiii lioininein pcccaltiin intrttvit in muitduin, et per pecca- Itim mors, et ita in omnes liomines perlransiil , in quo tiiiines peccaverunt (Rom. v, 12); el alio loco, sicut in ]{ Adam onittes moriiinlur, sic in Chrislo omnes vivifica- buntur (l Cor. xv, 22). Ut ergo alia omiltamus, qua; contra sanctas Scripiuras plurima dissernnt, haec in- terim duo, quibus omnino tolum quod Cbrisliani sumus conantiir evertere, qu;e fidelia corda i susti- nertnt, non esse rogandum Deuin ni conlra peccali nialuin ati|ue ad operandam justitiam sit noster ad- jutor, et non opilulari parvulis ad consequendam vitam aetcrnam Chrisiinnac graiia' sacramentum. 5. Ilaec insiiiuanies aposiolico peclori luo, non opus baheniiis mulia dicere, el laniam impielaiem verbis exaggerare; cum prncul dubio le k ista per moveant, ut ab eis corrigeudis, ne laiius serpant, mullosqiie coniaminenl, vel potius interimanl, dum sub noinine Christi a gratia Chrisli penitus alienant, G oinnino dissimulare non possis. Kiijus auiein perni- ciosissimi erroris auclores esse perhibenlur Pelagius et Coelestius, quos quidem in Fcclesia sanari maln- mus, quani desperaia salule ab Ecclesia resecari, si necessiias nulla compellal.Quorum unus,id cstCo:- lestius, eiiam ad presbytcrium in Asia ' pervenisse edit. concil. posl Rom., Viciorius. Coeteri libri, Li- toriits aut Liitorius. In collniioue Cartbagin. c. 135, Litorius Siitivensis episcopus appcllatur. ■' Rursuin Sabinus, loco Fuusiini, apud Quesn., Lab., Crab., Merl., ul in excmplaribus l>id. re|ieti- lur, refragautibus poiioribus mss. ' Apud Aug., Gignanlius. Hujus autem episcopi :ic noveni subseqiientiuin nomina , propier repei iium Vicloris vocabuluin, usitato tibrariorum lapsu, iu edil. COncil. prablermiltiinliir. 1 Isid. m-s. necnoii alii duoColb. cum Pitli. In- nocentius, Felix, omissis Pnvsidii et Crescenlii nonii- nibus. '' lidit. Riuii. et concil., si nullis, quihus stiffra- gahlur niss. Deindii apud Garii. ei AngUit. iiuioven- lur. Leclioni etsinullis favet illud superioris cpislo- las n. 5, promiltentes etiaBSI non baptizentur, Itubi- lnros vitatn wtcnuim. Inde eliani perspietitini eslgra- tiw Cliristianm sacramenta hic baptismuin vocari. 1 Pro iieqiittquiiin, Garner. suhslit :il nequain : quod cxiude in edit. Aug. translalum. Ambigtiilas lolle- tur, si legeris pratsumptione nequaquam Christiana. D k Apnd Qnesn. el Aug., te ittt permoveant . 1 Rein ita narr.it Mar. Mercalor Cominon. c. 1 idit. Baluz. p. 135. Cceleslius de sex capilnlis in Carthaginensi concilio accusaius, eaque damnare ju^sus, sed nultii modo acquiesceits, ecclesiaslica com- miinione privttlus cst. A qita sentenlia ad Romani epi- scopi examen credidit ttppelLinduin : qua mox ideni appellatione neglecla, Epfiesum Asiceitrbem conteiitlit, ibique ausus esl per obreptioneni laettm vresbtjlerii pcere. Antea circu exiltim aiioi 411, lesie Augusii- iio epist. 157, ii. 22, Carlbagine ronstitutus, in ejiistlem cirilttlis ecclesia ja u ad presbylerii honorem subrepere ctepertU : sed fidetissima libertale fratrum prcpler lias ipnts conlru Cliristi graliam disputaliones usque adjudicium episcopale perduclus esi. Kxsiai ad eniii Nesiorii epistola apud Mar. Mercatorem pag. 151, lioiiorabili et religiosissimo presbylero Cniesiio inscripta. 5TI .ra dicitur. De quo anie paucos amios quid geslum ftie- A rnine a ftdelibus intelligi ostendunl. Quod item itit, ril, saneliias lua de Cartliagiuensi ecclesia » mclius insiruiiur. Pelagiusvero, sicui a quilmsdam fratribus noslris missaj loqmintur epistolfec, Jerosolymis con- siiitilns iioiiiiullos fullere asscritur. Verumtainen niulto plures, qui ejtis sensus diligentius indagare potiieruiii, adversus etim pro gratia Clnisti, et ca- tholicoe fidei verilate confligunt, sed piteeipue sanc- lus lilitis tiius, frater et compresbyter noster lliero- liyinus. Sed arbilramur, adjuvante misericordia Do- inini Dei nostri, qui te et regere consulenieiii, el orantem cxaudire b dignatttr, auclorilali sanctitatis luaj, c de sanclarum Scriptilfaruin aiieloiitale de- proiiipttv, facilius eos, qni lam perversa et pcrnicio- sa seiiliiinl, esse cessuros; tit de correcliono poiius hominem posse sine peccato esse si velit, quo sensu vere, quove, eliamsi non sine errore, tolcrabililer tamen dicatur, explicant. Doinino beatissimo, meriioqiie lionoraiidissinio fra- tri I.nnocentio pap;e, Auiielius, Alvpius, Augus- tinus, Evodius, et Possidius in Doniino saluteni. 1. De conciliis duobus proviuciui Carlliagincnsis alqueNumidia:, ad luam sanclitalein a non parvo epi- scoportim numero subscripias litteras niisimus con- tra inimicos gralia: Cbrisli, <j ui confidiini in virtute suaet creatori noslro quodanimodo dicunt : Tu nos fecisii liomines, justos aulem ipsi nos lecimus; qui naturatn buinanani ideo dicunl liberain, nequxrant liberatorem ; ideo salvam, ul supeiflniim judicent eorum congralulemiir, quam contrisienuir interitu, B salvatorem. Tanlum enim dicuut valcnicin, ut suis doniine beaiissime. Quodlibet aulem ipsi eliganl, ccrte vel aliis, quos plurimos posstini, si ab cis dis- simtilelui', snis l:u|tieis implicare, cernit venerabili- las lua iuslanter et celeriler providendum. Ibtc ad sanctiialem luam de concilio Numiditie scripta di- reximus, imltantes cl Cartbaginensem ecclesiam et viribus semel iu oiigine suoe crealionis acceptis, possit per libernm arbitrium, nibil ulterius adjuvan- te ibitis gratia qui creavii, domare el exsliiiguere ouiiics copidiiates, lenlaiionesque superare. Mulli- que eorum iiisiirgiint adversum nos, ct dicunl ani- niie noslra: : Non est salus illi in Deo ejus (Psat. Carthagineiisis provincix coepiscopos nostros, quos »n> 3)- Familia Cliristi qua; dicit, Quando infirmvr, ad sedem apostvilicain,quam bealus illustras, de bac causa scripsisse comperiiiius. (Et alia manu : ) Me- nior nostri in Dei giatia augearis, doinine beatissi- ine, meiitoque venerabilis et in Cbristo honorande, sancte papa.