{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/105/1050401.htm","path":"chr/ecf/105/1050401.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/105/1050401.htm","text":"Chapter 16 [VI.]\u2014The Sixth Item of the Accusation, and Pelagius\u2019 Reply.\nThe next objection was to the effect that Pelagius in that same book of his wrote thus: \u201cA man is able, if he likes, to be without sin;\u201d and that writing to a certain widow he said, flatteringly: \u201cIn thee piety may find a dwelling-place, such as she finds nowhere else; in thee righteousness, though a stranger, can find a home; truth, which no one any longer recognises, can discover an abode and a friend in thee; and the law of God, which almost everybody despises, may be honoured by thee alone.\u201d And in another sentence he writes to her: \u201cO how happy and blessed art thou, when that righteousness which we must believe to flourish only in heaven has found a shelter on earth only in thy heart!\u201d In another work addressed to her, after reciting the prayer of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and teaching her in what manner saints ought to pray, he says: \u201cHe worthily raises his hands to God, and with a good conscience does he pour out his prayer, who is able to say, \u2018Thou, O Lord, knowest how holy, and harmless, and pure from all injury and iniquity and violence, are the hands which I stretch out to Thee; how righteous, and pure, and free from all deceit, are the lips with which I offer to Thee my supplication, that Thou wouldst have mercy upon me.\u2019\u201d To all this Pelagius said in answer: \u201cWe asserted that a man could be without sin, and could keep God\u2019s commandments if he wished; for this capacity has been given to him by God. But we never said that any man could be found who at no time whatever, from infancy to old age, had committed sin: but that if any person were converted from his sins, he could by his own labour and God\u2019s grace be without sin; 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.\u201d Upon hearing this vindication, the synod put this question to him: \u201cYou have denied having ever written such words; are you therefore ready to anathematize those who do hold these opinions?\u201d Pelagius answered: \u201cI anathematize them as fools, not as heretics, for there is no dogma.\u201d The bishops then pronounced their judgment in these words: \u201cSince now Pelagius has with his own mouth anathematized this vague statement as foolish verbiage, justly declaring in his reply, \u2018That a man is able with God\u2019s assistance and grace to be without sin,\u2019 let him now proceed to answer the other heads of accusation against him.\u201d","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. V: A Work on the Pro...","type":"page"}