63.—The Same Continued. The Dogmas of Cœlestius Laid to the Charge of Pelagius, as His Master, and Condemned.

Of the opinions which Cœlestius has said or written, and which were objected against Pelagius, on the ground that they were the dogmas of his disciple, 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: “Before the advent of Christ some men lived holy and righteous lives.”165    See above, 26. Cœlestius, however, was stated to have said that “they lived sinless lives.” Again, it was objected that Cœlestius declared “the Church to be without spot and wrinkle.”166    See above, 27. Pelagius, however, said in his reply, “that he had made such an assertion, but as meaning that the Church is by the laver cleansed from every spot and wrinkle, and that in this purity the Lord would have her continue.” Respecting that statement of Cœlestius: “That we do more than is commanded us in the law and the gospel,” Pelagius urged in his own vindication,167    See above, 29. that “he spoke concerning virginity,” of which Paul says: “I have no commandment of the Lord.”168    1 Cor. vii. 25. Another objection alleged that Cœlestius had maintained that “every individual has the ability to possess all powers and graces,” thus annulling that “diversity of gifts” which, the apostle sets forth.169    See above, 32. Pelagius, however, answered, that “he did not annul the diversity of gifts, but declared that God gives to the man who has proved himself worthy to receive them, all graces, even as He gave the Apostle Paul.”

63. Ex iis etiam, quae Coelestium dixisse vel scripsisse, tanquam dogmata discipuli ejus, sunt objecta Pelagio; sua quaedam et ipse cognovit, sed aliter se, quam objiciebantur, sensisse respondit. Hinc est illud, «Quod ante adventum Christi vixerunt quidam sancte ac juste:» Coelestius autem dixisse perhibebatur, «quod sine peccato fuerint.» Item objectum est, dixisse Coelestium, «Ecclesiam esse sine macula et ruga.» Pelagius autem dixit, «dictum a se quidem, sed ita, quoniam lavacro ab omni macula et ruga purgatur Ecclesia, quam velit Dominus ita permanere.» Item illud dictum a Coelestio, «Quoniam plus faciamus, quam in Lege et Evangelio jussum est.» Pelagius autem «de virginitate se dixisse» respondit, «de qua Paulus dicit, Praeceptum Domini non habeo» (I Cor. VII, 25). Item objectum est, affirmare Coelestium, «Unumquemque hominem posse habere omnes 0357 virtutes et gratias,» ac sic auferri diversitatem gratiarum, quam Apostolus docet. Pelagius autem respondit, «Non se auferre gratiarum diversitatem; sed dicere, donare Deum ei, qui fuerit dignus accipere, omnes gratias, sicut Paulo apostolo donavit.»