Letter 217. To Vitaly of Carthage
Письмо 217. К Виталию Карфагенскому
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Letter 217 (7 chapters) was addressed to the Carthaginian clergyman Vitaly, who did not fully share the anti-Pelagian views of Bl. Aurelius Augustine on Divine grace.
Vitaly recognized that the faith-filled life of a Christian is a consequence of the action of grace. However, faith itself has its source not in grace, but in free will. The origin of faith is due to human decision, not to Divine preparation. Blzh. Augustine rejects this opinion. If human action precedes grace, then it loses its quality as a gift and becomes a reward given for merit. Proving that grace is given freely, the Bishop of Hippo cites infants as an example.
Augustine, bishop, servant of Christ, and through Him the servant of His servants, sends greetings to brother Vitaly in Him.
God gives not only the gifts of piety, but also the very beginning of faith
CPL 262 Translation based on the edition: Patrologiae Cursus Completus. Series Latina. Accurante J.-P. Migne. Paris, 1845. T. 33. Col. 978–989. Places with discrepancies were verified with the publication: Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum. Vindobonae, 1911.Vol. 57. R. 403–425
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