IV. That, before the coming of our Saviour, some men lived without sin.
V. That new-born infants are in the same condition with Adam before his fall.
VI. That the general resurrection of the dead does not follow in virtue of our Saviour’s resurrection.
VII. That a man may keep the commands of God without difficulty, and preserve himself in a perfect state of innocence.
VIII. That rich men cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven, unless they part with all their estate.
IX. That the grace of God is not granted for the performance of every moral act; the liberty of the will, and information in points of duty, being sufficient for this purpose.
X. That the grace of God is given in proportion to our merits.
XI. That none can be called the sons of God, but those who are perfectly free from sin.
XII. That our victory over temptation is not gained by God’s assistance, but by the liberty of the will.
The heresy of Pelagius, notwithstanding its condemnation, made its way into Britain, where its author was born; being conveyed thither by one Agricola, the son of Severianus, a Pelagian bishop of Gaul. The orthodox party were very diligent in opposing its progress, and for that purpose requested the Gallican bishops to send over some persons of eminence to manage the contest. Those chosen for this purpose were Germanus, bishop of Auxerre, and Lupus, bishop of Troyes; who, arriving in Britain, held a famous conference with the Pelagians at St. Alban’s, in which the latter were put to silence, and the people gave sentence, by their acclamations, for Germanus and Lupus. The Pelagian error respecting original sin is noticed in our ninth Article.