Pelagians
a sect of heretics that arose in the Church about the beginning of the 5th century. Their founder was Pelagius, a monk, a native of Britain, whose original name was Morgan. He was greatly scandalized by the gross sensualities and immoralities that prevailed in the Church, and was of opinion that they arose from a belief in the name of Pelagianism. Augustine and Pope Innocent I., in 417, anathemized the rising heresy. His successor, Zosimus, also condemned the obnoxious doctrine, and the emperor promulgated decrees of confiscation and banishment against them. Pelagius retired into exile, where he died. The ninth article of the English Church is directed against the Pelagian error respecting original sin.