incomprehensible condescension; and, being perfect God, was made
perfect man, of the Holy Ghost, and of Mary the Holy Virgin and
Mother of God, not of the seed of man, nor of the will of man,
nor by carnal union, being conceived in the Virgin's undefiled
womb, of the Holy Ghost; as also, before his conception, one of
the Archangels was sent to announce to the Virgin that miraculous
conception and ineffable birth. For without seed was the Son of
God conceived of the Holy Ghost, and in the Virgin's womb he
formed for himself a fleshy body, animate with a reasonable and
intelligent soul, and thence came forth in one substance, but in
two natures, perfect God and perfect man, and preserved
undefiled, even after birth, the virginity of her that bore him.
He, being made of like passions with ourselves in all things, yet
without sin, took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses. For,
since by sin death entered into the world, need was that he, that
should redeem the world, should be without sin, and not by sin
subject unto death.

"When he had lived thirty years among men, he was baptized in the
river Jordan by John, an holy man, and great above all the
prophets. And when he was baptized there came a voice from
heaven, from God, even the Father, saying, `This is my beloved
Son, in whom I am well pleased,' and the Holy Ghost descended
upon him in likeness of a dove. From that time forth he began to
do great signs and wonders, raising the dead, giving sight to the
blind, casting out devils, healing the lame and maim, cleansing
lepers, and everywhere renewing our out-worn nature, instructing
men both by word and deed, and teaching the way of virtue,
turning men from destruction and guiding their feet toward life
eternal. Wherefore also he chose twelve disciples, whom he