en the Word of God, which is in the
bosom of the Father, being of one substance with the Father and with
the Holy Ghost, he that was before all worlds, without beginning, who
was in the beginning, and was with God even the Father, and was God,
he, I say, condescended toward his servants with an unspeakable and
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 called
Apostles, and commanded them to preach the kingdom of heaven which he
came upon earth to declare, and to make heavenly us who are low and
earthly, by virtue of his Incarnation.

"But, through envy of his marvellous and divine conversation and
endless miracles, the chief priests and rulers of the Jews (amongst
whom also he dwelt, on whom he had