,,! ,,virg9-,,bir? ,,( ,,our ,,"l  ,a   
,,pap] ,,read 7,,9 ,,sub/ance7 ,,be=e   
,,! ,,confrat]nity ,,( ,,! ,,holy       
,,tr9ity ,,at ,,cambridge  ,,by  ,b4 ,w4
 ,,r&olph1 ,d4,d4  ,,pr9cipal ,,( ,,ely 
,,!ological1 ,,college  ,,hon1 ,,canon  
,,( ,,ely  ,,exam9+ ,,*apla9 ,,to ,,!   
,,bi%op ,,( ,,l9coln  ,tu ad lib]&um    
suscepturus hom9em3 non horrui/i        
,virg9is ut]um4  ,,longmans1 ,,gre51 ,,&
 ,co41 #ci ,,pat]no/] ,,r[1 ,,london    
,,new ,,york ,,& ,,bombay  #aijc  ,,)   
,,respect ,,& ,,affection ,,to  ,,v9c5t 
,,h5ry ,,/anton1 ,d4,d4  ,,ely          
,,pr(essor ,,( ,,div9ity ,,9 ,,!        
,,univ]sity ,,( ,,cambridge  ,d$i/i     
,jesum ,*ri/um1 ,filium tuum unicum1 ut 
4 4 4 pro nobis nasc]etur qui1 op]ante  
,spiritu ,sancto1 v]us ,homo factus e/  
ex sub/antia ,virg9is ,m>ie matris sue4 
,pref4 9 ,die ,nat4 ,dom4  ,,preface    
,?is pap] 0 read be=e ! ,s4 ,t4 ,c4     
7,sanctae ,tr9itatis ,confrat]nitas7 on 
,m>* #aj? ( ?is ye>s at "o ( ! ord9>y   
meet+s ( ! ,bro!rhood4 ,x is publi%$ n[ 

9 ! hope t x may ?us rea* a wid] circle4
  ,to suppose t any "o c hold ! ,ca?olic
 doctr9e ( ! ,inc>nation )\t believ+ !  
miracul\s ,conception & ,bir?1 is1 9 !  
writ]'s op9ion1 a delusion4 ,!re is no  
trace 9 ,*ur* ,hi/ory1 s f> z he is     
aw>e1 ( any believ]s 9 ! ,inc>nation :o 
7 n also believ]s 9 ! ,virg9-,bir?4 ,!  
mod]n endeav\r to divorce ! "o f ! o!r  
appe>s to be "p ( ! attempt n[ be+ made 
to get rid ( ! miracul\s altoge!r f     
,*ri/ianity4  ,pr(essor ,h>nack appe>s  
to urge u to accept ! ,ea/] message :ile
 we ne$ n1 he ?9ks1 believe ! ,ea/]     
fai?499 ,he means app>5tly by ?is t we c
 d5y ! lit]al fact ( our ,"l's          
,resurrection1 :ile we may believe 9 a  
future life4 ,:at ,/4 ,paul w\ld really 
h said to a ,*ri/ianity su* z ?is seems 
to be pla9 f 8 words to ! ,cor9?ian     
conv]ts :o 7 d5y+ ! ,resurrection 9 8   
day3 ,if ,*ri/ be n ris51 !n is our     
prea*+ va91 & y\r fai? is also va94 7,i 
,cor4 xv4 #ad47  -- 99 ,h>nack1 ,:at is 
,*ri/ianity8 p4 #afj4 --  ,d5y !        

,resurrection ( our ,"l1 & y take away !
 key-/one f ! ,apo/olic prea*+1 & ! :ole
 edifice falls to ! gr\nd4 ,any         
unprejudic$ read] ( ! s]mons & spee*es (
 ,/4 ,pet] & ,/4 ,paul 9 ! ,acts w      
surely recognize h[ true ?is is4        
,simil>ly 9 reg>d to ! human ,bir? ( our
 ,"l4 ,once admit t ,he 0 born z o!r m51
 & ! ,inc>nation fades away4 ,a *ild    
born naturally ( human p>5ts c nev] be  
,god ,inc>nate4 ,!re c be no new />t    
giv5 to humanity by su* a bir?4 ,!      
entail ( orig9al s9 w\ld n be cut (f nor
 c\ld ! ,*ri/ s born be describ$ z !    
,second ,adam--! ,"l f heav54 ,*ri/ians 
c\ld n look to su* a "o z _! ,r$eem] or 
,savi\r1 /ill less z ! ,au?or to !m ( a 
new spiritual life4  ,ano!r man w\ld h  
appe>$ among m51 giv+ mank9d ! example (
 a beautiful human life1 b unable 9 any 
o!r way to b5efit ! race ( m54 ,fur!r1 a
 ,*ri/ su* z ?is w\ld n be a p]fect "*1 
= if ! ,gospels are to be believ$1 ,he  
said ?+s ab\t ,himself & made claims :i*
 no ?or\ghly good man c\ld h a "r to    

make unless he 7 immeasurably m ?an man4
 ,:ile ^! pages 7 pass+ ?r\gh ! press1 !
 eye ( ! pres5t writ] 0 caught by !     
foll[+ words 9 a lett] ( ,bi%op         
,we/cott1 :i* seem to h a special       
significance at ?is "t3--,i tri$ va9ly  
to read----'s book 4444 ,he seems to me 
to d5y ! ,virg9-,bir?4 ,9 o!r words1 he 
makes ! ,"l a man1 "o man 9 ! race1 & n 
! new ,man--! ,son ( ,man1 9 :om ! race 
is ga!r$ up4 ,to put ! ?\ght 9 ano!r & a
 te*nical =m1 he makes ! ,"l's          
p]sonality human1 :i* is1 ,i ?9k1 a     
fatal error499  -- 99 ,life ( ,bi%op    
,we/cott1 vol4 ii4 p4 #cjh4 --  ,x is   
sometimes said1 9 opposition to ! my/]y 
( ! ,virg9-,bir?1 t !re is a t5d5cy 9 ! 
human m9d1 n )\t its illu/rations 9     
hi/ory1 to decorate ) leg5d ! e>ly      
hi/ory ( great m54 ,9 reply1 x may be   
en\gh "h to say t leg5ds analog\s to !  
pagan leg5ds ( ! bir?s ( h]oes1 false & 
absurd leg5ds1 did ga!r r\nd ! infancy (
 ,jesus ,*ri/4 ,! ,apocryphal ,gospels  
are full ( su* leg5ds4 ,!y tell u h[ !  

idols ( ,egypt fell d[n be=e ,him2 h[ ,8
 swaddl+-clo!s work$ miracles2 & h[ ,he 
made clay birds & turn$ boys into kids1 
& work$ o!r absurd miracles ( v>i\s     
k9ds4 ,b !re is a _w ( diff]5ce betwe5  
^! silly tales & ! re/ra9t1 purity1     
dignity1 & res]ve :i* *>act]ize !       
n>ratives ( ! fir/ & ?ird ,evangeli/s4  
,! di/9ction betwe5 hi/ory & leg5d1 says
 ,dr4 ,fairbairn1 c\ld n be bett] m>k$  
?an by ! res]ve ( ! ,canonical & ! vulg>
 tattle ( ! ,apocryphal ,gospels499  -- 
99 ,quot$ 9 ,gore1 ,diss]tations1 p4    
#fj4 --  ,i wi% to take ?is opportunity 
( ?ank+ my colleague1 ! ,rev4 ,g4 ,w4   
,d\glas1 & my fri5d ! ,rev4 ,canon      
,w>n]1 ,rector ( ,/oke-by-,gran?am1 = _!
 k9d help 9 revis+ ! pro(-%eets ( ?is   
pap]4  ,b4,w4,r4  ,,!ological ,,college1
 ,,ely1 ,fea/ ( ,/4 ,m>k1 #aijc4  ,note 
on translit]ation ( ,greek quotations3 o
  omicron 7%ort o72 e  epsilon 7%ort e72
   omega 7long o72   eta 7long e7  ,,!  
,,virg9-,,bir? ,,( ,,our ,,"l  ,!re are 
two miracles confess$ 9 e =m ( !        

,cre$--! miracle ( ! ,conception &      
,bir?1 by :i* ! ,inc>nation 0 effect$2 &
 ! miracle ( ! ,resurrection4 ,^! are ! 
fundam5tal miracles1 & are !            
battle-gr\nd ^u :i* ! def5d]s &         
assailants ( ,*ri/ianity m especially   
meet4  ,! discussion ( ?is mo/ sacr$    
subject ( ! ,virg9-,bir? ( our ,"l has  
be5 =c$ ^u u at ! pres5t "t4 ,x is      
impossible to ignore x or set x aside4  
,we mu/ be prep>$1 ea* ( u1 h[ev] mu* we
 may %r9k f tread+ on su* sacr$ gr\nd1  
to give a reason = ! hope t is 9 u )    
rev]5ce & fe>4  ,i w ask y "h & n[ to   
consid] ! matt] briefly "u f\r heads4   
,fir/1 ,i w try to give ! evid5ce = !   
belief 9 ?is article ( ! ,cre$ dur+ !   
second c5tury2 next1 ,i w ask y to      
consid] ! evid5ce ( ,/4 ,mat!w & ,/4    
,luke2 ?irdly1 we w consid] ! argum5t e 
sil5tio on ! o!r side2 & la/ly1 ,i w ask
 y to reflect on ! !ological aspect ( ! 
"q4    ,,! ,,*ri/ian ,,tradition  ,i w  
!re=e1 )\t any fur!r preface1 plunge    
into ! middle ( ! subject1 & ask y1 fir/

 ( all1 to consid] afre% t '?r\gh\t !   
,*ur* ! /atem5t ( ! belief 9 !          
,virg9-,bir? _h its place f s e>ly a    
date1 & is traceable along s _m diff]5t 
l9es ( evid5ce1 z to =ce ^u u !         
conclusion t1 be=e ! dea? ( ! la/       
,apo/le1 ! ,virg9-,bir? mu/ h be5 among 
! rudim5ts ( ! ,fai? 9 :i* e ,*ri/ian 0 
initiat$2' t if we believe ! ,div9e     
guidance 9 ! ,*ur* at all1 we mu/ ne$s  
believe t ?is my/]y 0 "p ( ! ,fai? once 
= all deliv]$ to ! ,sa9ts4  ,be> ) me1  
!n1 :ile ,i g ov] ! evid5ce ( ! lead+   
witnesses4  #a4 ,/4 ,ignatius4  ,he mu/ 
h become ,bi%op ( ,antio* q e>ly 9 !    
second c5tury4 ,z he passes ?r\gh ,asia 
ab\t ! ye> #aaj1 he is on 8 way to      
m>tyrdom1 & 9 8 ,epi/les he speaks      
emphatically ( ! ,virg9-,bir?4  ,9 !    
,epi/le to ! ,ephesians1 he says3 ,hidd5
 f ! pr9ce ( ?is _w 7 ! ,virg9ity ( ,m>y
 & h] *ild-be>+1 & likewise also ! dea? 
( our ,"l--?ree my/]ies ( op5           
proclamation1 ! :i* 7 wr\ght 9 ! sil5ce 
( ,god499  -- 99 ,eph41 #ai4 ,kai ela!n 

ton ar*onta t\ aionos t\t\ he p>!nia    
,m>ias kai ho toketos auts1 homis kai ho
 ?anatos t\ ,kuri\2 tria mu/ria kraugs1 
hat9a en hsu*ia !\ epra*?4 --  ,9 !     
,epi/le to ! ,symrnaeans1 he says3 ,i   
give glory to ,jesus ,*ri/1 ! ,god :o   
be/[$ su* wisdom ^u y2 = ,i h p]ceiv$ t 
ye are e/abli%$ 9 fai? immovable444     
firmly p]suad$ z t\*+ our ,"l1 t ,he is 
truly ( ! race ( ,david accord+ to !    
fle%1 b ,son ( ,god by ! ,div9e w & p[]1
 truly born ( a ,virg91 & baptiz$ by    
,john444 truly nail$ up = our sakes 9 ! 
fle%1 "u ,pontius ,pilate & ,h]od !     
tetr>*4  --  ,smyrn41 ,i4 ,doxaz ,is\n  
,*ri/on ton !on ton h\ts humas          
sophisanta2 enosa g> humas katrtism5\s  
en ak9t pi/ei 4441 peplrophorm5\s eis   
ton kurion hmn al?s onta ek g5\s ,david 
kata s>ka1 huion !\ kata !lma kai dunam9
 !\1 geg5m5on al?s ek p>!n\1            
bebaptism5on hupo ,ioann\ 444 al?s epi  
,ponti\ ,pilat\ kai ,h]d\ tetr>*\       
ka?lom5on hup] hmn en s>ki4 --  ,9 8    
,epi/le to ! ,trallians1 he writes3 ,be 

ye deaf1 !re=e1 :5 any man ,speake? to y
 ap>t f ,jesus ,*ri/1 :o 0 ( ! race (   
,david1 :o 0 ! ,son ( ,m>y1 :o 0 truly  
born499  -- 99 ,trall41 #i4 kph?te oun1 
hotan hum9 *ris ,jes\ ,*ri/\ lal tis1 t\
 ek g5\s ,daveid1 t\ ek ,m>ias1 hos al?s
 eg5n?4 --  #b4 ,ari/ides ( ,a!ns4  ,9 8
 ,apology1 writt5 ab\t ! ye> #acj1      
m5tion+ ! ,virg9-,bir? z an ,integral   
portion ( ! ,ca?olic ,fai?1 he writes3  
,! ,*ri/ians trace _! desc5t f ! ,"l    
,jesus ,*ri/2 n[ ,he is confess$ by !   
,holy ,gho/ to be ! ,son ( ! ,mo/ ,high 
,god1 hav+ come d[n f heav5 = !         
salvation ( m51 & hav+ be5 born ( a holy
 ,virg9 4 4 4 ,he took fle%1 & appe>$ to
 m54  --  ,ano!r read+ "h is a ,hebrew  
,virg91 & ! ,arm5ian rec5sion has ! "n  
,m>y4 ,see ,hahn1 ,biblio!k d] ,symbole1
 p4 #d2 & ,h>nack's ,app5dix to ! same  
"w1 p4 #cgf4  ,apol41 *4 xv4 ,!         
quotation is f ! ,greek text pres]v$ 9 !
 ,hi/ory ( ,b>laam & ,josaphat4 ,see ,! 
,rema9s ( ! ,orig9al ,greek ( ! ,apology
 ( ,ari/ides1 by ,j4 ,armitage ,rob9son4

 ,texts & ,/udies 7,cambridge1 #ahia71  
vol4 i4 pp4 #gh1 #gi1 #aaj4 hoi de      
,*ri/ianoi g5ealog\ntai apo t\ ,kuri\   
,jes\ ,*ri/\1 h\tos de ho huios t\ !\ t\
 hupsi/\ homologeitai en ,pneumati      
,hagio ap' ouran\ katabas dia t5 strian 
ton an?rpn2 kai ek p>!n\ hagias g5n!is  
444 sapka anelabe1 kai anephan an?ppois4
 --  #c4 ,ju/9 ,m>tyr4  ,9 8 ,apologies 
& 9 8 ,dialogue ) ,trypho he has ?ree   
summ>ies ( ! ,*ri/ian ,fai?1 9 all ( :i*
 ! ,virg9-,bir?1 ! ,crucifixion1 !      
,dea?1 ! ,resurrection1 & ! ,asc5sion   
are ! *ief po9ts ( belief ab\t ,*ri/4   
,9 8 ,fir/ ,apology 7writt5 betwe5 #adj 
& #aej7 he says3 ,we f9d x =etold 9 !   
,books ( ! ,prophets t ,jesus our ,*ri/ 
%\ld come born ( a ,virg9 4 4 4 be      
crucifi$ & %\ld die & rise aga91 & g up 
to ,heav51 & %\ld bo? be & be call$ !   
',son ( ,god4' 99 ,& a little lat] 9 !  
same "w he says3 ,he 0 born z man ( a   
,virg91 & 0 call$ ,jesus1 & 0 crucifi$1 
& di$1 & rose aga91 & has gone up into  
heav54  -- 99 ,apol41 i4 #ca4 ,en d tais

 tn prophtn biblois heurom5             
prokrussom5on p>ag9om5on g5nm5on dia    
p>!n\ 4 4 4 /aur\m5on ,ies\n ton        
hemet]on ,*ri/on1 kai apo?nskonta1 kai  
anegeirom5on1 kai eis ouran\s an]*om5on1
 ai huion !\ onta kai keklm5on4  ,apol41
 i4 #df4 ,dia p>!n\ an?rpos apeku?1 kai 
,ies\s epnoma/h1 kai /aur!is kai apo?ann
 ane/1 kai anellu!n eis ouranon4 --  ,9 
8 ,dialogue ) ,trypho ! ,jew 7writt5    
aft] ! ,fir/ ,apology7 he says3 ,= ?r\gh
 ! "n ( ?is v ,son ( ,god1 :o is also ! 
,fir/-born ( e creature1 & :o 0 born ( a
 ,virg91 & made a man subject to suff]+1
 & 0 crucifi$ by y\r nation 9 ! "t (    
,pontius ,pilate1 & di$1 & rose aga9 f !
 dead1 & asc5d$ into heav51 e evil _s is
 exorcis$ & ov]come & subdu$4  --       
,dial41 #he4 kata g> t\ omonatos aut\   
t\t\ t\ hui\ t\ !\1 kai prtotok\ pases  
ktises1 kai dia p>!n\ g5n!ntos kai pa?t\
 g5om5\ an?rp\1 kai /aur!ntos epi       
,ponti\ ,pilat\ hupo t\ la\ humn kai    
apo?anontos kai ana/antos ek nekrn1 kai 
anabantos eis ton ouranon1 pan daimonion

 exorkizom5on nikatai kai hupotassetai4 
--  #d4 ,/4 ,ir5aeus4  ,writ+ n lat] ?an
 #aij1 he makes con/ant ref]5ce to !    
,virg9-,bir? z an integral portion ( !  
,fai? ( ,*ri/5dom4 ,he says3 ,! ,*ur*1  
?\gh scatt]$ ov] ! :ole _w to ! ends ( !
 e>?1 yet hav+ receiv$ f ! ,apo/les & _!
 disciples ! ,fai?--       ,9 "o ,god ! 
,fa!r ,almighty444      & 9 "o ,*ri/    
,jesus1 ! ,son (      ,god1 :o 0        
inc>nate = our      salvation3 & 9 !    
,holy ,gho/1 :o      by ! ,prophets     
ann\nc$ ,8      disp5sations & ,8 com+s2
 & !      bir? ( ! ,virg9 7kai tn ek    
,p>!n\      g5ns971 & ! ,passion1 &     
,resurrection f ! dead1 & ! bodily      
assumption into heav5 ( ! belov$        
,jesus ,*ri/ our ,"l1 & ,8 appe>ance    
f heav5 9 ! glory ( !      ,fa!r 4 4 4  
hav+ receiv$1 z we said1 ?is prea*+ &   
?is ,fai?1 ! ,*ur*1 ?\gh scatt]$ ov] !  
:ole _w1 gu>ds x dilig5tly1 z inhabit+  
"o h\se1 & believes 9 accordance ) ^!   
words z hav+ "o s\l & ! same he>t2 & )  
"o voice prea*es & tea*es & h&s on ^!   

?+s1 z if possess+ "o m\?4 ,= !         
languages ( ! _w are unlike1 b ! =ce ( !
 tradition is "o & ! same499  -- 99     
,contra ,ha]es41 ,i4 x4 #a1 #b4 ,h m5 g>
 ,ekklsia1 kaip] ka?' hols ts oik\m5s   
hes p]atn ts gs diesp>m51 p>a de tn     
,apo/oln kai tn ekeivn ma?tn p>alab\sa  
tn eis h5a !on ,pat]a pantokratora 4 4 4
 pi/92 kai eis h5a ,*ri/on ,js\n1 ton   
huion t\ !\1 ton s>k!nta hup] ts hmt]as 
strias2 kai eis ,pneuma ,hagion1 to dia 
tn prophtn kekru*os tas oikonomias1 kai 
tas eleuseis1 kai tn ek ,p>!n\ g5ns91   
kai to pa?os1 kai tn eg]s9 ek vekrn1 kai
 tn ens>kon eis t\s ourn\s analps9 t\   
gapm5\ ,*ri/\ ,is\ t\ ,kuri\ hmn1 kai tn
 ourann en t dox t\ ,patros p>\sian4 4 4
 4 ,t\to to krugma p>eilphuia kai tautn 
tn pi/91 hs proepham51 h ,ekklsia1 kaip]
 en hol t kosm diesp>m51 epimels        
phulassei1 hs h5a oikon oik\sa2 kai     
homois pi/euei t\tois1 hs mian psu*n kai
 tn autn e*\sa k>dian1 kai sumphns tauta
 krusse kai didaskei1 kai p>adids91 hs  
h5 /oma kektm51 kai g> hai kata ton     

kosmon dialektoi anomoiai1 all' h       
dunamis ts p>adoses mia kai h aut4 --   
,he goes on to say t 9 ?is ,fai? agree !
 ,*ur*es ( ,g]many1 ,spa91 ,gaul1 ,!    
,ea/1 ,egypt1 ,libya1 & ,italy4 ,8 words
 are3 ,no o!rwise h ! ,*ur*es e/abli%$ 9
 ,g]many believ$ & deliv]$1 nor ^? 9    
,spa91 nor ^? among ! ,celts1 nor ^? 9 !
 ,ea/1 nor 9 ,egypt1 nor 9 ,libya1 nor  
^? e/abli%$ 9 ! c5tral p>ts ( ! e>?4  --
  ,contra ,ha]es41 ,i4 x4 #b4 ,kai oute 
hai en ,g]maniais hidrum5ai ,ekklsiai   
alls pepi/eukas91  alls p>adidoas91 oute
 en tais ,ibriasis1 oute en ,keltois1   
oute kata tas anatolas1 oute en ,aigupt1
 oute en ,libu1 oute hai kata mesa t\   
kosm\ hidrum5ai4 --  ,aga91 9 ! same "w 
we read ( ! _m races ( ,b>b>ians :o     
believe 9 ,*ri/ 4 4 4 believe 9 "o ,god1
 ! ,fram] ( heav5 & e>? & ( all ?+s t   
are 9 !m1 by ,*ri/ ,jesus ! ,son ( ,god1
 :o = ,8 surpass+ love's sake t[>ds ,8  
creatures1 submitt$ to ! bir? :i* 0 ( ! 
,virg91 ,himself by ,himself unit+ man  
to ,god4  --  ,contra ,ha]es41 ,,iii4   

iv4 x1 #b4 ,qui 9 ,*ri/um cr$unt444 9   
unum ,deum cr$5tes1 ,factorem coeli et  
t]rae1 et omnium quae 9 eis sunt1 p]    
,iesum ,*ri/um ,dei ,filium2 qui propt] 
em95tissimam erga figm5tum ,suum        
dilectionem1 eam quae esset ex ,virg9e  
g5]ationem su/9uit1 ipse p] se hom9em   
adunans ,deo4 --  #e4 ,t]tullian4  ,8   
writ+s repres5t ! tea*+ ( ! ,*ur*es (   
,rome & ,c>?age1 &1 writ+ a little lat] 
?an ,ir5aeus 7c4 #bjj71 he assures u    
aga9 & aga9 t ! ,virg9-,bir? is an      
integral portion ( ! ,ca?olic ,fai?4 ,! 
rule ( fai?1 he says1 is altoge!r "o1   
alone firm & unalt]able2 ! rule1 t is1 (
 believ+ 9 ,"o ,god ,almighty1 ! ,mak] (
 ! _w2 & ,8 ,son ,jesus ,*ri/1 born ( ! 
,virg9 ,m>y1 crucifi$ "u ,pontius       
,pilate499  -- 99 ,de ,virg4 ,vel&41 #a4
 ,regula quidem fidei una omn9o e/1 sola
 immobilis et irre=mabilis1 cr$5di      
scilicet1 9 unicum ,deum ,omnipot5tem1  
mundi ,conditorem2 et ,filium ejus      
,jesum ,*ri/um1 nature ex ,virg9e ,m>ia1
 crucifixum sub ,pontio ,pilato4 --  ,n[

 ! rule ( fai? 4 4 4 is t :]eby x is    
believ$ t !re is 9 any wise b "o ,god1  
:o by ,8 own ,^w fir/ ( all s5t =?1     
br\ght all ?+s out ( no?+2 t ?is ,^w    
call$ ,8 ,son1 0 4 4 4 br\ght d[n at la/
 by ! ,_s & ! p[] ( ,god ! ,fa!r into ! 
,virg9 ,m>y1 made fle% 9 h] womb1 & 0   
born ( h]4  --  ,de ,praescript4        
,ha]et41 cap4 xiii4 ,regula e/ autem    
fidei1 4 4 4 illa scilicet qua cr$itur3 
,unum omn9o ,deum esse qui univ]sa de   
nihilo produx]it p] ,v]bum suum primo   
omnium demissum2 id ,v]bum1 ,filium ejus
 appellatum 4444 po/remo delatum ex     
,spiritu ,patris ,dei et virtute1 9     
,virg9em ,m>iam1 c>nem factum 9 ut]o    
eius1 et ex ea natum4 --  ,aga91 speak+ 
( ! ,tr9ity1 he writes t ! ,^w1 by :om  
all ?+s 7 made1 & )\t :om no?+ 0 made1 0
 s5t by ! ,fa!r into a ,virg91 0 born ( 
h]--,god & ,man--,son ( man1 ,son (     
,god1 & 0 call$ ,jesus ,*ri/4  --  ,adv1
 ,prax41 cap4 ii4 ,p] quem omnia facta  
sunt1 et s9e quo factum e/ nihil4 ,hunc 
missum a ,patre 9 ,virg9em1 et ex ea    

natum1 ,hom9em et ,deum1 ,filium hom9is 
et ,filium ,dei1 et cognom9atum ,jesum  
,*ri/um4 --   #f4 ,clem5t4  ,clem5t ab\t
 ! ye> #aij1 & ,orig5 ab\t #bcj1        
repres5t ! great ,*ur* ( ,alex&ria4 ,_! 
te/imony to ! place :i* ! ,virg9-,bir?  
holds 9 ! ,*ur* is cle> & unhesitat+4   
,clem5t speaks ( ! :ole disp5sation z   
consi/+ 9 ?is1 t ! ,son ( ,god :o made !
 univ]se took fle% & 0 conceiv$ 9 ! womb
 ( a ,virg9 4 4 4 & suff]$ & rose       
aga9499  -- 99 ,/rom4 vi4 #ae4 #abg4 ,hd
 de kai h oikonomia pasa h p]i t\ kuri\ 
prophteu!isa1 p>abol hs al?s pha9etai   
tois m tn al!ian egnkosian1 hot' an tis 
ton huion t\ !\1 t\ ta panta pepoikotos1
 s>ka aneilphota1 kai en mtra p>!n\     
kuopor!nta 4 4 4 tepon?ota kei          
ane/ram5on legei4 --  #g4 ,orig54  ,9 ! 
,de ,pr9cipiis1 ,orig5 writes3 ,!       
p>ticul> po9ts cle>ly deliv]$ 9 ! tea*+ 
( ! ,apo/les are z foll[s3 ,fir/1 t !re 
is "o ,god1 4 4 4 !n t ,jesus ,*ri/     
,himself :o came into ! _w 0 born ( !   
,fa!r be=e all creation2 t aft] ,he _h  

be5 ! m9i/] ( ! ,fa!r 9 ! creation ( all
 ?+s--= by ,him 7 all ?+s made--9 ! la/ 
times1 empty+ ,himself ,he became man & 
0 inc>nate1 al?\gh ,he 0 ,god1 & be+    
made man ,he rema9$ t :i* ,he 01 ,god4  
,he assum$ a body l our own1 diff]+ 9   
?is respect only1 t x 0 born ( a ,virg9 
& ( ! ,holy ,_s499  -- 99 ,de           
,pr9cipiis1 ,lib4 ,i41 ,pref41 #d4      
,species v]o eorum quae p] pra$icationem
 apo/olicam manife/e traduntur1 i/ae    
sunt1 ,primo1 quod unus ,deus e/ 4 4 4  
tum de9de quia ,jesus ,*ri/us ipse qui  
v5it1 ante omnem creaturam natus ex     
,patre e/4 ,qui cum 9 omnium conditione 
,patri m9i/rasset 7p] ipsum enim omnia  
facta sunt72 novissimis temporibus se   
ipsum ex9ani5s1 homo fictus inc>natus   
e/1 cum ,deus esset1 et homo1 factus    
mansit quod erat1 ,deus4 ,corpus        
assumsit no/ro corpori simile1 eo solo  
diff]5s1 quod natum ex ,virg9e et       
,spiritu ,sancto e/4 --  ,9 8 ,treatise 
aga9/ ,celsus he exclaims3 ,:o has n    
he>d ( ! ,virg9-,bir? ( ,jesus1 ( !     

,crucifi$1 ( ,8 ,resurrection ( :i* s _m
 are conv9c$1 & ! ann\ncem5t ( ! judgm5t
 to come8  --  ,contr4 ,celsum1 i4 #g4  
,t9i g> lan?anei h ek p>!n\ g5nsis ,isus
 kai ho e/aurm5os kai h papa pollois    
pepi/reum5 ana/asis aut\1 kai h         
katangellom5 krisis4 --  ,?9k = a mom5t 
:at all ?is agreem5t--?is cons5sus (    
tradition implies4 ,! te/imony ( ^!     
writ]s cle>ly %[s t 9 ! e>ly "p ( !     
second c5tury1 & rea*+ back to its v    
beg9n+1 ! ,virg9-,bir? =m$ "p ( !       
tradition or doctr9al cre$ ( ! ,*ur*1 & 
t ?is tradition 0 believ$ to be trac$   
back to ! ,apo/les4 ,x has a place 9 !  
e>lie/ =ms ( ! ,cre$3 x is insi/$ ^u by 
! e>lie/ ,apologi/s4 ,x is n m]ely 9 "o 
,*ur* or two ,*ur*es1 9 "o di/rict or 9 
two1 t ?is tradition is f\nd4 ,x is     
ev]y:]e4 ,9 ,ea/ & ,we/ alike4 ,x is s 9
 ,rome & 9 ,gaul 7by ! te/imony (       
,ir5aeus74 ,x is 9 ,greece 7by !        
te/imony ( ,ari/ides74 ,x is 9 ,africa  
7by ! te/imony ( ,t]tullian72 9         
,alex&ria 7by ! te/imony ( ,clem5t &    

,orig572 9 ,asia 7by ! te/imony ( ,ju/9 
,m>tyr1 ,ir5aeus1 & ,ignatius72 9       
,pale/9e & ,syria 7by ! te/imony (      
,ignatius & ,ju/9 ,m>tyr74 ,ir5aeus1 if 
any "o1 %\ld "k :at ! ,apo/les taught1 =
 be=e he came to ,rome he _h be5 ! pupil
 ( ,polyc>p 9 ,asia1 :o _h himself sat  
at ! feet ( ,/4 ,john4 ,ev]y?+ t we "k1 
says ,mr4 ,r5del ,h>ris1 ( ! ,dogmatics 
( ! e>ly "p ( ! second c5tury agrees ) !
 belief t at t p]iod ! ,virg9ity ( ,m>y 
0 a "p ( ! =mulat$ ,*ri/ian belief499   
,h[ c\ld ! belief 9 ! ,virg9-,bir? h    
tak5 su* undisput$ possession ( s _m    
widely sep>at$ & indep5d5t ,*ur*es      
unless x _h _h ,apo/olic au?ority8 ,:at 
o!r explanation c be giv5 = ! fact8 ,!re
 is z complete a cons5sus ( tradition z 
c\ld reasonably be ask$ =4 ,x is        
impossible to imag9e t ! doctr9e ( !    
,virg9-,bir? c h be5 sudd5ly evolv$ 9 ! 
e>ly ye>s ( ! second c5tury4 ,! only    
adequate explanation is t x 0 a         
sub/antial "p ( ! ,apo/olic tradition4  
,x may be wor? :ile "h to quote ! words 

( s di/+ui%$ a s*ol> z ,pr(essor ,zahn1 
( ,erlang54 ,?is ! ,virg9-,bir? has be5 
an elem5t ( ! ,cre$ z f> z we c trace x 
back2 & if ,ignatius c be tak5 z a      
witness ( a ,baptismal ,cre$ spr++ f    
e>ly ,apo/olic times1 c]ta9ly 9 t ,cre$ 
! "n ( ! ,virg9 ,m>y already _h its     
place 4444 ,we may fur!r ass]t t dur+ ! 
fir/ f\r c5turies ( ! ,*ur*1 no tea*] & 
no religi\s community :i* c be consid]$ 
) any appe>ance ( "r z an heir ( orig9al
 ,*ri/ianity1 _h any o!r notion ( !     
beg9n+ ( ! human life ( ,jesus ( ,naz>e?
 4444 ,! !ory ( an orig9al ,*ri/ianity  
)\t ! belief 9 ,jesus ! ,son ( ,god1    
born ( ! ,virg91 is a fiction4  -- 99   
,see ,texts & ,/udies 7,cambridge1      
#ahia71 vol4 i4 ,no4 ,i1 p4 #be4        
,ecquid v]isimile e/1 ut tot ac tantae  
ecclesiae 9 unam fidem                  
errav]9t8--,t]tullian1 ,de ,praescript1 
cap4 xxviii4  ,dies ab] i/ e9 ,elem5t   
des ,symbolum gewes51 s weit wir        
dasselbe zuruckv]folg5 konn52 und w5n   
,ignatius als ,zeuge fur e9 no* at]es1  

aus fruh] apo/olis*] ,zeit /amm5des     
,taufbek5ntnis gelt5 d>f1 s hat au* 9   
diesem b]eits d] ,"n d] ,jungfrau ,m>ia 
se9e ,/elle gehabt 4 4 4 ,man d>f f]n]  
behauft51 dass wa?r5d d] er/5 vi]       
,jahrhund]te d] ,kir*e ke9 ,lehr] und   
,ke9e religiose ,g5oss5s*aft1 wel*e si* 
mit e9igem ,s*e9 des ,re*ts als ,erb5   
des ursprf+li*5 ,*ri/5?ums betra*t5     
konnt51 e9e &]e ,aus*auung yon dem      
,leb5sanfang ,jesu yon ,naz>e? gehabt   
hab51 als diese 4444 ,dass die ,annahme 
e9es ursprungli*5 ,*ri/5?ums ohne d5    
,glaub5 an d5 yon d] ,jungfrau gebor55  
,gottessohn ,jesus e9e ,fiktion         
i/4--,zahn1  ,das ,apo/olis*e ,symbolum1
 pp4 #ee-fh4 --  ,oppon5ts ( !          
,virg9-,bir? occur1 inde$1 9 ! p]son (  
,c]9?us1 ! contempor>y ( ,/4 ,john1 &   
lat] on among ! ,ebionites1 m5tion$ by  
,ju/9 ,m>tyr499 ,b !y reject !          
,virg9-,bir?1 because !y reject !       
pr9ciple ( ! ,inc>nation4 ,!re are no   
believ]s 9 ! ,inc>nation discov]able :o 
are n believ]s 9 ! ,virg9-,bir?4 ,! two 

tru?s h be5 held toge!r z insep>able4   
,!re has nev] be5 any belief 9 !        
,inc>nation )\t its c>ry+ ) x ! belief 9
 ! ,virg9-,bir?4  -- 99 ,dial cum       
,tryph41 #dh1 #di4  ,gore1              
,diss]tations1 p4 #dh4 --   ,,ii  ,,!   
,,gospels ,,( ,,/4 ,,mat!w ,,& ,,/4     
,,luke  ,b if su* 0 ! belief ( ,*ri/ians
 ev]y:]e 9 ! e>ly ye>s ( ! second       
c5tury1 c we trace ! evid5ce fur!r back8
 ,9 answ]+ ?is "q1 we are br\ght face to
 face ) ! ,gospels4 ,b fir/ x mu/ be    
not$ t ! positive evid5ce = su* a       
subject mu/1 9 ! nature ( ! case1 be mu*
 m limit$ ?an ! evid5ce = !             
,resurrection4 ,! ,apo/les 7 prim>ily   
witnesses ( :at !y !mselves _h se54 ,!re
 are two p]sons1 & two only1 f :om we   
c\ld reasonably expect to he> ! tru?    
ab\t ! my/]y ( ! miracul\s              
,conception--,m>y & ,joseph2 & :5 we op5
 ! ,gospels we h1 z ev]ybody kn[s1 two  
n>ratives ( ! ,nativity--,/4 ,luke's &  
,/4 ,mat!w's4  7,i7 ,/4 ,luke1 9        
describ+ ! ,nativity1 is us+ an ,aramaic

 docum5t4 ,!re is a great diff]5ce 9    
/yle betwe5 ! preface1 :i* is 8 own1 & t
 ( ! n>rative :i* foll[s4 ,x 0 an       
,aramaic docum5t 7z ,godet1 ,weiss1 &   
,dr4 ,s&ay agree72 b m ?an ?is1 z ,bi%op
 ,gore has po9t$ out3 ,x brea!s ! _s ( !
 ,messianic hope1 be=e x _h receiv$ !   
rude & cru%+ bl[ involv$ 9 ! rejection (
 ! ,messiah499 ,! ,*ri/ology ( ! passage
 is pre-,*ri/ian3 ,he %all be great1 &  
%all be call$ ! ,son ( ! ,highe/3 & !   
,"l ,god %all give unto ,him ! ?rone (  
,8 fa!r ,david3 & ,he %all reign ov] !  
h\se ( ,jacob = ev]2 & ( ,8 k+dom !re   
%all be no end4  -- 99 ,gore1           
,diss]tations1 p4 #af4  ,/4 ,luke i4    
#cb1 #cc4 -- ,h[ c all ?is1 ,dr4 ,*ase  
asks1 be ! inv5tion ( a believ] 9 !     
,messiah%ip ( ,jesus :5 ! ,jews _h      
reject$ ,him1 & :5 ! ,resurrection &    
,asc5sion _h rais$ ! conception ( ,8    
,messiah%ip to ! height ( a spiritual & 
univ]sal sov]eignty8 ,! ,*ri/ology ( ^! 
passages is a /rik+ pro( ( _! primitive 
"*4 ,x is inde$ difficult to see h[ m5 c

 read ! ,b5$ictus or ,magnificat )\t    
realiz+ ?is4 ,e v]se 9 !m is full (     
,jewi% ?\ght & ,jewi% expressions1 su* z
 w\ld h be5 impossible _h !y be5 !      
inv5tions ( a lat] date4  --  ,*ase1    
,sup]natural ,elem5ts 9 our ,"l's ,e>?ly
 ,life4 --  ,t is to say1 ^! two *apt]s 
be> traces on ! face ( !m ( be+ :at !y  
pr(ess to be--a true & g5u9e acc\nt ( ! 
human ,bir? ( ,jesus ,*ri/1 receiv$     
ultimately f h] :o alone c\ld be        
compet5t to give x--! ,virg9-,"m h]self4
 ,= x mu/ be ,m>y's acc\nt if x is      
g5u9e4 ,x is giv5 to u by ,/4 ,luke1 :o 
tells u t he _h trac$ ! c\rse ( all ?+s 
accurately f ! fir/1 & :o _h ga!r$      
in=mation conc]n+1 be x obs]v$1 ^? ?+s  
:i* are mo/ surely believ$ among !      
disciples499 ,x is an acc\nt1 says      
,bi%op ,gore1 :i* !re is no evid5ce to  
%[ ! imag9ation ( an e>ly ,*ri/ian      
capable ( produc+2 = its consummate     
fitness1 res]ve1 sobriety1 & l(t9ess are
 unque/ionable4 ,:at solid reason is !re
 = n accept+ x8 ,x is extraord9>ily     

difficult to imag9e t ,/4 ,luke1 ^:     
accuracy & c>e h be51 9 rec5t ye>s1 s   
sev]ely te/$ & f\nd n want+1 %\ld h be5 
s c>eless z to app5d to 8 ,gospel a     
spuri\s acc\nt ( s mom5t\s an occurr5ce 
z ! human ,bir? ( our ,"l4 ,hi/orical   
accuracy is n a caprici\s & int]mitt5t  
impulse1 writes ,bi%op ,alex&]4 ,x is a 
fix$ habit ( m9d1 ! result ( a p>ticul> 
discipl9e4 ,hi/orians ( ! s*ool ( !     
au?or ( ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les are n m5 to
 build a flamboyant portal ( romance ov]
 ! entrance to ! au/]e temple ( tru?4   
-- 99 ,/4 ,luke i4 #a-d4  ,gore1        
,diss]tations1 p4 #ah4  ,bi%op ,alex&]'s
 ,lead+ ,ideas ( ! ,gospels1 pp4 #aed1  
#aee4 --  7#b7 ,! acc\nt 9 ,/4 ,mat!w's 
,gospel1 if g5u9e1 mu/ h come f ,joseph4
 ,x is 8 p]plexities :i* are 9 "q1 &    
,div9e intimations are giv5 to him1 on  
?ree occasions1 h[ to act = ! safety ( !
 "m & ! ,*ild4 ,! facts :i* appe> 9 !   
,?ird ,gospel are cle>ly prior to ^?    
report$ 9 ! ,fir/3 ! ,annunciation1     
,m>y's visit to ,judaea1 h] return to   

,naz>e?1 prec$e ,joseph's discov]y &    
dream1 :i* foll[ appropriately ^u !     
,virg9's return4 ,h[ ?is acc\nt has be5 
pres]v$ 9 ! ,fir/ ,gospel we d n "k1 =  
we "k s v little ab\t ! au?or%ip ( t    
,gospel2 b !re is no?+ at all           
unreasonable 9 ,bi%op ,gore's           
conjecture99 t ,/4 ,joseph 7:o mu/ h di$
 be=e ! public m9i/ry ( our ,"l began7  
left "s docum5t detail+ ! circum/ances (
 ! ,bir? ( ,jesus ,*ri/2 t ?is docum5t  
w\ld h be5 giv5 to ,m>y 7to v9dicate1 by
 means ( x1 :5 occasion dem&$1 h] own   
virg9ity71 & t aft] ,p5teco/ %e may h   
giv5 x to ! family ( ,joseph1 ! n[      
believ+ bre?r5 ( ! ,"l1 & f _! h&s x    
pass$ into ^? ( ! au?or ( ! ,fir/       
,gospel4  -- 99 ,gore1 ,diss]tations1   
pp4 #bh1 #bi4 --  ,! ,evangeli/ dwells1 
z is well kn[n1 on ! fulfilm5t (        
prophecy2 b 9 reg>d to ! p>ticul>       
prophecy ( ,isaiah1 ,behold1 a virg9    
%all conceive1 & be> a son1 & %all call 
,8 "n ,immanuel199 x _c ) any           
probability be said t ! prophecy sugge/$

 ! ev5t2 = x does n seem at all likely t
 !re 0 any ,jewi% expectation t ! ,*ri/ 
%\ld be born ( a ,virg94 ,we c und]/& ! 
prophecy be+ adduc$ 9 ord] to atte/ a   
/ory already curr5t 7?is w\ld be :olly  
aft] ,/4 ,mat!w's me?od72 b ! prophecy  
itself1 ) "o's eye on ! ,hebrew text (  
,isaiah1 c\ld sc>cely h l$ to !         
fabrication ( ?is p>ticul> /ory ab\t !  
,messiah's bir?4 ,probably ! notion ( a 
,virg9-born ,messiah w\ld h be5 ali5 to 
ord9>y ,jewi% ideas4 ,9 any case1 !     
,jews did n s int]pret ! passage1 & 9   
fact1 to quote ,pr(essor ,/anton1 ,x is 
an in/ance 9 :i* ! pr9ciple w\ld hold t 
x is m easy to suppose ! mean+ (        
prophetic language to h be5 /ra9$ to fit
 facts1 ?an t facts %\ld h be5 inv5t$ to
 correspond ) prophetic language4 ,t is 
to say1 x is :olly reasonable & entirely
 9 keep+ ) ! me?od ( ! fir/ ,evangeli/1 
t :5 once he _h come to "k t ! ,messiah 
_h be5 born 9 ,be?lehem ( a ,virg9-,"m1 
he %\ld h recogniz$ 9 t wondr\s bir? !  
fulfilm5t ( ! anci5t prophecy ( ,isaiah4

 ,he w\ld !n see t :atev] prim>y & less]
 fulfilm5t ! words ( ,isaiah might h1 !y
 7 only completely fulfill$ 9 ,him :o is
 ! end ( all prophecy1 :o 0 conceiv$ ( !
 ,holy ,gho/1 & born ( ! ,virg9 ,m>y4 --
 99 ,isa4 vii4 #ad4  ,see ,note at !    
end4  ,s ,dr4 ,*ase4  ,/anton1 ,jewi% & 
,*ri/ian ,messiah1 p4 #cgh4  ,see ,eck1 
,! ,inc>nation1 p4 #hg4 --  ,x is h>d to
 br+ "o's self to speak ( ! !ory put    
=w>d by ,pr(essor ,us5]1 9 :i* he says t
 ! /ory ( ! ,virg9-,bir? is traceable to
 a pagan sub/ratum1 & t x mu/ h aris5 9 
,g5tile circles499  ,surely ?is is :olly
 contr>y to all probability4 ,h[ c any  
s]i\s /ud5t ?9k t any b ,jewi% h&s c\ld 
h p5n$ ! fir/ two *apt]s ( ,/4 ,mat!w's 
,gospel8 ,! /ory1 says ,pr(essor ,*ase1 
moves1 l t ( ,/4 ,luke1 )9 ! circle (   
,ea/]n conceptions2 x is pre-em95tly &  
ess5tially ,jewi%4 ,moreov]1 if "t is to
 be f\nd = ! complicat$ int]action      
betwe5 paganism & ,*ri/ianity :i* ?is   
!ory involves1 ! ,fir/ & ,?ird ,gospels 
mu/ be plac$ at a date :i* ,i believe is

 q unt5able4  -- 99 ,encyc4 ,bibl41 iii4
 #cceb4  ,*ase1 ,sup]natural ,elem5ts 9 
our ,"l's ,e>?ly ,life1 p4 #ba4 --  ,t  
!re are diff]5ces & ev5 discrepancies   
betwe5 ! two acc\nts1 :i* are manife/ly 
indep5d5t ( "o ano!r1 s]ves surely to   
/r5g!n _! witness to ! great c5tral fact
 9 :i* !y are at "o--t ,*ri/ 0 born ( a 
,virg9-,"m at ,be?lehem1 9 ! days (     
,h]od ! k+4  ,!re appe>s1 !n1 to be no  
reason = d\bt+ t 9 ,/4 ,luke's ,gospel  
we h a g5u9e acc\nt d]iv$ f ,m>y h]self1
 & t 9 ,/4 ,mat!w's ,gospel we h an     
acc\nt left by ,/4 ,joseph1 work$ ov] by
 ! ,evangeli/ 9 view ( 8 pr$om9ant      
int]e/--t ( call+ att5tion to !         
fulfilm5ts ( prophecies499 ,:]ev]1      
!re=e1 ^! two ,gospels _h rea*$ 9 !     
second half ( ! fir/ c5tury1 !re ! /ory 
( ! ,virg9-,bir? 0 kn[n4 ,if ! /ory ?us 
atte/$ by ! fir/ & ?ird ,evangeli/s 7   
really a fiction1 x is h>d inde$ to     
believe t x w\ld n h be5 contradict$ by 
"s :o 7 /ill liv+1 & :o knew t ! /ory 0 
diff]5t f t :i* ! ,"m h]self _h deliv]$ 

!m4 ,if1 says ,dean ,al=d1 speak+ ( !   
,?ird ,gospel1 n ! "m ( our ,"l h]self1 
yet ,8 bre?r5 7 c]ta9ly liv+2 & !       
univ]sal reception ( ! ,gospel 9 ! v    
e>lie/ ages suffici5tly demon/rates t no
 objection to ?is "p ( ! sacr$ n>rative 
_h be5 he>d ( z rais$ by !m4  -- 99     
,gore1 ,diss]tations1 p4 #bi4  ,greek   
,te/41 vol4 i4 ,prolog4 sect4 viii4 p4  
#dh4 --  ,!re is no o!r alt]native b to 
reg>d bo? /ories z leg5ds indep5d5tly   
circulat$ 9 ! anci5t ,*ur*4 ,s          
artificial an explanation w\ld probably 
h f\nd little fav\r ) s*ol>s if !re _h  
be5 no miracle to sugge/ x4 ,x is too   
commonly assum$ t evid5ce :i* w\ld be   
good "u ord9>y circum/ances is bad :]e !
 sup]natural is involv$499  ,c]ta9ly x  
w\ld seem to be 9 a high degree         
improbable t two su* acc\nts z ^? ( !   
,bir? ( ,jesus ,*ri/ :i* we h 9 ^! two  
,gospels %\ld be ! "w ( =g]s2 & ?is     
improbability is fur!r height5$ :5 we   
comp>e !m ) ! leg5d>y acc\nts ( ,8      
infancy :i* 7 actually curr5t 9 ! e>ly  

c5turies4  -- 99 ,swete1 ,*ur* ,congress
 ,report 7#aijb71 p4 #afc4  ,see        
,preface1 p4 xi4 --    ,,iii  ,,!       
,,sil5ce ,,( ,,o!r ,,new ,,te/am5t      
,,writ]s  ,:at are ! objections br\ght  
aga9/ all ?is evid5ce8 ,! ma9 objection 
is ! sil5ce ( ! o!r writ]s ( ! ,new     
,te/am5t4 ,to reply--  7,i7 ,fir/1 we   
may surely ask--,:y %\ld !y m5tion x8   
,?is sort ( argum5t f sil5ce is mo/     
prec>i\s4 ,are we to inf] t because !re 
is no m5tion ( ! ,cross or !            
,crucifixion 9 ! ,epi/les ( ,/4 ,james  
or ( ,/4 ,jude1 t x 0 unkn[n to ?is gr\p
 ( writ]s1 & t !y 7 unaw>e ( ! mann] (  
,*ri/'s ,dea?8  ,we might mu* m         
naturally inf] x ?an we may inf] t !    
,virg9-,bir? 0 unkn[n because ,/4 ,james
 speaks ( ,*ri/'s ,dea?1 & x w\ld !re=e 
h be5 q natural = him to speak ( ! exact
 mode ( x1 :]eas our ,"l's ,bir? is v   
seldom ref]r$ to 9 ! ,new ,te/am5t1 & :5
 x is ref]r$ to x w\ld n h aid$ !       
argum5t1 or be5 at all to ! po9t to     
m5tion h[ t ,bir? 0 br\ght ab\t499  --  

99 ,a4 ,j4 ,mason1 9 ! ,gu>dian1        
,novemb] #ai1 #aijb4 --  ,or1 because   
,/4 ,john omits all m5tion ( !          
in/itution ( ! ,holy ,eu*>i/1 are we to 
suppose t he knew no?+ ( t ,sacram5t8   
7#b7 ,! subject ( ! ,virg9-,bir? 0 n "o 
:i* ! ,apo/les w\ld be likely to dwell  
on mu*4 ,!y 7 above all witnesses ( :at 
!y _h se5 & he>d4 ,!y come be=e u       
insi/+1 !re=e1 on :at !y c\ld !mselves  
p]sonally atte/--especially on !        
,resurrection4 ,!y _h se5 & he>d ! ris5 
,*ri/1 & ! ,resurrection 0 at once a    
v9dication ( ,8 ,messianic claims1 & a  
manife/ation ( ! dignity ( ,8 ,p]son4   
,?is praet]natural fact1 ! fulfilm5t ( !
 'sign' :i* ,he _h ,himself promis$1 a  
fact conc]n+ ! reality ( :i* !y (f]$    
!mselves z witnesses1 w\ld c>ry ) x a   
read9ess to accept a fact l !           
,virg9-,bir?1 conc]n+ :i* ! same sort ( 
evid5ce 0 n possible4  --  ,/4 ,john ii4
 #ah1 #ai2 ,/4 ,matt4 xii4 #dj4  ,hall1 
,! ,virg9-,"m1 p4 #bae4 --  ,belief 9   
,jesus ,*ri/ z ! ,son ( ,god1 belief 9  

,8 ,life1 9 ,8 ,dea?1 9 ,8 miracles1 9  
,8 ,resurrection1--^! came fir/1 & ^! 7 
! subjects ( ,apo/olic prea*+199 &      
belief 9 ,8 ,virg9-,bir? 7ultimately    
atte/$ by ,m>y & ,joseph7 easily foll[$4
  -- 99 ,acts i4 #bb2 ii4 #cb4 --  ,x is
 in/ructive 9 ?is connection to draw    
att5tion to ! ,acts ( ! ,apo/les4 ,z e  
"o kn[s1 x is ,/4 ,luke's second        
volume--! ,?ird ,gospel be+ 8 fir/4 ,n[1
 ! ,gospel beg9s ) ! acc\nt ( ,*ri/'s   
miracul\s ,conception & ,bir?1 b !re is 
no ref]5ce to ^! my/]ies 9 ! re/ ( !    
,gospel or 9 ! ,acts4 ,! reason = !     
sil5ce 9 ! ,acts is ! same z = ! sil5ce 
9 ! subsequ5t *apt]s ( ! ,gospel4 ,!    
,jews _h to le>n ! mean+ ( ! ,p]son (   
,*ri/ f ,8 own revelation ( ,himself 9  
,8 words & works4 ,to h begun )         
proclaim+ ! /ory ( ,8 miracul\s ,bir?   
w\ld h creat$ prejudice & h9d]$ !       
reception ( t revelation4  ,simil>ly1 9 
! ,acts1 bo? ,jews & ,g5tiles _h fir/ to
 le>n 9 ! exp]i5ce ( ! life ( ! ,*ur*   
:at ,jesus _h done & said4 ,only :5 !y  

_h le>n$ t1 0 x "t to g on & ask :o ,he 
0 & :5ce ,he came4  ,! same po9t is     
illu/rat$ by ,/4 ,m>k's sil5ce4 ,_h he  
giv5 any acc\nt ( our ,"l's e>ly ye>s1  
!re w\ld be "s gr\nd = pitt+ him 7s to  
speak7 aga9/ ,/4 ,mat!w & ,/4 ,luke4 ,b 
?is ,gospel beg9s1 z e "o kn[s1 ) !     
public m9i/ry ( our ,"l4 ,x is1 9 fact1 
! ,gospel :i* reflects ! oral tea*+ &   
prea*+ ( ,/4 ,pet]1 & s x beg9s         
naturally en\gh at ! po9t :]e t ,apo/le 
fir/ came 9 contact ) ,*ri/4  --        
,rackham1 ,acts ( ! ,apo/les1 p4 lxxiv4 
,hall1 ,! ,virg9-,"m1 p4 #bag4 --  7#c7 
,if 9 ^! writ]s ( ! ,new ,te/am5t       
expressions _h be5 us$ inconsi/5t ) !   
,virg9-,bir?1 x w\ld be a v s]i\s matt]3
 b :at are ! facts8 ,9 ! few cases :]e !
 ,bir? is m5tion$1 !re is no?+ said :i* 
implies t ,8 ,bir? 9 ! fle% 0 analog\s 9
 all respects to ours4  ,consid] ,/4    
,john's ,gospel4 ,! sil5ce on !         
,virg9-,bir? c occasion1 "o w\ld ?9k1 no
 real difficulty4 ,8 ,gospel is a       
supplem5t>y record1 & he does n1 = ! mo/

 "p1 repeat hi/orical /atem5ts already  
made by ! o!r ,evangeli/s4 ,x seems     
altoge!r impossible to suppose t ,/4    
,john 0 ignorant ( ! ,virg9-,bir?4      
,ignatius1 :o 0 ,bi%op ( ,antio* q at ! 
beg9n+ ( ! second c5tury1 & !re=e only a
 few ye>s aft] ! writ+ ( ?is ,gospel1   
calls x 7! ,virg9-,bir?7 a my/]y ( op5  
proclamation 9 ! ,*ur*4 7,eph41 #ai47   
,inde$1 on any !ory ( ! date or au?or%ip
 ( ?is ,gospel1 !re is e reason =       
believ+ t ! ,virg9-,bir? 01 at ! "t x 0 
compil$1 "p & p>cel ( ! tradition ( !   
,*ur*4 ,b :5 ,/4 ,john does speak ( !   
,inc>nation1 9 ! prologue to 8 ,gospel1 
:5 he says1 ,! ,^w 0 made fle%1 & dwelt 
among u1 7,/4 ,john i4 #ad47 !re is no?+
 9 ^! words to sugge/ any?+ inconsi/5t )
 ! miracul\s /ory relat$ by ,/4 ,mat!w &
 ,/4 ,luke4 ,9 fact1 we may say m ?an   
?is4 ,we may say t 8 tea*+ ab\t !       
,pre-exi/5t ,div9e ,logos :o 0 made     
fle%1 & dwelt among u1 is felt to be a  
natural explanation ( ,/4 ,mat!w's      
n>rative z well z ( ,/4 ,luke's2 =1 z we

 %all see1 x is ! "q ( ! ,div9e         
,pre-exi/5ce ( ! ,logos on :i* !        
reasonabl5ess ( ! doctr9e ( !           
,virg9-,bir? really turns4 ,/4 ,john    
does1 9 fact1 9 connection ) ?is my/]y (
 ! ,virg9-,bir?1 :at he does 9 ! case ( 
,baptism & ! ,holy ,eu*>i/1 he supplies 
! ju/ify+ pr9ciple--9 ?is case !        
pr9ciple ( ! ,inc>nation--)\t supply+   
:at 0 already curr5t & well kn[n1 !     
record ( ! fact499  -- 99 ,gore1        
,diss]tations1 p4 #h1 seq4 --  ,& x may 
be add$1 fur!r1 t ,m>y's ^w at ,cana (  
,galilee3 ,!y h no w9e1 & h] subsequ5t  
ord] to ! s]vants3 ,:atsoev] ,he sai?   
unto y1 d x1 7,/4 ,john  ii4 #c1 #e47   
are a cle> indication t 9 ! view ( ,/4  
,john %e reg>d$ ,him z a miracul\s      
,p]son1 & expect$ ( ,him miracul\s      
action4 ,i ?9k t1 9 reg>d to ! ,gospels1
 _! relation%ip to "o ano!r may be summ$
 up 9 ! words ( ,bi%op ,alex&]3 ,! fact 
( ! ,inc>nation is record$ by ,/4 ,mat!w
 & ,/4 ,luke2 x is assum$ by ,/4 ,m>k2 !
 idea :i* vitalizes ! fact is dom9ant 9 

,/4 ,john4  --  ,gore1 loc4 cit4  ,bi%op
 ,alex&]'s ,lead+ ,ideas1 ,introd41 p4  
xxiv4 --  ,consid] next ,/4 ,paul's     
ref]5ces to ! ,inc>nation3--  ,god s5t  
=? ,8 ,son1 born ( a woman4 7,gal4 iv4  
#d7 ,he does n say1 born ( human p>5ts4 
,8 ,son our ,"l1 :o 0 born ( ! se$ (    
,david accord+ to ! fle%4 7,rom4 i4 #c47
  ,be+ 9 ! =m ( ,god1 ?\ght x n robb]y  
to be equal ) ,god2 b made ,himself ( no
 reputation1 & took ^u ,him ! =m ( a    
s]vant1 & 0 made 9 ! lik5ess ( m54      
7,phil4 ii4 #f1 #g47  ,^! are ! passages
 9 :i* ,/4 ,paul ref]s to ! ,bir? (     
,jesus ,*ri/4 ,n "o ( !m is inconsi/5t )
 ! fact t ,he 0 born ( a ,virg94 ,b "o c
 say m ?an ?is4 ,e "o ( ^! passages     
inf]s t ,he :o 0 born 9 "t _h exi/$     
be=e4 ,!y ei!r ass]t or imply a ,div9e  
pre-exi/5ce4 ,he :o 0 made 9 ! lik5ess (
 m5 0 already pre-exi/5t 9 ! =m ( ,god1 
& 01 9 fact1 equal ) ,god4 ,?is be+ !   
case1 does x n prep>e u = ! fur!r tru?  
t1 :5 ,he ent]$ into ! conditions (     
human life1 ,he ent]$ x n 9 all respects

 l u8 ,i %\ld m> if ,i v5tur$ to        
abbreviate ,dr4 ,mason's admirable      
words1 9 :i* he presses ?is argum5t--   
,l causes produce l effects4 ,9 simil>  
circum/ances1 y may expect ! same =ces  
to op]ate 9 ! same way4 ,b :5 "s new =ce
 is introduc$1 y _c expect ! same       
results4 ,! ,bir? ( ,*ri/1 if ,he is :at
 all ! writ]s ( ! ,new ,te/am5t believ$ 
,him to be1 0 necess>ily unlike ours 9 t
 "o great respect4 ,we _h no exi/5ce    
be=e we 7 born1 h[ev] poets & poetical  
philosoph]s may play ) ! notion4 ,b !   
,new ,te/am5t writ]s believ$ t ,he :om  
we "k z ,jesus ,*ri/ 0 liv+ ) a full1   
vigor\s1 p]sonal life = ages be=e ,he   
appe>$ 9 ! _w z man4 ,!y ma9ta9$ t ,he 0
 pres5t & active 9 ! mak+ ( ! _w1 &     
imman5t 9 ! developm5t ( human hi/ory1  
:i* =m$ a new beg9n+ at ,8 ,bir?4 ,!y   
said ,he 0 ,god1 ! ,only ,begott5 ,son (
 ! ,et]nal ,fa!r1 :o came d[n f heav51 &
 volunt>ily ent]$ into ! conditions (   
human life4 ,admit ! possibility t !y 7 
"r1 & y w no long] ask t ,8 mode (      

entrance into our conditions %\ld be 9  
all ?+s l our own4 ,if y ackn[l$ge t    
,jesus ,*ri/ 0 ,div9e fir/ & became     
human aft]w>ds1 y _c b say ) ,/4        
,ambrose1 :5 y he> t ,he 0 born ( a     
,virg93 ',talis decet p>tus ,deum'--a   
bir? ( t k9d is befitt+ to "o :o is     
,god4 ,we d n--no "o ev] did--believe   
,*ri/ to be ,god because ,he 0 born ( a 
,virg92 t is n ! ord] ( ?\ght & we h se5
 t x 0 c]ta9ly n ! ord] ( ,apo/olic     
prea*+2 b we c recognize t if ,he 0     
,god1 x 0 n unnatural = ,him to be s    
born4 ,no s\nd g5u9e hi/orical criticism
 c d5y t ! ,virg9-,bir? 0 "p ( ! ,cre$ (
 ,primitive ,*ri/ianity1 & t no?+ t c be
 truly call$ sci5ce c object to t       
belief1 unless x />ts ) ! assumption1   
:i*1 ( c\rse1 x _c ev5 attempt to prove1
 t ,*ri/ 0 nev] m ?an man499  ,simil>ly 
,pr(essor ,/anton3 ,! *ief gr\nd on :i* 
?\ghtful ,*ri/ian believ]s are ready to 
accept x ! miracul\s ,conception is t1  
believ+ 9 ! p]sonal indissoluble union  
betwe5 ,god & man 9 ,jesus ,*ri/1 !     

miracul\s ,bir? ( ,jesus ,*ri/ is ! only
 fitt+ accompanim5t = ?is unions &1 s to
 speak1 ! natural expression ( x 9 !    
ord] ( outw>d effects4  -- 99 ,gu>dian1 
,novemb] #ai1 #aijb4  ,/anton1 ,jewi% & 
,*ri/ian ,messiah p4 #cgf4 --   ,,iv    
,,our ,,"l ,,z ,,! ,,second ,,adam  ,b  
we may surely g fur!r ?an ?is1 & say t1 
9 reg>d to ,/4 ,paul1 8 language z to ! 
,second ,adam seems to necessitate !    
,virg9-,bir?4 ,9 ,/4 ,paul's view !re   
are1 s to speak1 only two m53 ,! fir/   
man is ( ! e>? e>?y2 ! second man is !  
,"l f heav5 7#a ,cor4 xx4 #dg47--;a new 
/>t+-po9t = humanity4 ,?is doctr9e ( !  
,second ,adam1 ( ?is fre% />t giv5 to ! 
human race by ,jesus ,*ri/1 w\ld seem to
 require ,8 ,bir? ( a ,virg91 = !       
,virg9-,bir? is b\nd up ) any really    
,ca?olic notion ( ! ,inc>nation4 ,= :at 
is ! ,ca?olic doctr9e ( ,inc>nation8 ,d 
we mean by ,inc>nation t on an already  
exi/+ human be+ !re desc5d$ 9 an        
extraord9>y measure ! ,div9e ,_s1 s t   
,he 0 by moral association s closely    

alli$ to ,god t ,he might be call$ ,god8
 ,d we mean t "s prem95t sa9t1 call$    
,jesus1 respond$ ) su* signal read9ess  
to ! ,div9e ,voice1 & realiz$ m wor?ily 
?an any o!r man '! ,div9e idea' ( human 
excell5ce1 s t to ,him1 by a laxity (   
phrase n free f pr(an5ess1 m5 might ?us 
ascribe a s-call$ 'moral ,div9ity'8 ,!n1
 ,i say q freely1 if t is :at we mean1 t
 ! ,virg9-,bir? is1 s f> z we c see1 an 
altoge!r gratuit\s addition1 an         
unnecess>y miracle4 ,t is1 s f> z ,i c  
und]/& x1 ! idea ( ,inc>nation ent]ta9$ 
by mod]ns :o reject or "q ! ,ca?olic    
,fai?4  ,b let me say z cle>ly z        
possible t ?is is n1 & nev] has be51 :at
 ! ,*ri/ian ,*ur* means by ,inc>nation4 
,! ,new ,te/am5t does n tell u ( a      
deifi$ man3 no1 we beg9 ) a ,div9e      
,p]son4 ,! ',i' 9 ,him1 ,8 v self1 is   
,div9e1 n human2 yet has ,he condesc5d$ 
to take our humanity into union ) ,8    
,div9e ,p]son1 to assume x z ,8 own4 ,he
 :o 0 f all et]nity a s+le ,div9e ,p]son
 took ^u ,him our nature1 & 0 made man2 

& if ?is be s1 :at o!r entrance into our
 condition is imag9able save t :i* we   
confess 9 ! ,cre$--t ,he 0 conceiv$ by !
 ,holy ,gho/1 born ( ! ,virg9 ,m>y8 ,!  
,cre$s pass imm$iately f confess+ ,jesus
 ,*ri/ to be '! only ,son ( ,god' to !  
fact t ,he 0 'born ( ! ,virg9 ,m>y1' &  
nei!r ( ^? articles ( ! ,ca?olic ,fai? c
 be ab&on$ )\t di/urb+ ! f\ndations ( ! 
o!r499  -- 99 ,swete1 ,*ur* ,congress   
,report 7#aija71 p4 #afd4 --  ,if ,*ri/ 
0 born naturally ( human p>5ts1 ,he mu/1
 "o w\ld ?9k1 h tak5 to ,himself a human
 p]sonality2 ,he mu/ h exi/$ 9 two      
p]sons z well z 9 two natures4 ,b :at we
 are to insi/ on 9 ?9k+ ( & tea*+ ?is   
my/]y is ?is tru? ( ! s+le ,div9e       
,p]sonality ( our ,"l4 ,! old ,ne/orian 
h]esy 7) c]ta9 important modifications7 
is be+ resuscitat$ among u4             
,ne/orianism1 new & old1 beg9s f bel[1 &
 speaks ( a man :o by moral association 
became ,div9e2 x speaks1 t is to say1 ( 
a deifi$ man4 ,! ,*ri/ian ,fai? beg9s f 
above-x speaks ( ,him :o f all et]nity 0

 ,god1 tak+ ^u ,him our fle%4 ,he took  
^u ,him our nature1 b ,he did n assume a
 human p]sonality4 ,he wrapp$ our human 
nature r\nd ,8 own ,div9e ,p]son4 ,on ! 
,ne/orian !ory1 ,god did b b5efit "o man
 by rais+ him to a unique dignity2 on ! 
,ca?olic !ory1 ,he b5efitt$ ! race ( m51
 by rais+ human nature into union ) ,8  
,div9e ,p]son4  ,^? :o speak1 some:at   
incauti\sly surely1 ( ,inc>nation1 :ile 
!y d5y or "q ! ,virg9-,bir?1 %\ld be    
ask$ to consid] :at !y say & to reflect 
:at _! words imply4 ,a man born         
naturally ( human p>5ts b tak5 up1 on   
acc\nt ( a wond]fully high moral "*1    
into close union ) ,god1 c nev] diff] 9 
k9d f any sa9t4 ,he c nev] b5efit ! race
 ( m5 save by way ( example4 ,8 dea? c  
nev] effect our r$emption1 = x does n   
diff] 9 k9d f ! dea? ( a m>tyr4 ,be+    
only a great sa9t himself1 he _c        
repres5t mank9d ei!r on ! ,cross or be=e
 ! ,?rone4 ,"o man has be5 assum$ into  
heav54 ,b ?is is :olly a diff]5t ?+ f ! 
,fai? ( ,*ri/5dom1 :i* is t ,god has    

tak5 human nature into union ) ,8 ,div9e
 ,p]son1 9 t nature ,god di$ ^u !       
,cross1 & 9 t nature ,he pleads be=e !  
,?rone = ! race ( m54 ,x is because     
,*ri/'s ,p]son is ,div9e1 t ,8 life     
means to u ,*ri/ians :at x does4  ,no   
p]son1 says ,hook]1 0 born ( ! ,virg9 b 
! ,son ( ,god1 no p]son b ! ,son ( ,god 
baptiz$1 ! ,son ( ,god condemn$1 ! ,son 
( ,god & no o!r p]son crucifi$2 :i* "o  
only po9t ( ,*ri/ian belief1 ! inf9ite  
wor? ( ! ,son ( ,god1 is ! v gr\nd ( all
 ?+s believ$ conc]n+ life & salvation by
 t :i* ,*ri/ ei!r did or suff]$ z man 9 
our behalf499 ,t1 says ,bi%op ,&rewes1  
:i* sette? ! high price ^u ?is sacrifice
 is ?is1 t ,he :i* (f]e? x to ,god is   
,god4  -- 99 ,eccl4 ,pol41 v4 #eb4 #c4  
,second ,s]mon on ! ,passion4 --  ,m>vel
 n1 says ,/4 ,cyril ( ,j]usalem1 if !   
:ole _w has be5 r$eem$2 = ,he :o has di$
 = u is no m]e man1 b ! ,only ,begott5  
,son ( ,god4 ,*ri/1 says ,/4 ,cyril (   
,alex&ria1 w\ld n h be5 equival5t z a   
sacrifice = ! :ole creation1 nor w\ld   

,he h suffic$ to r$eem ! _w1 nor h laid 
d[n ,8 life by way ( price = x1 & p\r$  
=? = u ,8 preci\s ,blood1 if ,he be n   
really ! ,son1 & ,god ( ,god4   --      
,cate*41 xiii4 #b4  ,de ,sancta         
,tr9itate1 dial4 ,a4 7quot$ ,liddon1 ,b4
 ,l41 p4 #dgg74 --  ,h[ diff]5t is all  
?is f ! language ( ^? :o w\ld d5y or "q 
! ,virg9-,bir?6 ,) !m ! ,resurrection is
 d5i$ z a lit]al fact2 ! :ole mean+ ( ! 
,atonem5t z be+ a real sacrifice = s91 a
 real propitiation1 is evisc]at$ ( its  
mean+1 & is r$uc$ to a moral appeal to  
man2 & f9ally1 we f9d t :]eas ,*ri/ians 
h be5 ?9k+ & speak+ ( ,*ri/ z truly     
,god1 :o 9 becom+ man did n abhor !     
,virg9's womb1 mod]n writ]s really mean 
a v good man :o does n1 h[ev]1 diff] 9  
k9d b only 9 excell5ce ( degree f any   
sa9t2 & by ,inc>nation !y mean t moral  
union :i* a good man has ) ,god1 only   
illu/rat$ 9 ! case ( ,*ri/ 9 an altoge!r
 unique degree4 ,if1 h[ev]1 !           
,inc>nation be :at ,*ri/5dom believes x 
to h be52 if ! ,son ( ,god did really   

take fle% 9 ! womb ( ,m>y1 & became man1
 n by assum+ a human p]sonality1 b by   
assum+ human nature1 by ent]+ into human
 conditions ( life1--x is inde$         
difficult to imag9e any o!r way ( su* an
 ,inc>nation save by way ( !            
,virg9-,bir?1 by :i* ! entail ( orig9al 
s9 0 cut (f1 & humanity made a fre% />t 
9 ! ,et]nal ,p]son ( ! ,second ,adam4 ,&
 if ,he is inde$ s9less1 ! s9less       
,example1 ! s9less ,sacrifice1 h[ c\ld  
,he be o!rwise born8 ,adam1 at 8 fall1  
pass$ on to ! human race a vitiat$      
nature1 :i* we all %>e--a nature biass$ 
9 a wrong direction4 ,x desc5d$--?is    
vitiat$ nature--f fa!r to son to all    
g5]ations ( m54 ,if ?is entail ( orig9al
 s9 0 to be cut (f1 if !re 0 really to  
be a new ,adam1 a second />t = ! human  
race1 h[ c\ld x be contriv$ o!rwise ?an 
by a ,virg9-,bir?8 ,! ,son ( ,m>y 0     
inde$ :olly human--completely man--b 9  
,him humanity inh]it$ no "p ( t bad     
legacy :i* came across ! ages f !       
,fall499  ,:5 a mod]n writ] says1 ,we   

%\ld n n[1 h priori1 expect t !         
,inc>nate ,logos w\ld be born )\t a     
human fa!r1 we may reply t we are h>dly 
9 a position to expect any?+ a priori 9 
! matt]2 b :5 once we h le>nt t ?is     
,inc>nate ,logos 0 to be ! ,second ,head
 ( ! human race--! s9less ,son ( ,man--&
 t 9 ,him humanity 0 to make a fre% />t1
 x is inde$ difficult to see h[ ?is c\ld
 be )\t ! miracle ( ! ,virg9-,bir?4  -- 
99 ,liddon1 ,*ri/mas ,s]mons1 p4 #ig4   
,see ,cont5tio ,v]itatis1 p4 #hh4 --  ,i
 %\ld l to say1 9 conclusion1 t ,i _c   
disguise my conviction t j z 9 ! e>ly   
days we f9d no d5ial ( ! ,virg9-,bir?   
except among ^? :o d5i$ & object$ to !  
pr9ciple ( ! ,inc>nation 7on ! gr\nd1   
app>5tly1 ( ! ess5tial evil ( matt]71 s1
 conv]sely1 t ! attempt n[ be+ made 7or 
! sugge/ion put =w>d7 to sep>ate !      
,inc>nation & ! ,virg9-,bir? w prove to 
be an impossibility4 ,once reject !     
tradition ( ! ,virg9-,bir?1 & !         
,inc>nation w g ) x4 ,= a few ye>s1     
inde$1 m5 w use ! old language1 ! ^w    

,inc>nation w be on _! lips2 b x w be   
f\nd be=e long t by t t]m !y d n mean   
,god manife/ 9 human fle%1 b !y mean a  
man born naturally ( human p>5ts1 :o mo/
 cle>ly manife/$ to m5 ! ,*ri/ian idea (
 a p]fect human "*4 ,su* a conception z 
?is br+s no solace to human he>ts4 ,no  
sa9t1 h[ev] great1 c\ld be our ,savi\r2 
no sa9t c\ld h aton$ = s92 & assur$ly no
 sa9t c\ld be to any ( u ! s\rce ( our  
new life--! well-spr+ & f\nta9 ( ,div9e 
grace4   ,,note ,,on ,,isaiah ,,vii4 #ad
  ,,! ^w = ! ,virg9 9 ! ,hebrew text is 
ha-almah4 ,x is an ambigu\s ^w1 & does n
 necess>ily imply1 ?\gh x c]ta9ly does n
 necess>ily exclude1 ! idea ( virg9ity4 
,etymologically x means puella          
nubilis--a maid5 ( m>riageable age4  ,9 
f\r99 out ( six o!r places 9 ! ,old     
,te/am5t :]e x is employ$1 x is us$ (   
virg9s4 ,its use 9 ! two o!r passages is
 d\btful1 b does n ) any c]ta9ty imply  
virg9ity4  -- 99 ,g54 xxiv4 #dc2 ,exod4 
ii4 #h2 ,ps4 lxviii4 #be2 ,cant4 i4 #c4 
,prov4 xxx4 x #i2 ,cant4 vi4 #h4 --  ,! 

,septuag9t translators1 "s two hundr$   
ye>s be=e ,*ri/1 translat$ ! ^w h       
p>!nos4  ,aquila1 ,symma*us1 &          
,!odotion1 9 ! second c5tury ( our era  
7app>5tly 9 ord] to vitiate ! ,*ri/ian  
appeal to ?is passage71 translat$ ! ^w  
neanis4  ,,! ,,end