These heads comprise the substance of what appeared to us to demand explanation regarding the admirable mystery of the conception. To reap from them abundant fruit of salvation, the faithful should particularly recall to their recollection, and frequently reflect, that it is God who assumed human flesh; but that manner of its assumption transcends the limits of our comprehension, not to say, of our powers of expression; finally, that he vouchsafed to become man, in order that we mortals may be regenerated children of God. When to these subjects, they ^hall have given mature consideration, let them, in the humility of faith, believe and adore all the mysteries contained in this Article, nor indulge a curious inquisitiveness by investigating and scrutinizing them - an attempt scarcely ever unattended with danger.
BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY"] These words comprise another part of this Article of the Creed, in the exposition of which the pastor should exercise considerable diligence; because the faithful are bound to believe, that Christ our Lord was not only conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, but was also " born of the Virgin Mary." The words of the Angel, who first announced the happy tidings to the world, declare with what transports of joy, and emotions of delight, the belief of this mystery should be meditated by us: "Behold," says he, "I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people." [1] The song chanted by the heavenly hot clearly conveys the same sentiments: Glory," say they, to God in the high est: and on earth, peace to men of good-will." [2] . Hence, also, began the fulfilment of the splendid promise made by Almighty God to Abraham, that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed; [3] for Mary, whom we truly proclaim and venerate as Mother of God, because she brought forth him who is, at once, God and man, was descended from King David. [4] But as the conception itself transcends the order of nature, so also, the birth of the man-God presents to our contemplation nothing but what is divine.
Besides, a circumstance wonderful beyond expression or conception, he is born of his Mother without any diminution of her maternal virginity; and as he afterwards went forth from the sepulchre whilst it was closed and sealed, and entered the room in which his disciples were assembled, " the doors being shut;" [5] or, not to depart from natural events which we witness every day, as the rays of the sun penetrate, without breaking or injuring, in the least, the substance of glass; after alike, but more incomprehensible manner, did Jesus Christ come forth from his mother's womb without injury to her maternal virginity, which, immaculate and perpetual, forms the just theme of our eulogy. This was the work of the Holy Ghost, who, at the conception and birth of the Son, so favoured the Virgin Mother as to im-
