FROM the dead, the first-begotten for bretliren destined to come
354 ON FAITH AND THE CREED. [cHAP. V.
visible, sustain defilement from the female body, wherein lie assumed Imman llesli together witli soul and spirit, through the incoming of which the majesty of the Word dwells in a less immediate conjunction with the frailty of a Imman body !^
Hence it is manifest that the Word of God could in no way have been defiled by a human body, by which even the human soul is not defiled. For not when it rules the body and quickens it, but only when it lusts after the mortal good things thereof, is the soul defiled by the body. But if these persons were to desire to avoid the defilements of the soul, they would dread rather these falsehoods and profanities.
Chat. v.—0/ Clu-'mt's passion, burial, and resurrection.
11. But little [comparatively] was the humiliation (humilitas) of our Lord on our behalf in His being born : it was also added that He deemed it meet to die in behalf of mortal men. For "He humbled Himself, being made subject even unto death, yea, the death of the cross ;"^ lest any one of us, even were he able to have no fear of death [in general], should yet shudder at some particular sort of death which men reckon most shameful. Therefore do w^e believe in Him who under 1*ontius Pilate was crucified and buried. For it was requisite that the name of the judge should be added, with a view to the cognizance of the times. Moreover, when that burial is made an object of belief, there enters also the recollection of the new tomb,^ wliich was meant to present a testimony to Him in His destiny to rise again to newness of life, even as tlie
Virgin's womb did the same to Him in His appointment to be born. For just as in that sepulchre no other dead person was buried,"* whether before or after Him ; so neither in that womb, whether before or after, was anything mortal conceived.
12. We believe idso, that on the third day He rose again FROM the dead, the first-begotten for bretliren destined to come
' The Benedictine text pives, nuVmn iutn'venn'ntVius hahUat mnjefitns Verhi ah huinani rorporl*frmjUitnte aecrftius. Anotlicr wcU-supjmrted version is, ad humaui corporis fra'jiiUatem, etc. = more retired in relation to the frailty of the human body.
3 For inonumenti some editions give testamenti - tcstanu ut.
* John xix. 41.