{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/210/2100229.htm","path":"chr/ecf/210/2100229.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/210/2100229.htm","text":"Solomon\u2019s words, \u201cThe Lord created Me,\u201d etc., mean that Christ\u2019s Incarnation was done for the redemption of the Father\u2019s creation, as is shown by the Son\u2019s own words. That He is the \u201cbeginning\u201d may be understood from the visible proofs of His virtuousness, and it is shown how the Lord opened the ways of all virtues, and was their true beginning.\n46. Hereby we are brought to understand that the prophecy of the Incarnation, \u201cThe Lord created me the beginning of His ways for His works,\u201d 2194 means that the Lord Jesus was created of the Virgin for the redeeming of the Father\u2019s works. Truly, we cannot doubt that this is spoken of the mystery of the Incarnation, forasmuch as the Lord took upon Him our flesh, in order to save the works of His hands from the slavery of corruption, so that He might, by the sufferings of His own body, overthrow him who had the power of death. For Christ\u2019s flesh is for the sake of things created, but His Godhead existed before them, seeing that He is before all things, whilst all things exist together in Him. 2195\n47. His Godhead, then, is not by reason of creation, but creation exists because of the Godhead; even as the Apostle showed, saying that all things exist because of the Son of God, for we read as follows: \u201cBut it was fitting that He, through Whom and because of Whom are all things, after bringing many sons to glory, should, as Captain of their salvation, be made perfect through suffering.\u201d 2196 Has he not plainly declared that the Son of God, Who, by reason of His Godhead, was the Creator of all, did in after time, for the salvation of His people, submit to the taking on of the flesh and the suffering of death?\n48. Now for the sake of what works the Lord was \u201ccreated\u201d of a virgin, He Himself, whilst healing the blind man, has shown, saying: \u201cIn Him must I work the works of Him that sent Me.\u201d 2197 Furthermore He said in the same Scripture, that we might believe Him to speak of the Incarnation: \u201cAs long as I am in this world, I am the Light of this world,\u201d 2198 for, so far as He is man, He is in this world for a season, but as God He exists at all times. In another place, too, He says: \u201cLo, I am with you even unto the end of the world.\u201d 2199\n49. Nor is there any room for questioning with respect to \u201cthe beginning,\u201d seeing that when, during His earthly life, He was asked, \u201cWho art Thou?\u201d He answered: \u201cThe beginning, even as I tell you.\u201d 2200 This refers not only to the essential nature of the eternal Godhead, but also to the visible proofs of virtues, for hereby hath He proved Himself the eternal God, in that He is the beginning of all things, and the Author of each several virtue, in that He is the Head of the Church, as it is written: \u201cBecause He is the Head of the Body, of the Church; 2201 Who is the beginning, first-begotten from the dead.\u201d 2202\n50. It is clear, then, that the words \u201cbep. 250 ginning of His ways,\u201d which, as it seems, we must refer to the mystery of the putting on of His body, are a prophecy of the Incarnation. For Christ\u2019s purpose in the Incarnation was to pave for us the road to heaven. Mark how He says: \u201cI go up to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.\u201d 2203 Then, to give you to know that the Almighty Father appointed His ways to the Son, after the Incarnation, 2204 you have in Zechariah the words of the angel speaking to Joshua clothed in filthy garments: \u201cThus saith the Lord Almighty: If thou wilt walk in My ways and observe My precepts.\u201d 2205 What is the meaning of that filthy garb save the putting on of the flesh?\n51. Now the ways of the Lord are, we may say, certain courses taken in a good life, guided by Christ, Who says, \u201cI am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.\u201d 2206 The way, then, is the surpassing power of God, for Christ, is our way, and a good way, too, is He, a way which hath opened the kingdom of heaven to believers. 2207 Moreover, the ways of the Lord are straight, as it is written: \u201cMake Thy ways known unto me, O Lord.\u201d 2208 Chastity is a way, faith is a way, abstinence is a way. There is, indeed, a way of virtue, and there is a way of wickedness; for it is written: \u201cAnd see if there be any way of wickedness in me.\u201d 2209\n52. Christ, then, is the beginning of our virtue. He is the beginning of purity, Who taught maidens not to look for the embraces of men, 2210 but to yield the purity of their bodies and minds to the service of the Holy Spirit rather than to a husband. Christ is the beginning of frugality, for He became poor, though He was rich. 2211 Christ is the beginning of patience, for when He was reviled, He reviled not again, when He was struck, He did not strike back. Christ is the beginning of humility, for He took the form of a servant, though in the majesty of His power He was equal with God the Father. 2212 From Him each several virtue has taken its origin.\n53. For this cause, then, that we might learn these divers virtues, \u201ca Son was given us, Whose beginning was upon His shoulder.\u201d 2213 That \u201cbeginning\u201d is the Lord\u2019s Cross\u2014the beginning of strong courage, wherewith a way has been opened for the holy martyrs to enter the sufferings of the Holy War.\nS. John ix. 4. \u201cIn him\u201d is, in our Bible, attached to the preceding verse.\n249:2198\nS. John ix. 5.\n249:2199\nS. Matt. xxviii. 20.\n249:2200\nS. John viii. 25. St. Ambrose\u2019s words: \u201cPrincipium quod et loquor vobis.\u201d\n249:2201 249:2202 250:2203\nS. John xx. 17.\n250:2204\n\u201csecundum incarnationem,\u201d \u201cas a result of the Incarnation.\u201d\n250:2205 250:2206\nS. John xiv. 6.\n250:2207 250:2208 250:2209 250:2210\nCf. 1 Cor. 7:29, 34. It seems unwarrantable to suppose a reference to 2 Cor. xi. 2.\n250:2211 250:2212 250:2213\nIsa. ix. 6. St. Ambrose\u2019 version is \u201cFilius datus est nobis, cujus principium super humeros ejus.\u201d","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Ser. II, Vol. X: Dogmatic Treatises, Ethical Works, and Sermons.: Chapter VII. Solomon's words, \u201cThe Lord created Me,\u201d etc., mean that Christ's Incarnation was done for the redemption of the Father's creation, as is shown by the Son's own words. That He is the \u201cbeginning\u201d may be understood from the visible proofs of His virtuousness, and it is shown how the Lord opened the ways of all virtues, and was their true beginning.","type":"page"}