Those, therefore, who assert
that He appeared putatively, and was neither born in the flesh nor truly
made man, are as yet under the old condemnation, holding out patronage
to sin; for, by their showing, death has not been vanquished, which «reigned
from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude
of Adam's transgression.» But the law coming, which was given
by Moses, and testifying of sin that it is a sinner, did truly take away
his (death's) kingdom, showing that he was no king, but a robber; and it
revealed him as a murderer. It laid, however, a weighty burden upon man,
who had sin in himself, showing that he was liable to death. For as the
law was spiritual, it merely made sin to stand out in relief, but did not
destroy it. For sin had no dominion over the spirit, but over man. For
it behoved Him who was to destroy sin, and redeem man under the power of
death, that He should Himself be made that very same thing which he was,
that is, man; who had been drawn by sin into bondage, but was held by death,
so that sin should be destroyed by man, and man should go forth from death.
For as by the disobedience of the one man who was originally moulded from
virgin soil, the many were made sinners, and forfeited life; so was
it necessary that, by the obedience of one man, who was originally born
from a virgin, many should be justified and receive salvation. Thus, then,
was the Word of God made man, as also Moses says: «God, true are
His works.» But if, not having been made flesh, He did appear
as if flesh, His work was not a true one. But what He did appear, that
He also was: God recapitulated in Himself the ancient formation of man,
that He might kill sin, deprive death of its power, and vivify man; and
therefore His works are true.
