Chapter XVIII.--The glory of the cross.

Let my spirit be counted as nothing ¹ for the sake of the cross, which is a stumbling-block ² to those that do not believe, but to us salvation and life eternal. "Where is the wise man? where the disputer?" ³ Where is the boasting of those who are styled prudent?

For our God, Jesus Christ, was, according to the appointment ⁴ of God, conceived in the womb by Mary, of the seed of David, but by the Holy Ghost. He was born and baptized, that by His passion He might purify the water.

The cross of Christ is indeed a stumbling-block to those that do not believe, but to the believing it is salvation and life eternal. "Where is the wise man? where the disputer?" ⁵ Where is the boasting of those who are called mighty? For the Son of God, who was begotten before time began, ⁶ and established all things according to the will of the Father, He was conceived in the womb of Mary, according to the appointment of God, of the seed of David, and by the Holy Ghost. For says [the Scripture], "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and He shall be called Immanuel." ⁷ He was born and was baptized by John, that He might ratify the institution committed to that prophet.