"This is extent of grace [that] is God’s achievement [for] all: that He came to endure sin for in Him there is no sin; conceived man and also born in the likeness [of] flesh [of] sin from sinful flesh. Indeed, [from] Mary’s flesh (which humanity’s iniquity she was necessarily conceived [in], truly she was undoubtedly sinful) [was in] whom God’s Son [was] given birth in [the] likeness of flesh of sin. It is testified by the Apostle: “He sent His own Son in the likeness [of] flesh [of] sin.” To wit, “Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal to God: But emptied Himself, taking a form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.” For that reason, truly in [the] likeness [of] flesh [of] sin [was] God’s Son sent. And it is done similarly [for] mankind, because similar men [are] fashioned in revered flesh as far as [he is] actually created and we [are] not similar [to] God in that [He is] created without bearing sin, as far as our flesh does not work machinations, but only from our sin belonging [to one’s] imagination [does]. Consequently, in [the] likeness [of] flesh [of] sin God’s Son [has been] caused to appear, because of this [He has] true human flesh without mankind’s iniquity, but his [i.e. mankind’s] mortality. Truly, [the] likeness [of] flesh [of] sin [is] within God’s Son, or rather it is said God’s Son [is] in [the] likeness of sinful flesh, it is believed the only begotten God from [the] Virgin’s mortal flesh did not extract sin’s defilement. But, I accept [the] true nature [of God] completely, as Truth risen from [the] earth, standing out [in] that prophet David’s happy saying, [which] get’s [to] state: “Truth is risen from the Earth.” Truly, therefore Mary conceived God’s Word, because in flesh [of] sin she gave birth, in that way God accepted [the likeness of sinful flesh]. " (Fulgentius of Ruspe, Epistle 17, in PL 65:458)
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| Latin text in Patrologia Latina |
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