50. It is clear, then, that the words “beginning of His ways,” 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’s purpose in the Incarnation was to pave for us the road to heaven. Mark how He says: “I go up to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.” S. John xx. 17. Then, to give you to know that the Almighty Father appointed His ways to the Son, after the Incarnation, “secundum incarnationem,” “as a result of the Incarnation.” you have in Zechariah the words of the angel speaking to Joshua clothed in filthy garments: “Thus saith the Lord Almighty: If thou wilt walk in My ways and observe My precepts.” Zech. iii. 7. What is the meaning of that filthy garb save the putting on of the flesh?