59. So, then, having obtained everything,
let us know that we are born again, but let us not say, How are we born
again? Have we entered a second time into our mother’s womb
and been born again? I do not recognize here the course of
nature. But here there is no order of nature, where is the
excellence of grace. And again, it is not always the course of
nature which brings about conception, for we confess that Christ the
Lord was conceived of a Virgin, and reject the order of nature.
For Mary conceived not of man, but was with child of the Holy Spirit,
as Matthew says: “She was found with child of the Holy
Spirit.” S. Matt. i. 18. If, then,
the Holy Spirit coming down upon the Virgin wrought the conception, and
effected the work of generation, surely we must not doubt but that,
coming down upon the Font, or upon those who receive Baptism, He
effects the reality of the new birth.