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 but it surpassed the ordinary bounds of its abundant kindness when, in Christ, mercy itself came down to those who were in sin, truth to those wandering out of the way, and life to those who were dead." St. Thomas asks why the Incarnation of the Word is called the work of the Holy Ghost: And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost. It is certain that all God's works, styled by theologians opera ad extra, or external works, are the works of all the three Divine Persons. And why, therefore, should the Incarnation be attributed solely to the Person of the Holy Ghost? The chief reason which the Angelic Doctor assigns for it is because all the works of Divine love are attributed to the Holy Ghost, Who is the substantial love of the Father and of the Son; and the work of the Incarnation was purely the effect of the surpassing love which God bears to man: "But this proceeded from the very great love of God, that the Son of God should assume flesh to Himself in the womb of the Virgin." And this the prophet would signify when he says, God will come from the south; [Hab. 3:3] that is, observes the Abbot Rupert, "From the great charity of God, he has shone upon us." For this purpose, again writes St. Augustine, the Eternal Word came upon earth, to make known to man how dearly God loved him. And St. Laurence Justinian: "In no instance has He so clearly