QUESTION V.

In the form of what age did the Angel appear?

After this it is asked regarding age, In the form of what age did he appear?

§ I.

And it seems that it was in the age of childhood: because the annunciation is about the same one of whom the prophecy proceeded: but the prophecy is about a child: therefore the annunciation is about a child: but the properties of the messenger ought to be estimated according to the properties of the one announced, as it was said that Gabriel was for that reason called the strength of God: therefore he should have appeared in the form of a child, because he announced a child.

Against.

But on the contrary:
1. Augustine says: "He came to announce that which was above nature, and which was of grace, and not of nature." But a woman conceives, this is according to nature: that a woman encompasses a man in the womb, however, was above nature. Therefore the Angel was announcing a man: therefore he should have appeared in the form of a man.
2. Item, The annunciation of Isaac was made in the form of a man: therefore this one also.

§ II.

It seems, however, that it should have been done in the form of a youth.

1. For an old man, as such, signifies a defect, and likewise a child, but a youth signifies novelty with perfection: here, however, is announced He who was new according to humanity, and also perfect according to divinity: therefore he should have been announced in the form of a youth.
2. Item, To the same end, Dionysius says that the youthful signifies the perfection of the innovating and always vital virtue original: "1". Innovating: behold the novelty of humanity. Always vital virtue: behold the eternity of the divinity. Therefore the youthful encompasses the new of humanity and the eternal of divinity: therefore in a youthful form.

Which we concede.

Response.

Answering the contrary, we say that the youthful form was appropriate to the illumination, and not the childlike or the elderly. For children do not yet perfectly use the discretion of virtues and senses. The elderly fail according to sense. Neither was suitable for illumination. But where the discretion of the senses and the vigor of the organs are necessary, there a convenient age must be present. Nor does it obstruct that he was called a child by Isaiah, when he also calls him the Father of the world to come original: "2".

1 St. Dionysius, Book on the Celestial Hierarchy, ch. 15.

2 Isa. ix, 6.