You cannot put straight in others what is warped in yourself.

Athanasius (Theologian, 373 A.D.)

A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Irenaeus (Bishop, 130 A.D.)

He [Jesus] fought and conquered. On the one hand, he was man who struggled for his fathers and through his obedience cancelled their disobedience. On the other hand, he bound the strong one and freed the weak and bestowed salvation on his handiwork by abolishing sin. For he is our compassionate and merciful Lord who loves mankind … Had not man conquered man’s adversary, the enemy would not have been conquered justly. Again, had it not been God who bestowed salvation we would not possess it securely.

Irenaeus (Bishop, 130 A.D.)

The Virgin Mary, being obedient to his word, received from an angel the glad tidings that she would bear God.

Irenaeus (Bishop, 130 A.D.)

But we do now receive a certain portion of His Spirit, tending towards perfection, and preparing us for incorruption, being little by little accustomed to receive and bear God.

Irenaeus (Bishop, 130 A.D.)

But following the only true and stedfast Teacher, the Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, who did, through His transcendent love, become what we are, that He might bring us to be even what He is Himself.

Irenaeus (Bishop, 130 A.D.)

The preaching of the Church truly continues without change and is everywhere the same. It has the testimony of the Prophets and Apostles and all their disciples.

Irenaeus (Bishop, 130 A.D.)

We have learned from none others the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the Gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of God, handed down to us in the Scriptures, to be the ground and pillar of our faith.

Irenaeus (Bishop, 130 A.D.)

When we stand in the light it is not we who illumine the light and cause it to shine but we are illuminated and made shining by the light… God grants his blessings on those who serve him because they are serving him and on those who follow him because they are following him, but he receives no blessing from them because he is perfect and without need.

Irenaeus (Bishop, 130 A.D.)

For where the church is, there is the Spirit of God, and where the Spirit of God, there is the church and all grace.

Irenaeus (Bishop, 130 A.D.)