Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenæus

Concerning Christ, the law, the prophets, and the evangelists have declared that He was born of a virgin, that He suffered on a cross, and that He rose from the dead; that He also ascended to heaven, was glorified by the Father, and is the Eternal King; that He is perfect Intelligence, the Word of God, who was begotten before the light; that He was the Creator of the universe, along with light, and the Maker of man; that He is All in all: Patriarch among patriarchs; Law in laws; Chief Priest among priests; Ruler among kings; the Prophet among prophets; the Angel among angels; the Man among men; Son in the Father; God in God; King for all eternity. For it is He who sailed in the ark with Noah, who guided Abraham; who was bound with Isaac, and was a wanderer with Jacob; the Shepherd of those who are saved, and the Bridegroom of the Church; the Chief of the cherubim, the Prince of the angelic powers; God of God; Son of the Father; Jesus Christ; King forever and ever. Amen.