St.
Irenaeus (c. 130-202), Book III, 21
God, then,
was made man, and the Lord did Himself save us, giving us
the token of the Virgin. But not as some allege, among those now
presuming
to expound the Scripture, [thus:] "Behold, a young woman
shall
conceive, and bring forth a son,"(10) as Theodotion the Ephesian
has
interpreted, and Aquila of Pontus,(11) both Jewish proselytes. The
Ebionites,
following these, assert that He was begotten by Joseph; thus
destroying,
as far as in them lies, such a marvelous dispensation of God,
and setting
aside the testimony of the prophets which proceeded from God.
.
130-209