"for this reason did the Word. . . . reveal . . . God to men through many dispensations, lest man, falling away from God altogether, should cease to exist."

     St. Irenaeus, Adv. haer. IV.xx.7, trans. Roberts & Rambaut (ANF 1) =IV.xxxiv.7 in ed. Harvey (Cambridge University Press, 1857), vol. 2, p. 219.

Therefore the Son of the Father declares [Him] from the beginning, inasmuch as He was with the Father from the beginning, who did also show to the human race prophetic visions, and diversities of gifts, and His own ministrations, and the glory of the Father, in regular order and connection, at the fitting time for the benefit [of mankind]. For where there is a regular succession, there is also fixedness; and where fixedness, there suitability to the period; and where suitability, there also utility. And for this reason did the Word become the dispenser of the paternal grace for the benefit of men, for whom He made such great dispensations, revealing God indeed to men, but presenting man to God, and preserving at the same time the invisibility of the Father, lest man should at any time become a despiser of God, and that he should always possess something towards which he might advance; but, on the other hand, revealing God to men through many dispensations, lest man, falling away from God altogether, should cease to exist [(hominibus per multas dispositions ostendens Deum, ne in toto deficiens a Deo homo, cessaret esse)]. For the glory of God is a living man; and the life of man consists in beholding God. For if the manifestation of God which is made by means of the creation, affords life to all living in the earth, much more does that revelation of the Father which comes through the Word, give life to those who see God.