But this is Adam, if the truth
should be told, the first formed man, of whom the Scripture says that the Lord
spake, "Let Us make man after Our own image and likeness;" and we are
all from him: and as we are from him, therefore have we all inherited his
title. But inasmuch as man is saved, it is fitting that he who was created the
original man should be saved. For it is too absurd to maintain, that he who was
so deeply injured by the enemy, and was the first to suffer captivity, was not
rescued by Him who conquered the enemy, but that his children were, --those
whom he had begotten in the same captivity. Neither would the enemy appear to
be as yet conquered, if the old spoils remained with him. To give an
illustration: If a hostile force had overcome certain [enemies], had bound
them, and led them away captive, and held them for a long time in servitude, so
that they begat children among them; and somebody, compassionating those who
had been made slaves, should overcome this same hostile force; he certainly
would not act equitably, were he to liberate the children of those who had been
led captive, from the sway of those who had enslaved their fathers, but should
leave these latter, who had suffered the act of capture, subject to their
enemies,--those, too, on whose very account he had proceeded to this
retaliation,-- the children succeeding to liberty through the avenging of their
fathers' cause, but not so that their fathers, who suffered the act of capture
itself, should be left [in bondage]. For God is neither devoid of power nor of
justice, who has afforded help to man, and restored him to His own liberty.
(Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies 3.23.2 [ANF 1:456])
