For in a contest there is much labor needed--and after the contest victory falls to some, to others disgrace. Is the palm ever given or the crown granted before the course is finished? ... Therefore no one can receive a reward, unless he has striven lawfully; nor is the victory a glorious one, unless the contest also has been toilsome.
-St. Ambrose of Milan, Chapter 15, Three Books on the Duties of the Clergy, 4th century


It is the sole and peculiar property of the Substance that transcends all, to be able to bestow on men the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and make those that draw near unto It partakers of the divine nature.
-St. Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homily 10., 4th Century


But this exists in Christ, not as a thing received, nor by communication from another, but as His own, and as belonging to His substance, for He baptizes in the Holy Spirit.
-St. Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homily 10., 4th Century


The Word, therefore, that became man is, as it appears, God, and the fruit of the Father's substance ...Yes! We too affirm, without fear of contradiction, that the Word being God as of His own fullness bestows the Holy Spirit on such as are worthy; …
-St. Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homily 10., 4th Century


… but this He still wrought, even when He was made man, as being the One Son with the flesh united to Him in an ineffable and incomprehensible manner.
-St. Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homily 10., 4th Century


'And He is the expectation of the nations' ... Therefore it is said to Moses, 'Remove the sandals from your feet' (Exo. 3:5). Otherwise Moses, who was chosen as leader of the people, might be thought to be the bridegroom of the Church.
-St. Ambrose of Milan, Seven Exegetical Works, 4.22, 4th Century


It was for that reason that Joshua, son of Nun, removed his sandals (Cf. Jos. 5:15), in order that he also could preserve the gift of so great a function for Him who was to come. It is for that reason that John says, 'A man is coming after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to loose,' ...
-St. Ambrose of Milan, Seven Exegetical Works, 4.22, 4th Century


This means: He alone is the husband of the Church, He is the expectation of the nations, and the prophets removed their sandals while offering to Him a union of nuptial grace.
-St. Ambrose of Milan, Seven Exegetical Works, 4.22, 4th Century


Repentance is the renewal of baptism and is a contract with God for a fresh start in life.
-St. John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent Step 5:On Penitence, Paulist Press pg. 121, 6th century


Do you see that both by the words of the Prophet Isaiah and by his own preaching this one thing is manifested alone: that not only had he come making a way and making ready beforehand, not bestowing the gift which was the remission, but he prepared besides the souls who were about to receive the God of all?
-St. John Chrysostom, Commentary on St. Matthew, P. G. 57:142, (col. 187), Fourth Century AD


Everyone that preaches true faith and good works, what does he do but prepare the way of the Lord so that He may come into the hearts of his hearers, and may make straight the path for God, forming right dispositions within them by the words of his exhortations?
-St. Gregory the Great, On the Mystical Church, P. G. 76 (cols 1159-1170) in Toal, I:89, Sixth Century