Origen

“ To which we answer, that there never was a time when God did not wish to make men live righteous lives; but He continually evinced His care for the improvement of the rational animal, [3] by affording him occasions for the exercise of virtue. ”

“ For in every generation the wisdom of God, passing into those souls which it ascertains to be holy, converts them into friends and prophets of God. And there may be found in the sacred book (the names of) those who in each generation were holy, and were recipients of the Divine Spirit, and who strove to convert their contemporaries so far as in their power.
↑ μετὰ τοσοῦτον αἰῶνα.↑ δικαιῶσαι.↑ τὸ λογικὸν ζῶον. ”