Tertullian,
Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. III, Anti-Marcion…
(1885)
“ For of everything which has being, from whatever source it has it, whether it has it by a beginning or without a beginning, the word “was” will be predicated from the very fact that it exists. To whatever thing the first tense [3] of the verb is applicable for definition, to the same will be suitable the later form [4] of the verb, when it has to descend to relation. ”
