Tertullian

“ For as I shall have to prove that Christ was from the Creator, according to these (Scriptures) , which were afterwards accomplished in the Creator’s Christ, I find it necessary to set forth the form and, so to speak, the nature of the Scriptures themselves, that they may not distract the reader’s attention by being called into controversy at the moment of their application to subjects of discussion, and by their proof being confounded with the proof of the subjects themselves. ”

“ Another characteristic will be, that very many events are figuratively predicted by means of enigmas and allegories and parables, and that they must be understood in a sense different from the literal description. For we both read of “the mountains dropping down new wine,” [6] but not as if one might expect “must” from the stones, or its decoction from the rocks ”

“ But why enlarge on such a subject? When the very apostle whom our heretics adopt, [10] interprets the law which allows an unmuzzled mouth to the oxen that tread out the corn, not of cattle, but of ourselves ”