Irenaeus Against Heresies Book V For his seed is the Church, which receives the adoption to God through the Lord, as John the Baptist said: "For God is able from the stones to raise up children to Abraham."[279] Clement of Alexandria Exhortation to the Heathen As our witness, let us adduce the voice of prophecy accordant with truth, and bewailing those who are crushed in ignorance and folly: "For God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham; "[5] Tertullian On Modesty was the herald of repentance no less to such as were on military service and to publicans, than to the sons of Abraham.[115] -and in their stead must be under-strewn stones polished and apt for conjunction, and firm,-such as are made (by God) into (sons) of Abraham,[262]