Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV And, without using a parable, the Lord said to Jerusalem, `O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest those that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gathereth her chickens trader her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house shall be left unto you desolate."[595] This expression [of our Lord], "How often would I have gathered thy children together, and thou wouldest not,"[597] In the same manner therefore the Lord, both showing His own goodness, and indicating that man is in his own free will and his own power, said to Jerusalem, "How often have I wished to gather thy children together, as a hen [gathereth] her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Wherefore your house shall be left unto you desolate."[615] Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book I And that He calls us chickens the Scripture testifies: "As a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings."[29] Such is the Instructor in His admonitions, as when He says in the Gospel, "How often would I have gathered thy children, as a bird gathers her young ones under her wings, and ye would not!"[178] For he that knows God, how does he persecute God's servants? Wherefore He says, "Your house is left desolate; for I say unto you, Henceforth ye shall not see Me, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord."[201] Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book I "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children, as a hen her chickens!"[62] The expression, then, "How often," shows wisdom to be manifold; every mode of quantity and quality, it by all means saves some, both in time and in eternity. "For the Spirit of the Lord fills the earth."[63] " For this is the end of foolish pleasure. Such, indeed, is the case. And when He says, "Be not much with a strange woman,"[64] Cyprian Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews Also in the Gospel the Lord says: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and thou wouldst not! Behold, your house shall be left unto you desolate."[42] Clementine Homily III And vet He loved even those who hated Him, and wept over the unbelieving, and blessed those who slandered Him, and prayed for those who were enmity against Him.[9]