Patristic A.D. 391
“In order then that we may become this not by love only, but in very deed, let us be blended into that flesh. This is effected by the food which He hath freely given us, desiring to show the love which He hath for us. On this account He hath mixed up Himself with us; He hath kneaded up His body with ours, that we might be a certain One Thing, like a body joined to a head.”
Homilies on the Gospel of John, Homily 46 on John, §3
PD · NPNF1 Vol. 14 (Schaff) ↗