“But when the Lord Jesus came, He forgave all men that sin which none could escape, and blotted out the handwriting  against us by the shedding of His own Blood. This then is the Apostle’s meaning; sin abounded by the Law, but grace abounded  by Jesus; for after that the whole world became guilty, He took away the sin of the whole world, as John bore ·witness, saying: Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Wherefore let no man glory in works, for by his works no man shall be justified, for he that is just hath a free gift, for he is justified by the Bath. It is faith then which delivers by the blood of Christ, for Blessed is the man to whom sin is remitted, and, pardon granted.”  

-St Ambrose of Milan (337-397 AD), Letter 73, to Irenaeus