"This is a great mystery."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Ephesians v. "For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. "This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church." The church is the body of the Lord, even as Eve was the body of Adam. By the saints the body of the Saviour is eaten, and through this ordinance they become members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. If, therefore, because Eve was made from the flesh and bone of Adam the twain should cleave together and be one flesh, how much greater would be the unity between Christ and his church, which is his flesh, "that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Why is it that such wonderful love should be bestowed upon man? It is owing to the great and glorious work to which he is predestinated and called: for through the body of Christ the Adversary is overthrown, and all things are gathered together in Christ. Such being the case, the promises shall stand forever: "For no man ever yet hated his own flesh," neither will the Lord hate his flesh, which is the church; therefore when the Lord shall have accomplished his eternal purpose which he purposed in Jesus Christ our Lord, the church shall be "a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

//∞\\

TABLE OF CONTENTS