The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 615

—

.

XXX. Organically One. '•

From whom

the whole body,

fitly

joined together and compacted,

maketh increase unto the ing of

itself in

love."

edify-

Ephes.

iv. i6.

The

netvness of

holy Love

lies in the Church.

As we look

at the

withered state of the Church in almost every period, we almost hesitate to make this statement; yet in principle we maintain it to its fullest

extent and power.

The Church

of Christ on earth is like an "incluse."

clusi" were honorable

immured themselves

men and women who

in little cells

The

" in-

Middle Ages of stone, built under the street, in the

enough to allow a man to stand erect. After the incluse had descended into his cell, it was closed over him with a grating and thus he spent his lonely, comfortless life in voluntary isolationPassers-by could see but little of him. Through the grating the faint outline of a dark form was dimly visible but it did not seem to possess the least attraction did not once suggest what manly and noble stature might be concealed in that cell much less what extraordinary power might be embodied in that incluse, and what hours and days were spent in inward conflict. And such is the image of the Church of Christ on earth. It is enclosed and can not reveal itself. Of its real form only a faint outline appears, almost always unfavorable and unprepossessing. Unless its spiritual wealth and nobility are discovered in some other way, no one will surmise that this is the Church which shall one day decide the destiny of heaven and earth. Still this is the fact. The Father loves the Son. The body of the Son is the Church. Hence no one can be saved but he who is incorporated into His body the Church. just high

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;

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