1 Thus, brethren, if we do the will of our [Lord], GOD, we shall belong to the first Church, the spiritual one which was [decreed] before the sun and moon; but if we do not the will of the Lord, we shall fall under the scripture, which says, “My house became a den of brigands.” Therefore let us choose to belong to the Church of life, that we may win salvation. 2. Now I imagine that you are not ignorant that the living Church is [one body of believers]. For the scripture says, “GOD made man male and female”; the male is Christ, the female is the Church. And moreover the books and the Apostles declare that the Church belongs not to the present, but has existed from the beginning; for she was spiritual; [and Jesus, son of Mary, was sent] in the last days that [GOD] might save us; 3. and the Church, which is spiritual, was made manifest [among the followers] of Christ, showing us that if any of us guard her in the flesh without corruption, he shall receive her back again in the Holy Spirit. For this flesh is an anti-type of the Spirit; no one therefore who has corrupted the anti-type shall receive the reality. So, then, he means this, brethren: Guard the flesh, that you may receive the Spirit. 4. Now if we say that the flesh is the Church, and the Spirit is [GOD's revelation], of course he who has abused the flesh, has abused the Church. Such a one therefore will not receive the Spirit, which is [GOD's revelation]. 5. So great a gift of life and immortality has this flesh the power to receive, if the Holy Spirit be joined to it, nor can any man express or speak of the things “which the Lord hath prepared” for His elect.