Wherefore, [3945] brethren, if we do the will of God our father, we shall be of the first Church, that is, spiritual, that hath been created before the sun and moon; [3946] but if we do not the will of the Lord, we shall be of the scripture that saith, "My house was made a den of robbers." [3947] So then let us choose to be of the Church of life, [3948] that we may be saved. I do not, however, suppose ye are ignorant that the living Church is the body of Christ; [3949] for the scripture saith, "God made man, male and female." [3950] the male is Christ, the female is the Church. And the Books [3951] and the Apostles plainly declare [3952] that the Church is not of the present, but from the beginning. [3953] For she was spiritual, as our Jesus also was, but was manifested in the last days that He [3954] might save us. Now the Church, being spiritual, was manifested in the flesh of Christ, thus signifying to us that, if any of us keep [3955] her in the flesh and do not corrupt her, he shall receive her again [3956] in the Holy Spirit: for this flesh is the copy of the spirit. No one then who corrupts the copy, shall partake of the original. [3957] This then is what He meaneth, "Keep the flesh, [3958] that ye may partake of the spirit." But if we say that the flesh is the church and the spirit Christ, [3959] then he that hath shamefully used the flesh hath shamefully used the Church. Such a one then shall not partake of the spirit, which is Christ. Such life and incorruption this flesh [3960] can partake of, when the Holy Spirit is joined to it. No one can utter or speak "what the lord hath prepared" for his elect. [3961]