The Head and the members share one nature. We are not like that monstrous image Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream—a head of fine gold, belly and thighs of brass, legs of iron, feet mixed with clay. No! Christ's mystical body is no absurd combination of opposites. The members were mortal, and therefore Jesus died. The glorified Head is immortal, and therefore the body is immortal too. For thus the record stands: "Because I live, you shall live also."

As is our loving Head, such is the body—and every member in particular. A chosen Head and chosen members! An accepted Head and accepted members! A living Head and living members! If the Head is pure gold, all the parts of the body are pure gold also. Here is a double union of nature as the basis for the closest communion.

Pause here, devout reader, and see if you can contemplate this without ecstatic amazement: the infinite condescension of the Son of God in exalting your wretchedness into blessed union with His glory! You are so low that in remembrance of your mortality, you may say to corruption, "You are my father," and to the worm, "You are my sister." And yet in Christ you are so honored that you can say to the Almighty, "Abba, Father," and to the Incarnate God, "You are my brother and my husband."

Surely if relationships to ancient and noble families make men think highly of themselves, we have cause to glory above them all. Let the poorest and most despised believer lay hold upon this privilege! Let not senseless indolence make you negligent to trace your pedigree. Let no foolish attachment to present vanities occupy your thoughts to the exclusion of this glorious, this heavenly honor of union with Christ.