In a series of articles entitled "The Seed" we have attempted to show that from the

beginning, and against all the opposition of the enemy, God has pursued His great

purpose, a purpose which, while it comprehends more, must comprehend at least the

election, preservation and ultimate glory of a chosen "seed". While the demonstration of

this aspect of the mighty purpose of the ages clarifies some erstwhile difficult passages, it

reveals further and deeper problems, and while it will never be given to anyone on this

side of glory "to know even as he is known" we do nevertheless believe that Scripture has

been given to reveal the mind of God, even though the nature of the subject revealed, and

the limitations of those addressed, render many a passage difficult of apprehension, as

though seen "in a glass darkly".

We now approach this purpose from another, yet related, angle and throw the subject

before us in the form of a question. "Why was the church, which was chosen IN

CHRIST before the foundation of the world not created spiritual and placed immediately

into its heavenly inheritance? Why was it necessary for every member to enter into life

IN ADAM?

The problem can be visualized thus:

THE PURPOSE

A | In Christ.

B | Spiritual blessings.

C | Heavenly places.

D | Far above all principality.

THE PROCESS

A | In Adam.

B | Not spiritual but natural.

C | Of the Earth, earthy.

D | Lower than the angels.

We have purposely limited our enquiry to a select company, the Church of the One

Body. If we extend our enquiry to comprehend the number that do not appear to have

been the subjects of Divine grace at all, the problem becomes so vast and the issues so

great, that there is every likelihood that we should fail to accomplish anything

satisfactory. While readily admitting this vast outer ring, it will simplify the present

quest, if we concentrate on the known few, rather than the unknown many. The company

we have before us therefore is the Church of the Mystery. They are a unique company