Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

The picture of the spiritual building which God has built in the church is truly beautiful and pleasant. The blessed city of Jerusalem which is in the heavens is built of living stones. These stones by nature are unpolished, but they are polished by tensions and pressures and various crosses on earth; they are each fitted in their own places and placed by the hands of the artisan. And the cornerstone and foundation is Christ Himself, sent by the heavenly Father so that the stones which in themselves are dead, set on Him, might receive from Him life and Spirit. He also is the firm foundation of His church, so that not even "the gates of hell can prevail [against it]." And because He is the cornerstone, by connection with Him He firmly binds the walls together, so that the building does not fall apart and never can even develop cracks. Let the godly think very carefully about this picture. -- Blessed Martin Chemnitz, *Loci* II:695