Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. II:
On Christian Doctrine: Chapter 16

Chapter 16.—Christ Purges His Church by Medicinal Afflictions.

15.  For the Church is His body, as the apostle’s teaching shows us; 1728 and it is even called His spouse. 1729   His body, then, which has many members, and all performing different functions, He holds together in the bond of unity and love, which is its true health.  Moreover He exercises it in the present time, and purges it with many wholesome afflictions, that when He has transplanted it from this world to the eternal world, He may take it to Himself as His bride, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.

Footnotes

Compare Eph. 1:23, Rom. 12:5.

Rev. 19:7, Rev. 21:9.