InvitationtotheNewChurch
byEmanuelSwedenborg.Originallywrittenin1771.
TranslatedbyJohnWhitehead,1914.
EtextpreparedbyTheodoreD.Webber(doug_webber@yahoo.com),2007.
InvitationtotheNewChurch
1.
ThatinChristJesusManisGod,andGodMan,appearsevidentlyfromtheLord''swordstoHisFather:AllThineareMine,andallMineareThine(John17:10).Fromtheexpression"allMineareThine,"itisevidentthattheManisGod;andfromtheexpression,"allThineareMine,"thatGodisMan.
2.
Duringman''sregeneration,thelightofheavenisinstilledintonaturallight,andatthesametimetheheatofheaven;thesetwoconstitute,asitwere,thenewsoul,throughwhichmanisformedbytheLord.Thislightandheatareinstilledthroughthehighermind,whichiscalledthespiritualmind.Byvirtueofthisinstilling,orinsertion,manbecomesanewcreature,andbecomesmoreenlightenedandmoreintelligentinmattersofthechurch,andconsequentlyinthereadingoftheWord.Thisalsoisthenewunderstandingandthenewwill.AfterwardsthemanisledbytheLordthroughtheabovelightandthroughtheaboveheat,andfromnaturalbecomesspiritual.
3.
Thereisastillhigherormoreinteriorlightandheat,whichiscalledcelestial.Thisisinsertedandinstilledintotheformerspiritual.Theangelsofthethirdheavenwhoarecalledcelestial,areinthislightandheat.
4.
Thisinsertionmaybeexplainedbyacomparison;namely,bythegraftingandinoculationoftrees;wherethegraftedslipsreceive[thesap]interiorlyinthemselves,accordingtotheirform,etc.
5.
ItistobeclearlyshownthatwithouttheLord''sAdvent,nomancouldhavebeenregenerated,andhencesaved;andthatthisismeantby"theLambtakingawaythesinsoftheworld."ThismaybeevidentfromthestateofthespiritualworldbeforetheLord''sComing;whichwassuchthatnotasingletruthoffaith,noranygoodofcharity,couldpassfromtheLordtoman.(Thisistobeillustratedbytheinfluxoftruthandgoodintoevilspirits,intothebackpartoftheirheads,etc.)
6.
Miraclesclosetheinternalman,anddeprivemanofallthatfreewill,throughwhichandinwhichmanisregenerated.Freewillreallybelongstotheinternalman;andwhenthisisclosedup,themanbecomesexternalandnatural;andsuchamandoesnotseeanyspiritualtruth.Miraclesalsoarelikeveilsandbarslestanythingmightenter.Thisbar,orthisobstruction,however,isgraduallybroken,and[then]alltruthsbecomedispersed.
7.
Itissaidbythechurchatthisday,followingPaul,thatfaithentersthroughthehearingoftheWord;andsomeaddtothis,throughacertainmeditationfromtheWord.This,however,istobeunderstoodthus,thattruthsoughttobedrawnfromtheWord,andthatmanoughttoliveaccordingtothem.Inthiscase,themanapproachestheLord,whoistheWord,andtheTruth,andreceivesfaith;foreachandalltruthsarefromtheWord,whichisspirituallight.Thusfaithisacquired;becausefaithbelongstotruth,andtruthbelongstofaith;andnothingoughttobebelievedexceptthetruth.
8.
Thattherearenumberlessevilsinteriorlyinman;yea,thattherearenumberlessevilsineverylust.Everylustofwhichmanbecomesconscious,isamassandaheapofmanythings.Thesethingsthemandoesnotsee,butonlytheonemass.When,therefore,themanbyrepentanceremovesthis,theLord,whoseestheinteriorandinmostthingsofman,removesthem.Unless,therefore,amanapproachestheLord,helaborsinvaintorenderhimselffreefromsin.ThecasehereinisaswiththosethingswhichwerewritteninaRelationconcerningturtles[seeTrueChristianReligion462].
9.
Thatamanwhohasaltogetherconfirmedhimselfinthefaithanddoctrineofthepresentchurch,makesnoaccountofrepentance,ofthelawoftheDecalogue,andofworksandcharity.Forhecansay,"Icannotdogoodsfrommyself;theyarecontainedinfaith,whencetheycomeforthoftheirownaccord;Icanonlyknowthem,"andsoforth.Thisisthesourceofthenaturalismwhichprevailsatthepresenttime.
10.
Bythe"fulnessoftime"issignifiedconsummationanddesolation;because"time"signifiesthestateofthechurch(seeRev.10:6,andEzek.30:3).Thesamealsoissignifiedby"Time,times,andhalfatime"(seeRev.12:14;Dan.7:25;12:7).Thetimesintheworldarespring,summer,autumn;thefullnessofthesetimesiswinter.Thetimesastolightaremorning,noon,evening;andtheirfullnessisthenight,etc.,etc.ThisismeantbytheLord''scomingin"thefullnessofthetime,"orof"times";thatis,whenthereisnolongeranytruthoffaith,andgoodofcharityleft.(Concerning"thefullnessofthetime,"seeRom.11:12,25;Gal.4:4;andespecially,Eph.1:9,10;Gen.15:16.)
11.
ThattheLord''sloveispresentwiththosewhoareinfaithinHim.Thismaybeclearlyseenfromthiscircumstance,thatplacecannotbepredicatedoflove,noroffaith;forbotharespiritual.ThattheLordHimselfispresentappearsfromthisconsideration,thatspirituallovealsoisnotconfinedtoplace.Itwasnotinmyowncase,wheneverIwasinthespiritualidea.Inaword,presenceinthespiritualworldisaccordingtolove.Wherefore,[theLord]isomnipresent;Hedoesnotmoveabout;Heisinplace,butnotthroughplace;Heisthusinspaceandinwhatisextended,butnotthroughspace,andthroughwhatisextended.
12.
Thedesolationofthetruthofthechurchmaybecomparedwithconsummationsontheearth;heat,namely,andalltheabove[timesorseasons]areconsummatedbywinter,andthenspring[comes];andlightonearthisconsummatedbythenight,whenthemorningcomes.Wherefore,theLordinRevelationsaidtothoseunderthealtar(Rev.6:9-11).[Seequotation.]AnumberofpassagesaretobequotedfromRevelation,showingthatthechurchhasbeenlaidwaste,eventoitsultimate.
13.
Thatatthepresentdaynothingisknownconcerningtheunionofsoulandbody,isprovedbythehypothesesofthelearnedconcerningthesoul;especiallybythatofDescartesandothers,[whomaintain]thatthesoulisasubstanceseparatedfromthebody,insomeplaceorother;whenyetthesoulistheinmostman;consequently,isthemanfromtheheadtothefoot.Thenceitis,accordingtotheancients,thatthesoulisinthewhole,andineverypartthereof;andthatinwhateverpartthesouldoesnotdwellinmostly,theremanhasnolife.Fromthisunionitis,thatallthingsofthesoulbelongtothebody,andallthingsofthebodybelongtothesoul;astheLordsaidconcerningHisFather,thatallHisthingsaretheFather''s,andthatallthingsoftheFatherareHis(John17:10).ThenceitisthattheLordisGod,evenastotheflesh(Rom.9:5;Col.2:9);andthat[Hesaid],"theFatherisinMe,"and"IamintheFather"[John14:10,11].Thustheyareone.
14.
Thehumanmindisofthreedegrees,whicharethecelestial,spiritual,andnatural.Inthefirstdegreeisthesoul,inthesecond,isthespiritorthemind,andinthethird,isthebody.Itisthesamething,whetherwesaythataman''smindisofthreedegrees,orwhetherwesaythatthemanhimselfis.Forthatofthebodywhichisinprinciplesthuswhereitsfirstis,iscalledmind.Theremainingpartsarederivedthence,andarecontinuations.Whatisthemind,ifitisonlytothehead,exceptsomethingthatisseparatedordivorced,inwhichtheminddoesnotexistthroughcontinuation?Letautopsysettlethis:Theoriginsofthefibersaretheglandsoftheso-calledcorticalsubstance;thenceproceedthefibers;andaftertheyarebundledtogetherintonerves,theydescendandpassthroughthewholebody,weavingittogetherandconstructingit.Thecelestialdegree,inwhichisthesoul,thatis,theinmostman,isasemblanceoflove;thespiritualdegree,inwhichisthemind,thatis,thespirit,whichisthemediateman,isasemblanceofwisdomfromlove;andthethirddegree,inwhichisthebody,whichistheultimateman,isthecontainantofboth;withoutthisthirddegree,thetwohigherdegreeswouldnotsubsist.Thesethingscanbefurtherdemonstratedfromthethreeheavens,thecelestial,spiritual,andnatural-wheresuchmenare.Whereforetheangelsofthehigherheavensareinvisibletotheangelsofthelowerheavens,ifthelatterapproachtheformerfromtheirownheavens.
15.
Thenceitmaybeseeninlightthatasatreeexistsfromitsseed,soalsothebodyexiststhroughthesoul.Hencealsoitisthatthetreederivesitsqualityfromtheseed.Fromthis,however,itfollowsthatinasmuchasthesoulofChristwasfromtheDivineessence,Hisbodyalsomustbederivedthence.
16.
Alltheologians,whenpreaching,knownothingofthefalsitiesoftheirreligion.FortheypreachthatGodisone;thattheSaviouroughttobeadored;thatman,therefore,oughttobelieveintheWordandinpreachings;thatheoughttoexercisecharity,andpractiserepentance,soastodesistfromevils.Whilepreachingthus,theyremembernothingconcerningthreeGods,concerningtheirmysticalfaith,concerningimpotenceinspiritualmatters,andconcerningalltheremainingdogmas.Butletthemknow,thatthefalsitieswhichtheyhaveimbibedintheschools,areclingingtotheminteriorly;andotherthingsaremerelyinthemouth;andthatafterdeaththeycomeintotheinteriorthingsofthespirit;wherefore,thesefalsitiesoughtbyallmeanstoberootedout.Thenalsothethingsthataremerelyinthemouth,areasthebeardonthechin,whichafterwards,asisusuallythecase,iscutoff,andhebecomesbeardless.
17.
WhenorthodoxyentersandexplainsallthosethingswhichpriestspreachfromtheWordconcerningfaiththatweoughttobelieveinGod,concerningcharitytowardstheneighbor,conversion,repentance,andthelifeofpietyandspirituallife,theyfallasitwereintoabucket;thentheyareoverthrown,aswhenonedestroysadwellingorahouse,evensothatnothingbutruinsremain.Thepreacherssaythatthesethingsarenottrue,unlessyoubelievethus.Whatdoescharity,repentance,etc.,effect?TheveryWordthenfalls,andsoforth.Itisasifsomeoneunderminesawall,bydiggingditchesunderit.Allthingsareoverthrown.
18.
Bringanexample,wheresomeonepreachesdevoutlyontheabovesubjectsfromtheWord;andwhenorthodoxyisbroughttobearuponhispreaching,youwillseethatwhatIsawanddeclared,istrue.(Theexamplewillillustratethis....)Thustheyaffirm,andthendeny,iforthodoxyisintheinternalman,andthesubjectsthatarepreachedareintheexternalman.Inthiscasethatwhichthenremainsintheexternalmanisregardedasofnoaccountandbecomeslikefroth.Itissweptaway,likeanearthquake,orlikeashipbrokenbelowbywater.
19.
Anexample,also,maybebroughtfromgenuineorthodoxyonthesubjectoffaith,charity,andfreewill.Fromthisexamplewillappearplainlytheabsurdityof[falseorthodoxy].
20.
Thatthespiritualthingsofheavenflowintothewholeman,andthat[naturalthings]flowinthroughtheworld,isconfirmedinlightthus:thatspiritualandnaturalthingsflowinconjointly,butthattheevilmaninvertsthetwo.Thatwhichiswithinheplacesoutwardlyinhismind;andthatwhichisoutmostheplaceswithin;sothattheworldisaboveheaven,thatis,heavenbelowtheworld.Butthedevoutandgoodmanreceivesbothintheorderinwhichtheyflowin;thespiritualthingswhichflowinthroughheaven,heplacesinthemindabove,andthenaturalthingswhichflowinthroughtheworld,heplacesbelow.Thismanstandsonhisfeeterect;buttheformeris,asitwere,inverted.
21.
ThewholeoftheologyatthepresentdayisnothingbuttheDivineomnipotence.Itissaid:(1)ThatGodgivesfaithwhereandtowhomHepleases.(2)ThatHeremitssins.(3)ThatHeregenerates.(4)ThatHesanctifies.(5)ThatHeimputesandsaves.(6)ThatHewillraisethedeadbodiesfromthegraves;thatHewillcausetheskeletonstobealive,andwillputintothemtheirformersouls.(7)ThatHewilldestroytheworld,withthesun,thestars,theplanets,theearths,andwillcreateitanew.(8)Sinceomnipotenceiseverything,andsinceitconstitutestheorderwhichisGod,andwhichisfromGod,inthewholeworld,itfollowsthatthemanofthechurchcanimaginewhateverhepleases;thathecanraisehimselfbeyondtheethers,thatis,abovereason;andthat,whereverhepleases,hecangocountertoreason,andsaythat"reasonistobeheldunderobediencetoourfaith.ForisnotGodomnipotent?Andwhocan,andwhodarestoreasoninoppositiontoHisomnipotence?"Suchareallthingsoffaithatthisday.
22.
ThatmancannotdiscoverasingleDivinetruth,exceptbyapproachingtheLordimmediately,isduetothis,thattheLordaloneistheWord,andthatHeistheLightandtheTruthitself;andmandoesnotbecomespiritualexceptfromtheLordalone,butremainsnatural;andthenaturalman,inspiritualthings,seeseverythingininvertedorder;thatthisisso,isknownfromPaul.Thisisthereasonwhynotasingletruthhasremainedinthechurch,sothatnowistheconsummation,thedesolation,thedecision,andthefullness[oftime].ButstillbecausetheLordisnotdead,therefore,accordingtoDaniel,therestillremains"arootintheearth";while,accordingtoRevelation,"manindeediswillingtodie,butyethecannot."Thatwhich"remains"isthefacultyofbeingabletounderstandthetruth,andofbeingabletowillgood.Thisis"therootthatremains."
23.
Thestudentsofmodernorthodoxyobject,thatfaith,charity,goodworks,repentance,remissionofsins,etc.,cannotbegivenwithaman,beforehehasreceivedtheHolySpirit.But,ashasbeenshown,theHolySpiritistheDivinewhichproceedsfromtheLord;andtheLordisperpetuallypresentwitheveryman,theevilaswellasthegood.WithoutHispresence,noonecanlive;andtheLordconstantlyacts,urges,andstrivestobereceived;wherefore,thepresenceoftheHolySpiritisperpetual.Forthesakeofconfirmation,thiswasprovedinthespiritualworld,inthecaseofacertaindevil,bytheremovalfromhimoftheLord''spresence.Andthedevillaydead,exactlylikeacorpse.Thousandsfromamongthespiritsandtheclergysawthis,andwerethunderstruck.FromtheLord''sperpetualpresence,manhasthefacultyofthinking,understanding,andwilling.ThesefacultiesaresolelyfromtheinfluxoflifefromtheLord.BothMelancthonandLutherwerepresent,andtheycouldnotopentheirlips.
24.
TheonlycausewhytheReformationwaseffected,wasthattheWordwhichlayburied,mightberestoredtotheworld.Formanycenturiesithadbeenintheworld,butatlastitwasentombedbytheRomanCatholics,andnotasingletruthofthechurchcouldthenbelaidopenfromit.TheLordthuscouldnotbecomeknown,butthePopewasworshippedasGod,intheLord''splace.ButaftertheWordhadbeendrawnforthoutofitstomb,theLordcouldbemadeknown,truthcouldbederivedfromit,andconjunctionwithheavencouldbegiven.ForthispurposetheLordraisedupsimultaneouslysomanymenwhocontended.HeraisedupSweden,Denmark,Holland,Englandthattheymightreceive;andlest[theWord]shouldbeblottedoutinGermanythroughthePope,HeraisedupGustavusAdolphus,whostoodfortheReformation,androseupagainst[thePope].
25.
Unlessthepresentlittleworkisaddedtotheprecedingwork,thechurchcannotbehealed.Foritwouldbeamerepalliativecure;awoundinwhichthecorruptmatterremains,andwhichvitiatestheneighboringparts.Orthodoxyisthiscorruptmatteritself,andthedoctrineoftheNewChurchindeedbringsahealing,butonlyexteriorly.
26.
Theoriginsofallerrorsinthechurchhavebeenthis:thattheyhavebelievedthatmanlivesfromhimself,orfromhisownlife,andthatlifehasbeencreatedinhim;whenyetmanisonlyanorganoflife,andiskeptinthemiddlebetweenheavenandhell,andthusinequilibriumorfreewill.
27.
Nooneisabletoseethedesolationoftruthinthechurch,beforetruthsfromtheWordcomeintolight.Whatheretic,indeed,knowsotherwisethanthatallthathehasaretruths?Everyonecansweartohisown.Heisindeceptivelightarisingfromconfirmations.Insuchalightisthenaturalman,whenthespiritualmanilluminesit.YeathenaturalisticatheistcanswearthatthereisnoGod;andthattheexistenceofGodisamerevainimaginationofthecommonpeople;wherefore,athearthescoffsatthedoctorsofthechurch.
28.
Itisknowninthechurch,thatthechurchistheBodyofChrist;buthowthisishasnotbeenknownhitherto.HenceitisthatthewholeheavenisasonemanbeforetheLord;andthismanisdistinguishedintosocieties,eachofwhichhasreferencetoonemember,ororganandviscusinman.Inthismanorbody,theLordisthesoulorlife.FortheLordinspiresmen;andwhenHeispresent,Heispresentthroughtheheavens,asthesoulispresentthroughitsbody.Thesameisthecasewiththechurchonearth;forthisistheexternalman.Wherefore,everyonethroughdeathisgatheredtohisowninthatbody,etc.
29.
Thethingswhicharestatedinthesequelarenotmiracles,buttheyaretestimoniesthatIhavebeenintroducedbytheLordintothespiritualworldforthesakeoftheendswhich...Thecauseswhynomiraclesaredoneatthepresenttime...(Further,fromtheLord''swordsinMatt.24.)ConcerningthemiraclesofAnthonyofPadua,andofmostofthosewhoareworshippedassaints;ofwhosemiraclesthemonasteriesarefull.OfthemiraclesofParis,concerningwhichtherearetwovolumesinquarto.
30.
ThattheLordwouldcomeinthefullnessoftimeandjudge,ismeantbyHiswordsinMatthew:WhentheSonofmanshallcomeinHisglory,andalltheholyangelswithHim,HeshallsitonthethroneofHisglory;andthereshallbegatheredbeforeHimallnations;andHeshallseparatethemonefromanother,astheshepherdseparateththesheepfromthehe-goats(Matt.25:31-32).ThiscomingoftheLordismeantbythefollowingwordsconcerningJesusChrist,intheApostles''Creed:Heascendedintotheheavens,HesittethattherighthandofGodtheFatherAlmighty;fromthenceHeshallcometojudgethelivingandthedead.AndalsobythesewordsconcerningtheLordJesusChristintheNiceneCreed:Heascendedintotheheavens,andsittethontherighthandoftheFather;andHeshallcomeagaininglorytojudgethelivingandthedead;ofwhosekingdomthereshallbenoend.
31.
AndalsointheAthanasianCreed:Heascendedintotheheavens;HesittethattherighthandofGodtheFatherAlmighty;fromwhenceHeshallcometojudgethelivingandthedead....Andtheyshallgiveaccountfortheirowndeeds.Andtheythathavedonegoodshallenterintoeternallife;andtheythathavedoneevilintoeternalfire.(FormulaConcordiae[Leipsic,1756],pp.1,2,4.)Besides,thearticlesofSchmalkaldenteachthesamethingastheApostles'',theNicene,andtheAthanasiancreeds,namely:JesusChristascendedintotheheavens,HesittethontherighthandofGod,Heshallcometojudgethelivingandthedead.LutherinhisLesserCatechism(p.371)teachesthesamething(AugsburgConfession,pp.10,14);andourCatechism[theoneusedinSweden]teachesthesame(p.303).FromtheAugsburgConfessionwequoteinlikemanner:Heascendedintotheheavens,thatHemightsitontherighthandoftheFather,andreignforever,andruleoverallcreatures.ThesameChristwillopenlycomeagaintojudgethelivingandthedead,accordingtotheApostles''Creed(AugsburgConfession,p.10).
32.
ThattheLordwillnotcometojudgment,todestroyheavenandearth,appearsfrommanypassagesintheWord,whereHiscomingistreatedof;asforinstancewhereitissaidinLuke:WhentheSonofmancometh,shallHefindfaithontheearth?(Luke18:8).BesidesmanymorepassageswhicharequotedinTrueChristianReligion(n.765);further,thatHewillnotcometodestroythevisibleheavenandthehabitableearth(ibid.,n.768seq.);buttoseparatetheevilfromthegood(ibid.,n.772seq.);andmanymorepassagesbesides.ThesamealsoisdeclaredintheCredalFaithwhichisinsertedineveryBookofPsalmsinthewholeChristianworld,wheretheApostles''Creedonlyissetforth.ThesameisintroducedthenceintothePsalms.Bythe"living,"intheaboveplaces,aremeantthosewhoareincharityandfaith,andwhobytheLordarecalled"sheep";butbythe"dead"aremeantthosewhoarenotincharityandfaith,andwhobytheLordarecalled"he-goats."(AddhereRev.11:18;and20:12.)
33.
Title:-THECONSUMMATIONOFTHEAGE,ANDTHEABOMINATIONOFTHEDESOLATIONTHEN.ThereistobeadducedwhattheLordsays,(1)Concerningthe"abominationofthedesolation";(2)WhatHesays[ofvastation];(3)WhattheLordsaysconcerningthe"affliction";(4)That"nofleshcanbesaved";(5)Concerningthe"darkeningofthesunandmoon";(6)ThethingswhicharedeclaredinRevelation:Behold,IamHethatliveth,andwasdead;andbeholdIamHethatlivethuntotheagesoftheages(Rev.1:18;also2:8;and5:6).Andagain,whattheLordsaidinJohn:Thenightcomethwhennomancanwork(John9:4).Inthatnightthereshallbetwomeninonebed(Luke17:34).Further,whattheLordsaidinJohn(21:18),concerningPeter;also,whatPaulsaidconcerningthelasttimes(1Tim.4:1-3;2Tim.3:1-7;4:3,4).ThereshallbeexplainedwhattheLordsays(Matt.24:27),thatthistookplaceonthedayoftheLastJudgment;also,whatHesays(Matt.24:30-31).Thatthisactuallyhastakenplace,seeTrueChristianReligion,n.791.
34.
TheLord''sComingisaccordingtoorderinthisrespect,thatthespringdoesnotcomeuntilafterthewinter;northemorning,untilafterthenight;thatthetravailingwomanhascomfortandjoy,onlyafterpain;thatstatesofcomfortareaftertemptations;andthatthereisgenuinelifeafterundergoingdeath;evenastheLordsays,"Unlessthegrain...die,"etc.(John12:24).TheLordexhibitedthetypeofthisorder,whenHesufferedHimselftobecrucifiedandtodie,andwhenafterwardsHeroseagain;thistypesignifiesthestateofthechurch....TheabovealsoisinvolvedintheimagewhichappearedtoNebuchadnezzar,wheretheStoneatlastbecameagreatRock;itisfurtherinvolvedinthefourbeaststhatcameoutofthesea;andinwhatisrelatedthereconcerningthatfearfulnation(whichistobeexplained).Itislikewiseinvolvedinthefouragesknowntotheancients,thegolden,silver,brazen,andironages;further,intheagesthroughwhicheverymanpasses,frominfancytooldage;thenistheendofthelifeofthebody,andthencomesthelifeofthespirit,whichisthelifeofallthosewhohavelivedwell.Thesamealsoisinvolvedintheheavenwhichhasfirsttopassaway(Rev.21:1,2).Thecasewiththechurchisthesame.
35.
ThekeysofthekingdomoftheheavensweregiventoPeter,becauseherepresentedtheLordastotheDivineTruth;andthisiswhatismeantby"arock,"throughoutthewholeoftheSacredScripture.Onthisaccount[itissaid],"Onthisrock,"thatis,onthisDivineTruth,"IwillbuildMychurch,"namely,onthisthattheLordis"THESONOFTHELIVINGGOD."ItshallbeshownfromtheWord,thatsuchisthesignificationofa"rock."(The"rock"isspokenofintheWord[inthefollowingpassages]:Exod.17:6;33:21,22;Num.20:8-11;Deut.8:15;32:4-37;1Sam.2:2;2Sam.22:2,3,32,47;23:3;Ps.18:2,31,46;28:1;31:2,3;40:2;42:9;62:2,7;78:16,20,35;89:26;92:15;94:22;95:1;105:41;Isa.2:10;22:16;42:11;51:1;1Cor.10:4.)The"fissuresoftherock"meanfalsifiedtruths(Rev.6:15,16;Isa.21:19;Jer.16:16;SongofSol.2:14;Isa.48:21;Jer.23:29;49:16;Obad.verse3;besidesintheEvangelists).InthiswisealsosomeoftheFathersexplainedthispassage(seeFormulaConcordiae,p.345).
36.
WhentheSonalonebecameMan,andnotthewholeTrinity,wasnotthentheDivineEssencewhichisaoneandanindivisibletrine,separated,thatis,disunitedordivided?
37.
ThatthewholeoftheLord''sPrayer,frombeginningtoend,hasrespecttothistime;thatis,tothetimewhenGod,theFatherwillbeworshippedintheHumanForm.Thisappearswhenthisprayerisrightlyexplained.
38.
ThatthechurchesafterthetimesoftheApostlesfellawayintosomanyheresies,andthatatthepresentdaytherearenoneotherthanfalsechurches,isbecausetheyhavenotapproachedtheLord,whenyettheLordistheWord,andtheveryLightwhichenlighteneththewholeworld.AndyetforthemitisasimpossibletoseeonesinglegenuinetruthfromtheWord,exceptwhatisencompassedwithandsteepedinfalsities,andcohereswithfalsities,asitistosailtothePleiades,ortodigoutthegoldwhichisinthecenteroftheearth.Wherefore,inorderthattrueChristianreligionmightbemanifested,itwasabsolutelynecessarythatsomeoneshouldbeintroducedintothespiritualworld,andderivefromthemouthoftheLordgenuinetruthsoutoftheWord.TheLordcannotenlightenanyonewithHislight,unlessHeisapproachedimmediately,andacknowledgedastheGodofheaven.
39.
Thatmiraclesarenotdoneatthisday,isonaccountofthereasonswhicharestatedinTrueChristianReligion(n.501);wherefore,theLordsaidthattheywouldseduce(Matt.24:24).Again,whatismorecommonwiththeRomanCatholicsthanfillingthetombsofthesaints,andthewallsofmonasterieswithmiracles?HowmanyplatesofgoldandsilveraretherenotinthetombofAnthonyofPadua?Howmanyaretherenotwherethethreewisemenaresaidtobeburied?AndhowmanyaretherenotatPrague?Andinotherplaces?Whatelsethanillusionscanbederivedthence?ThefactthatIconverseinthespiritualworldwithangelsandspirits,thatIhavedescribedthestatesofheavenandhell,andthelifeafterdeath;andfurther,thefactthattherehasbeendisclosedtomethespiritualsenseoftheWord-besidesmanyotherthings-isworthmorethanallthesemiracles.Suchcommunication,asfarasIknow,hasnotbeengrantedbytheLordtoanyonebefore.TheseareevidencesthatthishasbeengrantedforthesakeoftheNewChurch,whichisthecrownofallthechurches,andwhichwillendureforever.Beinginthespiritualworld,seeingthewonderfulthingsofheaven,andthemiserablethingsofhell;andbeingthereintheverylightoftheLordinwhicharetheangels,surpassesallmiracles.EvidencesthatIamthere,maybeseeninabundanceinmybooks.
40.
Thesolecausewhythechurchhasimmerseditselfintosomanyfalsities,thatnotasingletruthhasremainedinit,andwhyitislikeashipthathassufferedshipwreck,ofwhichthetopofthemastonlyprotrudes,isthis:thathithertotheyhavenotapproachedtheLordimmediately;andsolongastheLordisnotapproachedimmediately,notasingletruthcanappearinitsownlight.Thereasonofthisis,thattheLordistheWord,thatis,theallofDivinetruthintheWord,andthatHealoneistheLightwhichenlightenethall,asHeHimselfteaches;andfurther,thateverytruthoftheWordshinesfromnoothersource,thanfromtheLordalone.Thislightiswhatismeantbythespiritual;when,therefore,thislightisnotpresent,thereisnothingspiritualinman''sunderstanding,butwhatismerelynatural;andallthingswhichcontainthespiritual,thenaturalmanseesonlyinvertedly;heseesfalsityinsteadofthetruth.OnreadingtheWord,therefore,hebendsallthingstowardshisownfalsities,andthusfalsifiestruths;andhetakesdelightinthem.Forthenaturalhumanmindisinsuchthingsasbelongtotheworldandtoself;itisdelightedsolelybysuchthings;wherefore,unlessintheabovethingsthereisspirituallight,thenaturalmantransfersthemtothosethingswhichbelongtotheworldandtoself,andheputstheseinthefirstplace.Hethusnotonlyshunsspiritualthings,andhidesthemaway,buthealsoscoffsatthem.Faithisspiritualfromnoothersource,thatis,itcannotbecalledspiritual,exceptfromthetruthswhichitcontains,andthusbyvirtueoflightfromtheLord.Unlessfaithisfromthissource,itisnaturalfaithwhichdoesnotconjoin,andwhichisnotsaving.
41.
Thatinthespiritualworldnooneknowsanotherfromhisnameonly,butfromtheideaofhisquality.Thisideacausesthattheotherbecomespresentandisknown.Thus,andnototherwise,parentsareknownbytheirchildren;childrenbytheirparents;andrelations,connectionsbymarriage,andfriends,bytheirrelations,connections,andfriends.Inlikemannerthelearnedareknownfromtheirwritings,andfromthereputationoftheirlearning;greatmenandrulersbythefameoftheirdeeds;inlikemannerkings,emperors,andpopes.Allareknownbythesethingsalone.Itwasgrantedtometoconversewithsuch;butwithothersitisnotpossible.Aspirithimselfalsoisnothingelsethanhisownquality;onthisaccounteveryoneinthatworlddropshisbaptismalname,andthenameofhisfamily,andisnamedaccordingtohisquality.Henceitisthat"name"intheWorddoesnotsignifyname,butquality.AstheLordsaysinRevelation:ThouhastafewnamesinSardis(Rev.3:4);andagain:Iknowtheebyname(Exod.33:7).Besides,athousandotherplaces,where"name"ismentioned.Fromallthis,then,itappears,thatnoonehastheLordpresentwithhimself,unlessheknowsHisquality.ThisqualitythetruthsoftheWordmakemanifest;for,asmanytruthsasthereareintheWord,therearejustsomanymirrorsandideasoftheLord;forHeistheWorditselfandHeistheTruthitself,asHeHimselfsays.Qualitiesareoftwokinds:onekindbelongstotheknowledgeconcerningtheLordHimself,thatHeistheGodofheavenandearth,theSonofGodtheFather,OnewiththeFather,thatallthingsoftheFatherareinHim,inaword,thatHeistheHumanofGodtheFather.TheotherkindbelongstotheknowledgesofthosethingsthatproceedfromHim;andthethingsthatproceedfromHim,areHimself;as,forinstance,thosethingswhichHeteachesconcerningcharity,freedom,will,repentance,regeneration,thesacraments,andverymanyotherthings.ThesethingsalsomakeuptheideaoftheLord,becausetheyarefromHim.
42.
Itisanarcanumfromthespiritualworld,thathewhodoesnotapproachtheLorddirectlyandimmediatelywiththeideaconcerningHim,presenceisnoteffected,andstilllesscanhebecomearecipientofanycommunication.Itisasifsomeonestandsattheside,andappearsinthedark.Inlikemanner,noonecanconversewithanother,unlesshelooksdirectlyathim;communicationisthengrantedwheneachreciprocallylooksattheother.Thus,andnototherwise,doideasenterintoanother;andifatthesametimethereislove,conjunctioniseffected.Ifanyone,therefore,approachestheFatherimmediately,Hestandsasitwereattheside;andhenceisunabletograntandtoimpartredemption;thatis,Heisunabletoregenerate,andafterwardstosavehim.
43.
ThemanifestationoftheLordinPerson,andtheintroductionbytheLordintothespiritualworld,bothastosightandastohearingandspeech,surpassesallmiracles;forwedonotreadanywhereinhistorythatsuchinteractionwithangelsandspiritshasbeengrantedfromthecreationoftheworld.ForIamdailywithangelsthere,evenasIamintheworldwithmen;andnowfortwenty-sevenyears.EvidencesofthisinteractionarethebookswhichIhavepublishedconcerningHeavenandHell,andalsotheRelationsinmylastworkentitledTrueChristianReligion;further,whathasbeenstatedthereconcerningLuther,Melancthon,Calvin,andconcerningtheinhabitantsofmanykingdoms;besides,thevariousevidenceswhichareknownintheworld,andmanyotherevidencesbesideswhicharenotknown.Say,whohaseverbeforeknownanythingconcerningheavenandhell?Whohasknownanythingconcerningman''sstateafterdeath?Whohasknownanythingconcerningspiritsandangels,etc.,etc.?
44.
Inadditiontothesemostmanifestevidences,thereisthefactthatthespiritualsenseoftheWordhasbeendisclosedbytheLordthroughme;whichhasneverbeforebeenrevealedsincetheWordwaswrittenwiththesonsofIsrael;andthissenseistheverysanctuaryoftheWord;theLordHimselfisinthissensewithHisDivine,andinthenaturalsensewithHisHuman.NotasingleiotainthissensecanbeopenedexceptbytheLordalone.Thissurpassesalltherevelationsthathavehithertobeenmadesincethecreationoftheworld.Throughthisrevelationacommunicationhasbeenopenedbetweenmenandtheangelsofheaven,andtheconjunctionofthetwoworldshasbeeneffected;becausewhenmanisinthenaturalsensetheangelsareinthespiritualsense.SeewhathasbeenwrittenconcerningthissenseinthechapterontheSacredScripture[inTrueChristianReligion].
45.
ThecorrespondencesbywhichtheWordastoeachandallofitspartshasbeenwritten,possesssuchpowerandstrength,thatitmaybecalledthepowerandstrengthoftheDivineOmnipotence;forthroughthesecorrespondencesthenaturalactsconjointlywiththespiritual,andthespiritualwiththenatural;thustheallofheavenwiththealloftheworld.Thenceitisthatthetwosacramentsarecorrespondencesofspiritualwithnaturalthings;thenceistheirstrengthandpower.
46.
Whataremiraclesoveragainstthesethings?Miraclesarenotdoneatthisday,becausetheyseducemen,andmakethemnatural.Theyclosetheinteriorsoftheirminds,whereinfaithoughttoberooted;whereforemerefalsitiesproceedthence(seeMatt.24:24).WhatdidthemiracleseffectwhichweredoneinEgyptwiththesonsofIsrael?Whatdidthosemiracleseffectwhichweredonebeforetheminthedesert?WhatthosemiracleswhentheyenteredintothelandofCanaan?WhatthemiracleswhichwerewroughtbyElijahandElisha?WhatthosewhichtheLordHimselfwrought?Wasanyoneevermadespiritualbytheirmeans?WhathasbeentheuseofmiraclesamongtheRomanCatholics?andofthoseofAnthonyatPadua?andofthethreewisemenatCologne?Andwhathasbeentheuseofthecountlessmiraclesinthemonasteries,whosewallsarefittedwithpictures,plates,andgifts?Hasanyoneeverbeenmadespiritualthereby?Havetheynotbecomenaturalthereby,sothatthereisscarcelyanytruthoftheWordamongthem,butonlytheexternalthingsofworship,whichhavetheiroriginfrommenandtraditions?
47.
ThatinChristGodisMan,andManGod,isconfirmedthreetimesintheFormulaConcordiae;andalsointheAthanasianCreed,whereittreatsofthe"assumptionoftheHumanintoGod;"fromtheWord(Rom.14:11;Coloss.2:9;1John5:20,21),aswellasbythedeclarationoftheLordHimself,that"theFatherandHimselfareone;"that"theFatherisinHim,andHeintheFather;"that"allthingsoftheFatherareHis;"that"HehasLifeinHimself;"that"HeistheGodofheavenandearth";etc.
48.
Thesoulistheinmostman,andthenceaccordingtotheancientsitisinthewholeandineverypartofthebody,becausethebeginningofliferesidesinthesoul;thatpartofthebodyinwhichthesouldoesnotinmostlyreside,doesnotlive.Whereforethereisareciprocalunion;andhencethebodyactsfromthesoul,butnotthesoulthroughthebody.WhateverproceedsfromGodpartakesofthehumanform,becauseGodisHimselftheMan;thisisespeciallythecasewiththesoul,whichisthefirstofman.
49.
Nothingismorecommoninthewholeheavenandinthewholeworld,thanforonethingtobewithinanother;thusthereisaninmost,amiddle,andanoutmost;andthesethreeintercommunicate,andthepowerofthemiddleandoutmostarederivedfromtheinmost.Thattherearethreethings,onewithintheother,appearsfromeachandallthingsinthehumanbody.Aroundthebraintherearethreetunics,whicharecalledtheduramater,thepiamater,andthearachnoid;andovertheseistheskull.Aroundthewholebodytherearetunics,onewithintheother,whichtakenalltogetherarecalledtheskin.Aroundeacharteryandveintherearethreetunics;likewisearoundeachmuscleandfiber;inlikemanneraroundalltherestwhicharethere.Inthevegetablekingdomthecaseisthesame.Howthesepartsintercommunicate,andhowtheinmostentersthemiddle,andthemiddletheultimate,isshownbyanatomy,etc.Thenceitfollowsthatthesameisthecasewithlight;thatspirituallightwhichinitsessenceistruth,isinteriorlyinnaturallight;likewisethatspiritualheatwhichinitsessenceislove,isinnaturalheat.Bynaturalheatismeantnaturallove,becausethatlovebecomeswarm;andthisisclothedwiththeheatoftheblood.
50.
AllthingswhichpeoplespeakconcerningtheHolySpiritfalltotheground,assoonasitisbelievedthatmanisnotlife,butonlyanorganoflife;andthusthatGodisconstantlyinman,andthatHestrives,acts,andurgesthatthosethingswhichbelongtoreligion,andconsequentlythosewhichbelongtothechurch,toheavenandsalvation,shallbereceived.ThereforeitiswrongtosaythattheHolySpiritisgiven,orthatitislost.FortheHolySpiritisnothingelsethantheDivinewhichproceedsoutoftheLordfromtheFather,andthisDivinecausesaman''slife,andalsohisunderstandingandhislove;andthepresenceofthisDivineisperpetual.WithoutthepresenceoftheLordortheHolySpirit,manwouldbenothingbutakindofbeast;yeahewouldnothaveanymorelife,thansalt,astone,orastock.Thereasonofthisis,thatmanisnotbornwithinstinct,likeabeast;whereforeapulletonedayoldknowstheorderofitslifebetterthananinfant.
InvitationtotheNewChurch
51.
Thatitisallowabletoconfirmthetruthsofthechurchbyreasonorbytheunderstanding,asmuchasitpleases,andalsobyvariousthingsinnature;andinproportionastruthsaresoconfirmed,theybecomerootedandshine.ItisalsoallowabletoconfirmtruthsbytheWord,whereveritpleases,andalsotoapplyforthispurposemanythingsfromtheWord;andthentheWordisnotfalsifiedthereby.ThoseexpressionsofScripturethroughwhichtruthsareconfirmed,ascendintoheaven;theyarelikethefumesoffrankincense;butontheotherhandiffalsitiesareconfirmedfromtheWord,theydonotascendintoheaven,butarerejected;andtheyaredispersedonthewaywithaloudreport.ThisIhaveheardthousandsoftimes.
52.
ThemanifestationoftheLord,andintromissionintothespiritualworld,surpassallmiracles.Thishasnotbeengrantedtoanyonesincethecreation,asithasbeentome.Themenofthegoldenage,indeed,conversedwiththeangels;butitwasnotgrantedtothemtobeinanyotherthannaturallight;buttomeitisgrantedtobeinbothspiritualandnaturallightatthesametime.Bythismeansithasbeengrantedtometoseethewonderfulthingsofheaven,tobetogetherwiththeangelslikeoneofthem,andatthesametimetodrawforthtruthsinlight,andthustoperceiveandteachthem;consequentlytobeledbytheLord.Butasconcernsmiracles,theywouldhavebeennothingelsethansnaresforseducingmen;astheLordsays(Matt.24:24);andasisrelatedofthemagicianSimon,that:HebewitchedthenationsinSamaria,whobelievedthatthesethingsweredonefromthegreatpowerofGod(Acts8:9seq.).WhatelsearethemiraclesamongthePapists,thansnaresanddeceptions?Whatelsedotheyteach,thanthattheythemselvesshouldbeworshippedasdeities,andthattheyshouldrecedefromtheworshipoftheLord?Havewonder-workingimagesanyothereffect?Havetheidolsorcorpsesofsaintsthroughoutthepapaldominionanyotherpurpose?ThoseofAnthonyofPadua,ofthethreewisemenatCologne,andofalltherest,whosemiraclesfillthemonasteries?WhathavethesemiraclestaughtconcerningChrist?Whatconcerningheavenandlifeeternal?Notasyllable.
53.
Thatitisimpossibleforanychurch,andforanysystemofreligiontoexist,unlessitisbelievedthatGodisone.When,therefore,theDivineTrinityisbelievedtobedividedintothreePersons,howcanthemetaphysicaltermessencemakeoneoutofthree?Solongasthepropertiesofeachpersonarediverse,yea,sodiversethattheyaresaidnottobecommunicable?Andsolongastheequalandparticularpersonssubsistbythemselves,andonepersonhasnopartandnoqualityintheotherperson,oroftheotherperson?ButwhenitisbelievedthattheoneGodisnotonlytheCreator,butalsotheRedeemerandOperator,thenwehaveoneGod;andthenforthefirsttimethechurchexistsandsubsists,andreligionlives.Andthusunionofthreecannotbegivenotherwise,thanitisineveryman,assoul,body,andproceeding.Thesethreemakeoneman:whynotGod,whoisHimselftheManfromfirststoultimates?ThesethingsconcerningGodManhavebeenexplainedinDivineLoveandWisdom,andmaybeconsulted.Itisalsoshownthat[thesoul]isneitherether,norair,norwind;thatthesoulofeverymanisthemanhimself,followsthence.AswehavenowoneGodinthechurch,whoisGodManandManGod,thischurchiscalledthecrownofallthechurches.
54.
ThatinChristmanisGodistobeshownfromthreeplacesintheFormulaConcordiae(fromPaul,Rom.14:11;Col.2:9;fromJohn''sfirstEpistle5:20-21),andfromtheLord''swordsthat:1.GodwastheWord,andtheWordwasmadeflesh.2.AllthingsoftheFatherareHis.3.AlloftheFathercometoHim.4.AstheFatherhathlifeinHimself,sohastheSon(LifeinHimselfisGod).5.TheFatherandHeareone.6.HeisintheFather,andtheFatherinHim.7.HewhoseethHim,seeththeFather.8.HeistheGodofheavenandearth.9.Hegovernstheuniverse.(FromtheCreed.)10.Heiscalled"Jehovah,theRedeemer."11.Heiscalled"Jehovah,ourRighteousness."12.Itissaidthat"Jehovahwouldcomeintotheworld."13.IntheApocalypse(Chap.1)itissaid,thatHeis"thefirstandtheLast."14.Inaword,HeisGodtheFatherwhoisinvisible,intheHumanwhichisvisiblebeforeminds.BecausethereisthusOneGodinthechurch,thechurchisthechurch,etc.,etc.FromtheAthanasianCreeditissaid:Asthesoulandbodyisoneman:soGodandManinChristisonePerson;thenthattheHumanNaturewastakenintoGod.
55.
CONCERNINGMIRACLES.(FromthesonsofIsrael.)(FromtheLord''swordsconcerningDivesandLazarus.)(FromtheLord''swords,Matt.24:24.)ThePapalmiracles(whicharetobeenumerated).Thattheyonlyseduce,anddonotteachanything;theirsolepurposeisthattheymaybeinvokedasdeities;andindeedtothisendthatgoldandsilvermaybebroughttothemonasteries;thatis,thattheymayscrapetogetherthetreasuresofthewholeworld.Themiraclesofmanyofthem,asofAnthonyatPadua;thosebythethreewisemenatCologne;thoseofthewonder-workingimages,atwhichtreasuresarecollected,everywhereinthemonasteries,wherethewallsarecoveredwithpicturesofthemiracleswroughtbytheirsaints,andtheiridols;thebooksconcerningthemiraclesofParisandothers.Whatotherpurposehavethey,thanthattheymaybeinvoked,totheendthatgiftsmaybescrapedtogether?Butwhoamongthemhasthusfartaughtthewaytoheaven,andthetruthsofthechurchoutoftheWord?ForthisreasonithaspleasedtheLordtopreparemefrommyearliestyouthtoperceivetheWord,andHehasintroducedmeintothespiritualworld,andhasenlightenedmewiththelightofHisWordmoreproximately.Fromthisitismanifestthatthissurpassesallmiracles.BeelzebubdidmoremiraclesthanotherGentilegods,asisevidentfromtheOldTestament;andalsothemagicianSimon.
56.
ThattheLordmadetheNaturalManinHimselfDivine,inorderthatHemightbetheFirstandtheLast;andthatHemightthusenterwithmenevenintotheirnaturalman,andmightteachandleaditfromtheWord.ForHerosewithHiswholenaturalorexternalman,anddidnotleaveanythingofitinthesepulcher;onwhichaccountHesaidthatHehadbonesandflesh,whichspiritshavenot;and[henceitis]thatHeateanddrankwithHisdisciplesofnaturalfood,andintheirsight.ThatHewasDivine,Heshowedbypassingthroughdoors,andbybecominginvisible,whichnevercouldhavebeendone,unlessHisNaturalManitselfalsohadbeenmadeDivinewithHim.
57.
ThatallthosethingswhichtheorthodoxatthepresentdaysayconcerningthesendingoftheHolySpiritfalltotheground,assoonasitisknownthattheLordisconstantlypresentwitheveryman,andcausesthemantolive;andthatHeresideswithmaninorderthathemaygoandmeettheLord;andthatevenifhedoesnotgoandmeettheLord,hestillhasrationality,whichwouldbeimpossiblewithouttheLord''spresence.IftheLordwereabsentfromman,themanwouldnotbeabeast,butlikesomecorpsewhichwouldbedissipated.ThisismeantinGenesisby:Godbreathedintohimalivingsoul(Gen.2:7).
58.
ItshallherebeshownfromtheWord,thattheLordisthe"KingdomofGod";thus,thatHeisheavenandthechurch.
59.
Itshallbeshownthatthegreatestpowerisincorrespondences;becauseinthemheavenandtheworld,orthespiritualandthenatural,aretogether.ThatforthisreasontheWordwaswrittenbymerecorrespondences;wherefore,throughitthereistheconjunctionofmanwithheaven,andthuswiththeLord.TheLordalsobythismeansisinfirstsandatthesametimeinultimates.Onthisaccountthesacramentshavebeeninstitutedthroughcorrespondences,andthereforethereistheDivinepowerinthem.
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