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DECLARATION OF DR. G. A. BEYER. 187
but still stronger will be our light if we proceed to each
chapter individually, and observe from the given signifi
cation of each word, how all the chapters are united in a
connected series in the internal sense. The explanation
of words and things used by Swedenborg is constant and
invariable ; and when once apprehended, may, according
to the soundest rules of interpretation, be applied to other
parts of the Word, much in the way that we use the
lexical interpretation of words to enable us to study the
works of a foreign author in their original language.
How unexpectedly will it be found upon such an inves
tigation, that there are discoverable, even in those books
which are to all appearance merely historical, purely spiri
tual and celestial things ; that is, things in the highest
degree worthy of the wisdom of God, relating solely to
HIMSELF, TO HEAVEN, AND TO THE CHURCH !-as, for
example, in the history of Lot and his daughters. (Ge
nesis xix. 31. ) And lest any person should hastily sup
pose that such signification and interpretation are merely
imaginary, the author has observed with all possible care
the most universally acknowledged rule of interpretation,
that the Scriptures must be interpreted by the Scriptures;
his interpretation is consequently conducted upon the most
conclusive principles. And forasmuch as the majesty and
glory of the spiritual and celestial senses are veiled in the
heavenly cloud, or literal sense of the Word, he has been
truly qualified from on high to dispel the mist,-to bring
to light and fully to explain what the genuine doctrines of
the church ought to be; for as the church is spiritual, it
must derive all that makes it such from the spirituality of
the Word, so that there can be no truth of the church,
unless at the same time it be a truth of heaven ; and there
can be no consociation and conjunction with the Lord
and heaven, but so far as the men of the church think
from the Word, out of the Word, and uniformly with
the Word, because the Lord is Himself the Word.
( 1 John i. 14. )
" The exalted ideas which we ought to cherish respect
ing the Holy Scriptures are shewn and proved in his
work concerning the Sacred Scriptures, and in that con
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