Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 3.djvu/220

Without the spiritual sense, this sacrament [the Holy Supper] is like a closed house full of jewels and treasures, which is passed by like any other house on the street, except that the gaze of those passing is attracted to it; who praise it and estimate its value because the clergy have built its walls of marble and covered its roof with plates of gold. It is otherwise when that house is opened.

These four, flesh, blood, bread and wine, mean the spiritual and celestial things which correspond to them, as may be seen from the passages in the Word where they are mentioned.

The Lord says that his flesh is bread, and his blood the wine which was drunk from the cup. His blood means his divine truth and that of the Word, because the divine good of love is the spiritual meaning of his flesh; and in Him these two are united. It is known that the Lord is the Word, and there are two principles to which all things in the Word relate — Divine Good and Divine Truth. Therefore if the Word is substituted for the Lord, it is plain that these two principles are meant by his flesh and blood.

As the Lord's flesh and blood, and in like manner the bread and wine, mean Divine Good and Divine Truth, both from the Lord and both being the Lord, the Holy Supper contains all things both general and particular pertaining to heaven and the church.