Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 3.djvu/238

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THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY.

Therefore the twelve tribes of Israel signify the superior heavens and also the internal church; but these signify the inferior heavens and the external church. (A. R. 363.)

It is said that the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, and afterwards that she got the wings of an eagle and flew to her own place; by which is signified that the church which is called the New Jerusalem, is to tarry among those who are in the doctrine of faith separate from charity, while it grows to its fulness, until provision is made for its reception among greater numbers. But in that church there are dragons who separate faith from good works, not only in doctrine but also in life; whereas the rest in the same church, who live the life of faith which is charity, are not dragons although among them; for they think it is agreeable to doctrine that faith produces the fruits which are good works, and that the faith which justifies and saves is to believe those things which are in the Word and do them. But the dragons are of an entirely different way of thinking. But the former do not comprehend the sentiments of these latter: and since they do not comprehend, neither do they receive them. (A. E. 764.)


A SUMMARY OF ITS DOCTRINES.

The doctrines of the church which is understood by the New Jerusalem, are these:

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