Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 3.djvu/249

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
ITS PRIMARY PRINCIPLE.
243

the neighbor. Love to the Lord consists in trusting in Him and doing his commandments; and to do his commandments constitutes love toward the neighbor, because to do his commandments is to be useful to our neighbor. (A. R. 903.)

By these three [the length, breadth and height of the New Jerusalem] being equal, is signified, that all things appertaining to this church are derived from the good of love, as appears from what follows. For it is said that "the city was pure gold like unto clear glass" (verse 18); also that " the street of the city was pure gold like transparent glass" (verse 21); and by gold is signified the good of love. (Ibid. 907.)

The doctrine of the New Church which is called the Holy Jerusalem, is the doctrine of love to the Lord and charity toward the neighbor. This cannot be acknowledged and thence received except by those who are interiorly affected with truths. Nor can it be acknowledged and thence received by those who have confirmed themselves in faith alone both in doctrine and in life. Confirmation in doctrine only, does not hinder its reception; but if it be at the same time in life, it does hinder; for such persons do not know what love to the Lord nor what neighborly love or charity is, neither do they desire to know. (A. E. 732.)

The woman treated of in this chapter [Rev. xii.], is the same who is called the Bride, the Lamb's wife, which was the holy city Jerusalem descending from