But those words are only the external frame-work of the inner spiritual temple—the outward clothing of living spiritual forms. "The words," says the Lord, "that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." His word is every where filled with living realities. Those scientific truths which unfold the laws and operations of dead matter, have no life in them. It is true, they may be made the servants of spiritual truth, and thus be made the means of performing important spiritual uses. But in themselves they have no life. Taken alone, they have no tendency to regenerate the spirit of any man. They are, therefore, no part of the divine word. They do, indeed, correspond to, and represent spiritual truths, and thus descend from heaven. And it is also true, that their form may be rationally determined, or at least confirmed, by regarding them as the external correspondences of internal and spiritual truths. On this principle, I shall endeavor to show, in another section, that the doctrine of the permanent stability of the earth, as well as other portions of the material universe, is a rational and necessary consequence of certain spiritual truths which are contained in the divine word. But as this doctrine lies in a lower sphere than that which is filled by the word of the Lord, it would be unreasonable to expect to find it confirmed by any direct testimony from that source.
SECTION FIFTH.
Apparent objections in the writings of the Apostles examined and answered.
Certain passages in the writings of Peter—Whether the Apostles understood the internal sense—An affirmative answer to this question not absolutely necessary—Nature and extent of their illumination–State of the human mind in that age—Only external truths could be received—Illustrated by the atonement, resurrection, and second coming—The Apostolic writtngs not a part of the Divine word—Compared with the writings of Swedenborg—Importance of examining this subject.
It has probably seemed to the reader that in the above remarks, I have passed very lightly over some very import-
