Publisher's Synopsis
From the Preface.
All Christian Churches have the literal Bible; but they differ as to its meaning, and especially as to its figurative sense. The purpose of this book is to help the sincere inquirer to open the seals of the literal Bible, and to recognize its inward spirit; and thus to present a new language to those needy ones who have ears to hear "what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
The system of doctrine herein explained is that made known to the world through Emanuel Swedenborg. There is a "Dictionary of Correspondences, etc," compiled from the theological writings of Swedenborg; but it is adapted to the use of advanced students. And the undersigned and others have felt the need of a practical elementary work, as an introduction to the great Science of Correspondences; a hand-book, with which the student may acquire a rational and systematic idea of the philosophy, and of the leading facts, of correspondences, representatives and signs, which knowledge he may use in gaining a better understanding of the Divine Word.
It is not meant that this book will be sufficient to open, to any student, all the spiritual meaning of all parts of the Sacred Scriptures. Such an understanding can come to him, only, whose mind is prepared for such insight, not only by a knowledge of the Science of Correspondences, but also by an interior mental state in which a perception of spiritual truth can be enjoyed. The bxest-informed scholars do not depend upon their scholarship, alone, to receive the spiritual sense of the Divine Word; for they know that every man sees and hears on the level of his intelligence.
"No words, whate'er their meaning, more can tell
Than what the hearer's wisdom understands."
But each man can hear, if he will, all phases of truth which he would now be willing to use, in his practical daily life. The Science of Correspondences is like an outfit of mechanical tools, very useful to those who can handle the tools properly.
The Scripture-texts herein quoted and explained have been selected to emphasize the three great essentials of the Christian religion; 1, the Divine character of our Lord, Jesus Christ; 2, the Divine character of the genuine books of the Bible, as the Word of God; and 3, the necessity of living all our daily life in accordance with the Divine commandments, in both their literal and spiritual meanings.
It is thought best, especially for the use of novitiate students of Scripture Symbolism, to present not merely the correspondential meanings of various objects, activities and conditions, but also many fundamental principles and facts regarding the various subjects considered. It might be interesting to include many more subjects, or to enter further into details; but it seems best to keep the book within moderate bulk.
