Page:A Compendium of the Chief Doctrines of the True Christian Religion.djvu/47

Rh be the true nature and quality of the church both among societies and individuals.

In it's external sense the Word appears to treat much of worldly and terrestrial things; and hence many conclude, that it differs but little from other writings: but in it's internal sense it treats solely of heavenly and divine things, these latter being represented and signified by the former. In the internal it is full of glory, and exhibits such a display of the divine wisdom and love, as cannot be equalled by any other production: while in the external it is like a cloud intercepting the beams of celestial light, and at the same time defending it's interior contents from the wanton eye of curiosity, and from the danger of profanation. It is on this account that the coming of the Lord in his Word, to open and reveal it's spiritual sense, to minds capable of discerning it, is said to be a coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Moreover the Word is the only medium of conjunction with heaven, and thus with the Lord himself, who is intimately present in his Word, and thereby gives to man a capacity for the enjoyment of eternal life. It is this presence of the Lord in his Word, communicating spiritual life to those who embrace the divine truth contained in it, and who endeavour to live according to it's precepts, of which he speaks, when he says, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life," John vi. 63. "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst: but the water, that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" John iv. 14. And again. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God," Matt. iv. 4.