Page:A brief discussion of some of the claims of the Hon. E. Swedenborg.pdf/21

 true. We believe them, not merely because that illustrious man has said so, but because they are facts capable of the most extensive and conclusive proof. To complete these proofs would oblige us to pass over very extensive fields of intellectual investigation: we can now only take those parts of the excursion which the remainder of our time will permit. The doctrines of a genuine church are drawn from the Lord's Holy Word, and they are intended to teach mankind how to think wisely of God. His kingdom, and Providence; and also how to live in agreement with His laws, and thus to be virtuous. A church is corrupted in proportion as it is defective in these two essential principles; and it is brought to its end when its doctrines are such as are not contained in the Revelation of God. Let it be observed, that a church is brought to its end as such, that is, as to the essentials of its existence, when it has ceased to teach the doctrines contained in the Holy Word, and substituted false ones in their place. A fallen and consummated church may profess itself to be upright and true—it may retain its ceremonies, bolster up its errors, and gloss its perversions—assert itself a queen—declare itself no widow, although the Lord, its husband, has departed,—and for centuries mistake a languishing existence for a condition of health and vigour; but such professions and external things are no proofs of its having within it the intelligent, living, and acting principle of a pure and imperishable church! Every Christian believes that the Jewish dispensation is at an end—that it was brought to this pass by that people having rendered the Word of God of none effect by their traditions. It is so; nevertheless we find that it has its professors, its synagogues, priests, worship, institutions, and ceremonies; and that it appeareth to live nearly two thousand years after the catastrophe which brought it to a termination. Such external things of a church may exist upon the same principle that sepulchres may be whitened, yet have within them dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Hence we learn that Christianity, though fallen, may profess itself to stand, and, as to externals, continue to exist long after the internal principles of genuine truth have departed from it. Indeed such circumstances are to be expected; they