Page:Sermons on the Ten Commandments.djvu/21

 Word, is evident from the wisdom of the angels, which is all from the Word. This increases with them to eternity; and the wiser they become, the more clearly do they see that wisdom is without end, and that they themselves are only in the entrance to it, and that they cannot, in the least degree, attain to the Divine wisdom of the Lord, which they call an abyss. And, since the Word is from this abyss, because from the Lord, it is manifest that in all parts of it there is a kind of infinity."

These passages give us a new and most exalted view of the Divine Word in general, and of the Decalogue in particular. And such a view is greatly needed at this day, when so many, in their ignorance, are doubting or even denying the holiness of the Bible, and its Divine inspiration. But from the view thus presented by the Doctrines of the New Church, we perceive how vast, how deep, how inexhaustible is the truth contained in the Word of the Lord; and with this thought in our minds, we shall repair to its pages with new trust, and new interest and delight.

But now, in conclusion, let us note one striking feature in these Commandments. It will be observed that they are nearly all expressed in the negative form, thus:—"Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not commit adultery." It is not said what we are to do, but only what we are not to do. This peculiarity is founded on a great law of Divine order, which is, that in proportion as man shuns evils as sins, good flows in from the Lord, and