Page:The Doctrines of the New Church Briefly Explained.djvu/140

134 are the ruling loves of the natural or unregenerate man; while, in the truly human or regenerate state, the opposite loves—that is, love of the Lord and love of the neighbor—bear rule. It teaches further, that the whole work of regeneration consists, not in uprooting or extinguishing these natural loves, but in bringing them into a state of due subjection and subordination to the higher and truly human loves. Christianity, therefore, as understood in this Church and interpreted by its authorized teachings, inculcates purity, holiness and righteousness, without austerity or asceticism. It inculcates a reverent regard for our whole nature, the lower as well as the higher. It teaches that all our appetites and natural desires—our love of knowledge, love of wealth, love of amusement, love of pleasure, honor, reputation, power—are good and useful in their proper place; and are not, therefore, to be extinguished, but to be brought into complete subjection to the higher and truly human loves. It holds that these are all good and useful as servants, but tyrannous and cruel as masters. And not only so, but that natural delights become more and more delightful as the higher motive or spiritual affection—love of the Lord and the neighbor—enters into and vitalizes them. To cite one or two passages in confirmation of this from the authorized teachings of this Church: