Page:The Doctrines of the New Church Briefly Explained.djvu/165

Rh . . . therefore a deed or work in itself considered, is nothing but an effect which derives its soul and life from the will and thought, insomuch that it is will and thought in an external form. Hence it follows that the deed is such as are the will and thought which produce the deed." (H. H. 472.)

Nothing reveals the searching and eminently practical character of the New Church doctrines more clearly, or shows more distinctly the wide difference between this Church and those which have preceded it, than the strength and frequency with which its teachings emphasize the importance of keeping the commandments, or living the divine precepts. There are doubtless multitudes in all the churches of to-day, who do not even believe in God, according to the New Church standard of belief. For this Church teaches that only those really believe in Him, who reverently obey his precepts. The following brief extracts from Swedenborg are given in confirmation of this:

"To believe in the Lord is not only to acknowledge Him, but also to keep his commandments. . . . Man's mind consists of understanding and will; and it is the part of the understanding to think, but of the will to do. Wherefore when man only acknowledges the Lord from the thought of the understanding, he approaches Him with only