Page:The Doctrines of the New Church Briefly Explained.djvu/31

Rh different is it from that proclaimed from the pulpits, depicted in the creeds and reflected in the life and conduct of Christendom a hundred years ago. We see in it all that is worthy the supreme homage of men on earth and angels in heaven; not a shadow of imperfection—nothing but purest, sweetest, tenderest love, and this forever guided in its operations by infinite wisdom.

We shall not attempt to prove that the character of the Heavenly Father is such as is here delineated. There is no need of that. It is written on every page of the created universe; written in the experience, constitution and moral government of our race; seen everywhere in the Volume of inspiration also, when its true spiritual meaning is fully apprehended.

The next question, scarcely inferior to that of the Divine Character in its practical importance, is that of the Divine Personality. Does God exist as a Divine Person, or only as a formless and universally diffused essence? And is He to be thought of and adored as one Person, or more than one? And has He ever revealed Himself personally to his intelligent creatures? Swedenborg has given a distinct answer to each of these questions. It was the accepted belief of Christendom a