The internal sense of the several precepts is opened with that high degree of illumination, which is so conspicuous in every part of our author's writings. Much could the writer of this preface say, from his own experience, in humble testimony to the truths which those writings contain. But it is not necessary in this place. Reader, attend! The day of the Lord is at hand! Receive with humility, and holy joy, the message he has sent to announce his approach. Most assuredly the power of divine truth is with it, and its progress will be marked in every step, by a sober, rational conviction, free from the disorderly heats of enthusiasm, and the fallacious phantasies of a wild imagination." Fear the Lord, and keep his commandments." THE DOCTRINE OF LIFE FOR THE NEW JERUSALEM. That all religion has relation to life, and that the life of religion is to do good. 1. EVERY one, who has any religion, knows and acknowledges, that whoever lives well will be saved, and whosoever lives wickedly will be condemned; for he knows and acknowledges, that whoever lives well, thinks well, not only of God, but also of his neighbour; whereas it is otherwise with him who lives wickedly. The life of man is his love, and what a man loves, he not only does willingly, but also thinks willingly. The reason, therefore, why it is said, that the life of religion is to do good, is, because to do good is, in act, one with thinking good; and if they are not one in act with man, they do not belong to his life. But these positions are to be proved in what follows. 2. That religion has relation to life, and that the life thereof is to do good, is manifest to every one who reads the Word, and is acknowledged by every one while he is reading. It is written in the Word, "Whoever shall break the least of these commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who doeth and teacheth, the same shall be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I say unto you, except your righteousness shall exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matt. v. 19, 20. "Every tree, which bringeth not forth good fruit, is cut down and cast into the fire; wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matt. vii. 19, 20. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matt. vii. 21. "Many shall say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name done many virtues? but then I will confess to them, I never knew you, depart from me ye that work iniquity." Matt. vii. 22, 23. "Every one who heareth my words, and doeth them, I will compare unto a prudent man who built his house upon a rock; but every one who heareth my words and doeth them not, shall be compared to a foolish man who built his house upon the sand." Matt. vii. 24, 26. "Jesus said, a sower went out to sow his seed; and some seeds fell on the hard way; some on stony ground; some among thorns; and some on good ground. That which was sown on good ground is he who heareth the Word, and attendeth to it, who thereby beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundred fold, some sixty fold, and some thirty fold. When Jesus said these words, he cried out, saying, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matt. xiii. 3 to 9, 24. "The Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father, and then shall he render to every one according to his deeds." Matt. xvi. 27. "The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." Matt. xxi. 43. "When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory; and he shall say to the sheep |