So long then as it is acknowledged to be a characteristic of TRUTH, to announce the Divinity of the Great Redeemer; to assert the Divine Inspiration of the Sacred Scriptures, and to shew in what that Inspiration consists; to teach the necessity of repentance for the remission of sins; to combine in everlasting unity the three evangelical graces of Charity, Faith, and Good Works, by insisting that no one of them can exist in a single state, or separated from the other two; to detect at the same time the prevailing evils and errors of the times, and with a view to their correction to make manifest the great realities of another world, together with man's close connection with those realities, even during his abode in this world; so long as these are the acknowledged characteristics of TRUTH, So long, the Editor insists, the honourable title of a TEACHER OF TRUTH, or of a " SCRIBE INSTRUCTED UNTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN," is due to the Swedish Theologian, who has a claim at the same time to the best thanks of the Christian world, for the boldness with which he has defended, as well as for the clearness with which he has expounded, the sublime doctrines delivered to mankind in the instructive pages of Divine Revelation. Impelled, therefore, with an ardent desire that all mankind should know the truth, to the intent that the truth may make them free, by emancipating them from the bondage of their natural passions and corrupt affections, the Editor feels it to be a paramount duty which he owes to GoD and his fellowcreatures, to bring into public notice, as far as he is able, the Theological sentiments of the Swedish Author, from a full conviction that they are calculated to promote the best interests of all the families of the earth, by opening their eyes to see, and their ears to hear, the things which belong to their peace. He leaves all apologies therefore to those whose works stand in need of them, whilst he himself is content and even thankful to think, that howsoever he may expose himself to the censure of the thoughtless, the prejudiced, and the profane, he cannot fail to secure the good will and approbation of every considerate, candid, and well-disposed Christian. Trusting then that the extracts, above adverted to, will carry along with them their own justification, the Editor has only to observe, respecting the translation of the Gospel, that he has endeavoured to make it as correct as possible, by consulting the best and most approved commentators, and that whensoever he has felt himself under the obligation of differing from what is expressed in the common version, it has always been with regret, in consequence of the commendation so justly due to that version for its general accuracy and faithfulness. He has accordingly thought it right to give his reasons for his occasional deviations from the common version, which reasons may be found in the "Notes and Observations' annexed to each chapter. In regard to the internal sense which accompanies each chapter of the following Gospel, the Editor has only to ob serve, that it is collected, for the most part, from the Extracts, in all cases where it was discoverable from the Extracts, otherwise it is composed in agreement with the general mode of interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures, adopted by the Author of the Extracts; and it is annexed, not so much with a view of limiting the reader's ideas to any particular definite meaning of the passages to which it refers, as for the purpose of convincing him, that every part of the letter of the HOLY WORD is replete with an internal spiritual sense, and that in such internal spiritual sense is to be found the real Sanctity, Truth, Edification, and Divinity of the Sacred Volume. That the reader, in the perusal of the following pages, may be made sensible in his own mind of such Sanctity, Truth, Edification, and Divinity, is the devout prayer of the EDITOR. Manchester, 1823. ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION. THE Editors, in presenting this new Edition to the Public, have merely to state, that they have carefully revised the text, collating it with the original Greek; they have also pruned the Exposition of various repetitions, and by a thorough research in the voluminous writings of Swedenborg, have been enabled to enrich it with so many additional extracts and references, as to render the exposition of the Spiritual Sense of this Divine Gospel far more complete than in the previous edition, and, consequently, more useful and acceptable to the devout reader who desires to be edified by the "spirit and life" of the HOLY WORD. They have likewise prepared and added, an Index of the various terms, subjects, and correspondences, which are more or less explained in the Exposition; this, they trust, will prove useful as a ready means of general as well as special reference. Manchester, 1852. Explanation of the Abbreviated Titles of the Works referred to in A. C.-Arcana Cœlestia. A. E.-Apocalypse Explained. A. R.-Apocalpse Revealed. B. E.-Brief Exposition of the Doctrine of the New Church. C. L. J.-Continuation concerning the Last Judgment. C. S. L.-The Delights of Wisdom concerning Conjugial Love, and the Pleasures of Insanity, concerning Scortatory D. F.-Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning Faith. D. Life.-Doctrine of Life for the New Jerusalem. D. Lord.-Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning the Lord. D. L. W.-Angelic Wisdom concerning Divine Love, and Divine D. P.-Angelic Wisdom concerning Divine Providence. E. U.-The Earths in the Universe. H. H.-Treatise concerning Heaven and Hell. L. J.-Treatise concerning the Last Judgment. N. J. H. D.-The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine. - T. C. R.-True Christian Religion. ERRATA. [Note.--b, means, from bottom, t, from top.] 1, b. for verse 1 read verses 1, 20; and line 6, for works read work 2, t. for 13 read 2; also at page 168, line 31, and page 306, line 4. 12, t. dele 10; and line 36, for ix. read xl. ; also at page 117, last line. 6 **129, 9, b. dele 26. "154, last line, for 4-7 read 4, 5, and line 2, dele ii. 9, "169, line 19, b. for i. 28 read ii, 34 66 1, t. dele 10. 170, "171, 188, 8, t. dele v. 24; also page 220, last line, page 241, line 11, and p. 253, line 4, b. 8, t. dele 14; and line 16, for 33 read 32, also page 188, line 29. 28, t. for v. 31 read v. 20, 31. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE. CHAPTER I. CHAPTER I. 1. FORASMUCH as many have taken in hand to set forth in order, a declaration respecting those things which have been fulfilled among us; 2. Even as they, who from the beginning were eye-witnesses and ministers of the Word have delivered them unto us; 3. It seemed good to me also, having traced all things exactly from the very first, to describe them to thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4. That thou mightest know the certainty of the words in which thou hast been instructed. 5. THERE was in the days of Herod the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the daily ministry of Abia, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. THE INTERNAL SENSE. THAT revelation of the ETERNAL WORD made flesh is imparted to all who are in the love of truth for its own sake. (Verses 1-5.) Which revelation teaches that, previous to the LORD's appearing, His representative as to the Word must teach the doctrine of repentance and faith in Him, the origin of which doctrine is described. (Verses 5-26.) |