CONTAININGAGENERALVIEWOFTHESUBJECTSTREATEDINHOLYSCRIPTURE。

ARGUMENT。

THEAUTHORDIVIDESHISWORKINTOTWOPARTS，ONERELATINGTOTHEDISCOVERY，THEOTHERTOTHEEXPRESSION，OFTHETRUESENSEOFSCRIPTURE。HESHOWSTHAT

TODISCOVERTHEMEANINGWEMUSTATTENDBOTHTOTHINGSANDTOSIGNS，AS

ITISNECESSARYTOKNOWWHATTHINGSWEOUGHTTOTEACHTOTHECHRISTIAN

PEOPLE，ANDALSOTHESIGNSOFTHESETHINGS，THATIS，WHERETHEKNOWLEDGE

OFTHESETHINGSISTOBESOUGHT。INTHISFIRSTBOOKHETREATSOFTHINGS，WHICHHEDIVIDESINTOTHREECLASSES，——THINGSTOBEENJOYED，THINGSTOBE

USED，ANDTHINGSWHICHUSEANDENJOY。THEONLYOBJECTWHICHOUGHTTOBE

ENJOYEDISTHETRIUNEGOD，WHOISOURHIGHESTGOODANDOURTRUEHAPPINESS。

WEAREPREVENTEDBYOURSINSFROMENJOYINGGOD；ANDTHATOURSINSMIGHT

BETAKENAWAY，"THEWORDWASMADEFLESH，"OURLORDSUFFERED，ANDDIED，ANDROSEAGAIN，ANDASCENDEDINTOHEAVEN，TAKINGTOHIMSELFASHISBRIDE

THECHURCH，INWHICHWERECEIVEREMISSIONOFOURSINS。ANDIFOURSINS

AREREMITTEDANDOURSOULSRENEWEDBYGRACE，WEMAYAWAITWITHHOPETHE

RESURRECTIONOFTHEBODYTOETERNALGLORY；IFNOT，WESHALLBERAISEDTO

EVERLASTINGPUNISHMENT。THESEMATTERSRELATINGTOFAITHHAVINGBEENEXPOUNDED，THEAUTHORGOESONTOSHOWTHATALLOBJECTS，EXCEPTGOD，AREFORUSE；FOR，THOUGHSOMEOFTHEMMAYBELOVED，YETOURLOVEISNOTTORESTINTHEM，BUTTOHAVEREFERENCETOGOD。ANDWEOURSELVESARENOTOBJECTSOFENJOYMENT

TOGOD；HEUSESUS，BUTFOROUROWNADVANTAGE。HETHENGOESONTOSHOW

THATLOVE——THELOVEOFGODFORHISOWNSAKEANDTHELOVEOFOURNEIGHBOR

FORGOD’SSAKE——ISTHEFULFILLMENTANDTHEENDOFALLSCRIPTURE。AFTER

ADDINGAFEWWORDSABOUTHOPE，HESHOWS，INCONCLUSION，THATFAITH，HOPE，ANDLOVEAREGRACESESSENTIALLYNECESSARYFORHIMWHOWOULDUNDERSTAND

ANDEXPLAINARIGHTTHEHOLYSCRIPTURES。

CHAP。1。——THEINTERPRETATIONOFSCRIPTURE

DEPENDSONTHEDISCOVERYANDENUNCIATIONOFTHEMEANING，ANDISTOBEUNDERTAKEN

INDEPENDENCEONGOD’SAID。

THEREaretwothingsonwhichallinterpretationofScripturedepends：

themodeofascertainingthepropermeaning，andthemodeofmakingknownthemeaningwhenitisascertained。Weshalltreatfirstofthemodeofascertaining，nextofthemodeofmakingknown，themeaning；——agreatandarduousundertaking，andonethat，ifdifficulttocarryout，itis，I

fear，presumptuoustoenterupon。Andpresumptuousitwouldundoubtedlybe，ifIwerecountingonmyownstrength；butsincemyhopeofaccomplishingtheworkrestsonHimwhohasalreadysuppliedmewithmanythoughtsonthissubject，IdonotfearbutthatHewillgoontosupplywhatisyetwantingwhenonceIhavebeguntousewhatHehasalreadygiven。Forapossessionwhichisnotdiminishedbybeingsharedwithothers，ifitispossessedandnotshared，isnotyetpossessedasitoughttobepossessed。

TheLordsaith"Whosoeverhath，tohimshallbegiven。"（1）Hewillgive，then，tothosewhohave；thatistosay，iftheyusefreelyandcheerfullywhattheyhavereceived，HewilladdtoandperfectHisgifts。Theloavesinthemiraclewereonlyfiveandseveninnumberbeforethedisciplesbegantodividethemamongthehungrypeople。Butwhenoncetheybegantodistributethem，thoughthewantsofsomanythousandsweresatisfied，theyfilledbasketswiththefragmentsthatwereleft。（2）Now，justasthatbreadincreasedintheveryactofbreakingit，sothosethoughtswhichtheLordhasalreadyvouchsafedtomewithaviewtoundertakingthisworkwill，assoonasIbegintoimpartthemtoothers，bemultipliedbyHisgrace，sothat，inthisveryworkofdistributioninwhichIhaveengaged，sofarfromincurringlossandpoverty，Ishallbemadetorejoiceinamarvellousincreaseofwealth。

CHAP。2。——WHATATHINGIS，ANDWHATA

SIGN。

2。Allinstructioniseitheraboutthingsoraboutsigns；butthingsarelearntbymeansofsigns。Inowusetheword"thing"inastrictsense，tosignifythatwhichisneveremployedasasignofanythingelse：forexample，wood，stone，cattle，andotherthingsofthatkind。Not，however，thewoodwhichwereadMosescastintothebitterwaterstomakethemsweet，（3）

northestonewhichJacobusedasapillow，（4）northeramwhichAbrahamofferedupinsteadofhisson；（5）forthese，thoughtheyarethings，arealsosignsofotherthings。Therearesignsofanotherkind，thosewhichareneveremployedexceptassigns：forexample，words。Nooneuseswordsexceptassignsofsomethingelse；andhencemaybeunderstoodwhatIcallsigns：thosethings，towit，whichareusedtoindicatesomethingelse。

Accordingly，everysignisalsoathing；forwhatisnotathingisnothingatall。Everything，however，isnotalsoasign。Andso，inregardtothisdistinctionbetweenthingsandsigns，Ishall，whenIspeakofthings，speakinsuchawaythatevenifsomeofthemmaybeusedassignsalso，thatwillnotinterferewiththedivisionofthesubjectaccordingtowhichIamtodiscussthingsfirstandsignsafterwards。Butwemustcarefullyrememberthatwhatwehavenowtoconsideraboutthingsiswhattheyareinthemselves，notwhatotherthingstheyaresignsof。

CHAP。3。——SOMETHINGSAREFORUSE，SOME

FOR

ENJOYMENT。

3。Therearesomethings，then，whicharetobeenjoyed，otherswhicharetobeused，othersstillwhichenjoyanduse。Thosethingswhichareobjectsofenjoymentmakeushappy。Thosethingswhichareobjectsofuseassist，and（sotospeak）supportusinoureffortsafterhappiness，sothatwecanattainthethingsthatmakeushappyandrestinthem。Weourselves，again，whoenjoyandusethesethings，beingplacedamongbothkindsofobjects，ifwesetourselvestoenjoythosewhichweoughttouse，arehinderedinourcourse，andsometimesevenledawayfromit；sothat，gettingentangledintheloveoflowergratifications，welagbehindin，orevenaltogetherturnbackfrom，thepursuitoftherealandproperobjectsofenjoyment。

CHAP。4。——DIFFERENCEOFUSEANDENJOYMENT。

4。Fortoenjoyathingistorestwithsatisfactioninitforitsownsake。Touse，ontheotherhand，istoemploywhatevermeansareatone’sdisposaltoobtainwhatonedesires，ifitisaproperobjectofdesire；

foranunlawfuluseoughtrathertobecalledanabuse。Suppose，then，wewerewanderersinastrangecountry，andcouldnotlivehappilyawayfromourfatherland，andthatwefeltwretchedinourwandering，andwishingtoputanendtoourmisery，determinedtoreturnhome。Wefind，however，thatwemustmakeuseofsomemodeofconveyance，eitherbylandorwater，inordertoreachthatfatherlandwhereourenjoymentistocommence。Butthebeautyofthecountrythroughwhichwepass，andtheverypleasureofthemotion，charmourhearts，andturningthesethingswhichweoughttouseintoobjectsofenjoyment，webecomeunwillingtohastentheendofourjourney；andbecomingengrossedinafactitiousdelight，ourthoughtsaredivertedfromthathomewhosedelightswouldmakeustrulyhappy。Suchisapictureofourconditioninthislifeofmortality。WehavewanderedfarfromGod；andifwewishtoreturntoourFather’shome，thisworldmustbeused，notenjoyed，thatsotheinvisiblethingsofGodmaybeclearlyseen，beingunderstoodbythethingsthataremade，（6）——thatis，thatbymeansofwhatismaterialandtemporarywemaylayholduponthatwhichisspiritualandeternalCHAP。5。——THETRINITYTHETRUEOBJECTOF

ENJOYMENT。

5。Thetrueobjectsofenjoyment，then，aretheFatherandtheSonandtheHolySpirit，whoareatthesametimetheTrinity，oneBeing，supremeaboveall，andcommontoallwhoenjoyHim，ifHeisanobject，andnotratherthecauseofallobjects，orindeedevenifHeisthecauseofall。Foritisnoteasytofindanamethatwillsuitablyexpresssogreatexcellence，unlessitisbettertospeakinthisway：TheTrinity，oneGod，ofwhomareallthings，throughwhomareallthings，inwhomareallthings。（1）

ThustheFatherandtheSonandtheHolySpirit，andeachofthesebyHimself，isGod，andatthesametimetheyarealloneGod；andeachofthembyHimselfisacompletesubstance，andyettheyareallonesubstance。TheFatherisnottheSonnortheHolySpirit；

theSonisnottheFathernortheHolySpirit；theHolySpiritisnottheFathernortheSon：buttheFatherisonlyFather，theSonisonlySon，andtheHolySpiritisonlyHolySpirit。

Toallthreebelongthesameeternity，thesameunchangeableness，thesamemajesty，thesamepower。IntheFatherisunity，intheSonequality，intheHolySpirittheharmonyofunityandequality；

andthesethreeattributesareallonebecauseoftheFather，allequalbecauseoftheSon，andallharmoniousbecauseoftheHolySpirit。

CHAP。6。——INWHATSENSEGODISINEFFABLE。

6。HaveIspokenofGod，orutteredHispraise，inanyworthyway？Nay，IfeelthatIhavedonenothingmorethandesiretospeak；andifIhavesaidanything，itisnotwhatIdesiredtosay。

HowdoIknowthis，exceptfromthefactthatGodisunspeakable？ButwhatIhavesaid，ifithadbeenunspeakable，couldnothavebeenspoken。AndsoGodisnoteventobecalled"unspeakable，"becausetosayeventhisistospeakofHim。

Thustherearisesacuriouscontradictionofwords，becauseiftheunspeakableiswhatcannotbespokenof，itisnotunspeakableifitcanbecalledunspeakable。Andthisoppositionofwordsisrathertobeavoidedbysilencethantobeexplainedawaybyspeech。AndyetGod，althoughnothingworthyofHisgreatnesscanbesaidofHim，hascondescendedtoaccepttheworshipofmen’smouths，andhasdesiredusthroughthemediumofourownwordstorejoiceinHispraise。ForonthisprincipleitisthatHeiscalledDues（God）。ForthesoundofthosetwosyllablesinitselfconveysnotrueknowledgeofHisnature；

butyetallwhoknowtheLatintongueareled，whenthatsoundreachestheirears，tothinkofanaturesupremeinexcellenceandeternalinexistence。

CHAP。7。——WHATALLMENUNDERSTANDBYTHE

TERMGOD。

7。ForwhentheonesupremeGodofgodsisthoughtof，evenbythosewhobelievethatthereareothergods，andwhocallthembythatname，andworshipthemasgods，theirthoughttakestheformofanendeavortoreachtheconceptionofanature，thanwhichnothingmoreexcellentormoreexaltedexists。Andsincemenaremovedbydifferentkindsofpleasures，partlybythosewhichpertaintothebodilysenses，partlybythosewhichpertaintotheintellectandsoul，thoseofthemwhoareinbondagetosensethinkthateithertheheavens，orwhatappearstobemostbrilliantintheheavens，ortheuniverseitself，isGodofgods：oriftheytrytogetbeyondtheuniverse，theypicturetothemselvessomethingofdazzlingbrightness，andthinkofitvaguelyasinfinite，orofthemostbeautifulformconceivable；ortheyrepresentitintheformofthehumanbody，iftheythinkthatsuperiortoallothers。OriftheythinkthatthereisnooneGodsupremeabovetherest，butthattherearemanyoreveninnumerablegodsofequalrank，stillthesetootheyconceiveaspossessedofshapeandform，accordingtowhateachmanthinksthepatternofexcellence。Those，ontheotherhand，whoendeavorbyaneffortoftheintelligencetoreachaconceptionofGod，placeHimaboveallvisibleandbodilynatures，andevenaboveallintelligentandspiritualnaturesthataresubjecttochange。All，however，striveemulouslytoexalttheexcellenceofGod：

norcouldanyonebefoundtobelievethatanybeingtowhomthereexistsasuperiorisGod。AndsoallconcurinbelievingthatGodisthatwhichexcelsindignityallotherobjects。

CHAP。8。——GODTOBEESTEEMEDABOVEALLELSE，BECAUSEHEISUNCHANGEABLE

WISDOM。

8。AndsinceallwhothinkaboutGodthinkofHimasliving，theyonlycanformanyconceptionofHimthatisnotabsurdandunworthywhothinkofHimaslifeitself；and，whatevermaybethebodilyformthathassuggesteditselftothem，recognizethatitisbylifeitlivesordoesnotlive，andpreferwhatislivingtowhatisdead；whounderstandthatthelivingbodilyformitself，howeveritmayoutshineallothersinsplendor，overtoptheminsize，andexceltheminbeauty，isquiteadistinctthingfromthelifebywhichitisquickened；andwholookuponthelifeasincomparablysuperiorindignityandworthtothemasswhichisquickenedandanimatedbyit。Then，whentheygoontolookintothenatureofthelifeitself，iftheyfinditmerenutritivelife，withoutsensibility，suchasthatofplants，theyconsideritinferiortosentientlife，suchasthatofcattle；andabovethis，again，theyplaceintelligentlife，suchasthatofmen。And，perceivingthateventhisissubjecttochange，theyarecompelledtoplaceaboveit，again，thatunchangeablelifewhichisnotatonetimefoolish，atanothertimewise，butonthecontraryiswisdomitself。

Forawiseintelligence，thatis，onethathasattainedtowisdom，was，previoustoitsattainingwisdom，unwise。Butwisdomitselfneverwasunwise，andnevercanbecomeso。Andifmennevercaughtsightofthiswisdom，theycouldneverwithentireconfidencepreferalifewhichisunchangeablywisetoonethatissubjecttochange。Thiswillbeevident，ifweconsiderthattheveryruleoftruthbywhichtheyaffirmtheunchangeablelifetobethemoreexcellent，isitselfunchangeable：andtheycannotfindsucharule，exceptbygoingbeyondtheirownnature；fortheyfindnothinginthemselvesthatisnotsubjecttochange。

CHAP。9。——ALLACKNOWLEDGETHESUPERIORITYOFUNCHANGEABLEWISDOMTO

THATWHICH

ISVARIABLE。

9。Now，nooneissoegregiouslysillyastoask，"Howdoyouknowthatalifeofunchangeablewisdomispreferabletooneofchange？"Forthatverytruthaboutwhichheasks，howIknowit？isunchangeablyfixedinthemindsofallmen，andpresentedtotheircommoncontemplation。Andthemanwhodoesnotseeitislikeablindmaninthesun，whomitprofitsnothingthatthesplendorofitslight，soclearandsonear，ispouredintohisveryeye-balls。Theman，ontheotherhand，whosees，butshrinksfromthistruth，isweakinhismentalvisionfromdwellinglongamongtheshadowsoftheflesh。Andthusmenaredrivenbackfromtheirnativelandbythecontraryblastsofevilhabits，andpursuelowerandlessvaluableobjectsinpreferencetothatwhichtheyowntobemoreexcellentandmoreworthy。

CHAP。10。——TOSEEGOD，THESOULMUSTBE

PURIFIED。

10。Wherefore，sinceitisourdutyfullytoenjoythetruthwhichlivesunchangeably，andsincethetriuneGodtakescounselinthistruthforthethingswhichHehasmade，thesoulmustbepurifiedthatitmayhavepowertoperceivethatlight，andtorestinitwhenitisperceived。Andletuslookuponthispurificationasakindofjourneyorvoyagetoournativeland。ForitisnotbychangeofplacethatwecancomenearertoHimwhoisineveryplace，butbythecultivationofpuredesiresandvirtuoushabits。

CHAP。11。——WISDOMBECOMINGINCARNATE，APATTERNTOUSOFPURIFICATION。

11。Butofthisweshouldhavebeenwhollyincapable，hadnotWisdomcondescendedtoadaptHimselftoourweakness，andtoshowusapatternofholylifeintheformofourownhumanity。

Yet，sincewewhenwecometoHimdowisely，HewhenHecametouswasconsideredbyproudmentohavedoneveryfoolishly。

AndsincewewhenwecometoHimbecomestrong，HewhenHecametouswaslookeduponasweak。But"thefoolishnessofGodiswiserthanmen；andtheweaknessofGodisstrongerthanmen。"（1）Andthus，thoughWisdomwasHimselfourhome，HemadeHimselfalsothewaybywhichweshouldreachourhome。

CHAP。12。——INWHATSENSETHEWISDOMOFGODCAMETOUS。

AndthoughHeiseverywherepresenttotheinnereyewhenitissoundandclear，HecondescendedtomakeHimselfmanifesttotheoutwardeyeofthosewhoseinwardsightisweakanddim。"Forafterthat，inthewisdomofGod，theworldbywisdomknewnotGod，itpleasedGodbythefoolishnessofpreachingtosavethemthatbelieve。"（2）

12。Nottheninthesenseoftraversingspace，butbecauseHeappearedtomortalmenintheformofmortalflesh，Heissaidtohavecometous。ForHecametoaplacewhereHehadalwaysbeen，seeingthat"Hewasintheworld，andtheworldwasmadebyHim。"But，becausemen，whointheireagernesstoenjoythecreatureinsteadoftheCreatorhadgrownintothelikenessofthisworld，andarethereforemostappropriatelynamed"theworld，"didnotrecognizeHim，thereforetheevangelistsays，"andtheworldknewHimnot。"（3）Thus，inthewisdomofGod，theworldbywisdomknewnotGod。WhythendidHecome，seeingthatHewasalreadyhere，exceptthatitpleasedGodthroughthefoolishnessofpreachingtosavethemthatbelieveCHAP。13。——THEWORDWASMADEFLESH。

InwhatwaydidHecomebutthis，"TheWordwasmadeflesh，anddweltamongus"？（1）Justaswhenwespeak，inorderthatwhatwenaveinourmindsmayenterthroughtheearintothemindofthehearer，thewordwhichwehaveinourheartsbecomesanoutwardsoundandiscalledspeech；andyetourthoughtdoesnotloseitselfinthesound，butremainscompleteinitself，andtakestheformofspeechwithoutbeingmodifiedinitsownnaturebythechange：sotheDivineWord，thoughsufferingnochangeofnature，yetbecameflesh，thatHemightdwellamongus。

CHAP。14。——HOWTHEWISDOMOFGODHEALED

MAN。

13。Moreover，astheuseofremediesisthewaytohealth，sothisremedytookupsinnerstohealandrestorethem。Andjustassurgeons，whentheybindupwounds，doitnotinaslovenlyway，butcarefully，thattheremaybeacertaindegreeofneatnessinthebinding，inadditiontoitsmereusefulness，soourmedicine，Wisdom，wasbyHisassumptionofhumanityadaptedtoourwounds，curingsomeofthembytheiropposites，someofthembytheirlikes。Andjustashewhoministerstoabodilyhurtinsomecasesappliescontraries，ascoldtohot，moisttodry，etc。，andinothercasesapplieslikes，asaroundclothtoaroundwound，oranoblongclothtoanoblongwound，anddoesnotfitthesamebandagetoalllimbs，butputsliketolike；inthesamewaytheWisdomofGodinhealingmanhasappliedHimselftohiscure，beingHimselfhealerandmedicinebothinone。Seeing，then，thatmanfellthroughpride，Herestoredhimthroughhumility。

Wewereensnaredbythewisdomoftheserpent：wearesetfreebythefoolishnessofGod。Moreover，justastheformerwascalledwisdom，butwasinrealitythefollyofthosewhodespisedGod，sothelatteriscalledfoolishness，butistruewisdominthosewhoovercomethedevil。Weusedourimmortalitysobadlyastoincurthepenaltyofdeath：ChristusedHismortalitysowellastorestoreustolife。Thediseasewasbroughtinthroughawoman’scorruptedsoul：theremedycamethroughawoman’svirginbody。Tothesameclassofoppositeremediesitbelongs，thatourvicesarecuredbytheexampleofHisvirtues。Ontheotherhand，thefollowingare，asitwere，bandagesmadeinthesameshapeasthelimbsandwoundstowhichtheyareapplied：

Hewasbornofawomantodeliveruswhofellthroughawoman：Hecameasamantosaveuswhoaremen，asamortaltosaveuswhoaremortals，bydeathtosaveuswhoweredead。Andthosewhocanfollowoutthemattermorefully，whoarenothurriedonbythenecessityofcarryingoutasetundertaking，willfindmanyotherpointsofinstructioninconsideringtheremedies，whetheroppositesorlikes，employedinthemedicineofChristianity。

CHAP。15。——FAITHISBUTTRESSEDBYTHERESURRECTIONANDASCENSIONOF

CHRIST，ANDIS

STIMULATEDBYHISCOMINGTOJUDGMENT。

14。ThebeliefoftheresurrectionofourLordfromthedead，andofHisascensionintoheaven，hasstrengthenedourfaithbyaddingagreatbuttressofhope。ForitclearlyshowshowfreelyHelaiddownHislifeforuswhenHehaditinHispowerthustotakeitupagain。Withwhatassurance，then，isthehopeofbelieversanimated，whentheyreflecthowgreatHewaswhosufferedsogreatthingsforthemwhiletheywerestillinunbelief！AndwhenmenlookforHimtocomefromheavenasthejudgeofquickanddead，itstrikesgreatterrorintothecareless，sothattheybetakethemselvestodiligentpreparation，andlearnbyholylivingtolongforHisapproach，insteadofquakingatitonaccountoftheirevildeeds。Andwhattonguecantell，orwhatimaginationcanconceive，therewardHewillbestowatthelast，whenweconsiderthatforourcomfortinthisearthlyjourneyHehasgivenussofreelyofHisSpirit，thatintheadversitiesofthislifewemayretainourconfidencein，andlovefor，Himwhomasyetweseenot；andthatHehasalsogiventoeachgiftssuitableforthebuildingupofHisChurch，thatwemaydowhatHepointsoutasrighttobedone，notonlywithoutamurmur，butevenwithdelight？

CHAP。16。——CHRISTPURGESHISCHURCHBY

MEDICINALAFFLICTIONS。

15。FortheChurchisHisbody，astheapostle’steachingshowsus；（2）

anditisevencalledHisspouse。（3）Hisbody，then，whichhasmanymembers，andallperformingdifferentfunctions，Heholdstogetherinthebondofunityandlove，whichisitstruehealth。MoreoverHeexercisesitinthepresenttime，andpurgesitwithmanywholesomeafflictions，thatwhenHehastransplanteditfromthisworldtotheeternalworld，HemaytakeittoHimselfasHisbride，withoutspotorwrinkle，oranysuchthingCHAP。17。——CHRIST，BYFORGIVINGOURSINS，OPENEDTHEWAYTOOURHOME。

16。Further，whenweareontheway，andthatnotawaythatliesthroughspace，butthroughachangeofaffections，andonewhichtheguiltofourpastsinslikeahedgeofthornsbarredagainstus，whatcouldHe，whowaswillingtolayHimselfdownasthewaybywhichweshouldreturn，dothatwouldbestillgraciousandmoremerciful，excepttoforgiveusalloursins，andbybeingcrucifiedforustoremovethesterndecreesthatbarredthedooragainstourreturn？

CHAP。18。——THEKEYSGIVENTOTHECHURCH。

17。Hehasgiven，therefore，thekeystoHisChurch，thatwhatsoeveritshouldbindonearthmightbeboundinheaven，andwhatsoeveritshouldlooseonearthmightbe，loosedinheaven；（1）

thatistosay，thatwhosoeverintheChurchshouldnotbelievethathissinsareremitted，theyshouldnotberemittedtohim；butthatwhosoevershouldbelieveandshouldrepent，andturnfromhissins，shouldbesavedbythesamefaithandrepentanceonthegroundofwhichheisreceivedintothebosomoftheChurch。Forhewhodoesnotbelievethathissinscanbepardoned，fallsintodespair，andbecomesworseasifnogreatergoodremainedforhimthantobeevil，whenhehasceasedtohavefaithintheresultsofhisownrepentance。

CHAP。19。——BODILYANDSPIRITUALDEATHAND

RESURRECTION。

18。Furthermore，asthereisakindofdeathofthesoul，whichconsistsintheputtingawayofformerhabitsandformerwaysoflife，andwhichcomesthroughrepentance，soalsothedeathofthebodyconsistsinthedissolutionoftheformerprincipleoflife。

Andjustasthesoul，afterithasputawayanddestroyedbyrepentanceitsformerhabits，iscreatedanewafterabetterpattern，sowemusthopeandbelievethatthebody，afterthatdeathwhichwealloweasadebtcontractedthroughsin，shallattheresurrectionbechangedintoabetterform；——notthatfleshandbloodshallinheritthekingdomofGod（forthatisimpossible），butthatthiscorruptibleshallputonincorruption，andthismortalshallputonimmortality。（2）Andthusthebody，beingthesourceofnouneasinessbecauseitcanfeelnowant，shallbeanimatedbyaspiritperfectlypureandhappy，andshallenjoyunbrokenpeace。

CHAP。20。——THERESURRECTIONTODAMNATION。

19。Nowhewhosesouldoesnotdietothisworldandbeginheretobeconformedtothetruth，fallswhenthebodydiesintoamoreterribledeath，andshallrevive，nottochangehisearthlyforaheavenlyhabitation，buttoendurethepenaltyofhissin。

CHAP。21。——NEITHERBODYNORSOULEXTINGUISHEDATDEATH。

Andsofaithclingstotheassurance，andwemustbelievethatitissoinfact，thatneitherthehumansoulnorthehumanbodysufferscompleteextinction，butthatthewickedriseagaintoendureinconceivablepunishment，andthegoodtoreceiveeternallife。

CHAP。22。——GODALONETOBEENJOYED。

20。Amongallthesethings，then，thoseonlyarethetrueobjectsofenjoymentwhichwehavespokenofaseternalandunchangeable。Therestareforuse，thatwemaybeabletoarriveatthefullenjoymentoftheformer。We，however，whoenjoyanduseotherthingsarethingsourselves。Foragreatthingtrulyisman，madeaftertheimageandsimilitudeofGod，notasrespectsthemortalbodyinwhichheisclothed，butasrespectstherationalsoulbywhichheisexaltedinhonorabovethebeasts。Andsoitbecomesanimportantquestion，whethermenoughttoenjoy，ortouse，themselves，ortodoboth。Forwearecommandedtoloveoneanother：butitisaquestionwhethermanistobelovedbymanforhisownsake，orforthesakeofsomethingelse。Ifitisforhisownsake，weenjoyhim；ifitisforthesakeofsomethingelse，weusehim。Itseemstome，then，thatheistobelovedforthesakeofsomethingelse。Forifathingistobelovedforitsownsake，thenintheenjoymentofitconsistsahappylife，thehopeofwhichatleast，ifnotyetthereality，isourcomfortinthepresenttime。Butacurseispronouncedonhimwhoplaceshishopeinman。（1）

21。Neitheroughtanyonetohavejoyinhimself，ifyoulookatthematterclearly，becausenooneoughttoloveevenhimselfforhisownsake，butforthesakeofHimwhoisthetrueobjectofenjoyment。Foramanisneverinsogoodastateaswhenhiswholelifeisajourneytowardstheunchangeablelife，andhisaffectionsareentirelyfixeduponthat。If，however，heloveshimselfforhisownsake，hedoesnotlookathimselfinrelationtoGod，butturnshismindinuponhimself，andsoisnotoccupiedwithanythingthatisunchangeable。Andthushedoesnotenjoyhimselfathisbest，becauseheisbetterwhenhismindisfullyfixedupon，andhisaffectionswrappedupin，theunchangeablegood，thanwhenheturnsfromthattoenjoyevenhimself。Whereforeifyououghtnottoloveevenyourselfforyourownsake，butforHisinwhomyourlovefindsitsmostworthyobject，noothermanhasarighttobeangryifyoulovehimtooforGod’ssake。ForthisisthelawoflovethathasbeenlaiddownbyDivineauthority："Thoushalllovethyneighborasthyself；"

but，"ThoushallloveGodwithallthyheart，andwithallthysoul，andwithallthymind："（1）sothatyouaretoconcentrateallyourthoughts，yourwholelifeandyourwholeintelligenceuponHimfromwhomyouderiveallthatyoubring。ForwhenHesays，"Withallthyheart，andwithallthysoul，andwithallthymind，"Hemeansthatnopartofourlifeistobeunoccupied，andtoaffordroom，asitwere，forthewishtoenjoysomeotherobject，butthatwhateverelsemaysuggestitselftousasanobjectworthyofloveistobeborneintothesamechannelinwhichthewholecurrentofouraffectionsflows。Whoever，then，loveshisneighboraright，oughttourgeuponhimthathetooshouldloveGodwithhiswholeheart，andsoul，andmind。Forinthisway，lovinghisneighborashimself，amanturnsthewholecurrentofhislovebothforhimselfandhisneighborintothechanneloftheloveofGod，whichsuffersnostreamtobedrawnofffromitselfbywhosediversionitsownvolumewouldbediminished。

CHAP。23。——MANNEEDSNOINJUNCTIONTOLOVEHIMSELFANDHISOWNBODY。

22。Thosethingswhichareobjectsofusearenotall，however，tobeloved，butthoseonlywhichareeitherunitedwithusinacommonrelationtoGod，suchasamanoranangel，oraresorelatedtousastoneedthegoodnessofGodthroughourinstrumentality，suchasthebody。Forassuredlythemartyrsdidnotlovethewickednessoftheirpersecutors，althoughtheyusedittoattainthefavorofGod。As，then，therearefourkindsofthingsthataretobeloved，——first，thatwhichisaboveus；

second，ourselves；third，thatwhichisonalevelwithus；fourth，thatwhichisbeneathus，——nopreceptsneedbegivenaboutthesecondandfourthofthese。For，howeverfaramanmayfallawayfromthetruth，hestillcontinuestolovehimself，andtolovehisownbody。ThesoulwhichfliesawayfromtheunchangeableLight，theRulerofallthings，doessothatitmayruleoveritselfandoveritsownbody；andsoitcannotbutlovebothitselfanditsownbody。

23。Morever，itthinksithasattainedsomethingverygreatifitisabletolorditoveritscompanions，thatis，othermen。Foritisinherentinthesinfulsoultodesireaboveallthings，andtoclaimasduetoitself，thatwhichisproperlyduetoGodonly。Nowsuchloveofitselfismorecorrectlycalledhate。Foritisnotjustthatitshoulddesirewhatisbeneathittobeobedienttoitwhileitselfwillnotobeyitsownsuperior；andmostjustlyhasitbeensaid，"Hewholovethiniquityhatethhisownsoul。"（2）Andaccordinglythesoulbecomesweak，andenduresmuchsufferingaboutthemortalbody。For，ofcourse，itmustlovethebody，andbegrievedatitscorruption；andtheimmortalityandincorruptibilityofthebodyspringoutofthehealthofthesoul。Nowthehealthofthesoulistoclingsteadfastlytothebetterpart，thatis，totheunchangeableGod。Butwhenitaspirestolorditevenoverthosewhoarebynatureitsequals，——thatis，itsfellow-men，——thisisareachofarroganceutterlyintolerable。

CHAP。24。——NOMANHATESHISOWNFLESH，NOT

EVENTHOSEWHOABUSEIT。

24。Noman，then，hateshimself。Onthispoint，indeed，noquestionwaseverraisedbyanysect。Butneitherdoesanymanhatehisownbody。Fortheapostlesaystruly，"Nomaneveryethatedhisownflesh。"（3）Andwhensomepeoplesaythattheywouldratherbewithoutabodyaltogether，theyentirelydeceivethemselves。

Foritisnottheirbody，butitscorruptionsanditsheaviness，thattheyhate。Andsoitisnotnobody，butanuncorruptedandverylightbody，thattheywant。Buttheythinkabodyofthatkindwouldbenobodyatall，becausetheythinksuchathingasthatmustbeaspirit。Andastothefactthattheyseeminsomesorttoscourgetheirbodiesbyabstinenceandtoil，thosewhodothisintherightspiritdoitnotthattheymaygetridoftheirbody，butthattheymayhaveitinsubjectionandreadyforeveryneedfulwork。Fortheystrivebyakindoftoilsomeexerciseofthebodyitselftorootoutthoseluststhatarehurtfultothebody，thatis，thosehabitsandaffectionsofthesoulthatleadtotheenjoymentofunworthyobjects。Theyarenotdestroyingthemselves；theyaretakingcareoftheirhealth。

25。Those，ontheotherhand，whodothisinaperversespirit，makewarupontheirownbodyasifitwereanaturalenemy。

Andinthismattertheyareledastraybyamistakeninterpretationofwhattheyread："Thefleshlustethagainstthespirit，andthespiritagainsttheflesh，andthesearecontrarytheonetotheother。"（1）

Forthisissaidofthecarnalhabityetunsubdued，againstwhichthespiritlusteth，nottodestroythebody，buttoeradicatethelustofthebody——i。e。，itsevilhabit——andthustomakeitsubjecttothespirit，whichiswhattheorderofnaturedemands。Foras，aftertheresurrection，thebody，havingbecomewhollysubjecttothespirit，willliveinperfectpeacetoalleternity；

eveninthislifewemustmakeitanobjecttohavethecarnalhabitchangedforthebetter，sothatitsinordinateaffectionsmaynotwaragainstthesoul。Anduntilthisshalltakeplace，"thefleshlustethagainstthespirit，andthespiritagainsttheflesh；"thespiritstruggling，notinhatred，butforthemastery，becauseitdesiresthatwhatitlovesshouldbesubjecttothehigherprinciple；

andthefleshstruggling，notinhatred，butbecauseofthebondageofhabitwhichithasderivedfromitsparentstock，andwhichhasgrowninuponitbyalawofnaturetillithasbecomeinveterate。Thespirit，then，insubduingtheflesh，isworkingasitweretodestroytheill-foundedpeaceofanevilhabit，andtobringabouttherealpeacewhichspringsoutofagoodhabit。Nevertheless，noteventhosewho，ledastraybyfalsenotions，hatetheirbodieswouldbepreparedtosacrificeoneeye，evensupposingtheycoulddosowithoutsufferinganypain，andthattheyhadasmuchsightleftinoneastheyformerlyhadintwo，unlesssomeobjectwastobeattainedwhichwouldoverbalancetheloss。Thisandotherindicationsofthesamekindaresufficienttoshowthosewhocandidlyseekthetruthhowwell-foundedisthestatementoftheapostlewhenhesays，"Nomaneveryethatedhisownflesh。"Headdstoo，"butnourishethandcherishethit，evenastheLordtheChurch。"（2）

CHAP。25。——AMANMAYLOVESOMETHINGMORETHANHISBODY，BUTDOESNOT

THEREFORE

HATEHISBODY。

26。Man，therefore，oughttobetaughttheduemeasureofloving，thatis，inwhatmeasurehemaylovehimselfsoastobeofservicetohimself。Forthathedoeslovehimself，anddoesdesiretodogoodtohimself，nobodybutafoolwoulddoubt。Heistobetaught，too，inwhatmeasuretolovehisbody，soastocareforitwiselyandwithinduelimits。Foritisequallymanifestthatheloveshisbodyalso，anddesirestokeepitsafeandsound。

Andyetamanmayhavesomethingthathelovesbetterthanthesafetyandsoundnessofhisbody。Formanyhavebeenfoundvoluntarilytosufferbothpainsandamputationsofsomeoftheirlimbsthattheymightobtainotherobjectswhichtheyvaluedmorehighly。Butnooneistobetoldnottodesirethesafetyandhealthofhisbodybecausethereissomethinghedesiresmore。

Forthemiser，thoughhelovesmoney，buysbreadforhimself，——thatis，hegivesawaymoneythatheisveryfondofanddesirestoheapup，——butitisbecausehevaluesmorehighlythebodilyhealthwhichthebreadsustains。Itissuperfluoustoarguelongeronapointsoveryplain，butthisisjustwhattheerrorofwickedmenoftencompelsustodo。

CHAP。26。——THECOMMANDTOLOVEGODANDOURNEIGHBORINCLUDESACOMMAND

TOLOVE

OURSELVES。

27。Seeing，then，thatthereisnoneedofacommandthateverymanshouldlovehimselfandhisownbody，——seeing，thatis，thatweloveourselves，andwhatisbeneathusbutconnectedwithus，throughalawofnaturewhichhasneverbeenviolated，andwhichiscommontouswiththebeasts（foreventhebeastslovethemselvesandtheirownbodies），——itonlyremainednecessarytolayinjunctionsuponusinregardtoGodaboveus，andourneighborbesideus。"Thoushaltlove，"Hesays，"theLordthyGodwithallthyheart，andwithallthysoul，andwithallthymind；

andthoushaltlovethyneighborasthyself。Onthesetwocommandmentshangallthelawandtheprophets。"（3）Thustheendofthecommandmentislove，andthattwofold，theloveofGodandtheloveofourneighbor。Now，ifyoutakeyourselfinyourentirety，——thatis，soulandbodytogether，——andyourneighborinhisentirety，soulandbodytogether（formanismadeupofsoulandbody），youwillfindthatnoneoftheclassesofthingsthataretobelovedisoverlookedinthesetwocommandments。

Forthough，whentheloveofGodcomesfirst，andthemeasureofourloveforHimisprescribedinsuchtermsthatitisevidentallotherthingsaretofindtheircentreinHim，nothingseemstobesaidaboutourloveforourselves；yetwhenitissaid，"Thoushalllovethyneighborasthyself，"itatoncebecomesevidentthatourloveforourselveshasnotbeenoverlookedCHAP。27。——THEORDEROFLOVE。

28。Nowheisamanofjustandholylifewhoformsanunprejudicedestimateofthings，andkeepshisaffectionsalsounderstrictcontrol，sothatheneitherloveswhatheoughtnottolove，norfailstolovewhatheoughttolove，norlovesthatmorewhichoughttobelovedless，norlovesthatequallywhichoughttobelovedeitherlessormore，norlovesthatlessormorewhichoughttobelovedequally。Nosinneristobelovedasasinner；

andeverymanistobelovedasamanforGod’ssake；

butGodistobelovedforHisownsake。AndifGodistobelovedmorethananyman，eachmanoughttoloveGodmorethanhimself。Likewiseweoughttoloveanothermanbetterthanourownbody，becauseallthingsaretobelovedinreferencetoGod，andanothermancanhavefellowshipwithusintheenjoymentofGod，whereasourbodycannot；forthebodyonlylivesthroughthesoul，anditisbythesoulthatweenjoyGod。

CHAP。28。——HOWWEARETODECIDEWHOMTO

AID。

29。Further，allmenaretobelovedequally。Butsinceyoucannotdogoodtoall，youaretopayspecialregardtothosewho，bytheaccidentsoftime，orplace，orcircumstance，arebroughtintocloserconnectionwithyou。For，supposethatyouhadagreatdealofsomecommodity，andfeltboundtogiveitawaytosomebodywhohadnone，andthatitcouldnotbegiventomorethanoneperson；iftwopersonspresentedthemselves，neitherofwhomhadeitherfromneedorrelationshipagreaterclaimuponyouthantheother，youcoulddonothingfairerthanchoosebylottowhichyouwouldgivewhatcouldnotbegiventoboth。Justsoamongmen：sinceyoucannotconsultforthegoodofthemall，youmusttakethematterasdecidedforyoubyasortoflot，accordingaseachmanhappensforthetimebeingtobemorecloselyconnectedwithyou。

CHAP。29。——WEARETODESIREANDENDEAVORTHATALLMENMAYLOVEGOD。

30。NowofallwhocanwithusenjoyGod，welovepartlythosetowhomwerenderservices，partlythosewhorenderservicestous，partlythosewhobothhelpusinourneedandinturnarehelpedbyus，partlythoseuponwhomweconfernoadvantageandfromwhomwelookfornone。Weoughttodesire，however，thattheyshouldalljoinwithusinlovingGod，andalltheassistancethatweeither，givethemoracceptfromthemshouldtendtothatoneend。Forinthetheatres，densofiniquitythoughtheybe，ifamanisfondofaparticularactor，andenjoyshisartasagreatorevenastheverygreatestgood，heisfondofallwhojoinwithhiminadmirationofhisfavorite，notfortheirownsakes，butforthesakeofhimwhomtheyadmireincommon；andthemoreferventheisinhisadmiration，themoreheworksineverywayhecantosecurenewadmirersforhim，andthemoreanxioushebecomestoshowhimtoothers；andifhefindanyonecomparativelyindifferent，hedoesallhecantoexcitehisinterestbyurginghisfavorite’smerits：if，however，hemeetwithanyonewhoopposeshim，heisexceedinglydispleasedbysuchaman’scontemptofhisfavorite，andstrivesineverywayhecantoremoveit。Now，ifthisbeso，whatdoesitbecomeustodowholiveinthefellowshipoftheloveofGod，theenjoymentofwhomistruehappinessoflife，towhomallwholoveHimoweboththeirownexistenceandthelovetheybearHim，concerningwhomwehavenofearthatanyonewhocomestoknowHimwillbedisappointedinHim，andwhodesiresourlove，notforanygaintoHimself，butthatthosewholoveHimmayobtainaneternalreward，evenHimselfwhomtheylove？

Andhenceitisthatweloveevenourenemies。Forwedonotfearthem，seeingtheycannottakeawayfromuswhatwelove；

butwepitythemrather，becausethemoretheyhateusthemorearetheyseparatedfromHimwhomwelove。ForiftheywouldturntoHim，theymustofnecessityloveHimasthesupremegood，andloveustooaspartakerswiththeminsogreatablessing。

CHAP。30。——WHETHERANGELSARETOBERECKONEDOURNEIGHBORS。

31。Therearisesfurtherinthisconnectionaquestionaboutangels。

FortheyarehappyintheenjoymentofHimwhomwelongtoenjoy；andthemoreweenjoyHiminthislifeasthroughaglassdarkly，themoreeasydowefindittobearourpilgrimage，andthemoreeagerlydowelongforitstermination。Butitisnotirrationaltoaskwhetherinthosetwocommandmentsisincludedtheloveofangelsalso。ForthatHewhocommandedustoloveourneighbormadenoexception，asfarasmenareconcerned，isshownbothbyourLordHimselfintheGospel，andbytheApostlePaul。ForwhenthemantowhomourLorddeliveredthosetwocommandments，andtowhomHesaidthatonthesehangallthelawandtheprophets，askedHim，"Andwhoismyneighbor？"Hetoldhimofacertainmanwho，goingdownfromJerusalemtoJericho，fellamongthieves，andwasseverelywoundedbythem，andleftnakedandhalfdead。（1）AndHeshowedhimthatnobodywasneighbortothismanexcepthimwhotookpityuponhimandcameforwardtorelieveandcareforhim。Andthemanwhohadaskedthequestionadmittedthetruthofthiswhenhewashimselfinterrogatedinturn。TowhomourLordsays，"Goanddothoulikewise；"teachingusthatheisourneighborwhomitisourdutytohelpinhisneed，orwhomitwouldbeourdutytohelpifhewereinneed。Whenceitfollows，thathewhosedutyitwouldbeinturntohelpusisourneighbor。

Forthename"neighbor"isarelativeone，andnoonecanbeneighborexcepttoaneighbor。And，again，whodoesnotseethatnoexceptionismadeofanyoneasapersontowhomtheofficesofmercymaybedeniedwhenourLordextendstheruleeventoourenemies？"Loveyourenemies，dogoodtothemthathateyou。"（2）

32。AndsoalsotheApostlePaulteacheswhenhesays："Forthis，Thoushallnotcommitadultery，Thoushallnotkill，Thoushallnotsteal，Thoushaltnotbearfalsewitness，Thoushallnotcovet；andiftherebeanyothercommandment，itisbrieflycomprehendedinthissaying，namely，Thoushalllovethyneighborasthyself。Loveworkethnoilltohisneighbor。"（3）Whoeverthensupposesthattheapostledidnotembraceeverymaninthisprecept，iscompelledtoadmit，whatisatoncemostabsurdandmostpernicious，thattheapostlethoughtitnosin，ifamanwerenotaChristianorwereanenemy，tocommitadulterywithhiswife，ortokillhim，ortocovethisgoods。Andasnobodybutafoolwouldsaythis，itisclearthateverymanistobeconsideredourneighbor，becausewearetoworknoilltoanyman。

33。Butnow，ifeveryonetowhomweoughttoshow，orwhooughttoshowtous，theofficesofmercyisbyrightcalledaneighbor，itismanifestthatthecommandtoloveourneighborembracestheholyangelsalso，seeingthatsogreatofficesofmercyhavebeenperformedbythemonourbehalf，asmayeasilybeshownbyturningtheattentiontomanypassagesofHolyScripture。AndonthisgroundevenGodHimself，ourLord，desiredtobecalledourneighbor。ForourLordJesusChristpointstoHimselfunderthefigureofthemanwhobroughtaidtohimwhowaslyinghalfdeadontheroad，woundedandabandonedbytherobbers。AndthePsalmistsaysinhisprayer，"Ibehavedmyselfasthoughhehadbeenmyfriendorbrother。"（4）ButastheDivinenatureisofhigherexcellencethan，andfarremovedabove，ournature，thecommandtoloveGodisdistinctfromthattoloveourneighbor。ForHeshowsuspityonaccountofHisowngoodness，butweshowpitytooneanotheronaccountofHis；——thatis，HepitiesusthatwemayfullyenjoyHimself；wepityoneanotherthatwemayfullyenjoyHim。

CHAP。31。——GODUSESRATHERTHANENJOYSUS。

34。Andonthisground，whenwesaythatweenjoyonlythatwhichweloveforitsownsake，andthatnothingisatrueobjectofenjoymentexceptthatwhichmakesushappy，andthatallotherthingsareforuse，thereseemsstilltobesomethingthatrequiresexplanation。ForGodlovesus，andHolyScripturefrequentlysetsbeforeustheloveHehastowardsus。InwhatwaythendoesHeloveus？Asobjectsofuseorasobjectsofenjoyment？

IfHeenjoysus，Hemustbeinneedofgoodfromus，andnosanemanwillsaythat；forallthegoodweenjoyiseitherHimself，orwhatcomesfromHimself。Andnoonecanbeignorantorindoubtastothefactthatthelightstandsinnoneedoftheglitterofthethingsithasitselflitup。ThePsalmistsaysmostplainly，"IsaidtotheLord，ThouartmyGod，forThouneedestnotmygoodness。"（5）Hedoesnotenjoyusthen，butmakesuseofus。ForifHeneitherenjoysnorusesus，IamatalosstodiscoverinwhatwayHecanloveus。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读