thoughts and feelings. And if we could not see their forms, there would be no scenery there. It is the same world that we have here, only here it is clothed with matter. Therefore the things here correspond to things of the mind. Now, that a chariot should be the manifest form of doctrine, may be quite rationally seen by comparative illustration; but to be truly and clearly seen, we must behold it in the light of correspondence. To illustrate by comparison :—a chariot is composed of various parts, harmoniously put together, forming a whole. Its use is to carry our natural bodies on a natural journey. Doctrines consist of various principles of truth, all harmoniously arranged, for the rational conception of the human mind; calculated to enlighten, elevate, and give spiritual progress to the mind that receives them. Thus they constitute a spiritual chariot. To behold this chariot, is to see the doctrines; to get into it, is to love them; and to ride in it, is to live them. And as we ride on, the chariot itself becomes more and more beautiful, presenting new combinations and arrangements of principles and parts, making it more and more perfect and heavenly. For the deeper and more hidden excellencies of its internal qualities are constantly presenting themselves. We are struck with the beauty of the leading outlines of this chariot, when we first get a fair view of the Trinity, Atonement, Fall, regeneration, resurrection, judgment, &c. Every part is so perfectly fitted to the others. All is symmetry and harmony. We know that this chariot will run well for the truths are seen by their own light, and become self-evidently true.

Now, the Lord is often said, in the Word, to ride in chariots. But, who can know what it means, unless he knows that chariots mean doctrines ? If he knows this he has something tangible and definite in the instruction. For he can see that the Lord can come to us in doctrines. And he may know that He does so come. When we behold the doctrines of the New Church from an affection for them, they become to us fixed and eternal verities. They are seen in their own light, and become the indisputable evidence of their own truth, because they are felt as well as seen to be true. Therefore they become a chariot that we feel safe to ride in. We are not afraid of losing a wheel, nor of being upset or thrown over a precipice in the end. And if our horses are well trained and governed; that is, if our understanding of the doctrines be clear; and we keep the bit well watched, or keep the understanding from breaking over the rules of the Holy City and running wild, our journey to the promised land, in this chariot, will be not only safe but highly delightful.

In the 7th verse of the 20th Psalm we read, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." Here, "chariots" denotes false doctrines, and "horses" self-derived intelligence. And we must not trust in these; but in the qualities of the Lord. For name signifies quality; and God's qualities are goods and truths. For by chariots. are not always meant true doctrines, nor by horses, truth in the understanding. These, as well as other things, have their opposite signification. As in Ezek.

xxvi. 7, 8, 10, 11, "Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people. He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field: and he shall make a fort against thee. By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee; thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach. With the hoofs of his horses will he tread down all thy streets: he shall slay thy people by the sword, and thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground." Here we have a prophecy of the destruction of the church, or of the principles of good and truth in the people. The king of Babylon is falsehood in dominion his chariots and horses are false doctrines in the understanding. The north, from which he comes, is darkness. Daughters mean good principles; and the field means the affections or will. So that, to slay the daughters of the field, is to destroy the good qualities of the mind. The walls, which are shaken and the garrisons thrown down, are the doctrines destroyed. The sword which he uses is falsehood against the truth. The dust with which he covers the people, is the lowest and most external naturalism.

What a Fountain of wisdom we have before us, in the Holy Word, as opened by correspondences! Let us not despair because it is infinite, nor because we cannot comprehend more of it at once. Think of how much more we know, than we did before we saw this

light. And remember that the Teacher is infinite. Jesus will ever help us in the study of His Word if we look to Him. It is truly He that opens the book, for a clear and satisfactory vision.

First; we have the light of the science of Theology presented to our natural reason, so that we begin to see its philosophy by a new and heavenly law. If we apply it to our hearts, in obedience to the truth, the books of our own understandings will be opened by the spirit of Jesus: all doubts will flee away, and we shall go on the heavenly way together rejoicing, in new light and new life. Every day will bring us something new, and a new appetite to enjoy it. Love growing warmer, friendships stronger, the Lord more lovely and heaven more bright.

5

CHAPTER VI.

THE SYMBOLIC MEANING AND USE OF HORSES.

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.”—Rev. xix. 11, 14.

WHAT a scene for heaven! The Most High God, the Creator of the universe, marshalled at the head of mighty armies, all upon snow-white horses, and clothed in fine linen, white and clean and this Infinite Commander, leading the countless hosts to battle; with a sharp sword going out of His mouth; His eyes as a flame of fire, and His head surmounted with crowns upon crowns, many in number; with the significant motto upon his vesture and thigh, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS! What a scene of sublimity! How awfully grand and exciting even to natural thought! But we are not enough awake to truly imagine its grandeur. Could we peer, with our natural vision, into the open firmament and behold such a scene, how utterly we should be lost in wonder and dismay! Such a magnificent army of horsemen,