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。