Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 513being justified by faith, neither do they look any deeper into thearcana of their doctrine. These are the ones who are saved; but theformer are the ones who are condemned. That they are condemnedthey themselves might see if they were willing, for they believe fromdoctrine that the goods of life, which are works, contribute nothingto salvation, but faith alone; when yet works are abstaining fromevils and living a new life, without which there is condemnation.[4] That such preachings as are not from the arcana of theirdoctrine, and also the prayers received In the church teach this, canbe seen from what is read before all the people who come to thealtar to enjoy the Sacrament of the Supper, which shall be quotedhere in the vernacular in which they are written (in English), asfollows:250b. The way and means to be received as worthy partakers ofthat holy table is, first, to examine your lives and conversations bythe rule of God’s commandments; and whereinsoever ye shallperceive yourselves to have offended, either by will, word, or deed,there to bewail your own sinfulness, and to confess yourselves toAlmighty God, with full purpose of amendment of life. And if yeshall perceive your offenses to be such as are not only against Godbut also against your neighbors, then ye shall reconcile yourselvesunto them; being ready to make restitution and satisfactionaccording to the uttermost of your power, for all injuries andwrongs done by you to any other; and being likewise ready toforgive others that have offended you, as ye would have forgivenessof your offenses at God’s hand; for otherwise the receiving of theholy communion doth nothing else but increase your damnation.Therefore if any of you be a blasphemer of God, a hinderer orslanderer of His Word, an adulterer, or be in malice or envy, or inany other grievous crime, repent you of your sins, or else come notto that holy table; lest after the taking of that holy sacrament thedevil enter into you, as he entered into Judas, and fill you full ofiniquities, and bring you to destruction both of body and soul.Judge therefore yourselves, that ye be not judged of the Lord;repent ye truly for your sins past; have a lively and steadfast faith in