THE

SCIENCE OF CORRESPONDENCES

ELUCIDATED.

THE
KEY TO THE HEAVENLY AND TRUE MEANING
OF THE SACRED SCRIPTURES.

BY
REV. EDWARD MADELEY,

EDITED BY HIS SON: REVISED AND GREATLY ENLARGED
BY
B. F. BARRETT. 

THE SWEDENBORG PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION

1888

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.-- Isaiah lv. 9.

For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen
being understood by the things that are made. -- Romans i. 20.

I, the Lord thy God, have multiplied vision and used similitudes.-- Hosea xii. 10.

 

PART I.

The Science of Correspondences Elucidated.

CHAPTER I.

 Importance of the Subject. Inspiration Defined, and the True Canon of the Word of
God Decided.

CHAPTER II.

Difficulties of the Mere Literal Sense of the Word Stated. The Literal Sense Proved
to be Indefensible and Inexplicable if an Internal Sense be Denied.

CHAPTER III.

That the Divinity and Sanctity of the Word of God is the Consequence of its Containing
an Internal or Spiritual Sense.

CHAPTER IV.

The Laws of the Science of Correspondences Stated and Confirmed. The Doctrine of
Correspondences well known to the Ancients, and its Corruption the Origin of all
Idolatry and Superstition

CHAPTER V.

That the Sacred Writers bear the most Ample and Cogent Testimony to the Existence
of a Spiritual Sense in the Word of God.

CHAPTER VI.

The Difference between Correspondence and Metaphor, Fable, etc., stated.
Correspondence defined, with Examples of its Application in expounding the Holy Word.

CHAPTER VII.

The Science of Correspondences not a Speculative and Visionary Theory, but an
Absolute Reality. Illustrations from Opposites, and various other Subjects. The
Objects for which the Word of God was Revealed only Answered by the Admission
of its Internal Sense, which alone Distinguishes it from all other Compositions,
and Reconciles its Apparent Contradictions. Universality of this Divine
Science, and the Necessity that Exists for the Word being Written according to it.

CHAPTER VIII.

The Difference between the Apparent and Genuine Truths of the Literal Sense of the
Holy Word Explained and Illustrated.

CHAPTER IX.

The Correspondence of War and Implements of War in the Holy Word.

CHAPTER X.

On the Will and Understanding, as Comprising both the Divine and the Human
Mind ; on the Marriage of Divine Goodness and Truth therein, and on the Union
of Love and Wisdom in the Holy Word, with Illustrations.

CHAPTER XI.

The Three Degrees of Life, the Trinal Distinction in God, and the Threefold
Constitution of the Human Mind and the Holy Word Explained, and their Mutual
Correspondence Illustrated.

CHAPTER XII.

Colors, Numbers, Weights, Measures, Musical Instruments, etc.

CHAPTER XIII.

The Correspondence of Animals, Parts of Animals, and Compound and Monstrous
Animals, with Illustrations.

CHAPTER XIV.

Correspondence of the Vegetable World, with Illustrations.

CHAPTER XV.

Correspondence of Earths, Minerals, etc., with Illustrations.

CHAPTER XVI.

Correspondence of the Sun, Moon, and Stars; the Idolatrous Worship of them, and
its extensive Prevalence and Influence

CHAPTER XVII.

The First Chapters of Genesis, to the 27th Verse of Chapter XI., A Grand Series of
Divine Allegories, which can only be Interpreted by the Science of Correspondences.

CHAPTER XVIII.

History of the Flood, the Ark, and of Noah and his Posterity, an Allegory ; or, rather,
a Spiritual History clothed in the Divine Language of Correspondences

CHAPTER XIX.

Sacrificial Worship

CHAPTER XX.

The Entire History of the Four Gospels Literally True, but Significative and Representative
 in every Particular Recorded. Illustrations from the Lord's Parables
and Miracles, His Transfiguration, Life, Ministry, and Crucifixion.

CHAPTER XXI.

The Book of Revelation Wholly Composed of Divine Symbols or Correspondences.

CONCLUSION

 

PART II.

Additional Illustrations and Confirmations of the Doctrine.

CHAPTER XXII.

THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE. Introduction, Creation of the World, Contradictory
Views of Chronologers Concerning the Age of the World. Geology in
Harmony with Scripture. The Sun the Instrumental Cause of Creation.
Sir Humphry Davy's View, Connection between the Creator and His Works.
Plenary Inspiration of the Word of God. Correspondence, the Sure Rule
of Scripture Interpretation

CHAPTER XXIII.

The Origin of Correspondence, and why the Scripture is Written in Agreement with
it. Some Proofs Given. Revelation the Voice of God Speaking to Man's
Will and Intellect; therefore of Plenary Inspiration. Opinions of Ancient
and Modern Authors Respecting Correspondence. The Prayer of Moses,
"Lord, I Beseech Thee, Show me thy Glory," Explained. The Tri-Unity of
God, as Consisting of Love, Wisdom, Power, Exhibited in all Creation.
Correspondence of the Three Kingdoms of Nature with the Three Degrees of Life in Man.

CHAPTER XXIV.

The Lord's Word Magnified above all His Name. Comparisons Between the Literal
 and Spiritual Senses of the Word of God ; Illustrations. The Use of
Correspondence in Explaining Difficult Passages of Scripture. Its Use in
Explaining the Miracles and Parables. Correspondence of the Sun, Moon,
and Stars. The Israelitish Journey from Egypt to Canaan. Explanation
of Various Scripture Phrases. Ezekiel's Vision of Holy Waters. Two
Miracles Illustrated by the Law of Correspondence, viz., "Death in the Pot"; and
the Restoration of Sight to the Man Born Blind, by Washing in the Pool of Siloam,
The Tribute-Money found in the Fish's Mouth. Religion and Science
Connected. Conclusion.

CHAPTER XXV.

A KEY TO THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICATION OF NUMBERS. Introduction. Numbers
1 to 12, Inclusive One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.
Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven. Twelve. A Rule
for Discovering the Signification of other Numbers.

CHAPTER XXVI.

A KEY TO THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICATION OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

CHAPTER XXVII.

PRECIOUS AND COMMON STONES, THEIR MEANING IN SCRIPTURE. A General Account
of the Stones mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures, the Purposes to which they
were applied, and their various Significations

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Stones used for Altars, Pillars, Witnesses, and Memorials

CHAPTER XXIX.

Tables of Stones for the Ten Commandments

CHAPTER XXX.

The Breast-Plate of Aaron, called the Breast-Plate of Judgment, and also Urim and
Thummim

CHAPTER XXXI.

The Science of Correspondence Applied as a Key to the Spiritual Interpretation of
the Principal Symbols in Revelation xxi. Chapter, and its Applicability and
Sufficiency Demonstrated

CHAPTER XXXII.

The Word and its Inspiration. No Written Word before the Fall. The Ancient Word
that became Lost. Source of the Grecian Mythology. All Religious Knowledge
from Divine Revelation. The Scriptures a Light to all Nations. The Medium of
Communication between Angels and Men. Nature of the Word in Heaven.
Illustrating and Confirming the Doctrine of Correspondence. Distinction between
Verbal and Personal Inspiration. No Written Word on any Earth but ours, and
the Reason why.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

The Doctrine of Correspondence Applied as a Key to the Spiritual and True Meaning
of Matthew xvi. 18, 19. The Rock on which the Church is Built. The Keys of
the Kingdom of Heaven, etc.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Correspondence Applied to the Interpretation of Isaiah vii. 15, "Butter and Honey
shall he Eat, that he may know to refuse the Evil and choose the Good.

CHAPTER XXXV.

The Correspondence of Salt. Some Illustrative Examples from the Word.
The Preserving Principle of Salt, and its Correspondence. Its Fructifying
Principle, and Its Correspondence. Its Conjoining Principle, and its Correspondence.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Correspondence Applied to the Interpretation of Matthew xxiv. 20 :
"Pray ye that your flight be not in the Winter, neither on the Sabbath day"

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Correspondence of the Serpent, with Illustrative Examples from Scripture.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Natural and Spiritual Substance and Form. Truth and Love are Substantial. The
Natural and Spiritual Body. Objects in the Spiritual World, and the Law of their
Existence. Discrete Decrees, Confirming the Doctrine of Correspondence. God,
the Infinite and self-existing Substance.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Correspondence of the Human Body and its Parts to Things Spiritual and Divine.

CHAPTER XL.

The True Worship of the Lord Represented by the Offerings of the Wise Men from the
East. The Spiritual meaning of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, as unfolded by Correspondence

ABBREVIATIONS.

The following are the abbreviated titles of the works of Swedenborg quoted
or referred to in this work

A. C.      Arcana Coelestia.
A. E.      Apocalypse Explained.
A. R.      Apocalypse Revealed.
T. C. R.  True Christian Religion.
C. S. L.  Conjugial and Scortatory Love.
H. H.      Heaven and Hell.
D. L. W. Divine Love and Wisdom.
D. P.      Divine Providence.
S. S.      The Sacred Scripture.
D. L.      Doctrine of the Lord.
W. H.     The White Horse in the Revelation.
H. K.      Hieroglyphic Key.
I. S. B.   Intercourse between the Soul and the Body.