XIV

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''For this cause shall a man leave father and mother and cleave to his wife. " Mark x. 7.

What man inherits interiorly and exteriorly is indeed of great import, but it dwindles away into nothingness beside the real love of his life.

''Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.” Matthew vi. 3.

The understanding cannot fathom the secret impulses of the will.

"Anoint thy head and wash thy face. " Matthew vi. 17.

Let the interiors be filled with love and the exteriors that flow therefrom purified by truth.

"From the beginning of creation God made them male and female. " Mark x. 6.

In their origins all things which are produced and sustained by and in the Divine Truth are referable to love and wisdom, will and understanding, good and truth.

''Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. " Matthew v. 39.

If a natural affection be injured, put in its place a spiritual one.

''And his right eye shall be utterly darkened.'' Zechariah xi. 17.

A correct understanding shall be utterly obliterated.

“If thy right eye offend thee pluck it out. . . . If thy right hand offend thee cut it off. " Matthew v. 29. 30.

When the mind has reached that condition where its way of seeing a thing ("eye") and of doing a thing ("hand") is considered the only right way, and all others wrong, it is time for such an eye and hand to be dispensed with. Let the Lord give such an one an "eye" for an eye and a "hand" for a hand — a spiritual way of looking at things for a natural way, a spiritual way of doing things for a natural way.

"And Yehovah opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Yehovah standing in the way. " Numb, .x.xii. 31.

Even to those who are not within the boundaries of the church does the Divine Life come and open their understandings, and they recognize the Divine Truth according to their method ("way") of thought.

Author: A. Roeder (1900)