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.
Importance of the Subject. Inspiration Defined,
and the True Canon of the Word of God Decided.
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.
That the Divinity and Sanctity of the Word of God
is the Consequence of its Containing
an Internal or Spiritual Sense.
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
That the Sacred Writers bear the most Ample and Cogent
Testimony to the Existence of a Spiritual Sense
in the Word of God.
The Difference between Correspondence and Metaphor,
Fable, etc., stated. Correspondence defined,
with Examples of its Application in expounding the Holy Word.
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.
The Difference between the Apparent and Genuine Truths
of the Literal Sense of the Holy Word Explained and Illustrated.
The Correspondence of War and Implements of War in the Holy Word.
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.
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.
Colors, Numbers, Weights, Measures, Musical Instruments, etc.
The Correspondence of Animals, Parts of Animals, and
Compound and Monstrous Animals, with Illustrations.
Correspondence of the Vegetable World, with Illustrations.
Correspondence of Earths, Minerals, etc., with Illustrations.
Correspondence of the Sun, Moon, and Stars; the Idolatrous
worship of them, and its extensive Prevalence and Influence
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.
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
Sacrificial Worship
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.
The Book of Revelation Wholly Composed of Divine Symbols
or Correspondences.
CONCLUSION
PART II.
Additional Illustrations and Confirmations of the Doctrine.
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
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.
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.
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.
A KEY TO THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICATION OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
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
Stones used for Altars, Pillars, Witnesses, and Memorials
Tables of Stones for the Ten Commandments
The Breast-Plate of Aaron, called the Breast-Plate of Judgment,
and also Urim and Thummim
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Correspondence Applied to the Interpretation of Matthew xxiv. 20 :
“Pray ye that your flight be not in the Winter, neither on the Sabbath day”
Correspondence of the Serpent, with Illustrative Examples from Scripture.
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.
Correspondence of the Human Body and its Parts to Things Spiritual and Divine.
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.
HEAVENLY CORRESPONDENCES 