Canons of the New Church #37
37. CHAPTER V. THE DIVINE PROCEEDING, CALLED THE HOLY SPIRIT, IS, IN ITS PROPER SENSE, THE WORD, WHEREIN IS THE HOLY OF GOD
1. The Word is the Holy Itself in the Christian Church, on account of the Divine of the Lord that is within it and from it. Therefore the Divine proceeding, called the Holy Spirit, is in its proper sense the Word and the Holy of God.
2. The reason the Lord is the Word, is that it is from the Lord and it is about the Lord, thus it is, in its essence, the Lord Himself.
3. Because the Lord is the Word, He alone is Holy, and He is "the Holy One of Israel" so often mentioned in the Prophets, of whom, moreover, it is there said that He alone is God.
4. It is on this account that the place where the ark was in the tabernacle-because in it was the Law, the beginning of the Word, and above it the mercy seat, and above this the Cherubim, all these things signifying the Lord as the Word-was spoken of as the "Sanctuary" and the "Holy of Holies".
5. It is on this account, too, that the New Jerusalem, the Church that approaches the Lord only and draws truths out of His Word, is spoken of as "holy" and also "the city of holiness", and that the men in whom that Church is are spoken of as "the people of holiness"; also that this Church is "the kingdom of the saints (lit: holy ones), that shall last for ever" 1 , mentioned in Daniel [Dan. 7:18-27].
6. The Prophets and the Apostles, because the Word was written through them, are spoken of as "holy". [Luke 1:70; Rev. 18:20].
7. The Holy Spirit, with reference to the Holy Word taught by the Lord, is termed "the Spirit of Truth" [John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13], of which the Lord says that He speaks not from Himself but from the Lord [John 16:13-14]; and further that He is that Spirit [John 14:18; 16:14-22].
8. The reason why a man, "who speaks a word against the Holy Spirit is not forgiven" [Matt. 12:32], is because he denies the Divinity of the Lord and the holiness of the Word; for this man is devoid of religion.
9. The reason why one "who speaks a word against the Son of Man" is forgiven [Matt. 12:32] is because he denies that this or that is Divine truth from the Word in the Church, yet he believes that there are Divine truths in and from the Word. "The Son of Man" is Divine truth from the Word in the Church; and this Divine truth cannot be seen by everyone.
[Four pages of the original are missing here.]
Fußnoten:
1. The words "that shall last for ever" are omitted in the Skara Manuscript.
John 16:14-22
14
He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine, and will declare it to you.
15
All things whatever the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine, and will declare it to you.
16
A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me."
17
Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, "What is this that he says to us, 'A little while, and you won't see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;' and, 'Because I go to the Father?'"
18
They said therefore, "What is this that he says, 'A little while?' We don't know what he is saying."
19
Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, "Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, 'A little while, and you won't see me, and again a little while, and you will see me?'
20
Most certainly I tell you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
21
A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow, because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn't remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world.
22
Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
