107. [verse 12] 'And to the Angel of the Church in Pergamum write' signifies to and concerning those who place everything of the Church in good works, and not anything in the truths of doctrine. That by 'the Church in Pergamum' these are understood is plain from the things written to it understood in the spiritual sense. But about these something must be said in advance, so that it may be known who they are in the Church, and what their quality is. There are two kinds of men out of whom for the most part the Christian Church has its existence at the present day. Those who are in works alone, and in no truths, make up the one kind; and those who are in worship alone, and in neither works nor truths make up the other. It treats of the former kind here; of the latter in the things written to the Church in Sardis (n. 154 seq.). They who are in works alone and in no truths are like those who are doing and not understanding, and deeds without understanding are lifeless. In the presence of angels they appear like carvings out of wood, and those who have placed merit in their works appear naked like those carvings without a covering upon their private parts. They appear also as sheep without wool; and those who place merit in their works, like such sheep covered with dung. For all works are done from the will by means of the understanding, and in the understanding they acquire life, and at the same time clothing. Consequently, as has been said, they appear in the presence of the angels as things lifeless and naked.