63. By the holy city, [New] Jerusalem, is meant this new Church as to doctrine. It was therefore seen coming down from God out of heaven, for the doctrine of genuine truth comes only from the Lord through heaven. Because the Church as to doctrine is meant by the city, New Jerusalem, it is therefore said:
Prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Rev. xxi 2;
and afterwards:
There came unto me one of the seven angels ... and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a ... high mountain, and showed me that great city, the Holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. Rev. xxi 9, 10.
It is well known that by the bride and wife are meant the Church when the Lord is meant by the Bridegroom and Husband. The Church is a bride when she is willing to receive the Lord, and a wife, when she has received Him. It is evident that the Lord is here meant by the husband; for it is said, the bride, the Lamb's wife.
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