228# 由此可知，凡无教义而读圣言者，对于一切真理皆在幽暗之中；其心思游移不定，易趋错谬，也容易陷入异端；若有势援或权威相助，且名声不致受损，他们甚至会欣然采纳这些异端。因为圣言对于他们，如同无光之灯台；他们在阴影中仿佛看见许多，然而几乎一无所见，因为唯有教义才是明灯。我曾见此等人受天使察验，发现他们能从圣言确认任何自己所愿之事，尤其确认那些出于自我之爱，以及出于对其所偏袒者之爱的事；但我也见他们被脱去衣服，这是他们没有真理的标记；在彼处，衣服表示真理。
228# 由此可见，那些没有教义而阅读圣言的人，在一切真理上都处于模糊。他们的心智摇摆不定，容易出错，并向异端敞开；如果这些异端受到权威的青睐和支持，如果他们自己的名声没有受到威胁，那么他们就会热切地拥抱这些异端。对这些人来说，圣言就像没有光的灯台；他们似乎在阴影中看到很多东西，而事实上，他们几乎什么都没有看到，什么都不理解，因为教义是唯一的灯，或唯有教义光照人。我曾看到这些人被天使检查，结果发现，他们能从圣言中证实他们所喜欢的任何观点，尤其证实与他们自己的爱，或他们所结交之人的爱有关的任何观点。我还看到他们被剥去衣服，这是一个迹象，表明他们缺乏真理；因为在灵界，衣服就是真理。
228. It stands to reason, then, that people who read the Word without a body of teaching are in the dark about every truth. Their mind is meandering and undecided, liable to go astray, and even susceptible to heresies. Such people will in fact embrace heresies if those heresies have gained any popularity or authority and their own reputation is therefore not in danger. To them the Word is like a lampstand that gives no light. In the shadows they think they see many things, but in fact what they see is practically nothing, because a body of teaching is the only oil lamp.
I have seen angels examining people like this and discovering that they were capable of using the Word to support whatever they wanted. The angels also discovered that these people do in fact support whatever they want, especially things that feed their love for themselves and for others they are partial to. I saw them stripped of their clothing, an indication that they had no truths. In that world, clothes are truths.
228. These facts establish that those who read the Word without doctrine are in the dark as regards every truth. Their minds are vacillating and uncertain, prone to errors and easily led into heresies, and indeed they embrace these, if they have the slightest popularity or authoritative support, and provided there is no risk to one's own reputation. For them the Word is like a lampstand without any lights, and in the dim light they think they see much, when in fact they can see hardly anything, since it is only doctrine which is a source of light. I have witnessed such people being tested by angels, who found that they could prove from the Word anything they wished; and what they proved was especially what arose from their self-love or the love of those whom they favour. But I saw them stripped of their clothes, a sign that they were devoid of truths, for clothing in that world consists of truths.
228. From all this it can be seen, that those who read the Word without doctrine are in obscurity respecting all truth; and that their minds are wavering and uncertain; prone to error and open to heresies, which they embrace when favor or authority encourages and reputation is not endangered. To such the Word is like a candelabrum without light, and they see many things as if in shade, and in fact see scarcely anything, for doctrine is the only lamp. I have seen such examined by angels, and it was found that they could confirm from the Word anything they wished; and that they did confirm especially whatever belonged to their own love or to the love of those whom they favor. I have also seen them stripped of their garments, which was a sign that they were destitute of truths. In the spiritual world garments are truths.
228. It may therefore be evident that those who read the Word without doctrine are in obscurity concerning every truth. Their minds are wavering and unsettled, liable to errors and prone to heresies, which they eagerly embrace, if these are held in favor and supported by authority, and if their own reputation is not endangered. The Word to them is like a lampstand without a light, and they see many things, as it were, in the shade, yet understanding hardly anything, for doctrine alone is that which enlightens. I have seen such persons being examined by the angels, and they appeared able to confirm from the Word whatever opinion they pleased, and to confirm especially what pertained to their own self-love, and the love of those whom they befriended. But I have also seen them stripped of their garments, a sign that they were destitute of truths: for garments in the spiritual world are truths.
228. Ex his constare potest, quod qui Verbum absque Doctrina legunt, sint in obscuro de omni veritate, et quod Mens eorum sit vaga et incerta, prona in errores, et quoque facilis ad haereses, quas etiam amplectuntur, si favor aut auctoritas aspirat, et fama non periclitatur: 1 est enim Verbum illis tanquam Candelabrum absque lumine, ac vident in umbra sicut multa, et tamen vix aliquid vident, nam sola Doctrina est lucerna: vidi tales exploratos ab Angelis, ac inventos, quod confirmare possent ex Verbo quodcunque volunt, et quod confirment, imprimis illa quae sunt amoris sui, et amoris illorum, quibus favent: at vidi illos nudatos vestibus, signum quod essent absque veris; vestes ibi sunt vera.
Footnotes:
1. Prima editio: pereclitatur.