244. The reason why the church is like its understanding of the Word is that the church is like its truths of faith and its kinds of good of charity. These are the two universals which are not only scattered around throughout the literal sense of the Word, but also lie hidden within it, like precious objects in treasure-houses. What it contains in its literal sense is plain to any person, since it is directly visible to the eye. But what lies hidden in its spiritual sense is unseen, except by those who love truths because they are true, and do good deeds because they are good. For these people the treasure is displayed, which is hidden and protected by the literal sense. It is these universals which in essence make the church.