33. (33) The faith of the New Church cannot in any way exist together with the faith of the former church; if they are together it causes such a collision and conflict that everything of the church in man perishes.
Analysis. It should not be taken for granted that the imputation of Christ's merit is maintained, for if it is, in getting out of a pitfall, man falls into the pit again. Because imputation is impossible, and faith in it has the effect of bringing about what was there before; so that by avoiding Scylla we come into Charybdis.
Conclude with Jeremiah vii 2-4, 9-11.
He who keeps out of the panther's way stumbles on a bear and is torn to pieces.
He who jumps clear from five of the dragon's heads falls among the other five. He who escapes from one pitfall tumbles into another. The Lord conjoins Himself with man according to reception, and reception is according to life.
Nothing added by man, either of worth or agreement, can be conjoined with the merits of Christ.
Corollary
Final appendix
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