The science of correspondences remained with many eastern nations until the coming of the Lord, as may appear from the circumstances recorded relative to the wise-men of the east, who visited the Lord at his nativity. A star (which is called his star) went before them, and conducted them to the house where the young Child was: whereupon, opening their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, consisting of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, Matt. ii. 1, 2, 9, 10, 11. By the star, which went before them, is signified knowledge from heaven; by the gifts presented unto the young Child, is signified worship directed to him as God Incarnate; by gold is signified celestial good; by silver, spiritual good; and by myrrh, natural good; which three kinds or degrees of good are the three constituents of all true worship.
Still however the science of correspondences was unknown to the Israelitish and Jewish people, although all parts of their worship, and all the statutes and judgments given them by Moses, and all things contained in the Word, were correspondences. The reason was, because they were idolaters at heart, and consequently of such a nature and disposition, that they were not willing to allow, that any part of their worship had a celestial and spiritual signification. Wherefore, had this been revealed to them, they would not only have rejected, but also have profaned it. That such was the case with that people, appears evident from the circumstance of their rejecting the Lord himself, because he instructed them concerning an heavenly kingdom, and not an earthly one: for they wanted a Messiah, who should exalt them above all nations in the world, and not a Messiah, who should provide only for their eternal salvation.
The reason why the science of correspondences, which is the true key to the spiritual sense of the
