AC 3881 - the stories in the Word

AC 3881
. . . the histories of the Word
are believed to be merely historical;
and the prophecies
to be of the things that have been consigned to oblivion,
except some from which doctrinal tenets may be drawn.
That there is a spiritual sense in them is not believed,
because at this day it is not known
what the spiritual sense of the Word is,
nor even what
that which is spiritual is.
The principal reason of this is
that people live a natural life,
and the natural life is such
that when it is regarded as the end,
or is loved above all other things,
it obliterates both knowledges and faith;
insomuch that when spiritual life
and a spiritual sense are mentioned,
it is as though a kind of nonentity were spoken of,
or something unpleasant and sad,
that excites loathing,
because it is in disagreement with the natural life.