Selection from True Christian Religion ~ Emanuel Swedenborg
Charity and Good Works (pt. 48)
v Doctrinal Series v
Charity and Good Works (pt. 48)
v Doctrinal Series v
XV. A FRIENDSHIP OF LOVE,
CONTRACTED WITH A MAN
WITHOUT REGARD TO HIS SPIRITUAL QUALITY,
IS DETRIMENTAL AFTER DEATH
CONTRACTED WITH A MAN
WITHOUT REGARD TO HIS SPIRITUAL QUALITY,
IS DETRIMENTAL AFTER DEATH
It is wholly different with those who love the good in another, that is, who love justice, judgment, sincerity, and benevolence arising from charity, and especially with those who love faith in the Lord and love to Him.
Because these love the things within man apart from the things without, when they do not discover the same things in the person after death, they at once withdraw from the friendship and are associated by the Lord with those who are in like good.
It should be said that no one is able to explore the interiors of the mind of those with whom he associates or deals; and this is not necessary; only let him guard against a friendship of love with anyone.
External friendship for the sake of various uses does no harm.
(True Christian Religion 449)
To be continued . . .