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THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY.

of faith, yet, being principled in good, have the capacity of receiving the truths of faith in another life, the same as little children ; for their intellectual [principle] is not as yet infected with principles of the false, nor is their will [principle] thus confirmed in evil of life, because they know not what is false and evil. And this is the nature and effect of the life of charity, that the false and evil of ignorance may easily be bended to truth and good. Not so with those who have confirmed themselves in things contrary to truth, and at the same time have lived a life in things contrary to good. (A. C. 2280.)


BELIEVING IN SIMPLICITY.

There is a difference between confirming false principles from the Word, and believing in simplicity what is related there. He who confirms false principles, first assumes a principle of his own which he is unwilling to depart from or give up in the least particular; and then he collects and accumulates corroborating testimonies from every quarter, consequently from the Word, till he so thoroughly persuades himself of its correctness that he can no longer see the truth.

He, however, who believes in simplicity, or with a simple heart, does not first assume certain principles, but thinks what he reads is true because the Lord spoke it; and if he be instructed how it is to be understood from what is elsewhere stated in the Word, he acquiesces with joy of heart. Nay, even supposing a person through

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