Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 3.djvu/105

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VI.

APPARENT TRUTHS.

THERE does not exist in man any pure intellectual truth, that is, truth divine; but the truths of faith which are in him are appearances of truth, to which the fallacies appertaining to the senses join themselves, and to these the falsities which originate in the lusts of self-love and the love of the world. Such are the truths which exist in man; and how impure these are, may appear from the circumstance of their being attended with such adjuncts. Nevertheless the Lord conjoins himself with man in those impurities; for He animates and quickens them with innocence and charity, and thus forms conscience.

The truths of conscience are various, being according to every one's religion; and these, provided they are not contrary to the goods of faith, the Lord is not willing to violate, because man is imbued with them, and attaches sanctity to them. The Lord never breaks any one, but bends him. This may appear from the consideration that, within the church, there are some of all denominations who are endowed with conscience; though their conscience, nevertheless, is more perfect in proportion as the truths which form it approach nearer to the genuine truths of faith. (A. C. 2053.)

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