Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 3.djvu/113

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SOME SOLIFIDIANS LIVE WELL.
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self and the world. And they who look only to self and the world in the course of their life, adjoin themselves to the hells; for all who are in the hells make no account either of good or of evil. In a word, for men to live from that doctrine, is to confirm themselves in the life, that it is of no consequence to think, will or do good, inasmuch as salvation is not from that source; and also that it is of no consequence if they think, will, and, as far as the fear of the law does not restrain, do evil, inasmuch as damnation is not from that source, provided they have only confidence and trust which is called saving faith.

These things are said concerning the state of faith, and thence of the life of men within the church, when their faith and life are from the doctrine of the church.


SOME SOLIFIDIANS LIVE GOOD LIVES.

Something shall now be said concerning the state of faith, and thence of the life, of the men of the church when their faith and life are from the Word. The greater part of those who are born within the churches where the doctrine of faith alone and justification thereby is received, do not know what faith alone is, nor what is understood by justification. Therefore when they hear these things from their teachers, they think that a life according to the precepts of God in the Word is thereby understood; for they believe this to be faith and also justification, not entering more deeply

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