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THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY.

into the mysteries of doctrine. Such persons, also, when they are instructed concerning faith alone and justification thereby, believe that faith alone is to think concerning God and salvation, and how they ought to live; and that justification is to live before God.

All within the church who are saved, are kept by the Lord in this state of thought and faith, and after their departure out of the world they are instructed in truths, because they possess a capacity for receiving instruction. But they who have formed their lives from the doctrine of faith alone and justification thereby, as above spoken of, are blinded; for faith alone is not faith, and hence justification by faith alone is a non-entity.

From these considerations it is evident who are understood by the lukewarm, namely, they who say in their heart, To what purpose is it if I think, will and do good, inasmuch as there is no salvation thereby? It is sufficient that I have faith. And what does it signify, also, if I think, will and do evil, inasmuch as no damnation is incurred thereby? — thus relaxing all reins to their own thoughts and intentions, and so to their own spirit; for it is the spirit which thinks and intends, and becomes altogether such as are its thoughts and intentions.

It is, however, to be observed, that there are very few who thus live from doctrine, although it is believed by the preachers that all who hear their preachings are under their influence; for it is from the divine provi-