Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 3.djvu/132

From these observations it is evident how good in man is formed by truths, and that all good which is good in him, is that of the life.

It is supposed that there is a good also of the thought, although it be not of the will, because a man can think that this or that is good; nevertheless it is not good while it is only in the thought, but merely truth; for thought concerning good is truth, and is referred to truth. But if that truth as it exists in the thought, be so loved as to affect the will and thus pass into act, then, inasmuch as it is of the will, it becomes good. This may be illustrated by the following example:

There were certain spirits who, in the life of the body, believed charity to be the essential of the church, and consequently the essential of salvation, and not faith alone; and yet the same spirits had not lived a life of charity, for they only thought and established it to be so. But it was told them that, to think only and thence believe that charity saves, and not to will and act accordingly, was the same thing as to believe that faith alone saves; therefore they were rejected.

Hence it was made evident that, only to think good and not to will and do it, does not constitute good in any one. The case would be the same if a man knew essential truths and goods, and from thought alone made profession of them, if he did not give them life by willing and doing them.

These things are said, in order that it may be known that the good of truth or spiritual good, when it is really in any one, is the good of life. (A. E. 458.)