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THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY.

edged one God, and wrote concerning Him with much sanctity. They acknowledged also the immortality of the soul, and a life after death; likewise the happy state of the good and the unhappy state of the wicked. Their laws moreover were grounded in the commandments of the decalogue, viz., that God is to be worshipped; that parents are to be honored; that murder, theft and adultery are crimes which ought not to be committed; and that it is sinful to covet what belongs to others. Nor were they content to practise these things in externals only, but insisted on their observance in internals.

The case is the same at this day. The well-principled Gentiles in all parts of the earth discourse better on the above subjects than Christians; nor do they discourse only, but live accordingly. These and several other truths are in the possession of the Gentiles, and join themselves with the good which they have from the Lord; in consequence of which conjunction they are in a state of receiving still more truths, because one truth acknowledges another. Hence it is that they who have been principled in good in the world, easily receive the truths of faith in another life. (A. C. 2863.)


THE BIGOT'S OPINION REFUTED.

It is very common for those who have conceived an opinion respecting any truth of faith, to judge of others that they cannot be saved except by believing as they do; which nevertheless the Lord forbids, Matt. vii. 1, 2.

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