Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 3.djvu/185

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THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL.
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are ignorant of the Lord during their abode in the world, still they have in themselves the worship and tacit acknowledgment of Him when they are in good; for in all good the Lord is present. Therefore these in another life easily acknowledge Him, and more easily than such Christians as are not so principled in good, and yet receive the truth of faith respecting the Lord. (A. C. 3263.)

The Lord's spiritual church is scattered over the whole globe, and is everywhere various according to articles of belief or the truths of faith. His spiritual kingdom in heaven is also circumstanced in like manner, viz.: it is various according to what appertains to faith, insomuch that there is not one society, nor even one in a society, who, as to those things which relate to the truth of faith, is entirely agreed with others. Nevertheless the Lord's spiritual kingdom in heaven is one, because all there account charity as the principal; for charity constitutes the spiritual church, and not faith, unless you say that faith is charity.

Whoever is principled in charity loves his neighbor, and with regard to his dissenting from him in matters of belief, this he excuses, provided that he lives in good and truth. He does not even condemn the well-disposed Gentiles, although they are ignorant of the Lord, and know not any truth of faith. For he who lives in charity, that is, in good, receives from the Lord such truths as agree with his good; and good Gentiles

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