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THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY.

societies therein according to their functions represent his members. Hence it may be seen how beautiful and delightful the representation of an empire, a kingdom and a society would be in heaven, if they were united in like manner among themselves by charity and faith.

The Lord also, wherever this can be done, does so unite societies; for the very divine truth which proceeds from Him, introduces that order wherever it is received. Hence that order exists in heaven. It is also on earth; but the societies which constitute it are scattered through the whole world, and consist of those who are in love to Him and in charity towards the neighbor.

But these scattered societies are collected by the Lord that they also may represent one man, as do the societies in heaven. These societies are not only within the church [where the Word is], but also out of it; and taken together they are called the Lord's church scattered and collected from the good in the whole world, which is also called a communion. This communion or church is the Lord's kingdom on earth conjoined to his kingdom in heaven, and so conjoined to the Lord Himself. (A. C. 7396.)

It is provided by the Lord that there be some religion almost everywhere, and that in every religion there be these two essentials, the acknowledgment of God and shunning of evil as sin. It is also provided by Him that every one who acknowledges a God, and abstains from

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