Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 3.djvu/198

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THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY.

WHO REALLY ACKNOWLEDGE A GOD?

It is provided by the Lord that almost everywhere there should be some religion; and that in every religion there should be these two principles, viz., the acknowledgment of God and the refraining from evil because it is contrary to Him. And it is also provided that every one who acknowledges God and does not do evil because it is against Him, shall have a place in heaven.

Every one acknowledges God and is united to Him according to the good of his life. All who know anything of religion may know God; also from knowledge or memory they can talk about Him; and some also can think of Him from the understanding; but this, unless the man has also lived well, effects nothing but presence; for he can none the less turn himself away from God and toward hell, as he does if he lives wickedly.

But none can in heart acknowledge God except those who have lived well. These the Lord, according to the good of their lives, turns away from hell and toward Himself. This is because they alone love God; for they love the Divine things that are from Him, observing them in their conduct. The Divine things that are from God are the precepts of his law. These are God, because He is his own proceeding Divine; and this [keeping of these precepts] is to love Him. Therefore the Lord says: "He that hath my commandments

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