Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 3.djvu/200

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THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY.

THE CHURCH PERFECTED BY VARIETY.

In the Lord's kingdom the varieties are innumerable as to goods and truths, notwithstanding they all constitute but one heaven; for the varieties are so numerous, that one society is in no case altogether like another, that is, in the same good and truth. Oneness in heaven is constituted of several various things so arranged by the Lord as to be in harmony with each other; which harmony of several things is impressed by the Lord in consequence of their all having relation to Him.

The case herein is like that of the organs, members and viscera of the body, no one of which is altogether like another, but all are various; and yet they make one in consequence of their all having relation to one soul, and thereby to heaven, and thus to the Lord; for whatever is unconnected with Him is nothing. (A. C. 3241.)

That all perfection results from the harmonious arrangement of parts that are different, is evident from all the beauty, pleasantness and delight which affect both the senses and the mind; for these exist and flow from no other source than from the concert and harmony of many concordant and sympathizing parts, either coexistent or successive, and not from one thing alone.

The same may be said concerning the church as concerning heaven; for the church is the Lord's heaven on earth. There are also many churches; and each one is called a church, and likewise is a church, so far as

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