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THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY.

he acts contrary to conscience if he does not reverently observe external rites.

The conscience of the man of the internal church is more abundantly stored, because he is better acquainted with the internal sense of the Word; but the conscience of the man of the external church is more sparingly supplied, for he knows less of that sense. (A. C. 1098.)


SHEM AND JAPHETH.

Japheth represents the external church; and this includes those who are in external worship, and are thus ignorant of the nature of the internal man and what belongs to him, but who nevertheless live in charity. With these the Lord is also present, for He operates by means of charity wherever it exists. For it is with them as with little children, who, although they know not what charity is, and still less what faith is, yet have the Lord more present with them than the adult, especially if they live in mutual charity.

So also it is with the simple who are principled in innocence, charity and mercy. It is of no advantage to a man to know much, unless he lives according to what he knows. For knowledge has no other end than goodness: and he who is made good, is in possession of a far richer treasure than he whose knowledge is the most extensive, and yet is destitute of goodness; for what the latter is seeking by his great acquirements, the former already possesses.

It is otherwise, however, with him who is acquainted with many truths and goods, and has at the same time

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