Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 3.djvu/221

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HOW UNDERSTOOD IN HEAVEN.
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HOW THE ANGELS UNDERSTAND IT.

There are interior truths in all doctrines drawn from the literal sense of the Word, inasmuch as the literal sense is like a well wherein is water. For in all parts of the Word there is an internal sense, which sense is also in the doctrines that are derived from the Word.

In regard to doctrines derived from the literal sense of the Word, the case is this: that when man is principled in them, and at the same time in a life according to them, he has in himself correspondence. For the angels who are attendant on him, are in interior truths while he is in exterior; and thus he has communication with heaven by means of doctrines, but according to the good of his life.

As for example: when in the Holy Supper a man thinks simply of the Lord in consequence of the words used on the occasion, "This is my body and this is my blood," then his attendant angels are in the idea of love to the Lord and charity toward their neighbor; for love to the Lord corresponds to the Lord's body and to bread, and neighborly love corresponds to blood and to wine. And since there is such correspondence, there flows an affection out of heaven through the angels into that holy principle by which the man is influenced at the time, which affection he receives according to the good of his life.

For the angels dwell with every one in his life's affection, that is, in the affection of the doctrines accord-

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