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THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY.

from hell into heaven) unless the all of life be taken away from them; also that no one can come into heavenly freedom, but by reformation from the Lord; and that in such case he is introduced by the affection of good and truth, that is, by the good of life wherein is implanted the truth of doctrine.


FREEDOM NECESSARY TO REFORMATION,

Since no one can be reformed except in freedom, therefore freedom is never taken away from man. It is an eternal law that every one be in freedom as to his interiors, that is, as to his affections and thoughts, to the end that the affection of good and of truth may be insinuated therein.

As often as the affection of truth and good is insinuated from the Lord, which is effected while man is altogether ignorant of it, he imbibes and does good in freedom, because from affection; for whatever is from affection is free; and in such case, the truth of faith conjoins itself with the good of charity. Unless man had freedom in all that he thinks and wills, it would be impossible for the freedom of thinking truth and willing good to be insinuated into any one from the Lord; for man, in order that he may be reformed, ought to think truth as from himself, and do good as from himself; and what is thus done is done in freedom. Unless this were the case, no reformation or regeneration could possibly be effected.

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