Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 3.djvu/27

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FREEDOM AND SLAVERY.
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proprium, he ought to do good and think truth from himself; but still he ought to know (and when he is reformed, to think and believe) that all good and truth are from the Lord, even to the smallest portion thereof; and this, because it is so; but that the reason why it is given to man to suppose that good and truth are from himself is, that thus they may become as his own.

The freedom of self-love and the love of the world, and of the lusts thereof, is quite another thing than freedom, being altogether slavery; but still it is called freedom, just as love, affection and delight are called by these names, whether used in a good or bad sense. Nevertheless self-love and the love of the world are totally different from love, being in reality hatred; consequently so is the affection and delight thence derived; they have their names from what they appear to be, not from what they are.


ORIGIN OF FREEDOM AND SLAVERY.

It is impossible for any one to know what slavery is, or what freedom is, unless he knows the origin of the one and of the other, which he cannot know but from the Word; and unless he knows also how man is circumstanced as to the affections which appertain to his will, and as to the thoughts which appertain to his understanding.

The case with man as to his affections and thoughts is this: no person whatsoever, man, spirit or angel, can will and think from himself, but from others; nor can

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