Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 3.djvu/80

therefore in continual dispute about truths, reasoning whether they be so or not; and each abides in that doctrine, and calls it true, which is taught in his own particular church. Hence there are so many differences.

Besides, several form conclusions concerning things good and true from appearances and fallacies, one in one manner and another in another, but none from any internal perception; yea, they do not know what perception is. And since their intellect is so obscured as to the goods and truths of faith, it is not to be wondered at that they disagree about that most essential of all truths, viz. the Lord's Divinity, Divine Humanity, and Holy Proceeding. The celestial perceive that they are not three but one; whereas the spiritual abide in the idea of three, yet are willing to think that they are one.

Since therefore there are dissensions about this most essential point of all, it may be seen that the varieties and differences of doctrines are innumerable. But notwithstanding there are so many varieties and differences of doctrines, or so many derivations, still the believers together form one church when all acknowledge charity as the essential, or, what is the same thing, when they have respect to life as the end of doctrine; that is, when they inquire how a man of the church lives, and not so much what are his sentiments. For every one in another life is gifted with a lot from the Lord according to the good of his life, not according to truth of doctrine separate from that good. (A. C. 3241.)