Heaven and Hell (Harley) n. 473

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473. Because deeds and works are from the will and thought, so are they from the love and faith, consequently, they are such as the love and faith are; for it is the same thing whether you say a man's love or his will, and it is the same thing whether you say a man's faith or his established thought; for that which a man loves he wills, and that which a man believes he thinks. If a man loves what he believes he also wills it and as far as possible does it. Everyone can know that love and faith are within man's willing and thinking, and not outside them, for it is the will that is kindled with love, and the thought that is enlightened in matters of faith; therefore only those who are able to think wisely are enlightened, and in the measure of their enlightenment they think what is true and will it, or what is the same, they believe what is true and love it.# # As all things that exist according to order in the universe have relation to good and truth, so with man all things have relation to will and understanding (n. 803, 10122). For the reason that the will is a recipient of good and the understanding a recipient of truth (n. 3332, 3623, 5232, 6065, 6125, 7503, 9300, 9995). It amounts to the same whether you say truth or faith, for faith belongs to truth and truth belongs to faith; and it amounts to the same whether you say good or love, for love belongs to good and good belongs to love (n. 4353, 4997, 7179, 10122, 10367). From this it follows that the understanding is a recipient of faith, and the will a recipient of love (n. 7179, 10122, 10367). And since the understanding of man is capabLe of receiving faith in God and the will is capable of receiving love to God, man is capable of being conjoined with God in faith and love, and he who is capable of being conjoined with God in love and faith can never die (n. 4525, 6323, 9231).


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