Apocalypse Explained (Tansley) n. 795

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795. Because in the preceding articles the existence of faith from charity is treated of, it shall also be briefly explained which is prior and which is later. It has been shown that charity produces faith as good produces truth, and as affection produces thought, also as fire produces light; it is therefore speaking altogether contrary to order, and inversely, to say that faith produces charity or the goods thereof, which are called good works. It must be known, however, that charity, which in its essence is the affection of knowing, understanding, willing, and doing truth, does not come into any perception that a man has, before it has formed itself in the thought - this being from the understanding; for then it presents itself under some form or appearance, by virtue of which it comes before the interior sight; for thought that a thing is so in truth, is called faith. It is therefore evident that charity is actually prior and faith later; just as good is actually prior and truth later; or as the producing principle is essentially prior to the product; and as being (esse) is prior to manifestation (existere). For charity is from the Lord, and is also first formed in the spiritual mind. But because charity does not appear to man before it becomes faith, therefore it may be said, that faith is not in man before it becomes charity in form. Wherefore, concerning the existence of charity and faith with man, it may be said, that they both exist at the same moment. For although charity produces faith, still, because they make one, they can never exist separate the one from the other - so far as regards man's perception is concerned - neither as to degree, nor quality.

From these things it is also evident, that the conjunction of the Lord with man is like the conjunction of good with truth; good being from the Lord, and truths being with man; but nevertheless they are truths which do not as yet live. As man, however, receives good in truths, so he receives the Lord in himself, and is made alive. And he receives in proportion as he abstains from evils, and shuns and is averse to them from the Word; for so he shuns and is averse to them from the Lord, and not from himself.


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