304. Heavenly peace, which prevents evils and falsities rising up from the hells and assaulting us, can be compared with natural peace in many respects, For instance, the peace which follows wars, when everyone lives protected from enemies, safe in his town and in his house, his estates and gardens; as the prophet said speaking in natural fashion about heavenly peace:
They will sit each man under his vine and under his fig-tree, unafraid. Micah 4:4; Isa. 65:21-23.
It can also be compared with mental relaxation and rest after hard work; or with the solace mothers experience after childbirth, when their maternal love* affords its delights. Another comparison might be with fine weather after storms, black clouds and thunder; and with spring at the end of a severe winter, and the flourishing of new crops in the fields, and the gardens, meadows and woods bursting into flower. It can equally be compared with the state of mind of those who after storms and dangers on the sea reach harbour, and set foot on the land they hoped for.
* Or the love called storge.
This page is part of 
© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church