II

An internal acknowledgment of truth, which is faith, cannot exist with any but those who are in charity

It was stated above what faith is; here it will be explained what charity is. Charity in its first origin is the affection of good; and as good loves truth, the affection of good produces the affection of truth, and by the affection of truth, the acknowledgment of truth, which is faith. By these in their series, the affection of truth* manifests itself, and becomes charity. This is the progression of charity from its origin, which is the affection of good, through faith which is the acknowledgment of truth, to its end in view, which is charity: its end is action. From these considerations it is evident how love, which is the affection of good, produces faith, which is the same thing as the acknowledgment of truth, and by this produces charity, which is the same thing as the act of love through faith. * It has been suggested that veri should read boni.