526. (3) If such a transference is meant by imputation, imputation is a frivolous term. We showed above in no. 524 that everyone has imputed to him after death the evil in which he is engaged, likewise the good. It is clear from this what we mean by imputation. But if imputation is taken to mean a transfer of good into someone who is in a state of evil, it is a frivolous term, because such a transfer is impossible, as we also showed just above, in no. 525. In the world, by people, virtues can in a way be transferred, that is, good can be done to children on account of their parents, or favor shown to the friends of a supporter. However, the goodness of the virtue cannot be impressed on their souls, but only outwardly attached to their person. The same sort of transfer is not possible as regards people's spiritual life. This, as we showed before, must be implanted, and if it is not implanted through a person's living a life in accordance with the Lord's precepts noted above, he remains in the state of evil into which he was born. Before any change takes place, no good can touch him. If it does, it is immediately repulsed and bounces off, like a rubber ball falling on to a rock, or it is swallowed up like a diamond thrown into a marsh. [2] A person unreformed in spirit is like a panther or an owl and may be compared to a bramble bush and a nettle. On the other hand, a regenerate person is like a sheep or a dove and may be compared to an olive tree and a vine. If by imputation is meant the transfer of something, please think, if you will, how by any imputation a panther-like person can be changed into a sheep-like person, or an owl into a dove, or a bramble bush into an olive tree, or a nettle into a vine. For a change to take place, must not the savage nature of the panther and owl or the injurious nature of the bramble bush and nettle be removed first and thus a truly human and harmless nature implanted? How this is accomplished the Lord also teaches in John, in chapter 15, verses 1-7.* * "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so will you be My disciples."