Heaven and Hell (Harley) n. 282

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

282. Because innocence is the very being (esse) of good with the angels of heaven, it is evident that the Divine Good that goes forth from the Lord is innocence itself, for it is that good that flows into angels, and affects their inmosts, and disposes and fits them to receive all the good of heaven. It is the same with little children, whose interiors are not only formed by means of innocence flowing through them from the Lord, but also are continually being adapted and disposed to receive the good of celestial love, since the good of innocence acts from the inmost; for that good, as has been said, is the being (esse) of all good. From all this it can be confirmed that all innocence is from the Lord. Thus it is that in the Word the Lord is called the "Lamb", for a lamb signifies innocence.# Because innocence is the inmost in all the good of heaven, it so affects minds that when it is felt by anyone-as when an angel of the inmost heaven approaches-he seems to himself to be no longer his own master and is moved and, as it were, carried away by such a delight that no delight of the world seems to be anything in comparison with it. This I say from having perceived it.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church