Arcana Coelestia (Potts) n. 4984

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4984. And he knew not aught that was with him, save the bread which he did eat. That this signifies that good was thence made its own, is evident from the signification of "bread," as being good (n. 276, 680, 3478, 3735, 4211, 4217, 4735); and from the signification of "eating," as being to make one's own (n. 3168, 3513, 3596, 3832, 4745). His "not knowing aught that was with him save the bread" signifies that nothing was received but good. It may be believed that when good makes truth its own, it is such truth as is the truth of faith that it makes its own; but it is the good of truth. Truths which are not for use do indeed approach, but do not enter. All uses from truths are goods of truth. Truths which are not for use are separated; some being retained, and some rejected. Those which are retained are such as introduce to a good more or less remote, and are the very uses. Those which are rejected are such as do not so introduce, nor apply, themselves. In their beginning all uses are truths of doctrine, but in their progression they become goods; they become goods when the man acts according to these truths. Thus the very action gives quality to truths, for all action descends from the will, and the will itself makes that become good which before was truth. From this it is plain that truth in the will is no longer the truth of faith, but the good of faith; and that no one is made happy by the truth of faith, but by the good of faith; for this affects the very thing which is of man's life, namely, his will, and gives it interior delight or bliss, and in the other life the happiness which is called heavenly joy.


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