III

Cognitions* of truth and good are not related to faith before a man is in charity; but they are a store from which the faith of charity can be formed

Man from his earliest childhood has the affection of knowing. By it he learns many things which will be of use to him, and many things which will be of no use. When he grows up, by application to some business he takes in the particulars relating to his business, which then becomes his use; and by it his affections are disposed. Thus begins the affection of use; and this produces an affection of the means by which he progresses in his business, which has become his use.

This progression takes place with every one in the world; because every one has some business, to the acquiring of which he proceeds from the use which is his end in view, through certain means leading to that use which is the ultimate effect. Since, however, this use, together with the means of attaining it, is for the sake of the life in this world, its love is natural. * The term cognitiones, here used in the Latin, is translated "cognitions" to distinguish these knowledges from those that are meant by the Latin scientifica also used in the Writings of Swedenborg. Two of the meanings most commonly associated with cognitiones are, (i) a particular species of knowledge, as knowledges of the Word, of good and truth, or of spiritual things (A.C. 24, 3665, 9945; N.J.H.D. 51; H.H. 111, 351, 469, 474, 517, 518); and (ii) a higher type of knowledge which is from understanding and perception (A.C. 1486-7; H.H. 110, 353).