Page:A Compendium of the Chief Doctrines of the True Christian Religion.djvu/108

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104
A COMPENDIUM OF THE

society with society, or of individual with individual, in the different heavens, but by an interior influx of vital principles from the highest to the lowest heaven, and by an extension of the sphere of the life of each society and individual: so that the happiness of each is perceived by all, and the happiness of all is reciprocally perceived by each.

Now as heaven in general is distinguished into two kingdoms, also into three heavens, and into innumerable societies; so in like manner is hell distinguished into two infernal kingdoms, also into three hells, and into innumerable societies, all in exact and direct opposition to the angelic heaven. Thus to the celestial kingdom is opposed the infernal or diabolic, and to the spiritual kingdom the satanic. Moreover the whole of the hells collectively, so far as they are under the influence of evils of the will, are called the Devil; and so far as they are under the influence of falses of the understanding, they are called Satan. Hence spirits of the former description are called devils or genii, and they of the latter description satans or evil spirits. To the first, second, and third heaven are also opposed a first, second, and third hell; and to every angelic society in the heavens, an infernal or satanic society in the hells. And as in heaven love to the Lord and mutual love, accompanied by every species of good and truth, produce unspeakable happiness, as before observed; so, on the other hand, self-love and mutual hatred, accompanied by evils and falses of every kind, produce a state of misery and unhappiness, which cannot be described.

The inhabitants of heaven, as well as those of hell, are all of the human race, without a single exception. The general opinion, that angels were originally created such, and immediately placed in heaven, with-