many heavens, or many different states, all of which are good and heavenly, necessitating therefore many different angelic societies; for every such society is a heaven in a less form. The apostle Paul, too, speaks of being "caught up to the third heaven" on one occasion,—a fact revealing a diversity of state among the angels, and the consequent plurality of the heavenly societies.
Moreover, there are just as strong reasons for the division of the whole angelic heaven into distinct societics, as there are for the division of all the inhabitants of the spiritual world into the two classes of good and evil; or for the Scripture doctrine of a heaven of angels and a hell of devils. For the many different societies both in heaven and in hell, result from the operation of the same law that produces the two grand divisions of spirits whereof the Bible so often speaks—the law of spiritual affinity. This law is not arbitrary, nor of man's inventing, but has its foundation in the very constitution of the human soul, and is as fixed as the law of chemical affinity. It is by virtue of this law that angels of like character are drawn together and held together in the same society. For every one in the other world yields to his attractions, and goes whithersoever his ruling love leads him; and this invariably leads him to the society of those who are most like himself. There he is as if with his own kindred—they are his spiritual kindred. There he is in freedom, is contented and happy. There, and there only, does he feel quite at home.
And here we have another display of the Lord's boundless wisdom and love in providing a home in his own house for every one who has learned to love the good
