so the principles of heavenly truth and knowledge in the understanding are but the continuations and derivations of the principles of heavenly love and charity in the will. We learn further, that the combat is not complete, until we both war and fight, in other words, until we oppose the powers of darkness by the united powers of heavenly love and of heavenly truth.
67. It is written in the Book of Amos, Thus he shewed me, and behold the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in His hand. And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? and I said, A plumb-line. Then said the Lord, behold, I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel. (chap. vii. 7, 8.) The plumb-line here spoken of appears to be a representative figure of the rectitude of the Divine Law or Word, in its direct tendency upwards, towards the Lord, according to which it was designed that man should build his spiritual house. The necessity of keeping the eyes perpetually open to such rectitude is expressed in the significant question, Amos, what seest thou? For until we come to attend to the objects of spiritual sight, which is spiritual thought, it is impossible we should ever discern clearly the rectitude of the Divine Law. The further necessity of admitting such rectitude for the regulation of our hearts and lives, that is to say, of our loves and affections, is forcibly expressed in these words, I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel; for in the midst denotes in the will or love.
68. A state of spiritual trial and temptation is beau-
