Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 2.djvu/26

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III.

THE ESSENTIAL CONSTITUENTS OF HEAVEN.


THE angels taken collectively are called heaven, because they constitute heaven. Nevertheless it is the Divine proceeding from the Lord, which flows-in with the angels and is received by them, which makes heaven in general and in particular. The Divine proceeding from the Lord is the good of love and the truth of faith. So far, therefore, as they receive good and truth from the Lord, they are angels and are heaven.

Every one in heaven knows and believes, yea, perceives, that he wills and does nothing of good from himself, and that he thinks and believes nothing of truth from himself, but from the Divine, that is, from the Lord; and that the good and truth which are from himself are not good and truth, because there is not in them life from the Divine. The angels of the inmost heaven also clearly perceive and are sensible of the influx; and so far as they receive it, they seem to themselves to be in heaven, because they are so far in love and faith, and so far in the light of intelligence and wisdom, and thence in heavenly joy.

Since these things all proceed from the Divine of the