they again returned to their former ignorance, doubt, and de nial. Hence it appeared how difficult it is for men to compre hend what perception is. 1388. The other kind of perception is, as observed above, that which is common to all, but which is enjoyed by the angels in the highest perfection, and by spirits according to the respective qualities of each, consisting in discerning the character or quality of another the instant he approaches, even though he does not speak. This is made manifest instantaneously by a sort of won derful influx. A good spirit is distinguished not only as to the quality of his goodness, but also of his faith: and when he speaks, this is perceived from every word he utters; and an evil spirit is distinguished in like manner as to the quality of his evil and infidelity; and this with such certainty as never to admit of decep tion. Something similar occurs among men, who, likewise, from another's gestures, looks, and discourse, can sometimes discover what he thinks, although it is contrary to what he says; and this science with man is natural or spontaneous, deriving its origin from the nature of spirits, in which it is inherent, and thus proceeding from the spirit of man himself, and its communication with the world of spirits. This communicative perception takes its origin from this circumstance; that it is the will of the Lord that all things good should be communicable, and that all should be mutually affected by love, and so be happy. Hence such percaption universally prevails among spirits. 1389. Souls are surprised, on their entrance into another life, to observe that there is such a communication of the thoughts of others, and that they instantly become acquainted, not only with the character of another's mind, but also with that of his faith. But they are informed, that the spirit has its faculties much improved when it is separated from the body. During the life of the body there is an influx of sensible objects, and also of imagi nations arising from those objects as they inhere in the memory: there are also anxieties about the future, various lusts excited by things external, cares respecting food, raiment, habitation, a man's children, and other things, which are not at all thought of in the other life: wherefore on the removal of such things which act as clogs and hindrances to the spiritual faculties, together with the corporeal organs which enjoy but a gross kind of sensation, the spirit must needs be in a much more perfect state. The same Faculties remain, but they are much more perfect, more lucid, and more free; especially with those who have lived in charity and in faith in the Lord, and in innocence. The faculties of these are immensely elevated above what they enjoyed in the body, even to the angelic nature of the inhabitants of the third heaven. 1390. Nor is there only a communication of another's affec tions and thoughts, but also of his knowledge, and that so completely, as for one spirit to think that he knows whatever another does, although he had before no acquaintance with such subjects Thus all the attainments of one are communicated to others Some spirits retain what they are thus made acquainted with : but others do not. 1391. Communications are effected, both by the discourse of spirits with each other, and by ideas accompanied with represen tations for the ideas of their thoughts are representative at the same time, and hence all things are abundantly presented to view. More may be represented by a single idea, than can be expressed by a thousand words. But the angels perceive what is within in every idea; what is the affection, what is the ori gin of that affection, what is its end; with many other things besides of an interior nature. 1392. In the other life delights and happinesses are also wont to be communicated from one to several by a real transmission, which is wonderful; and then others are affected by them in the same manner as the person from whom they are conveyed: nor does he experience any diminution of them from their communication to others. It has also been granted me thus to communicate my enjoyments to others by transmissions. Hence may appear what is the nature of the happiness of those who love their neighbor more than themselves, and who desire nothing more ardently than to transfer their own happiness to others. This tendency to communicate derives its origin from the Lord, who thus com municates happiness to the angels. Communications of happiness are continual transmissions of this kind; which are effected without any reflection on them as proceeding from such an active origin, and from a sort of open determination of the will. 1393. Communications are also wonderfully effected by removals, the nature of which cannot be perceived by man. They consist in the instantaneous removal of all such things as cause sadness and sorrow, and thus delights and felicities are presented without any impedimenis: for, on the removal of the former, the angels enter by influx, and communicate their felicities. 1394. Perception being of such a nature, that one can discern in an instant the quality of another in regard to love and faith, it is from this origin that spirits are joined together in societies according to their consent or agreement, and disjoined according to dissent or disagreement; and this with such exquisite nicety, that there is not the smallest portion of difference but what produces its effect in both these ways. Hence the societies in the heavens are so distinctly arranged, that nothing can be conceived more so. This distinct arrangement is made according to all the differences of love and of faith in the Lord, which are innumerable. Hence also comes the form of heaven, which is such as to appear as one man; and this its form is continually advancing in perfection. 1395. It has been given me to know by much experience what is the nature and manner of this kind of perception, but it would carry me too far were I to relate all that has thus been made known to me. I have often heard the discourse of deceitful persons, and have perceived not only that there was deceit within, but also the quality of that deceit, and the wicked purpose involved within it: there is, in fact, an image of the deceit in every tone of the deceiver's voice. I have also perceived whether the deceit was the speaker's own, or was that of others who spoke by him. The case is the same in regard to those who are under the influence of hatred: the quality of the hatred is instantly perceived, and many more particulars within the hatred than man would ever be induced to believe. When the persons are presented to view, against whom hatred has been cherished, a lamentable state is occasioned; for whatever has been thought and contrived against the others stands expressed before all. 1396. A certain spirit, who, during his abode in the world, was desirous of arrogating merit to himself for his deeds and his learning, was observed to go in a direction to the right, where he came among those who were not of such a character. In order that he might obtain association with them, he said that he was a mere thing of naught, and that he was desirous to serve them. But on his first approach, and, indeed, whilst he was afar of, they perceived what his real disposition was, and replied instantly that he was not such as he represented himself, but that he wished to be great, and that, consequently, he could have no agreement with them, who were little. Being hereupon much abashed, ne retired, wondering greatly that he could be known at such a distance. 1397. Perceptions being so exquisite in the other life, evil spirits cannot approach to any society of good spirits who are influenced by mutual love, nor can they come within the sphere of such a society: for, at their first approach, they begin to be tortured, to complain, and to lament. A certain wicked spirit, impelled by audacity and self-confidence, intruded himself into a certain society, which was in the confines of heaven; but, on' the very instant of his entrance, he was seized with a difficulty of respiration, and became sensible of a stench proceeding from himself like that of a putrid carcass: wherefore he immediately fell down again. 1398. There were once several spirits about me who were not good. On the approach of an angel, I saw that the spirits could not endure his presence; for, as he came nearer, they removed themselves farther and farther off; at which I was much surprised: but it was given me to know that those spirits could not abide in the sphere with which the angel was encompassed. Hence also it appeared, as it did likewise from a variety of other expe rience, that one angel can put to flight myriads of evil spirits, because they cannot endure the sphere of mutual love. Nevertheless, it was perceived that the sphere of the angel was tempered by the consociations of others; had it not been so, they would all have been dissipated. Hence also it is evident what is the nature and quality of the perception which is enjoyed in another life, and how all are consociated, and dissociated, according to perceptions. 1399. Every spirit, although he is entirely ignorant of it, has communication with the inner and inmost heaven, otherwise he could not live. His interior nature and quality are known by the angels, who are in his interiors, and he is also governed by the Lord through their instrumentality. Thus the communications of his interiors extend into heaven, as those of his exteriors do into the world of spirits. By interior communications a spirit is disposed to use, to which he is led without being aware of it himself. It is the same with man: he also communicates with heaven by means of angels, otherwise he could not live and yet he is altogether ignorant of the fact. The things which descend thence by influx into his thoughts are only the ultimate effects of this communication. All his life is thence: and thence all the tendencies of his life are regulated. 1400. A continuation of the subject concerning perceptions, and the spheres thence arising, may be seen at the end of this chapter. CHAPTER XII. 1. AND Jehovah said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy land, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, to the lind which I will cause thee to see. 2. And I will make thee into a great nation; and I will bless thee, and will make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. 3. And I will bless them that bless thee, and will curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all the families of the ground be blessed. 4. And Abram went as Jehovah had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him. And Abram was a son of seventy and five years when he departed out of Haran. 5. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance which they had acquired, and the souls which they had gotten in Haran: and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan. And they came into the land of Canaan 6. And Abram passed through the land, unto the place of Shechem, unto the oak-grove of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. 7. And Jehovah appeared to Abram, and said, To thy seed will I give this land. And there he built an altar to Jehovah, 8. And he removed thence to a mountain on the east of Bethel, and stretched his tent; Bethel on the sea, and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to Jehovah, and called on 9. And Abram journeyed, going and journeying towards 10. And there was a famine in the land. And Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; because the famine was 11. And it came to pass, when he drew nigh to come into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold, now, I know that thou art a beautiful woman to look upon : 12. And it will come to pass, when the Egyptians see thee, that they will say, This is his wife and they will kill me, and 13. Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister; that it may be well with me for thy sake, and that my soul may live because 14. And it came to pass, when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very beautiful. 15. And the princes of Pharaoh saw her, and they com- mended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken to Pha 16. And he entreated Abram well for her sake. And he had flocks and herds, and he-asses, and men-servants, and maid- servants, and she-asses, and camels. 17. And Jehovah smote Pharaoh with great plagues, and his house, because of Sarai, Abram's wife. 18. And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? Why didst thou not tell me that she 19. Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me for a woman. And now, behold thy wife: take 1401. TRUE history begins here, all the facts of which are |