It must be observed, that truth and faith are essentially one, because faith must be of truth, and truth must be of faith. Therefore the ancients used not to speak of faith, but instead of faith, truth, whereas the men of the present day, instead of truth, speak of faith. The reason is, that the former declared that nothing was to be believed but what they saw to be true, thus what they grasped with the understanding; whereas the latter say that a thing ought to be believed, even though they do not see it or grasp it with the understanding. It is evident, therefore, that the difference between the old faith and that of the present time is like that between what is seen and what is not seen; and, as a matter of fact, the truth seen, or apprehended by the understanding, is not to be called faith, but only that which is not seen or not understood. This is why the angels in the higher heavens do not wish even to mention faith; for they see truth from the love of good and from the light of truth, which is in them from the Lord; and they say that it is foolish to have faith in any one who says that this or that must be believed, although not apprehended by the understanding; for this would be to think a thing to be so, whether it is true or false; and to believe what is false is hurtful. Besides, what is believed and not seen enters the memory only, and, consequently, cannot be appropriated by him. It follows, therefore, that the term faith ought rather to be laid aside, and the word truth, used in place of it.

[2] But still what is believed and not seen may be named faith; still this faith is only knowledge. But as soon as a man becomes spiritual, as is the case when his internal which communicates with heaven is opened, then that scientific, which is called faith, becomes truth; for it is then seen by light from heaven.

It must be observed, that all angels and all good spirits see the truths of heaven, as the eye of the body sees the objects of the world; for the objects of heaven are truths to those who are spiritual. The reason is, that their understanding is their spiritual sight.

The reason why truth ought to be named instead of faith is, that by truths come all intelligence and wisdom; but by faith - especially by faith separated - comes all ignorance, that is to say, in spiritual things. Therefore the angels of the higher heavens turn themselves away, when they hear the word faith named. The reason is, that their mind is averse to what is thought by those who say that the understanding should be under obedience to faith. And not to see truths would be to extinguish the light of heaven, in which they are, and which is within them. They also wonder how it comes to be believed by some that intellectual faith is not spiritual, although that faith is truth, whereas faith not understood is historical faith, because it is from another; and consequently, considered strictly, is merely knowledge.