Charity (Whitehead) n. 10

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

10. From all this it is plain that before repentance there is not charity the good of which is from the Lord, but from the man; but after repentance it becomes charity the good of which is not from the man, but from the Lord. For the Lord cannot enter into a man and do any good from Himself through him, before the devil, that is, evil, is cast out, but after he is cast out. The devil is cast out by repentance; and when he is cast out the Lord enters, and does good there through the man, but always so that the man does not perceive but that he does it from himself. And yet he knows that it is from the Lord.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church