1114. [AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTORY NOTE - CONTINUED
This page continues and completes the 'Author's Introductory Note' that appears on page 1 of the first volume of this English translation. The items numbered 1-27 are the titles of the sections - describing the MARVELS - which occur 'before and after each chapter' of Volume One of the Latin (Chapters 1-15). Items 28 and 29 are the titles of sections that stand in Volume Two of the Latin, at the ends of Chapters 16 and 17 respectively.]
16 The Most Ancient Church, which was called Man, or Adam, 1114-1129. 17 Those before the Flood who perished, 1265-1272. 18 Position in the Grand Man, also place and distance in the next life, 1273-1278 19 Position and place, and also distance and time in the next life - continued, 1376-1382. 20 The perception spirits and angels have; also spheres in the next life, 1383-1400. 21 Perceptions and spheres in the next life - continued, 1504-1520. 22 The light in which angels are living, 1521-1534. 23 The light in which angels are living - continued; also their paradise gardens, and their dwelling-places, 1619-1633. 24 The speech of spirits and angels, 1634-1650. 25 The speech of spirits, and its variations continued, 1757-1764. 26 Sacred Scripture or the Word, and how it conceals within itself Divine matters which are fully visible to good spirits and to angels, 1767-1777 27 Sacred Scripture or the Word - continued, 1869-1879. Some facts about spirits and angels in general, 1880-1885. 28 Visions and dreams, including those that are prophetical which are described in the Word, 1966-1983. 29 The Last Judgement, 2117-2134.
THE MOST ANCIENT CHURCH, WHICH WAS CALLED MAN, OR ADAM
Angels and spirits, that is, human beings after death, are able to meet any they like of all those whom they have been acquainted with in the world or whom they have heard of. They see them and talk to them in person, when the Lord allows it. And what is remarkable, those people are with them in an instant and very much in person. Thus they are allowed to speak not only to friends, who normally find one another, but also to others whom they have admired and revered. In the Lord's Divine mercy I have been allowed to speak not only to those who were known to me during their lifetime but also to the most prominent characters mentioned in the Word. Thus I have been allowed to speak as well to those who belonged to the Most Ancient Church, the Church called Man, or Adam, and also to certain of those who belonged to the Churches that came after it The reason for my being allowed to do so was so that I might know that the names found in the initial chapters of Genesis are used solely to mean Churches, and also that I might know the character of the members of the Churches of that time. The things that follow next therefore are what I have been given to know concerning the Most Ancient Churches.