Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 6705

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6705. The ancients divided the neighbour into different categories, giving each category one of the names that describe those in the world who are plainly in the greatest need of help. They also taught how charity should be exercised towards those belonging to one category and towards those belonging to another. In this way they organized their teachings; and they regulated their lives in accordance with those teachings. Consequently the teachings of their Church contained rules for life, and from those teachings they saw what kind of person this or that member of the Church was. They called each of these their brother, though the word had different inner meanings according to the way that person exercised charity - whether he was directed by the genuine teachings of the Church or by such teachings after he had altered them. For since everyone wishes to appear above reproach, he strives to justify the way he lives and for that reason brings the laws embodied in religious teaching to support himself, either by the way he construes them or by changing them.


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