proposition, which has the assent of every true man, that if ruin threatens the country from an enemy or other source, it is illustrious to die for it, and glorious for a soldier to shed his blood for it.  This is a common saying, because so much should one’s country be loved.  Those who love their country, and from good will do good to it, after death love the Lord’s kingdom, for this is their country there; and they who love the Lord’s kingdom, love the Lord, for He is the All in all of His Kingdom.

—­True Christian Religion, n. 414

FAITH AND DOUBT

There are those who are in doubt before they deny, and there are those who are in doubt before they affirm.  Those in doubt before they deny, are men who incline to a life of evil.  When that life sways them, they deny things spiritual and celestial to the extent that they think of them.  But those in doubt before they affirm, are men who incline to a life of good.  When they suffer themselves to be turned to this life by the Lord, they then affirm things spiritual and celestial to the extent that they think of them.

—­Arcana Coelestia, n. 2568

THE FAITH OF THE FAITHFUL

It is one thing to know truths, another to acknowledge them, and yet another to have faith in them.  Only the faithful can have faith.

—­Arcana Coelestia, n. 896

The only faith that endures with man springs from heavenly love.  Those without love have knowledge merely, or persuasion.  Just to believe in truth and in the Word is not faith.  Faith is to love truth, and to will and do it from inward affection for it.

—­Heaven and Hell, n. 482

If a man thinks to himself or says to another, “Who can have that inward acknowledgment of truth which is faith?  I cannot,” I will tell him how he may:  “Shun evils as sins, and go to the Lord, and you will have as much as you desire.”

—­Doctrine Concerning Faith, n. 12

NEIGHBORS

Not only is the individual man the neighbor, but the collective man, too.  A society, smaller or larger, is the neighbor; the Church is; the Kingdom of the Lord is; and above all the Lord Himself.  These are the neighbor, to whom good is to be done from love.  These are also the ascending degrees of the neighbor; for a society consisting of many is the neighbor in a higher degree than is the individual; one’s country in a still higher degree; the Church in a still higher degree than one’s country; in a degree higher still the Kingdom of the Lord; and in the highest degree the Lord Himself.  These degrees of ascent are like the steps in a ladder, at the top of which is the Lord.

—­Heavenly Doctrine, n. 91

DIVERSIONS