own [proprium]; and to the extent that they are kept apart from what is their own the Lord flows into them; and in consequence of this whatever they hear from the Lord, whether through the Word or by means of preaching, they do not store up in the memory, but instantly obey it, that is, will it and do it, their will being itself their memory.  These for the most part outwardly appear simple, but inwardly they are wise and prudent.  These are meant by the Lord in the words,

     Be ye prudent as serpents and simple as doves (Matt.
     10:16).

Such is the innocence that is called the innocence of wisdom. [3] Because innocence attributes nothing of good to itself, but ascribes all good to the Lord, and because it thus loves to be led by the Lord, and is the source of the reception of all good and truth, from which wisdom comes,—­because of this man is so created as to be during his childhood in external innocence, and when he becomes old in internal innocence, to the end that he may come by means of the former into the latter, and from the latter return into the former.  For the same reason when a man becomes old he dwindles in body and becomes again like a child, but like a wise child, that is, an angel, for a wise child is in an eminent sense an angel.  This is why in the Word, “a little child” signifies one who is innocent, and “an old man” signifies one who is wise in whom is innocence.{1}

{Footnote 1} In the Word “little children” signify innocence (n. 5608); likewise “sucklings” (n. 3183).  An “old man” signifies one who is wise, and in an abstract sense wisdom (n. 3183, 6524).  Man is so created that in proportion as he verges towards old age he may become like a little child, and that innocence may then be in his wisdom, and in that state he may pass into heaven and become an angel (n. 3183, 5608).

279.  The same is true of everyone who is being regenerated.  Regeneration, as regards the spiritual man, is re-birth.  Man is first introduced into the innocence of childhood, which is that one knows no truth and can do no good from himself, but only from the Lord, and desires and seeks truth only because it is truth, and good only because it is good.  As man afterwards advances in age good and truth are given him by the Lord.  At first he is led into a knowledge of them, then from knowledge into intelligence, and finally from intelligence into wisdom, innocence always accompanying, which consists, as has been said, in his knowing nothing of truth, and being unable to do anything good from himself but only from the Lord.  Without such a belief and such a perception of it no one can receive any thing of heaven.  Therein does the innocence of wisdom chiefly consist.