Page:Arcana Coelestia - Volume IX.djvu/11

9112-9118.]

9112. It shall now be told what conscience is. conscience is formed with man from the religious principle in which he is, according to its reception inwardly in himself.

9113. Conscience, with the man of the Church, is formed by the truths of faith from the Word, or from doctrine out of the Word, according to the reception thereof in the heart: for when man knows the truths of faith, and apprehends them in his measure, and then wills them, and does them, in this case he has conscience. Reception in the heart denotes in the will, for the will of man is what is called the heart.

9114. Hence it is that they who have conscience speak from the heart the things which they speak, and do from the heart the things which they do. They have also a mind not divided; for according to what they believe to be true and good, they do, and also according to what they understand. Hence a more perfect conscience may be given with those who are illustrated in the truths of faith above others, and who are in a clear perception above others, than with those who are less illustrated, and who are in obscure perception.

9115. They have conscience, who have received a new will from the Lord, that will itself being conscience; wherefore to act contrary to conscience is to act contrary to that will; and whereas the good of charity makes the new will, the good of charity also makes conscience.

9116. Inasmuch as conscience, as was said above, n. 9113, is formed by the truths of faith, as also the new will and charity, hence also it is, that to act contrary to the truths of faith, is to act contrary to conscience.

9117. Inasmuch as faith and charity, which are from the Lord, constitute the spiritual life of man, hence also it is, that the act contrary to conscience, is to act contrary to that life.

9118. Inasmuch now as to act contrary to conscience is to act contrary to the new will, contrary to charity, and contrary to the truths of faith, consequently contrary to the life which