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 heaven, consequently no decay. Therefore there can be no deterioration there of any of the powers of body or of mind;—no blunting of the senses, no wasting of the form, none of the visible signs which in this world proclaim the coming on of decrepid old age.

Moreover, time cannot properly be predicated of that which is spiritual; consequently it cannot be predicated of the spiritual world, or of spiritual beings. We cannot say, nor even think, that God is old; nor that He is older now than He was ten thousand years ago, or younger than He will be ten thousand years hence. We cannot predicate age of love or wisdom or any of the Divine attributes. Nor can age be predicated of absolute Life. And God is the only absolute Life, and the infinite Fountain of life to angels and men. And Life itself is forever young and vigorous, forever fresh and new. And since the angels are continually becoming more and more perfect—continually being conjoined more closely with the Lord—continually receiving fresh increments of life from the One only Fountain of life, therefore they must be always advancing towards a state of ever-increasing vigor, bloom and beauty.

Such is the undeniable testimony of reason on this subject. Such is the conclusion logically deduced from known and admitted truths, and from premises already established. And this is precisely what Swedenborg has reported from personal observation, after long and open intercourse with the heaven of angels. Let the following suffice for illustration:

"Such as are principled in mutual love, are continually advancing in heaven to the spring-time of their youth;