Page:Swedenborgs Maximus Homo.pdf/102

 It is, we think, from overlooking this plain teaching, which is many times repeated in the Writings, that much of the difference among brethren as to the nature and whereabout of the New Church has arisen. Some think and speak of a very small portion of this Church as if it were the whole, apparently forgetting or overlooking the clearly revealed truth, that there must exist in the New Church on earth the same degrees as in the New Heaven whence it comes down, and with which we are told it makes one. It is said that "a church is first established by the Lord in the heavens, and afterwards through the heavens on the earth" (A. R. 816); and that "the Church on earth is formed through heaven by the Lord, that they may act as one and be consociated." (Ibid. 879.) Now, if there is a trine in the New Heaven of angels, there must be a similar trine in the New Church which descends from it, else the two could not "act as one and be consociated." And we are left in no doubt on this point. For in Swedenborg's exposition of the chapter that treats of the New Heaven we find the following in the very first paragraph:—

"These ancient heavens are above the Christian heaven, for the heavens are like expanses, one above another. It is the same with each particular heaven; for each heaven by itself is distinguished into three heavens, an inmost or third, a middle