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 or second, and a lowest or first. And so it is with this New Heaven. I have seen them and conversed with them." (A. R. 876.)

Now, this "middle" and "lowest," we must remember, are as certainly portions of the New Heaven, and as necessary to its integrity, as "the inmost or third." And that the New Church on earth is distinguished into three degrees, like the New Heaven of angels, is taught in the following unequivocal language:—

"The Lord's Church is, like heaven, distinguished into three degrees. In the lowest degree are they who are in its externals; in the second degree are they who are in its internals, and in the third degree are they who are in its inmost principles. . ..

"Such as the Lord overcomes, that is, convinces by the Word, are with Him in heaven; some in the lowest heaven, some in the second, and some in the third—every one according to reception." (A. R. 744.)

And what are we taught as to the states of those who constitute the three divisions respectively of the New Heaven and the New Church? If the Writings furnish a sufficiently explicit answer to this inquiry, the question as to the whereabout of the New Church, or of whom it is constituted, would seem to be conclusively settled. Let us see what answer they give.

Turn, then, to Swedenborg's exposition of the