Page:The Doctrines of the New Church Briefly Explained.djvu/195

Rh sphere encompasses him according to the life of his affection, which sphere is more perceptible to the angels than a sphere of odor is to the most exquisite sense in the world. If his life has been in external things alone, viz., in pleasures derived from hatred against his neighbor, from revenge and consequent cruelty, from adultery, self-exaltation and the consequent contempt of others, from clandestine rapine, avarice, deceit, luxury and the like, the spiritual sphere which encompasses him is as foul and offensive as is the sphere of odor in the world arising from dead bodies, dunghills, stinking filth, and the like. The man who had led such a life, carries this sphere along with him after death; and because he is entirely in that sphere, he cannot be anywhere but in hell where such spheres exist.

"But they who are in internal things, viz., who have had delight in benevolence and charity toward their neighbor, and especially who have found blessedness in love to the Lord, are encompassed with a grateful and pleasant sphere which is essentially celestial; on which account they are in heaven. The spheres which are perceived in the other life, all arise from the loves and consequent affections in which the spirits had been principled, consequently from the life; for loves and consequent affections make the very life itself. And since they arise from loves and consequent affections, they arise from the intentions and ends for the sake of which man so wills and acts. For every one has for an end what he loves; therefore ends determine a man's life, and constitute its quality. Hence especially is his sphere." (A. C. 4464.)