Page:The Doctrines of the New Church Briefly Explained.djvu/202

196 Nor will there be, until marriage is looked upon as the most solemn and momentous event of one's earthly life, and sincere, devout and earnest prayer goes up from the hearts of young men and maidens, that in this most important step, involving perchance the peace and prosperity of multitudes yet unborn, they may be led and governed wholly by the Lord.

"Offspring born of those who are in love truly conjugial," says Swedenborg, derive inclinations and faculties (if a son), for perceiving the things of wisdom, and (if a daughter), for loving the things which wisdom teaches; because the conjugial of good and truth is implanted by creation in the soul of every one, and also in the things derived from the soul. . . . Hence an aptness and facility for conjoining good to truth and truth to good, that is, for becoming wise, is inherited by those who are born from such a marriage; consequently an aptness also for imbibing the things that are of the church and heaven, with which things conjugial love is conjoined. From which considerations reason may clearly see the end for which marriages of love truly conjugial have been provided, and are still provided, by the Lord the Creator [for all, that is, who truly seek and devoutly pray for them]." (C. L. 204.)

We add a few brief extracts from Swedenborg in further elucidation of the subject.