Page:The Judgment Day.pdf/152

 ordinately distinguished according to the differences of every evil, that nothing can be more ordinate and more distinct: hence it may be manifest that they are innumerable, one near another, and one remote from another, according to the differences of evils in general, in species, and in particular."—H. & H. n. 588.

Having presented the above general views in regard to the origin, nature and form of heaven and hell, we will finish this section with a few remarks upon the enjoyments and miseries of these opposite spiritual states. It cannot be denied that the doctrines of the New Church, on this subject, are widely at variance with those generally regarded as orthodox. And this will perhaps account, in some measure, for the strange and absurd caricatures, to which our views have been subjected, even by those who are accounted very learned in the popular theology. What men do not understand, they are very apt to misrepresent, especially if they think themselves wise and learned.

The common doctrine on this subject, though not very clearly defined, is nevertheless sufficiently so, to be safely expressed in general terms. The enjoyments of heaven are regarded as consisting chiefly in the direct and immediate worship of the Lord,—an idea which seems to have arisen from regarding religion as something essentially different from the every day affections and duties of life. If there is supposed to be more of religion in worshipping and praising the Lord in public, than in attending to our ordinary duties, it is very natural to infer that the occupations of heaven will consist chiefly in the former exercises, and that its delights will be derived from that source. It has even been common for selfish pietists to suppose, that while engaged in these exercises, the saints of the Lord will be served and waited upon by the angels who are now in heaven. It is true, a very popular writer, Dr. Dick, to whom I referred in a former page, has ventured to suggest that the saints of the Lord will be permitted to spend a part of their time in studying Mathematics, Astronomy, and other natural sciences,