Page:The New View of Hell.djvu/117

 life, is promised to none but those who keep or do the Lord's commandments; nor do we find in Scripture any warrant for the belief that others will ever enter in through the gates into the city—for what other way is there, save by religious obedience to the laws of the heavenly life?

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

"For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie."

Nor does the Bible tell us, or any where intimate, that these latter will ever enter into the blessedness of eternal life. But all who thirst for and are willing to take of its waters, may enter in. Therefore it is written again: "Let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

But Swedenborg has himself told us why a man's ruling love cannot be changed after death; and why, therefore, the hells must be unending in their duration. It may be alike interesting and instructive to consider some of his reasons, which I shall proceed to do in the next chapter.