Page:The Philosophy of Creation.djvu/344

 Consequently but little influx can pass from the Lord through the Spiritual Mind into the Natural Mind, where the influx is resisted by what is evil and false, and the endeavor received is changed into the opposite. Those who become so confirmed in the perverted life of the Rational that it is a ruling principle constitute the highest hell. The middle hell is composed of those who have sunk in evils and falsities to the extent that the perverted life of the Scientific rules. In the lowest hell are those who have degenerated to the lowest degree of evil and falsity, wherein the perverted life of the sensual rules. In the descent the influx becomes less and less, the understanding declining until the intellect is stupid, like that of fish, and the love becoming more depraved until it becomes like that of ravenous wild beasts. In such, love from the Lord is turned into hatred and rage, the good and truth of the natural is destroyed, and the foundations of the higher life of heaven burn in evil. "For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn into the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains."

What the life of hell is may be perceived by the spiritually minded, for its influx terminates in evil desires and thoughts in like people upon the