Page:The Philosophy of Creation.djvu/348

 have an ultimate in which it may be formed, but also that the lowest orders of law and life that nature embraces, as it is the lowest and outmost of the universe, may first be acquired. Thus the creation or development of man is commenced in nature. This is clearly substantiated in the development and education of every individual, for there is obtained first sensual knowledge; by means of this, scientific truths; and by means of these, rational truths; by these the laws and truths of the spiritual world are comprehended; and lastly by these the mind is opened to Divine love that is nearer to the Creator. In infancy the Sensual is developed; in childhood the Scientific is commenced; in youth the Rational appears; in early manhood the Spiritual-Natural, which comprehends the external law and order of the spiritual world, can be formed; later the Spiritual, which perceives truth of the spiritual order, develops; and lastly the Celestial, which predominantly receives and sensates Divine love, is opened, reaching its fulness at the close of life, provided the life has been according to Divine order. In the development of the Celestial there is the closest and fullest reception of life from the Creator. This, coming last, is the evident design of what comes before. It is the final object and end of humian existence and of crea-