Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 1.djvu/145



OME people imagine that, to live the life which leads to heaven, which is called spiritual life, is difficult; because they have been told that man must renounce the world, and deprive himself of what are called the lusts of the body and the flesh, and must live in a spiritual manner. By this they understand that they must reject worldly things, which consist chiefly in riches and honors; must live continually in pious meditation about God, salvation, and eternal life; and spend their life in prayer, and in reading the Word and books of piety. This they conceive to be renouncing the world, and living to the spirit and not to the flesh.

But that the case is altogether otherwise, I have learned by much experience and from conversation with the angels; yea, I have learned that they who renounce the world and live in the spirit in this manner, procure to themselves a sorrowful life which is not receptible of heavenly joy; for every one's own life remains after death.

But in order that man may receive the life of heaven, it is altogether necessary that he live in the