Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 1.djvu/179

 In a word, the love of self with the man in whom it rules, constitutes the head, and heavenly love with him constitutes the feet whereon he stands; and if this does not serve him, he tramples it under foot. Hence the reason why they who are cast down into hell, appear to fall with their heads downward toward hell, and their feet upward toward heaven.

Self-love is also of such a quality, that so far as the reins are given it,—that is, so far as external bonds are removed, which consist in fear of the law and its penalties, and of the loss of reputation, honor, gain, employment and life,—it rushes on in its mad career, until at last it not only desires to rule over the whole terrestrial globe, but also over the whole heaven, and over the Divine Himself. It knows no limit or bounds.

This propensity lurks within every one who is in self-love, although it does not appear before the world where the above mentioned bonds restrain it. That such is the case is obvious to every one from the conduct of kings and potentates who are subject to no such restraints or bonds, and who rush on, subjugating provinces and kingdoms, and—so far as they succeed in their purposes—aspire after unlimited power and glory.

The same truth is still more evident from the Babylon of the present day, which has extended its dominion into heaven and transferred all the divine power of the Lord to itself, and continually lusts