Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 1.djvu/71

 words and doeth them, I will liken to a prudent man;—but every one who heareth my words and doeth them not, is likened unto a foolish man," Matt, vii. 24, 26. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in the heavens. Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied by thy name, and in thy name cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? But then will I confess to them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye workers of iniquity," Matt. vii. 22, 23.

Where the Lord prophesies concerning the last judgment, He mentions nothing but works; and declares that they who have done good works shall enter into eternal life, and that they who have done evil works shall enter into damnation, (see Matt. xxv. 32 to 46, and many other passages which treat of the salvation and condemnation of man.) It is evident that works and deeds are the external life of man, and that the quality of his internal life is manifested through them.

But by the deeds and works according to which man is judged, are not meant such deeds and works