Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 1.djvu/73

 ; a sixth, that he may draw some one to his own side,—wrong though it be; a seventh, that he may deceive; and others from other motives.

But the deeds of all these, although they appear good,—for it is good to act sincerely and justly with one's neighbor,—still are evil, since they are not done for the sake of sincerity, and justice, because they love them, but for the sake of self and the world. These are the objects which they really love; and outward sincerity and justice are subservient to this love, as servants to a master who despises and dismisses them when they are not serviceable to him.

The sincere and just conduct of those who act from the love of sincerity and justice, appears similar in the external form to that of the others. Some of these act from the truth of faith, or from obedience, because it is so commanded in the Word; some from the good of faith or from conscience, because from religious principle; some from the good of charity toward the neighbor, because his good ought to be consulted; and some from the good of love to the Lord, because good ought to be done for its own sake, and therefore also sincerity and justice. They love sincerity and justice because these are from the Lord, and because the Divine which proceeds from the Lord is in them; and thence, viewed in their very essence, they are divine.

The deeds or works of these are interiorly good,