Page:The Swedenborg Library Vol 2.djvu/46

 may be compared to light decreasing from the centre toward the circumference. Those in the middle are also in the greatest light, and those near the circumference in less and less.

Those of like character are brought together as it were spontaneously; for with their like they are as with their own [relations] and at home; but with others, as with strangers and abroad. When they are with their like they are also in their freedom, and thence in every delight of life.

Hence it is evident that good consociates all in the heavens, and all are distinguished according to its quality. Nevertheless it is the Lord, the Source of all good, who thus joins the angels in consociation, and not the angels themselves. He leads them, conjoins them, arranges them and keeps them in freedom so far as they are in good. Thus He preserves every one in the life of his love, faith, intelligence and wisdom, and thence in happiness.

All who are in similar good also know each other—although they had never met before—just as men in the world know their kindred, relations and friends. The reason is, that in the other life there are no kindreds, relationships and friendships but such as are spiritual, that is, of love and faith. I have several times been permitted to see this, when I have been in