Every man has something
of his own which he loves above all things. This is called that
which rules, or if you will, that which reigns universally with him.
This is constantly present in his thought, and also in his will, and
makes his veriest life.
As for example, he
who loves wealth above all things, whether money or possessions, is
continually revolving in his mind how he may procure it; he inmostly
rejoices when he acquires it; he inmostly grieves when he loses it;
his heart is in it. He who loves himself above all things is mindful
of himself in everything, thinks of himself, speaks of himself, acts
for the sake of himself; for his life is a life of self.
A man has as the end
that which he loves above all things; in each and all things he has
regard to this; it is in his will like the hidden current of a river
which draws and bears him away, even when he is doing something
else, for it is what animates him. It is this which one man searches
out in another, and also sees, and according to it either leads him,
or acts with him.
When a man is being
regenerated, charity is implanted by means of faith, even until it
becomes that which rules; and when charity has become this, he has a
new life, for it is then continually present in his thought, and
continually in his will, nay, in every single thing of them, even
when he is meditating about other things, and when he is engaged in
business.
The case is the same
with love to the Lord. When this love is that which rules, it is
present in every single thing of the man's life; as for instance
with him who loves his king, or his parent, his love toward them
shines forth in their presence from every feature of his face, it is
heard in every expression of his speech, and is seen in his every
gesture. This is meant by having God continually before the eyes,
and by loving Him above all things, with all the soul and with all
the heart.
A man is wholly such
as is the ruling principle of his life; by this he is distinguished
from others; according to this is formed his heaven if he is good,
and his hell if he is evil; for it is his veriest will, and thus the
very being of his life, which cannot be changed after death. From
all this it is evident what is the nature of the life of one who is
regenerate, and what is the nature of the life of one who is not
regenerate.
(Continuation
respecting THE DOCTRINE OF CHARITY −
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