1017. That the nature of the multiplying depends on the character of the affection, let the person serve as an example who accepts the basic assumption that faith alone saves somebody even when he does not perform any charitable action, that is, has no charity, and so separates faith from charity. Such a person separates faith from charity not only because he has accepted that assumption since earliest childhood, but also because he really does think that if anyone were to say that charity, or the works of charity, were the essential constituent of faith and led a devout life on those grounds he would inevitably be placing merit in works, which however is a falsity. Thus he rejects charity and considers the works of charity to be worthless, and so keeps solely to the idea of faith, which is no faith at all when devoid of its essential, which is charity. As long as he confirms himself in that assumption he in no way acts from an affection for good but from the affection inherent in the delight of being able to live without any restriction on his evil desires. And anyone among those like this who relies on many different facts to confirm that assumption does not act from an affection for truth but from glory of self, in order that he may consequently appear greater, more learned, and more eminent than everybody else, and so be promoted to the ranks of the distinguished and wealthy. Thus he acts from the delight accompanying the affection, and this delight causes things of a confirmatory nature to multiply, for as stated, the character of the affection determines that of the multiplication. In general, if a basic assumption is false, nothing but falsities can possibly result from it. In fact everything conforms to the basic assumption. Indeed, as I know from experience, which in the Lord's Divine mercy I will describe elsewhere, people who confirm themselves in such basic assumptions concerning faith alone and who have not been governed at all by charity, pay no attention to, and so to speak do not see, all that the Lord has said so many times about love and charity, as in Matthew 3:8-9; 5:7, 43-48; 6:12, 15; 7:1-20; 9:13; 12:33; 13:8, 27; 18:21- end; 19:19; 22:35-39; 24:12-13; 25:34, 40, 41, 45; Mark 4:18-20; 11:13-14, 20; 12:28-34; Luke 3:8-9; 6:27-38, 43-end; 7:47; 8:8, 14-15; 10:25-28; 12:58-59; 13:6-9; John 3:19, 21; 5:42; 13:34-35; 14:15, 21, 23; 15:1-17; 21:15-17.
Matthew 7:1-20
1
"Don't judge, so that you won't be judged.
2
For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.
3
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye?
4
Or how will you tell your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye;' and behold, the beam is in your own eye?
5
You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye.
6
"Don't give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
7
"Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.
8
For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
9
Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
10
Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent?
11
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
12
Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
13
"Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who Enter in by it.
14
How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.
15
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
16
By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?
17
Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.
18
A good tree can't produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.
19
Every tree that doesn't grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.
20
Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.
