Arcana Coelestia #1017
1017. To show that the multiplication is such as is the affection, take for example a man who accepts the principle that faith alone saves even if he does no work of charity, that is, even if he has no charity, and who thus separates faith from charity-not only on account of this principle received from childhood, but also because he supposes that if one should call the works of charity, or charity itself, an essential part of faith, and should on this account live aright, he could not but place merit in works, though this is a false supposition. Thus he rejects charity and makes the works of charity of no account, abiding only in the idea of faith, which is no faith without its essential, namely, charity. In confirming this principle in himself, he does it not at all from the affection of good, but from the affection of pleasure, that he may live in the indulgence of his cupidities. And anyone belonging to this class of people who confirms faith alone by many things, does so not from any affection of truth, but for his own glory, that he may seem greater, more learned, and more exalted than others, and may thus take a high place among those in wealth and honor; thus he does it from the delight of the affection, and this delight causes the multiplication of the confirmatory things; for, as has been said, such as the affection is, such is the multiplication. In general, when the principle is false, nothing but falsities can follow from it; for all things conform themselves to the first principle. Indeed-as I know from experience, of which by the Divine mercy of the Lord hereafter-those who confirm themselves in such principles about faith alone, and are in no charity, care nothing for, and are as if they did not see, all that the Lord said so many times about love and charity
(see Matthew 3:8-9; 5:7, 43-48; 6:12, 15; 7:1-20; 9:13; 12:33; 13:8, 23; 18:21 to the end; 19:19; 22:34-39; 24:12-13; 21:34, 40-41, 43;
Mark 4:18-20; 11:13-14, 20; 12:28-35;
Luke 3:8-9; 6:27-39, 43-49; 7:47; 8:8, 14-15; 10:25-28; 12:58-59; 13:6-10;
John 3:19, 21; 5:42; 13:34-35; 14:14-15, 20-21, 23; 15:1-19; 21:15-17).
Luke 6:27-39
27
"But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28
bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.
29
To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don't withhold your coat also.
30
Give to everyone who asks you, and don't ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.
31
"As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.
32
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33
If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34
If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.
35
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.
36
Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.
37
Don't judge, and you won't be judged. Don't condemn, and you won't be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.
38
"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."
39
He spoke a parable to them. "Can the blind guide the blind? Won't they both fall into a pit?
